Project Assistant

2 PROJECT ASSISTANTS – Ninewa and Anbar

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.

In order 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

Project Assistant position is responsible for implementation of project activities in either one of the Governorates (Ninewa and Anbar), technical assessments, coordination and reporting of the GIZ funded project in Ninewa and Anbar titled ‘Strengthening Inclusive Local Governance for Climate Resilient Service Delivery”. Under the supervision of project officer, Project Assistant will draft weekly, monthly implementation plan/reports. This position requires a good understanding of climate change issues, as well as the ability to implement solutions in the field, coordinating closely with project stakeholders in the governorates of Ninewa and Anbar.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Delivery and Coordination

• Conduct community mobilization and sensitization activities in targeted locations considering the strict adherence to DO NO HARM principle.
• Under the supervision of project officer, draft weekly, monthly implementation plan/reports and ensure implementation of the plan accordingly.
• Implement climate change and its implications for Anbar and Ninewa districts as a basis to develop adaptation and mitigation measures;
• As delegated by project officer to supervise the implementation of the climate change interventions for the program ensuring achievement of the set objectives and milestones.
• Ensure community participation at each stage of project implementation and their input and feedback are incorporated in activities implementation.
• Leading the team of enumerators to implement the overall process of beneficiary registration and selection process and ensure the right people are selected for inclusion in the program as per agreed and approved selection criteria and methodology.
• Capacity building of the community volunteers.
• Ensure gender mainstreaming for all project activities with inclusion of women in all program support and facilitate the women group at different stages of program implementation.
• Work with youth groups and women groups to identify and address special needs of both for inclusion and support in to shape citizen participation processes and to support the resilience of their communities against the impacts of climate change.
• Participate in assessments, collation and analysis of other primary and secondary information sources of relevance to contribute to contribute to agreed advocacy initiatives.
• Maintain good working relationships with relevant government departments, academia, and other key project stakeholders and ensure Oxfam interest is presented at all levels.
• Ensure project deliverables are achieved as stipulated in project design maintaining the Oxfam’s program quality standards and expectation of relevant stakeholders.
• Work with MEAL team for monitoring and evaluating the project regularly, ensuring community participation as appropriate, as well as accountability towards communities.
• Follow up on MEAL activities and findings ensuring that learning from monitoring and evaluation is included and strategies and program implementation are adapted accordingly.

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.

Qualifications & Preferred Skills

Essential

• A minimum bachelor’s university degree in business management, sustainable

development, economics, development studies, peace and conflict studies or related field.

• 1-2 years of experience in the similar position, including experience working with implementing partners in the field of climate change and sustainable development.
• Good Knowledge of the issues, challenges and opportunities around climate change adaptation and policy dialogue and citizen engagement for climate advocacy.
• Experience and skills in playing a supportive role, demonstrating ability to support field teams’ members to deliver results for operational work.
• Ensure proper community engagement and clear communication with community.
• A good understanding of the Iraqi context and local cultures.
• Strong ability to work with diverse groups/individuals –ranging from local partners, local authorities, local community groups, the humanitarian community, and the Academia.
• Proficiency in Arabic language (written and spoken) is required.
• Ability to travel and to work in difficult circumstances.
• MS Office operating skills (Word, Excel, Power point)

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.

Organizational Values

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.