Livelihood Project Officer

About Aid Gate Organization “AGO”

Aid Gate Organization (AGO) is an independent, nonpartisan, national organization in Iraq whose history goes back to 2014 with the beginning of ISIL’s occupation in Iraq. At that time and throughout the mass conflicts occurring from 2014 onwards, ISIL groups took control of large swathes of the country, including Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Anbar, and parts of Diyala. This period witnessed an unprecedented wave of displacement for people who lived in these areas in addition to extreme human rights violations. With the Iraqi government, unable to provide much-needed, widespread assistance, many international organizations entered the country to facilitate a response. In doing so, local community members were actively recruited to assist in the movement and return of displaced people, while providing them with emergency life-saving assistance to meet their basic needs. Since 2014, AGO has been working untiringly to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host communities for the implementation of whole-of-community resilience-building measures in Iraq. Today AGO is functional in Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, and the Nineveh governorates, with 50–150 employees, depending on the situation in the region. We are currently working on expanding our operations into the Anbar governorate as well as southern Iraq through proven programs to rebuild the lives of men, women, children, refugees IDPs, minorities, ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Aid Gate Organization (AGO) is seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual to fill the position of Livelihood Project Officer. The Livelihood Project Officer will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of livelihood activities in their assigned location (Raqqa, Hajin, or Kasra). This role focuses on delivering vocational training, supporting small business development, and promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The officer will work closely with local communities, businesses, and project beneficiaries to ensure successful project outcomes.

Main Responsabilities

Project Implementation:

• Coordinate and implement all livelihood activities in the assigned location, ensuring alignment with the overall project objectives.
• Organize and facilitate vocational training programs, ensuring that they meet the needs of people with disabilities and are tailored to the local market demand.
• Support the provision of in-kind support to beneficiaries and assist with small business start-up and development.
• Work closely with local businesses to promote inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
  Beneficiary Engagement:
• Identify and engage project beneficiaries, ensuring that people with disabilities are adequately represented in the project.
• Conduct regular follow-ups with beneficiaries to assess progress in training, job placements, or small business development.
• Provide beneficiaries with ongoing coaching and mentoring to ensure their active participation and success in the project.
  Market Assessment & Livelihood Analysis:
• Contribute to the gender and disability-sensitive market assessments in the assigned location, helping to identify high-demand skills and sectors.
• Utilize the findings from the market assessment to tailor training programs and support activities that are relevant to the local economy.
  Monitoring & Reporting:
• Collect and document data on livelihood activities, including participant attendance, training outcomes, and business start-up progress.
• Assist in the preparation of regular reports on project activities, challenges, and successes.
• Monitor project progress and provide feedback to the Roving Project Manager for continuous improvement of project activities.
  Stakeholder Coordination:
• Engage with local businesses, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to foster collaboration and ensure project success.
• Represent the project in local coordination meetings and community discussions, advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in livelihood activities.
  Coaching & Capacity Building:
• Provide personalized coaching to project beneficiaries to help them build confidence and succeed in their employment or business endeavors.
• Support capacity-building efforts within the local community, especially for businesses looking to hire people with disabilities.
• Contribute to training sessions for beneficiaries, focusing on key areas like communication, teamwork, and business development.
  Risk Management & Problem Solving:
• Identify challenges in the field and propose solutions to ensure the smooth implementation of project activities.
• Assist in mitigating risks that could impact the participation of people with disabilities in livelihood activities.

Qualifications & Preferred Skills

COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in livelihood programming, vocational training, or business development, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts.

• Proven experience working with marginalized groups, particularly people with disabilities, is highly desirable.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with beneficiaries and stakeholders.

• Experience in coaching, mentoring, or capacity-building roles is a plus.

• Knowledge of local economic contexts and experience working in Raqqa, Hajin, or Kasra.

• Fluency in Arabic is required; English skills are an asset.

  AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC “PROFESSIONAL” COMPETENCIES

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and in a team.

• Sensitivity to issues related to disability and inclusion.

• Willingness to travel within the assigned location and surrounding areas.