Iraq: Program Manager - Child Protection (CP)

About SEED Foundation: 

SEED Foundation is a locally registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. SEED’s mission is to protect, empower, and support the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk. SEED is committed to delivering quality and holistic approaches, combining international expertise and local know-how to achieve results for the people of Iraq and Kurdistan. SEED’s programming focuses on three key objectives: 1) the delivery of transformational, comprehensive services including case management, mental health, and legal services, as well as psychosocial support activities; 2) strengthening the capacity of service providers through education, training, and capacity-development programs; and 3) ​promoting policy and social change to strengthen rights and protections for vulnerable populations through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy.

SEED carries a broad program portfolio focused on Child Protection (CP) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) focusing on services to survivors and those at risk; policy and advocacy focused on legislative, policy, and institutional strengthening; prevention and awareness; and training and capacity building.

SEED staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities professionally, respecting SEED’s Code of Conduct Policies. SEED is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members as part of our commitment to a safe and harmonious work environment.

Role of the Program Manager (CP): 

The Program Manager (CP) will report to the Head of Programs and will be responsible for leading implementation of a child protection program that focuses on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA). The Program Manager will be responsible for program management, grant compliance, planning and implementation, budgeting, donor reporting, and program communications. The Program Manager (CP) will also develop and implement technical initiatives and strategize engagement and collaboration with government agencies to strengthen OCSEA prevention policies, protections, approaches and services. The Program Manager (CP) will monitor global developments and efforts, and ensure existing initiatives meet international standards, as well as national and regional standards endorsed by the CP AOR. The Program Manager (CP) will work together with the senior management, OCSEA Technical Expert, Communications, and Community Engagement Units to develop public awareness and prevention messaging and campaigns. The Program Manager (CP) will report to the Head of Programs.

Specific Tasks:

Program and Grants Management 50%:

• Collaborate closely with other managers and technical advisors on the full cycle of program management, including design, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, objectives, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Oversee implementation and administration of programs, setting program direction and ensuring that all activities are conducted in full compliance with donor regulations and SEED Foundation policies and procedures.
• Manage budgets, prepare projections, review BVAs, and ensure timely and appropriate spending.
• Develop work plans and track progress on all program objectives, activities, and targets, ensuring program implementation is on time, progressing towards targets and within budget.
• Coordinate across technical, programmatic, operational and management teams to facilitate continuity and complementarity of programming.
• Identify challenges with implementation and make recommendations for course correction.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with SEED’s relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan.
• Supervise, train and build the capacity of program staff, identifying capacity building needs and devising development plans for staff members.
• Conduct appraisals and provide regular, constructive feedback to staff members.
• Working closely with the MEAL Manager, develop and contribute to the creation of MEAL systems for programs and projects.
• Ensure that MEAL systems provide adequate feedback to inform program development and course corrections as necessary.
• Lead the drafting process of program reporting, ensuring that reports are of a high quality and submitted on time.
• Support with the development of proposals and concept notes and contribute to the development of SEED’s strategy for the KRI
• Working closely with policy and advocacy team members, develop plans, strategies, campaigns, and initiatives to support SEED efforts for legislative, policy, and institutional reform to strengthen child protection and GBV response.
• to reduce and prevent, and strengthen child protection and GBV response.
• Lead and motivate project teams, ensuring clear communication and understanding of program goals and responsibilities; foster a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Collaborate with finance and procurement teams to manage procurement needs, contracts and expenditures.
• Regularly track performance indicators to measure program success.
• Prepare and deliver comprehensive donor reports on program performance and impact to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with grant agreement and donor requirements; conduct regular compliance reviews and audits to identify potential issues and recommend corrective actions.

Programmatic Leadership and Organizational Representation (30%):

• Leading strategic and project planning on child protection/OCSEA program initiatives under program, across SEED teams.
• Lead program planning, design, and interventions to strengthen government response and prevention and awareness efforts
• Represent SEED locally, regionally, and at global events, as applicable.
• Coordinating and collaborating with the government and other key stakeholders such as the technology industry, UN Agencies, etc.
• Developing strategic partnerships and maintaining effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Develop or review all program materials and content for technical assistance, training, awareness, etc.
• Lead workshops, meetings, and contribute to training.
• Strengthen prevention and response efforts of OCSEA in Iraq through technical assistance and advocacy.

Monitoring and Evaluation (20%):

• Ensure all members of the team know all program targets and indicators, and implement appropriate tools and systems for monitoring program progress and impact.
• Ensure program activities and policy and advocacy initiatives are properly monitored, documented, evaluated, and reported on in accordance with the program's indicators, output and outcome.
• Support program M&E, including development of tools, to ensure that M&E systems provide adequate feedback on interventions.
• Make recommendations for program development and course correction.

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in social or political science, public policy, IT, law, international development, conflict studies, gender studies, human rights, or another related field.
• At least three years managing international GBV or CP programs
• At least five years working on protection and child protection programs.
• Expertise on technology and/or technology-facilitated gender based violence TFGBV and OCSEA, a plus
• Strong leadership skills.
• Experience implementing donor-funded international development and/or humanitarian assistance programs.
• Experience in the Middle East, Iraq and/or Kurdistan Region is a plus.
• Strong belief in gender equality and human rights.
• Good interpersonal, communication, time management and team-building skills.
• High standard of spoken and written English, with Arabic and/or Kurdish a plus.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.

How to Apply: 

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume via this LINK
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.