Programme Director – Erbil

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND EXPERIENCE:

Required Education, training, license, registration, and/or Certification:

• Master’s degree in humanitarian aid, international development, economics, rural development, social sciences or related field.

Required Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 6–7 years of experience in senior leadership roles, with previous experience serving at Director level or in a comparable senior management position, in humanitarian organizations.
• Proven senior leadership experience across humanitarian and development programming, preferably in fragile, conflict-affected, or complex operating environments, with demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction and navigate changing contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in programme management and programme quality, including oversight of complex, multi-sector portfolios and ensuring effective implementation, quality, accountability, compliance, and achievement of results.
• Strong track record in resource mobilization and business development, including identifying funding opportunities, leading or contributing to high-value proposals, developing strategic partnerships, and securing and managing multi-million-dollar grants and funding portfolios.
• Significant experience in donor and external engagement, with the ability to represent the organization effectively and build strong relationships with institutional donors, UN agencies, government authorities, international and national organizations, private sector actors, and other strategic partners.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop diverse and experienced teams, including senior managers and technical specialists, fostering collaboration, accountability, high performance, and an inclusive organizational culture.
• Strong understanding of Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) nexus programming, with experience integrating humanitarian response, resilience and development, peacebuilding, localization, and sustainability approaches.
• Experience overseeing or providing strategic leadership to multi-sector programmes, preferably including livelihoods and economic empowerment, peacebuilding and social cohesion, WASH, education, child protection, and climate resilience. Direct technical expertise across all sectors is not required, but the ability to provide strategic oversight of a diverse portfolio is essential.
• Strong strategic thinking, decision-making, change management, and adaptive leadership skills, with demonstrated ability to lead teams and programmes through organizational, funding, and contextual changes.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage credibly with senior government officials, donors, partners, community and faith leaders, and other external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment and experience on localization and partnership, including strengthening local organizations and promoting locally led approaches beyond direct programme implementation.
• A strong commitment to World Vision’s mission, vision, and core values, with demonstrated commitment to child protection, safeguarding, accountability, diversity, and ethical leadership.
• Good knowledge and understanding of key aspect of nexus programming including experience in designing and managing education, protection, livelihood, WASH, peace building and climate resilience programming
• Proven track record of leading multi-cultural teams in complex, culturally and politically- sensitive contexts.
• Proven track record of growing and managing multi-million-dollar budgets.
• A full commitment to World Vision’s core values and humanitarian mandate.
• Adherence to World Vision Child Protection, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest policies.
• Full adherence to security protocols
• Understanding of WV operations and strong field acumen
• Politically astute and well-developed diplomatic skills (dealing with host governments, donors and staff).
• Fluent in English (written and oral).

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Arabic and Kurdish is a strong advantage.

Required travel and/or work environment accommodations:

• 50 % travel required within the country and internationally. 
• Position’s physical requirements:
• Must be in good physical and mental condition.

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Mode of Application:

If you are interested in this position, to apply, please register at: https://worldvision.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WorldVisionInternational/details/Programme-Director_JR52024

No information inquiries will be handled over the phone. Only short-listed candidates will be notified for the interview. The deadline for application is September 1, 2026.

As a Child focused organization, World Vision is committed to the protection of children and does not employ staff whose background is not suitable for working with children. All employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of all applicable background checks