Project Assistant

PROJECT ASSISTANT – Ninewa & Salah ad Din

Core Details

Iraq Context

Oxfam’s programme has been established in 2014 in response to the ISIS conflict in Iraq. Oxfam implemented activities during the past few years was built around the delivery of 3 main areas: A) Lifesaving humanitarian assistance b) Recovery assistance, and C) Promotion of Women Rights.

• Lifesaving humanitarian assistance: to newly displaced populations residing in camps or host communities. The bulk of this work was done around the Mosul Operation with activities implemented in the governorates of Erbil, Salah Al Din, Anbar, Diyala and Ninewa. Activities included: Establishment/rehabilitation of safe water (boreholes, repair of infrastructure); Emergency water supply (distribution of water through trucking and bottled water); Setting up water tanks and networks in camps; Distribution of hygiene items; construction of latrines; Multi-purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), Cash for Work opportunities inside the camps to allow construction work and solid waste management; and Distribution of emergency winterisation kits.

• Recovery assistance: to returnees, local host communities and IDPs to recover from the post-conflict and to cope with protracted displacement. The main activities implemented under these areas of work include: Rehabilitation of water infrastructure; Supporting local authorities to rehabilitate essential public services (schools and hospitals); Grants to returnees to recover damaged businesses; Provision of livestock to support farmers; Cash for Work opportunities contributing to income for vulnerable families and supporting rehabilitation of infrastructure of public interest (irrigation canals, main roads).

• Promotion of Women Rights: through contributing to the implementation of the National Plan for 1325 UN Resolution, and economic empowerment of women through provision of training and grants to establish/rehabilitate businesses.

To serve these three objectives, Oxfam work aimed to integrate the following key sectors together for every intervention in a given location:

• Water Sanitation and Hygiene
• Food Security and Vulnerable Livelihoods
• Non-food-Items and Shelter
• Protection of lives and rights of civilians
• Gender Justice
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
• Advocacy and Media work

JOB PURPOSE

The Project Assistant supports the implementation, coordination, and reporting of the GIZ-funded project in Salah ad Din governorate. Under the supervision of the Senior Project Officer, the Project Assistant assists in organizing project activities, engaging with stakeholders, and ensuring the achievement of project objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in organizing and facilitating tailored financial literacy sessions for various target groups, including people affected by poverty, youth, and MSME owners, with a focus on promoting responsible financial decision-making and encouraging formal financial inclusion.
• Support the delivery of training sessions on e-payment tools and other financial products/services to MSME owners and women entrepreneurs, aimed at enhancing their understanding of green financial products and facilitating access to them.
• Contribute to mapping and identifying MSMEs in the targeted areas, including women-led enterprises, and assist in developing tailored training materials on financial literacy and green financial products/tools.
• Collaborate with local stakeholders, including financial institutions, government authorities, and community organizations, to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of financial literacy and inclusion initiatives.
• Assist in conducting awareness campaigns and outreach activities to promote the adoption of renewable energy technologies, including solar energy, among households and agricultural enterprises.
• Support the implementation of pilot initiatives related to renewable energy adoption, including the installation and monitoring of solar energy systems in domestic and agricultural settings.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of capacity-building programs for community members, government actors, and other stakeholders on renewable energy technologies and green financial products/services.
• Assist in monitoring project progress against approved plans, identifying challenges, and proposing solutions as needed, with a particular focus on the financial literacy and renewable energy components.
• Participate in beneficiary registration and selection processes, ensuring adherence to agreed criteria and methodologies, and promoting gender mainstreaming in all project activities.
• Support the development of project progress reports, including narrative and financial reporting, in collaboration with project staff and technical leads.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as economics, finance, sustainable development, or international development.
• Previous experience or strong interest in financial literacy, financial inclusion, renewable energy, or related fields is desirable.
• Basic understanding of financial concepts and practices, as well as renewable energy technologies and their applications.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-based environment.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic languages (written and spoken).
• Ability to travel and work in challenging environments.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Technical Skills:

• Financial literacy: Support delivery of tailored financial literacy sessions and training on e-payment tools.
• Financial inclusion: Assist in promoting access to green financial products/services for MSME owners and women entrepreneurs.
• Renewable energy: Contribute to awareness campaigns and pilot initiatives on renewable energy adoption, including solar energy systems.
• Stakeholder engagement: Collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of financial literacy and renewable energy initiatives.

Other

• Required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Desirable

• Experience in building the capacity of the team internally and of external stakeholders;
• Experience in working and jointly implementing projects involving local authorities and/or organizations as implementing partners.
• Proficiency in English language will be an asset (both spoken and writing)

Key Attributes

1. Good interpersonal, influencing and communication skills.
2. Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
3. Commitment to humanitarian principles and action.