Liaison Officer

GENERAL CONTEXT

For more than 40 years, Médecins du Monde (MdM), an international medical humanitarian organization committed to solidarity, has been working to improve access to healthcare for the most vulnerable populations in France and worldwide. The organization bears witness to barriers that prevent people from accessing healthcare and advocates for sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies.

Staff working for this independent organization not only provide medical care and support, but also denounce violations of human dignity and human rights, and work to improve the living conditions of populations in vulnerable and precarious situations.

Médecins du Monde France currently operates in around 30 countries across all continents and works to improve access to healthcare through six main advocacy priorities:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
• Migration, Exile, Human Rights and Health
• Harm Reduction
• Environment and Health
• Humanitarian Space
• Health Systems and the Right to Health

In Iraq, Médecins du Monde is currently restructuring its mission and programmes, with a representation office in Baghdad and programmes expected to start in northern areas of the country in 2026.

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES

The Liaison Officer is part of the MdM Iraq mission’s coordination team. The main objective of this position is to facilitate relations and cooperation with national and local authorities in Baghdad, and to ensure representation, liaison, and compliance with legal and administrative requirements.

As an integral member of the coordination team, and under the supervision of the General Coordinator (based between Baghdad and Mosul), the Liaison Officer will work closely with all MdM teams to ensure that operations in Ninewa run as smoothly as possible. This includes supporting administrative, logistical, security, and broader operational processes, and facilitating communication with relevant stakeholders and authorities.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Hierarchical link: General Director, Iraq

Functional link: General Director, Iraq

Team under his/her direct supervision: 1 cleaning staff

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Ensures effective networking and coordination with key stakeholders and partners in Baghdad:

• Represent MdM externally
• Identify resource persons, key actors and lead a related network
• Maintain MdM contact list and networking files updated
• Be the focal point for various authorities and partners
• Organise meetings between the coordination and officials (do the translation if needed)
• Follow-up closely with the law firm on sensitive administrative files
• Draft minutes of meetings, activity reports
• Draft letters, forms and requests

2. Supervises personnel, guesthouse and office activities:

• Supervise the cleaning staff
• Manage the office: supervision of logistical work, payment of suppliers, contracts, coorindate with our partner NGO for the use of shared meeting and gues rooms, etc.
• Manage the guest house: ensure that all necessary items and equipment are available and functional before expatriates’ stays, coordinate preparations and follow up with MAG regarding required maintenance or logistical works, monitor related administrative procedures and payments.
• Welcome international visitors and new expatriates (visa, pick up at the airport, first briefing, prepare the guesthouse, handing over of documentation, keys, phone, etc.)
• Manage the MdM coordination team movements and arrange their stay in Baghdad (transportation, meetings, visits, etc.)
• Ensure that the necessary archiving is carried out in compliance with institutional and legal frameworks (printed and digital files)

3. Collaborates closely with other members of the coordination team

• Provide assistance to the various departments (operational, admin, HR, logistic, etc.) with their administrative procedures
• Manage the bureaucracy and formalities required to bring the mission into administrative compliance:
  • Immmigration: visas, work permits for expatriate staff
  • MdM registration
  • Operational permits (MoU), travel permits, access letters (NOC), etc.
  • Submission of mission financial and activity reports to the relevant ministries and/or competent authorities
  • Custom clearance procedures
• Continuously monitor constantly MdM’s legal obligations in the country and keep relevant departments informed
• Closely monitor the security situation in Baghdad and regularly inform the General Coordinator
• Participates in updating of the security files
• Monitor deadlines, alert and ensure renewal of the various necessary authorizations
• Participate in bi-monthly coordination meetings
• Contributes to mission reporting tasks (monthly situation reports, technical reports, etc.)
• Provide translation support, if needed

The list of missions is not exhaustive and may change to reflect developments and specific needs.

Education and professional experience 

• University Degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, and/or other relevant field or equivalent work experience in humanitarian organisations
• Minimum three-year experience in a similar position with an international NGO, preferably within the health sector, or previous field experience with MdM in different contexts
• High level of expertise in representation and negotiation with governments, donors and partners at both country and regional levels
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian operating context, including the humanitarian system, donors' landscape, security, civil military liaison and program management
• Excellent knowledge of the Middle East regional context is essential.

Technical skills

• Strong ability to analyze regional issues, challenges, and actors, including political, social, and economic dynamics.
• Strong representation and negotiation skills with authorities, donors, and partners
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the local legal framework as it applies to NGOs
• Proficiency in information gathering and analysis to support strategic positioning.
• Excellent command of IT tools, including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Soft skills

• Strong coordination and teamwork skills
• Adapt language and feedback to the audience
• Diplomacy, negotiation and networking skills
• Ability to work autonomously and effectively under remote management
• Reactivity, anticipation, adaptability and capacity to take initiatives
• Strong problem solving and organizational skills in day to day and crisis situations
• Ability to classify and to manage priorities.
• Strong time management skills

Languages

• Arabic: mandatory
• English: mandatory
• Kurdish: desirable (but not mandatory)

Please send your CV and cover letter to recruitment.iraq@medecinsdumonde.net.