CDDU - IRAQ - Head of mission

About La Chaîne de l’Espoir:

La Chaîne de l’Espoir is an international NGO founded in 1994. Its mission is to strengthen healthcare systems to give everyone, especially children, the same chances of survival and development.

Helping the most marginalized children is more than an ethical duty, it is a vital requirement for achieving the United Nations 2030 goals for children's health and well-being.

We work in 25 countries with a global approach, focusing on children, mothers and disadvantaged communities:

• Prevention and screening from an early age, particularly through school health programs.

• Care and surgery to meet the most urgent needs of children and their mothers.

• Training and transfer of skills to local teams thanks to our international network of experts in all areas of surgery.

• Construction and equipment of hospital facilities adapted to local needs.

General scope of the position:

The Head of Mission is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the orderly closure of La Chaîne de l’Espoir’s mission in Iraq. They ensure that all programme, operational, financial, administrative, logistical and human resources activities related to the closure are completed in a timely, efficient and compliant manner, in line with organisational policies, donor requirements and applicable national legislation.

They oversee the implementation of the mission closure plan, ensuring the completion or appropriate handover of ongoing projects, the fulfilment of contractual and donor obligations, the management of financial and administrative close-out procedures, and the appropriate management of staff, assets and resources.

The Head of Mission represents La Chaîne de l’Espoir throughout the closure process and maintains effective relationships with donors, partners, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders. They ensure effective coordination with headquarters and provide regular updates on the progress of the closure, potential risks and outstanding issues.

They remain ultimately responsible for the safety and security of staff, premises and assets throughout the closure process, ensuring that appropriate measures are maintained until the mission’s final withdrawal.

They coordinate the work of the relevant programme and support teams and liaise closely with headquarters to ensure a smooth, accountable and well-documented closure.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Mission closure planning and coordination: Develop, implement and monitor the mission closure plan, ensuring that all activities are completed according to the agreed timeline.

• Programme management: Oversee project completion, final reporting, donor compliance and the handover of activities, where applicable.

• Representation and external relations: Maintain communication and coordination with donors, partners, local authorities and other stakeholders throughout the closure process.

• Human resources management: Oversee staff transition and departure procedures, contract termination, final payments and compliance with applicable labour regulations.

• Financial and administrative management: Ensure budget closure, financial reconciliation, settlement of outstanding commitments and completion of administrative and contractual obligations.

• Logistics and asset management: Supervise the management and disposition of assets, equipment, premises, vehicles and supplies in accordance with organisational policies and donor requirements.

• Safety and security: Ensure appropriate security arrangements and risk mitigation measures throughout the closure process.

• Reporting and archiving: Ensure the completion, consolidation and transfer of all relevant documentation to headquarters, and contribute to lessons learned.