Expertise France (EF) is recruiting a Team Leader for a renewable 6-month contract as part of the Iraqi Women Economic Empowerment (IWEE) project.

As the Team Leader for the project “Iraqi Women Economic Empowerment (IWEE)” based in Baghdad, you will be responsible for managing the project team in Iraq (Baghdad and Erbil), coordinating all activities and ensuring the achievement of the project objectives, being responsible for the communication and accountability of the project to the various stakeholders, in close collaboration with the Project Manager based at Expertise France headquarters in Paris and the numerous partners (public and private, Iraqi and international) involved in the project.

You will need to travel to meet with stakeholders and contribute to the smooth running of the project. The position implies a high degree of autonomy and interpersonal skills appropriate to working in the Iraqi context, as well as strong managerial skills. You will be placed under the supervision of Expertise France’s project manager based in Paris, and supported by Expertise France’s headquarters office.

Key Responsibilities include:

1.       Strategic Planning and Operational Project Management

     Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities, ensuring alignment with the work plan, logframe, contractual commitments, and donor requirements.

     Supervise project staff, experts, and contractors, providing strategic and technical guidance as needed and ensuring efficient use of project resources.

     Manage and update internal planning tools, including work plans, procurement plans, and risk matrices.

     Anticipate and manage risks, coordinating mitigation measures with EF HQ.

     Ensure visibility and communication activities follow donor guidelines.

2.       Team Management

-        Lead and supervise a multidisciplinary team of approximately 5 full-time staff based in Baghdad and Erbil and short-term experts, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

-        Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and management of national staff in coordination with EF HQ and EF office in Erbil.

-        Identify expert needs, draft Terms of Reference, and supervise missions and deliverables.

-        Ensure clear roles, effective coordination, and effective functioning of the project offices in Baghdad and Erbil and facilitate coordination between team members and regional activities.

-        Promote team collaboration, well-being, and compliance with EF’s security protocols to ensure the safety of the team and experts.

3.       Administrative, Financial and Technical Management

-        Lead the preparation of high-quality interim and final technical and financial reports ensuring compliance with EF procedures, donor formats and deadlines.

-        Facilitate monitoring through the update of internal tools and collection of inputs from the project team.

-        Coordinate the monthly financial reporting to Headquarters, as well as the quarterly financial planning exercises.

-        Oversee project budget execution, ensuring sound financial management, early detection of deviations, and implementation of necessary adjustments.

-        Prepare annual budgets in collaboration with the project team, in full compliance with donor and EF financial rules.

-        Guarantee the application of EF procedures in terms of procurement, financial execution and financial monitoring

4.       Stakeholder Engagement

-        Prepare documentation and ensure proper coordination for Steering Committees and technical committees

-        Act as the primary representative of the project to the AFD, Iraqi authorities, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders.

-        Maintain regular communication with donors and institutional partners, providing updates on project progress and strategic developments.

-        Foster strong relationships with national counterparts and implementing partners to ensure ownership and alignment with national priorities.

-        Coordinate with other donor-funded initiatives to enhance synergies and avoid duplication.