Iraq Country Director

About the role

Free to Run, a registered nonprofit advancing gender equity globally through running, is recruiting a full-time Iraq Country Director based in Erbil. The role oversees all aspects of the organization's work in Iraq, builds the Free to Run network in the country and focuses on donor relations to meet fundraising goals and grow the organization's profile. It reports directly to the internationally-based Executive Director.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and manage an informed Iraq country strategy, including KPIs, strategic planning, budgeting and performance reporting.
• Oversee program development, staffing, training, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and program learning and analysis.
• Grow and lead a high-performing team: recruit, hire and onboard staff, manage the Senior Program Officer and Finance and Operations Officer, and coordinate bi-annual goal setting and performance reviews.
• Manage the country budget and finances, work with the bookkeeper on expenses, cash, procurement, accounts payable and receivable, and prepare financial and narrative reports.
• Ensure compliance with in-country employment laws and NGO registration and licensing requirements.
• Build support for Free to Run in Iraq: identify and pursue funding opportunities, write proposals, tell the organization's story, share case studies, communicate with partners, represent the organization at events and write press releases and editorial content.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in international development, human rights, women's/gender studies, public health, nonprofit management or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English; professional fluency in Kurdish (Sorani or Kurmanji/Badini) or Arabic, with both preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, humanitarian assistance, human rights, civil society or related fields, including at least three years in a senior management or leadership role.
• Demonstrated track record of fundraising and resource mobilization in Iraq and/or the wider Middle East, including personal donor relationship building.
• Must hold a passport and/or residency permit allowing travel throughout Iraq and KRI, with regular travel to other parts of Iraq and occasional international travel.