Iraq Country Director
- Organisation: Free to Run
- Location: Iraq
- Contract: Job
- Deadline: 30 November 2026
IRAQ COUNTRY DIRECTOR
FULL-TIME - ERBIL, IRAQ
ABOUT FREE TO RUN
Free to Run’s mission is to advance gender equity globally through running. We are a registered nonprofit/nongovernmental organization that has been operating community-led programs for adolescent girls and young women since 2014. We are known for delivering long-term, youth-led, progressive running, leadership, rights, and health programs directly to adolescent girls and young women living in protracted conflict zones. However, the longer-term impact of our work is building enduring social change - decreasing barriers to public participation, increasing women in leadership, and making power structures more equitable and inclusive. Free to Run identifies as an organization working at the intersections of feminism, human rights, development, and humanitarian interventions.
In 2027, we will begin to execute on a new three-year strategic plan which has the organization positioned to grow in a multitude of directions - programmatically, operationally, financially and geographically. The achievement of our mission will continue to be rooted in our work across three strategic pillars: direct service (EMPOWER), capacity building for local NGOs (EQUIP), and building a global movement of activists who are passionate about gender equity and running (MOVE).
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Iraq Country Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s work in Iraq – from big picture to the small details. The Country Director is responsible for building the Free to Run network in the country, with a specific focus on donor-relations to achieve fundraising goals and grow the organization’s profile. The Country Director reports directly to the (internationally-based) Executive Director.
CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES
1) Develop and Manage an Effective and Informed Iraq Country Strategy (10%)
• Envision a high-impact Iraq strategy that aligns with Free to Run’s global strategy
• Develop and track key performance indicators related to strategy
• Participate in organizational strategic planning, budgeting and performance reporting activities
2) Oversee Free to Run Programs (20%)
• Oversee program development and design efforts for Iraq-based programs, with support of Senior Program Officer who will directly manage program cycles, currently designed to be operating in three provinces by 2023
• Ensure all programs are adequately staffed and resourced, support staff training and development
• Oversee safe and high-quality program implementation, monitor day-to-day activities of Program staff
• Ensure all programs are monitored and evaluated using standard instruments, work closely with the Executive Director to improve current data collection tools to provide more accurate and timely information on project indicators for success
• Lead program learning and analysis activities with staff, contribute to global learning practices
• Develop and maintain relationships with key local, regional and national stakeholders to ensure smooth operations
• Ensure program data and learning is shared with other relevant staff for program improvement, external reporting and communications
3) Grow and Lead a High-Performing Team (30%)
• Lead recruitment, interviewing, hiring and on-boarding/off-boarding of Iraq Free to Run team
• Manage Senior Program Officer and Finance and Operations Officer (others as deemed necessary for growth and as resources allow)
• Ensure the organization and employees comply with all relevant in-country employment laws and best practices
• Coordinate the bi-annual goal setting and performance review processes for all administrative employees and support a culture of constant feedback and learning through targeted coaching and mentoring organization-wide
• Support visits from international staff, Board members and volunteers
4) Oversee Country-level Finances and Operations (20%)
• Develop and manage organizational country budget and finances as well as program budgets for specific projects
• Work with bookkeeper to manage administration of expenses, handling of cash and procurement processes, and accounts payable and receivable
• Prepare timely, high-quality financial and narrative reports
• Ensure financial compliance with national and local laws, as well as Free to Run’s finance policies
• Ensure all office operations are functional, with support from Finance and Operations Officer
• Liaise with Executive Director on a regular basis to ensure financial cohesion
• Confirm all registrations and permits to operate as an NGO are up to date, secure licenses to operate in new geographies as needed
5) Build Support for Free to Run in Iraq (20%)
• Identify, cultivate and follow through on funding opportunities across sectors, including mapping potential funding opportunities, meeting with potential and current partners and developing funding proposals (with support from the Executive Director)
• Use strong storytelling and persuasion skills to build individual and community support for Free to Run in Iraq amongst key stakeholders
• Compile and prepare Iraq case studies and stories, provide regular input to Free to Run’s social media channels
• Communicate regularly with Free to Run’s community partners and coordinating their participation in events
• Represent Free to Run at influential events and speaking engagements locally, regionally and internationally
• Write press releases and editorial content for website and earned media opportunities
LOCATION
The Country Director position is based in Erbil (KRI) with an expectation of travel to other parts of Iraq regularly and international travel on occasion. Must have a passport and/or residency permit that allows for travel throughout (federal) Iraq and KRI.
WORKING HOURS
The Country Director position is a full-time role, estimated at 40 hours per week. Due to the nature of the organization’s business, hours may fluctuate outside regular core hours (Sunday–Thursday; 9AM-5PM), with the possibility of some nights or weekends, depending on the needs of the organization.
COMPENSATION
Based on experience. Aligned with market rate for a Country Director in Iraq. (Free to Run uses MSF Salary Survey as one of a handful of benchmarks for salary calculations in Iraq).
EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
Below is what we are looking for as we evaluate applications. Candidates don’t need to have all these experiences and competencies but should be able to display strengths across multiple areas.
Free to Run seeks an experienced, values-driven leader with a demonstrated ability to mobilize resources, build strategic partnerships, and lead high-performing teams. The successful candidate will combine strong knowledge of Iraq's civil society and development landscape with a commitment to feminist leadership, human rights, and locally-led development. We recognize that strong leaders bring diverse professional and educational experiences.
Education and Language:
• Bachelor's degree in international development, human rights, women’s/gender studies, public health or MHPSS, nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field required. An advanced degree is preferred; equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Professional fluency in Kurdish (Sorani or Kurmanji/Badini) or Arabic required; proficiency in both is strongly preferred.
Professional Experience:
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, humanitarian assistance, human rights, civil society, or related sectors, including at least three years in a senior management or leadership role.
• Demonstrated track record of successful fundraising and resource mobilization in Iraq and/or the wider Middle East region, including personally cultivating donor relationships, securing institutional or private funding, and developing successful funding proposals or partnerships.
• Established relationships with, and strong understanding of, the regional donor landscape, including bilateral and multilateral donors, foundations, international NGOs, and private-sector funding partners.
• Proven experience leading, managing, and developing diverse teams, including responsibility for staff performance, professional development, organizational culture, and effective team collaboration.
• Experience managing organizational budgets, operational systems, and financial accountability, including compliance with donor requirements and applicable national regulations.
• Deep understanding of Iraq's political, social, cultural, and operating environment, including the Kurdistan Region, and demonstrated ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships.
• Experience engaging with government authorities, civil society organizations, institutional donors, and community-based partners.
• Experience working in women's rights, gender equity, youth leadership, refugee and displacement, or community-based development programming strongly preferred.
• Experience managing institutional grants and working within international NGO accountability, safeguarding, and compliance frameworks preferred.
• Experience working in collaboration with a global headquarters and other country-teams strongly preferred
Skills, Leadership Approach and Competencies:
Feminist and Rights-Based Leadership
• Demonstrated commitment to feminist principles, gender equality, and human rights, with the ability to translate these values into everyday leadership, management practices, and organizational decision-making.
• Proven ability to lead through an empowering, inclusive, and participatory management approach that shares power appropriately, encourages staff agency and ownership, values diverse perspectives, and creates opportunities for individual and collective leadership.