Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs Advisor (MoPAA)

Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs Advisor (MoPAA) - Erbil, Iraq

Reports to: Chief of International Programs
Primary Work Location: Erbil, Iraq

**POSITION CONTINGENT ON PROGRAM AWARD**

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Advanced IT Concepts (AITC) is a fast-growing Information Technology company specializing in Network and Systems Engineering, Integration, Professional Services, Medical Simulation, Test and Training Systems, and End-to-End Product and Technology Solutions. We deliver expert support in Information Systems Design and Cybersecurity, Strategic Planning, Program and Project Management, Security Risk Assessment, and Logistics for Federal, State and Local Government.

Position Summary

The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs Advisor (MoPAA) will provide strategic, operational, and institutional security assistance advisory services in support of United States Military Group-Iraq (USMILGP-Iraq), assisting senior leaders in the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA). The Advisor will assess MoPA processes, policies, and systems and advise, coach, mentor, train, and liaise with MoPA officials to improve institutional effectiveness, ministry integration, planning and management, and long-term capability development.

The successful candidate will have strategic-level experience in Iraq supporting U.S. military forces, the U.S. Embassy, or the Department of State; fluent written and spoken Kurdish; and knowledge of Iraqi defense institutions and the relationship between MoPA and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. This position requires sound judgment, discretion, cultural awareness, strong communication skills, and the ability to establish trusted professional relationships with senior Iraqi and Kurdish military and civilian officials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Advise senior Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs officials and support USMILGP-Iraq ministerial-level objectives.

• Assist USMILGP-Iraq in managing and executing ministerial-level advisory activities.

• Assess Ministry processes, policies, systems, organizational capabilities, and performance and recommend practical improvements.

• Develop ministerial engagement strategies that improve institutional effectiveness and long-term capability development.

• Facilitate timely decision-making and information sharing through observation, analysis, reporting, and direct engagement.

• Build and maintain trusted professional relationships with senior Ministry officials and other government stakeholders.

• Assist in the development, implementation, and oversight of policies and procedures that improve organizational and individual performance.

• Support civil-military integration and democratic governance practices within defense institutions.

• Support operational and administrative planning, including management of suspenses, schedules, strategic plans, operational plans, and organizational priorities.

• Assist Ministry counterparts in establishing effective battle rhythms, daily workflows, coordination processes, and resource-management practices.

• Develop and support key leader engagements and coordinate, as required, with senior Iraqi, Kurdish, U.S., and coalition leadership.

• Prepare daily observations, written reports, status assessments, executive-level briefings, recommendations, and other advisory products.

• Advise, coach, mentor, and train Ministry personnel to promote knowledge transfer, counterpart ownership, and sustainable institutional capability.

• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling classified, sensitive, proprietary, or Government information.

• Ensure all activities comply with applicable Iraqi, Kurdistan Regional Government, and U.S. laws, contractual requirements, company policies, security requirements, and professional ethical standards.

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of program and client objectives.

Required Qualifications

• United States citizen.

• Bachelor's degree.

• Fluent English, written and spoken.

• Fluent Kurdish, written and spoken.

• Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance and ability to maintain required Government credentials throughout contract performance.

• Some understanding of the Iraqi national defense structure, including the relationship between the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense.

• Previous strategic-level experience in Iraq since 2011 supporting U.S. military forces, the U.S. Embassy, or the U.S. Department of State.

• Significant knowledge and experience in civil-military relations, democratic governance, and defense institution building.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• Ability to operate effectively in a multinational and multicultural environment.

• Willingness and ability to reside and work primarily in Erbil, Iraq, with potential reassignment to Baghdad and travel as required to support mission requirements.

• Ability to satisfy all required deployment and pre-deployment requirements, including applicable work authorizations, passports, visas, medical and dental clearances, training, Government credentials, and processing through an approved CONUS Replacement Center (CRC).

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluent Arabic, written and spoken, in addition to required Kurdish fluency.

• Direct strategic-level experience supporting U.S. military forces in Iraq.

• Familiarity with Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs organizational structure, operations, roles, and decision-making processes.

• Advanced degree in national security, strategic studies, international relations, public administration, business administration, defense studies, or a related discipline.

• Graduate of a senior-level military education program, war college, command and staff college, or equivalent.

• Previous experience advising a foreign ministry of defense, security ministry, or military organization.

• Experience supporting defense transformation, strategic planning, capability development, force development, organizational design, or change-management initiatives.

• Experience supporting U.S. security assistance or Foreign Military Sales programs.

AITC provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and offers equal opportunity for VEVRAA Protected Veterans. AITC will not discriminate against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose compensation information.