With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.
Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!
Employee Contract Type:
International Assignment (WVI – Paid via GCLA) Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
Job Description:
JOB PURPOSE
The Programme Director will lead, direct, and manage all aspects of World Vision Iraq’s program and operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and Government of Iraq (GOI). This includes ensuring a robust strategic alignment and seamless integration between resource acquisition, program quality, field operations, and organizational objectives. The Programme Director will also lead the design and implementation of WV Iraq’s nexus programming, integrating humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts. In addition, he/she will drive innovative programming ideas to enhance WV Iraq's impact, focusing on partnerships with local, national, and international stakeholders. The ultimate goal is to achieve a significant, sustainable impact on child well-being, focusing on the most vulnerable children in the region.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITES
Strategic Leadership and Coordination
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to the overall success of WV Iraq’s country strategy and business planning. Identify strategically aligned programming opportunities within the national context and mandate, including accessing funding and partnering effectively with stakeholders. Approve and ensure the implementation of Resource Development and Acquisition strategies and plans. Forge strong relationships with peers in the WV partnership, advocating the position of WV Iraq, contributing to strategic meetings, and translating strategic insights into contextually appropriate approaches. Promote strong and rigorous coordination and collaboration between field operations, grant acquisition, sector, and evaluation teams to ensure high-quality program implementation and field impact. Ensure field needs, assessment and analysis data, local context, and internal and external funding and donor priorities are properly integrated into WV Iraq’s strategic planning. Ensure that strategies are aligned with the priorities of World Vision International while also adapting to the Iraqi context.
Resource Mobilization and Donor Engagement
Lead the development of the Resource Development strategy, ensuring alignment with the organizational strategy and maximizing funding opportunities. Establish and maintain strong relationships with institutional, private, and philanthropic donors to secure financial resources and long-term partnerships. Work closely with the finance and program teams to ensure that funding needs are met and resources are effectively allocated to high-priority programs. Oversee the development of high-quality proposals and reports that align with donor expectations and organizational goals. Ensure that donor compliance and reporting standards are met, and that all funding is utilized efficiently. Explore new opportunities for funding and partnerships, particularly in key sectors such as education, protection, and climate resilience.
Program Quality and Field Operations
Oversee the implementation of high-quality programs on the ground, ensuring that all operations are child-focused and aligned with the organization's mission. • Lead the integration of RLEAM (Rapid Learning and Evaluation Management) systems to digitally monitor and evaluate program performance in real time.
• Ensure the implementation of robust systems for monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) across all programs.
• Drive program quality by overseeing assessments, program design, and implementation, ensuring that programs meet internal and external standards.
• Ensure effective and efficient program management, addressing operational challenges and optimizing the use of resources.
• Ensure that operational and programmatic activities comply with World Vision’s policies, donor requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Develop and implement systems that optimize operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness across all programs.
Innovative Programmes Initiation
Design and lead innovative programs that enhance livelihoods, particularly for youth and women, integrating them into broader strategies that promote economic resilience. This includes providing leadership to World Vision Iraq area-based programme initiative: the Resilience and Recovery Pathways for Iraq (RRPI). • Collaborate with local businesses and government bodies to create sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Ensure that youth and women-focused programs are adaptable, inclusive, and impactful, with measurable improvements in income and community participation.
• Integrate economic empowerment strategies with peacebuilding, climate resilience, WASH, protection, and education to foster long-term community development.
• Lead the integration of cross-sectoral strategies to create holistic solutions that address multiple community needs at once.
• Promote peacebuilding efforts and climate resilience as core components of all programs, integrating social cohesion and environmental sustainability into programmatic design.
• Ensure that interventions promote conflict resolution, peace dialogues, collective action towards climate adaptation, and sustainability.
Partnership and Localization
Foster partnerships with government bodies, the private sector, local organizations, and faith-based actors to enhance program impact. • Promote localization by empowering local organizations and stakeholders to take the lead in program implementation. This includes leading the local partners mapping, capacity strengthening and joint program co-creation and implementation.
• Strengthen partnerships with existing donors and ensure collaboration in identifying new funding opportunities.
Team Leadership, Capacity Building, and Staff Development
Provide leadership and mentorship to the program team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. Promote the development of staff through capacity-building initiatives and training programs, ensuring that the team remains highly skilled and motivated. Build effective teams by empowering staff, ensuring performance reviews are conducted regularly, and supporting career development
.
KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Education, training, license, registration, and/or
Certification
Master’s degree in humanitarian aid, international development, economics, rural development, social sciences or related field.
Required Professional Experience
Proven experience in senior leadership roles in both humanitarian and development programming, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Demonstrated expertise in program quality management, operational leadership, and resource mobilization, with a track record of securing and managing multi-million-dollar funding streams. Strong understanding of nexus programming, integrating humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding approaches to achieve long-term impact. Experience in designing and leading programs on livelihoods, economic empowerment, peacebuilding, WASH, education, child protection, and climate resilience. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including local governments, donors, international organizations, private sector, and community leaders.* A strong commitment to World Vision's mission and values, especially
