IRQ-E26-01 Project Manager

Position Name: IRQ-E26-01 Project Manager

Required staff: one Person

Duration: April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027

Starting from: April 2026 /upon signing the contract with donor

Duty Station: Erbil

Closing date of the vacancy: March 29,2026

Type of contract Employment Contract- Full Time

Background

Un Ponte Per (UPP) is an Italian non-governmental organization established in 1991. The organization has been working in Iraq since the early 1990s to promote peacebuilding, human rights, social justice, and civic participation.

UPP works in partnership with Iraqi civil society organizations, community actors, and national institutions to support access to justice, protection of civic space, gender equality, and inclusive governance.

As part of its programmatic engagement in Iraq, UPP is implementing the project “Building Peace and Stability in Iraq”, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) aimed at strengthening access to justice, civil society participation, and the protection of human rights, while supporting dialogue between civil society and institutional stakeholders.

The Project

Building Peace and Stability in Iraq is a programme funded by FCDO (The UK Government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office) implemented in Kirkuk, Salahaddin, Nineveh and Anbar. BPSI aims to support the reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees from Northeast Syria in areas of return. The programme is currently implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and six local NGOs (Peace and Freedom Organization, Tahreer Association for Development, House of Co-existence, Justice Center, Legal Clinic Network, and Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law) managed by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The programme component delivered by IRC has been running since 2023. Due to IRC’s planned departure from Iraq in 2026, Un Ponte Per-ETS (UPP) is taking over the leadership of this component during 2026-2027 Fiscal Year in partnership with Agency for Peacebuilding who will be acting as technical and advisory support.

Project Purpose:   To ensure safe return and sustainable reintegration of conflict-affected Iraqis, fostering stability and resilience in communities  

Outcome I: Community groups engage to identify specific drivers of conflict, promote social cohesion, and reduce discrimination. 

Outcome II: People impacted by displacement can access justice and exercise their rights to achieve durable solutions 

Outcome III: Government actors, civil society, and community leaders are equipped with knowledge and skills to promote achievement of durable solutions and social cohesion  

Job Description

UPP is seeking an experienced project manager who can lead this component of the programme with precision, high standards, and professionalism. The PM will be responsible for overall leadership of the project under head of programmes direct supervision and support, making sure the planned outcomes are achieved by the end of the project, communicate regularly with senior management and update them about project progress, liaise with donor with high commitment and professional behavior, supervise the project management team to ensure smooth implementation and intervene whenever needed,  build strategic relationship with stakeholders, partners and constituencies, take benefit from existing relationships and creatively inform new ideas to contribute to achieving the intended outputs and outcomes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Manager

1. Strategic Project Leadership

·       Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the implementation of the FCDO-funded project led by Un Ponte Per, ensuring the effective delivery of results in line with project objectives, workplans, and contractual commitments.

·       Ensure the project contributes to strengthening civil society, governance, and community resilience in targeted areas of Iraq.

·       Lead the development and regular revision of detailed implementation plans, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and contextual realities.

·       Oversee the overall coordination of project activities across multiple governorates and ensure consistency and quality in implementation across all locations.

·       Ensure compliance with Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) regulations, grant conditions, safeguarding standards, and accountability requirements.

2. Consortium and Partnership Management

·       Lead the coordination and management of the consortium composed of seven Iraqi civil society organizations, ensuring strong collaboration, transparency, and effective joint implementation.

·       Facilitate participatory planning with partners, including the development of annual workplans, activity calendars, and implementation strategies.

·       Strengthen partnerships with local organizations through mentoring, technical support, and capacity development, contributing to localization and sustainability of civil society initiatives.

·       Monitor partner performance against agreed deliverables, ensuring timely implementation, financial accountability, and compliance with project and donor requirements.

·       Ensure effective communication and information sharing among consortium partners through regular coordination meetings, learning sessions, and collaborative planning processes.

·       Coordinate closely with UPP finance and grants teams to ensure appropriate fund management, partner contracting, and financial reporting.

3. Representation and Stakeholder Engagement

·       Act as the main focal point for the project with the donor, national stakeholders, and local authorities.

·       Represent Un Ponte Per and the consortium in coordination forums, civil society platforms, and relevant national or subnational meetings.

·       Develop and maintain strong relationships with government institutions, civil society networks, and international organizations operating in the project areas.

·       Ensure visibility of the project and effective communication of results to relevant stakeholders in line with donor communication guidelines.

4. Team Leadership and Staff Management

·       Supervise and provide strategic guidance to the project team, ensuring clarity of roles, effective collaboration, and strong performance.

·       Coordinate closely with field teams and partner focal points across Anbar, Nineveh, Salah ad-Din, Diyala, and Kirkuk to ensure smooth implementation.

·       Provide mentoring and capacity-building support to project staff and partner organizations to strengthen program management, coordination, and reporting capacities.

·       Promote a collaborative and inclusive working environment that reflects UPP’s values of partnership, accountability, and respect.

5. Reporting and Donor Compliance

·       Lead the preparation and submission of high-quality narrative reports and program updates to the FCDO, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and compliance with donor requirements.

·       Coordinate inputs from consortium partners for consolidated reporting and ensure timely submission of financial and programmatic reports.

·       Maintain proper project documentation and ensure transparency and accountability in project management.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT : 

Qualifications & Experience:

           ·      Bachelor's degree or higher

·      Fluent speaker in Kurdish, Arabic, and English languages

·      At least 5 years' experience in project management

·     Having experience in protection and legal assistance is an added value

·   Having experience in managing FCDO funded project is an added value

Knowledge: 

       ·      Excellent communication and facilitation skills.  

       ·      Self-reliant and able to work independently. 

       ·      Advanced Microsoft Office Programs.

       ·      Personal integrity and credibility

       ·      Data elaboration skills.

       ·      Advanced time management and organizational skills

       ·      Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive, and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.

       ·      Ability to resolve conflicts and manage stressful situations

Languages:

Excellent communication skills in Kurdish, Arabic, and English.

Recruitment at UPP

• UPP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. UPP considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
• UPP : upholds all the minimum standards in terms of Ethical Conduct and strives to increase its standards over the minimum. Zero tolerance is reserved to Sexual Abuse and Exploitation and to Child Abuse, Violence, Harm, Injury and Negligence, as well as to Anti-Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism. By applying, the candidate assures that s/he has never breached any standards of SEA, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism and that s/he won’t in the future. Candidates are alerted that the required background checks might compromise their privacy. Shortlisted candidates shall promptly provide an up-to-date criminal background check.
• All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Un Ponte Per also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment.

  More information related to how to apply:

  • Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
  • Applications will be screened on a rolling basis. UPP reserves the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required qualifications before the mentioned deadline.
  • Please name the files attached to your application as follows: Name_Surname_CV, Name_Surname_CL
  • CV and Cover letter that are not in PDF version will not be considered.