Project Manager

Location: Baghdad or Erbil, Iraq (Remote with occasional travel to Amman, Jordan)

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Contract type: 18 month fixed term contract

Hours: Full time

Closing date: Thursday 6th June 2024

Start date: 30th September 2024

**This role is contingent on successful award of project

About ARK

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity and hope for the future.

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Learn more about our impact here: https://www.ark.international/impact

About the Role

ARK Group has been working in Iraq for a decade, with a programme office in Amman supporting in-country programme/project delivery. Present and past ARK Group donors in Iraq include among others the US Department of State, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the World Bank.

ARK Group is seeking a Project Manager to lead the delivery of a research and advocacy project focused on political economy in Iraq. The Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for achieving the project’s objectives effectively, efficiently and compliantly, overseeing all aspects of project management through each project phase in accordance with ARK Group’s and the client’s policies and procedures. The PM is also responsible for the management of the project team, project resources and coordination across ARK’s wider operations team.

The offer of a contract of employment is subject to project being awarded.

What you'll be doing

• Develop and review the overall work plan for delivery in coordination with relevant staff and follow up on the day-to-day implementation of project activities, including with partners.
• Plan and oversee logistics and procurement for each project phase, ensuring compliance with project needs and realistic timelines.
• Actively coordinate with the project and operations teams, including grantees, to foster effective collaboration. Ensure that all parties are aligned and working cohesively toward program plans.
• Conduct structured weekly meetings to review ongoing activities, assess progress, and plan upcoming deliverables. Use these meetings as a platform for team alignment, problem-solving, and strategic planning.
• Monitor the project and identify the need for adjustment and improvement of systems and processes to improve efficiency, optimise utilisation of resources and improve quality of deliverables.
• Lead on regular engagement and communication with the donor.
• Lead on engagement with local authorities and civilian representatives of the Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG).
• Recruit and manage the inputs and contributions of subject matter experts (SMEs)/consultants.
• Work collaboratively and coordinate with ARK Group’s departmental leads involved/supporting the project, such as Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL); Research; Gender and Inclusion; and Communications.
• Review financial glidepath with Finance staff monthly to identify underspends and overspends.
• Ensure that budgets are spent in accordance with donor funding and donor regulations within the appropriate timeframe.
• Make any recommendations for budget adjustment to the Country Manager and/or Head of Finance.
• Act as the security focal point; monitor any changes to security risks and brief Senior Management on relevant changes. Update the Project Risk Register and Security Plan monthly or on becoming aware of a change in the threat level to ensure that it remains accurate and relevant, and all risks are managed appropriately.
• Provide support for the implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan.
• Lead in preparing weekly and monthly reports including the compilation of data and lessons learned for quarterly and annual reports.
• Provide ongoing support to potential grantees to facilitate the successful implementation of their plans. Offer guidance, resources, and technical assistance as needed to ensure their activities are well-aligned with the overarching goals of the program.
• Regularly assess grantee’s implementation for alignment and make recommendations for adjustments to maintain coherence with program objectives.
• Develop and implement capacity building plans for each grantee, tailored to their unique needs and technical gaps. Collaborate with grantees to identify skill gaps and design training modules, workshops, and other interventions that effectively address these needs.
• Ensure all staff related matters for the staff of the designated project(s) are carried out in accordance with ARK Group’s policies and guidelines. This includes recruitment, performance management, staff development and training and disciplinary action. Supervision of the Aden-based project staff and the delivery of the project’s objectives.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with a wide range of relevant partners, clients and sub-grantees.
• Liaise with the Communications team to develop and implement a strategy to publicize activities, contributing to external debate and promoting the program.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in project or programme management roles in Iraq

• Full professional spoken and written proficiency in Arabic and English
• Experience of liaising with government officials, donors, partners, civil society actors, contractors and suppliers
• Budgetary control and financial management skills
• Proficiency with MS Suite
• Mastery in crafting and delivering compelling messages, influencing opinions, and driving positive change through strategic communication initiatives.
• Exceptional time management skills, effectively balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Able to anticipate potential challenges and proactively implement solutions to ensure smooth operations.
• (Desirable) Experience working on issues and themes related to political economy/illicit economic activities in Iraq.

Benefits

Why join ARK?

• Impactful Work: Your expertise will directly impact the lives of those in need.
• Global Reach: Collaborate with international experts and local stakeholders.
• Innovation: Engage in pioneering solutions for sustainable change.

Our People

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organisations, journalism and the private sector.

An ARK Person Is:

Smart: We think deeply about things. We’re proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognise out limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren’t afraid to share our opinions and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is this committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related personnel are expected to share this commitment and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.