Who We Are

The Free Yezidi Foundation is one of the leading Yezidi organizations providing humanitarian and human rights support to Yezidi civilians. The Free Yezidi Foundation is a humanitarian, apolitical, and non-profit organization formally registered in the Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Free Yezidi Foundation is designed to assist Yezidis in need. The Foundation was established shortly after terrorists attempted to eradicate the Yezidi people in August 2014. The Free Yezidi Foundation seeks to implement projects to protect and support the most vulnerable members of the Yezidi community.

The Free Yezidi Foundation is virtually headquartered in the Netherlands, with an office in Washington, DC, and its operational presence in Duhok province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The Foundation is particularly engaged with services for Yezidi survivors and for Yezidi women, children, and those who seek justice and accountability. FYF also plays an important advocacy role in promoting better and broader humanitarian and human rights support to Yezidis.

Operations in Duhok include a Women’s Center and a Children’s Center.

The Foundation currently employs approximately 45 staff members, both national and international, along with dozens of volunteers, and is growing to meet new needs and opportunities for Yezidi civilians in the coming years.

Background

Yezidis have suffered from a very different sort of trauma than Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs and refugees in general. It is true that all have experienced devastating losses. But the Yezidi community is recovering from a deliberate attempt by ISIS to exterminate their people specifically because of their religion. This has been recognized as genocide already by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, the US State Department and Congress, the European Parliament, the UK Parliament, and importantly, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. The decision to target a small minority group for extermination based on identity has created a sense of horror not unlike that found in populations in Rwanda, former Yugoslavia, post-WWII Germany, and so on. FYF is extremely sensitive to the particular nature of the suffering of Yezidi survivors, and all plans and courses have been tailored in this regard. The horrific crisis currently facing Yezidis is one in which an external group perpetrated unspeakable crimes against a religious minority, which is now in need of care and support.

Job Summary

The Operations Associate will work with the Executive Director on day to day operations and communications, including strategic planning, human resources management, program design and implementation, program support operations, finance, administration, and management of field projects. The Operations Associate will attend meetings and, in some cases, represent the Foundation in meetings and events in Washington, D.C.

We are looking for an individual with a passion for making a difference in the lives of religious minority members recovering from severe persecution, and someone who believes in the importance and value of civil society organizations.

The Operations Associate will be accountable directly to the FYF Executive Director, and will be based in the Washington, DC, metro area.

Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform a number of functions.

General Objectives

· To ensure the optimal implementation of projects and ensure their alignment towards FYF.

· Maintain teamwork and ensures a productive working environment for staff members.

· Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization.

Administration and Management

· Assist Executive Director with daily tasks, including emails, drafting documents, arranging and participating in meetings, and taking minutes.

· Support FYF on various administrative and management tasks.

· Support FYF Country Team in Iraq with management and administrative backstopping if and when necessary.

· Support the financial oversight of the Foundation.

· Maintain orderly files, and involve relevant internal stakeholders in communications.

· Liaise with team members in regards to financial reporting to ensure that financial reports are submitted on time, in adherence with financial reporting requirements, and that they correspond to the narrative reports.

· Contribute to elements of field and HQ human resource policies and codes of conduct, in coordination with senior team members.

· Ensure databases are updated for reporting and knowledge retention, in coordination with field team members.

Awareness and Public Communications

· Prepare materials for proposals, meetings, and external communications.

· Assist FYF team in creating promotional material to share with donors and inform Yezidi and international community of FYF activities.

· Use data on FYF activities in the field to create informational reports and packages to be used on the website and elsewhere. This will include activities in the children’s center, women’s center, trauma work, and justice efforts.

· Work with the FYF webmaster to ensure that new informational packages are presented on the website, and website is updated at all times.

· Understand the FYF program portfolio, associated outputs and outcomes, and communicate the organization’s mission.

· Facilitate communication with field-based staff, organize regular calls, and help streamline reporting from the field to the HQ office.

· Collect and package photos, videos, and other collateral for communications packages.

Development and Partnerships

· Assist in researching unrestricted fundraising opportunities and sharing and updating this list in coordination with FYF Executive Director.

· Contribute substantively to developing and adapting the organization’s fundraising strategy, seek and screen new funding opportunities.

· Work with the Executive Director to establish and maintain positive relationships with donors and potential donors.

· Assist leadership in drafting and editing proposals for funding.

· Proactively follow-up with the donors following proposal submission to monitor progress, answer questions and amend submission as necessary.

· Pursue funding opportunities other than direct grants from donors, e.g. as a sub grantee or consortium member.

· Work with key donor staff members to develop and maintain relationships.

· Contribute to program and finance reporting, ensuring compliance with our policies and procedures and donor regulations.

· Remain updated of quantitative and qualitative program information to be shared with partners, stakeholders and donors (past and current programs).

· Review proposals, MoUs, contracts, donor reports, etc. with special attention to maintaining high quality of external reporting and compliance with donor rules.

Other

· Other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Qualifications and Competencies

Education, Knowledge and Experience

· A bachelor’s degree in International Development or related field is a distinct advantage. Master’s degree in Humanitarian or Development Studies preferred.

· Three years of relevant experience.

· Excellent English oral and written communication skills, including ability to analyze and present a cogent argument both in writing and orally.

· Experience managing and prioritizing a high workload with a flexible approach to changing environments.

· Interest in displaced persons, religious freedom, anti-trafficking initiatives, sexual violence in conflict, women’s rights & empowerment, genocide and atrocities issues, justice and accountability, trauma, and crisis recovery.

· Proven capabilities in teamwork and collaboration are required, with the ability to work among a diverse team, communicate effectively with individuals, and navigate difficult situations.

· Experience in drafting of proposals for humanitarian and development programs preferred but not required.

· Skills and knowledge in working with humanitarian field program staff preferred but not required.

· Strong computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel, and email/internet software.

· Proven diplomatic and public relations skills, and a demonstrated ability to work with cooperating partners preferred, with the ability to publicly represent an organization.

Base of Operations

Washington, DC.

Start date

ASAP

Length of Contract

The contract lasts for 12 months, and is renewable.

Specifications

· Salary: According to the organization’s salary scale and commensurate with experience.

· Twenty days of paid leave per year, along with US holidays.

Upon Joining FYF

FYF has non-disclosure and liability waiver clauses in the contract for all employees upon joining the team. All paperwork will be managed between the time the job offer is sent and the candidate begins work.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.