IRQ-E26-02 Project Assistant

Position Name: IRQ-E26-02 Project Assistant

Required staff: one Person

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

Starting from: April 2026 /upon signing the contract with the 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 looking for a qualified project assistant who can supervise the local implementing partners in Kirkuk, Anbar, Salahaddin and Nineveh

The project assistant’s main job is to make sure implementing partners are working effectively as per the workplan to achieve the intended outputs of the activities within the project scope, time and budget

Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Assistant 

1. Partner Coordination and Support

·       Serve as a primary operational focal point for day-to-day communication with the local partner organizations.

·       Support partners in planning and implementing project activities according to the approved work plans and timelines.

·       Provide guidance to partners on project procedures, reporting requirements, and compliance with project guidelines.

·       Facilitate regular coordination meetings with partners to monitor progress, discuss challenges, and identify solutions.

·       Maintain effective communication between partners and the Project Manager to ensure timely decision-making.

2. Project Implementation Support

·       Support the implementation of project activities across target locations in **Anbar Governorate, Nineveh Governorate, Salah ad-Din Governorate, Diyala Governorate, and Kirkuk Governorate.

·       Track the progress of project activities and ensure alignment with approved workplans and project timelines.

·       Assist in organizing workshops, trainings, consultations, and public events implemented by the project and partner organizations.

·       Coordinate logistical arrangements for project activities in collaboration with operations and finance teams.

·       Support field visits and monitoring missions to project locations when required.

3. Monitoring and Reporting

·       Collect and compile programmatic information from partners for internal monitoring and donor reporting.

·       Support partners in preparing narrative activity reports and documentation of project results.

·       Assist in maintaining project documentation, including activity records, attendance sheets, photos, and success stories.

·       Work closely with the MEAL team to ensure proper documentation of project indicators and results

4. Administrative and Coordination Support

·       Support the preparation of internal reports, meeting minutes, and project updates.

·       Maintain organized records of project documentation and partner communications.

·       Assist in the preparation and follow-up of consortium coordination meetings.

·       Support the preparation of donor reports by consolidating inputs from partners.

5. Stakeholder Coordination

·       Support engagement with local stakeholders, including civil society organizations, community representatives, and local authorities when required.

·       Assist in organizing coordination meetings, consultations, and events involving project stakeholders.

6. Compliance and Accountability

·       Support partners in adhering to project procedures, financial guidelines, and donor compliance requirements.

·       Ensure that project activities respect safeguarding principles, accountability standards, and conflict-sensitive approaches.

·       Report any implementation challenges or risks to the Project Manager.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT : 

Qualifications & Experience:

·      Bachelor's degree or higher

·      Excellent communication skills in Kurdish, Arabic and English Languages

·      At least 3 years’ experience in project management, officer, assistant or similar positions

·      Experience in managing FCDO funded projects is an added value

·      Experience in protection and legal assistance projects is an added value

·      Experience in policy advocacy initiatives is an added value

Knowledge: 

·      Excellent communication and facilitation skills.

·      Self-reliant and able to work independently.

·      Advanced in Microsoft Office Programs.

·      Personal integrity and credibility

·      Good time management and organizational skills

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

·      Professional in conflict management under 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.