Country Director Iraq

Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland e.V.

ASB Iraq has been operational in Iraq since 2012 and has maintained its own office structures since 2014. Since then, ASB has been committed to providing support that improves the lives of the people of Iraq. Through its own office in Dohuk, ASB is working closely with local partners to deliver a range of early recovery and sustainable developmental projects in the sectors of Livelihoods, WASH, Health, MHPSS and Protection to support at-risk and conflict-affected communities.

ASB is currently seeking expressions of interest from qualified and committed individuals for the following position:

Country Director Iraq

The Country Director is responsible for the overall leadership and strategic development of the ASB Programme in Iraq. He / She is reporting to and supervised by the respective Desk Officer for Near and Middle East at ASB s headquarter in Cologne, Germany.

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Start: No later than 01.06.2026

Location: Dohuk, Northern Iraq (with project sites and offices in Baghdad, Salah ad-Din, Kirkuk, Ninewa)

Position: International

Key responsibilities:

• Country Leadership: Provide overall leadership for ASB s in-country presence in Iraq, including strategic direction, operational oversight, and organizational development. Foster a positive organizational culture that promotes accountability, learning, inclusivity, and team performance. Lead the country office in alignment with ASB s strategic objectives, ensuring integration of cross-sectoral approaches across all programmatic activities. Serve as the primary point of leadership for in-country staff, guiding priorities and facilitating internal decision-making processes.
• Project Management: To supervise all projects and programs implemented by ASB and local partner organizations in Iraq. This particularly concerns the achievement of project / program objectives and the timely development and submission of required project documentation including but not limited to fact-finding and assessment reports, project proposals, project reports and monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) related documentation.
• Programme and Project Development / Fundraising: To develop project concepts and proposals in close cooperation with ASB HQ. To establish and maintain close working relationships with multilateral and bilateral donor agencies in order to raise funds for new project activities in line with ASB s programmatic priorities as defined in ASB Foreign Aid s mission statement.
• Compliance: To ensure that all personnel and projects adhere to ASB s internal strategies and policies, particularly ASB s Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), Code of Conduct, PSEAH and Strategic Objectives of ASB Foreign Aid Department. To ensure compliance with donor regulations as well as with rules and regulations of the country in which projects are being implemented.
• Representation:To liaise and represent ASB towards the Governments of Iraq and KRI, UN agencies, European Union, diplomatic missions and the (I)NGO community and networks, donor agencies, the media as well as other key stakeholders.
• Partnerships & Alliances:To maintain existing partnerships and alliances as well as build up new partnerships and alliances.
• Financial Oversight: To supervise financial management, including but not limited to country budget including all projects and programs as well as financial management systems to ensure full-compliance with ASB s as well as donor financial guidelines, procedures and policies.
• Personnel Management: To supervise recruitment and human resource management of all personnel employed by ASB Country Office Iraq. This includes the direct line management of the senior management team.
• Safety and Security: To ensure the overall safety and security of personnel and assets in line with ASB s Basic Strategy and Guiding Principles on Safety and Security.
• Communication & Reporting: To maintain regular and close communication with ASB s HQ in Cologne on all relevant matters, particularly project progress, risks, development of new projects and programs as well as strategic development of the long-term portfolio.

Key Requirements:

• Relevant University Degree (humanitarian studies / development studies or similar)
• Minimum eight years of relevant work experience, including at senior management level
• Profound knowledge and understanding of project management tools (PDM, Log Frame, Outcome oriented M&E, etc.)
• Profound experience in key working areas such as Humanitarian Assistance, Resilience Building, Livelihood and Socio-Economic Development, Social Inclusion
• Experienced in liaison/lobbying/advocacy with key stakeholders
• Strong proposal development skills
• Strong experience with international donor agencies such as BMZ, GFFO, ADH, European Commission and others
• Proficient knowledge in budget development / budget management as well as administration and logistics
• Demonstrated understanding of global accountability frameworks, quality and inclusion standards, and humanitarian principles (e.g. CHS, Sphere)
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Arabic is an asset
• Experience in fragile/hardship locations especially in Iraq or other countries in the Near and Middle East is and experience leading an extensive portfolio / operations is a distinctive asset.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and organizational skills
• The ability to inspire and work independently
• MS Office proficiency