PSS and Community Development Unit Manager (Re-advertisement)

Job Title: PSS and Community Development Unit Manager

Location: Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), with regular travel to other areas of KRI.

Type of position: Employment contract

Length of Contract: 12 Months

Compensation and Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with skills and experience. Expatriate/National Compensation Package: includes local transportation allowances, Medical insurance and Life insurance

About SEED: SEED is a women-led, local NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, dedicated to creating a thriving society by advancing social protection and human development. We support individuals, empower communities, and strengthen systems to drive lasting change and equal opportunity. With a focus on collaboration, we promote gender equality, protect children, combat human trafficking, and improve mental health and well-being. SEED’s holistic, locally-driven approach integrates transformational services, community development, training and education, and advocacy to create sustainable impact. SEED is committed to creating a just, equitable society where everyone's rights are protected, with healthy families and strong communities, and a future where everyone can thrive.

Role of the PSS and Community Development Unit Manager:

SEED is seeking a dynamic and experienced Psychosocial Support (PSS) and Community Development (CD) Manager to lead the PSS/CD Unit and guide on SEED’s strategic objective of engaging and empowering communities. The PSS/CD Manager will lead and plan for the implementation of community-based programming aimed at engaging and empowering communities towards the development of a strong, healthy, resilient, and cohesive society through community-based initiatives designed to foster social and emotional well-being, prevent violence and discrimination, and promote social and economic empowerment. The PSS/CD Manager will oversee and support the technical/thematic leads and implementation of PSS/CD programming across thematic pillars, various programs, and locations across Kurdistan. The Manager will lead a team to design, manage, adapt, and support implementation of programming that improves MH and psychosocial wellbeing, achieves gender equality and ends GBV, and protects children and empowers their development. The PSS/CD Unit Manager will work in close collaboration with the MEAL Unit to ensure communities are involved from the start until the end of each program and that feedback is collected and the learnings are at the foundation of any future programming and requests for funding. This position requires a leader with both a deep understanding of psychosocial support and the ability to design community-driven interventions that promote positive social behaviors. The role also includes managing PSS resources, managing staff and building their capacity, and planning and guiding the strategic direction and execution of SEED’s community programming. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, planning and management skills, along with technical expertise in PSS, community development, promoting equality and combating gender-based violence (GBV), protection, mental health (MH), social behavioral change, and social cohesion programs, and a passion for empowering communities through transformative, locally driven change. The PSS/CD Unit Manager will oversee the 3 Technical Thematic Leads and ensure activities are appropriately tailored to the needs of each community. This position is based in Erbil with frequent travel required to Sulaimani and surrounding areas.

Specific Tasks:

Management, Leadership, and Technical Support (60%):

• Lead and manage SEED’s PSS/CD Unit and its 3 Technical Thematic Leads, and provide strategic direction to SEED on its cross-cutting strategic objective to engage and empower communities.
• Develop technical strategies, guidelines, and standards for the unit and provide strategic direction and day-to-day management of SEED’s PSS and community development programming.
• Oversee development, adaptation and dissemination of technical resources, including group curricula, training manuals, facilitator guides, and standardized tools for PSS and community development interventions created by the Technical Thematic Leads.
• Support the Technical Thematic Leads with the design, adaptation and delivery of awareness-raising sessions, PSS group activities, and community development interventions.
• Collaborate with Program Managers and Coordinators to align community needs with interventions and ensure technical quality and consistency across projects.
• Ensure the formation of community led initiatives, social cohesion activities, and social behavioral change (SBC) programming...