Role Purpose

Zain Iraq is Actively recruiting to hire Head of Zain Academy Unit who is responsible to leads Zain Iraq's overall learning and capability development function, overseeing the strategy, delivery, and impact of all internal, external, and digital learning programs. The role drives organizational capability building by aligning learning priorities with business needs, managing Zain Academy's internal training ecosystem and external partnerships, and building leadership and talent pipelines to support the company's current and future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the annual learning and development strategy in alignment with Zain Iraq’s business strategy and workforce priorities.

• Identify organizational capability and skill gaps through performance results, career paths, talent reviews, succession plans and business requirements.

• Translate identified capability gaps into structured learning and development plans.

• Develop and maintain the annual training calendar and comprehensive learning catalogue.

• Benchmark learning practices and introduce relevant programs and methodologies based on organizational needs.

• Partner with HR and business leaders to ensure learning priorities are aligned with current and future capability requirements.

• Measure learning impact against business needs.

• Manage the overall delivery and continuous development of Zain Academy programs.

• Design and implement internal learning programs addressing technical, functional, behavioral, and managerial capability needs.

• Build and manage a structured pool of internal trainers and subject matter experts across the organization.

• Establish standards for internal trainers, training materials and course delivery.

• Ensure effective planning, communication, attendance and completion of Academy programs.

• Monitor training quality and continuously improve programs based on participant feedback and business requirements.

• Identify and manage relationships with external training providers, universities and professional institutions.

• Coordinate professional certifications, executive education programs, workshops and relevant international conferences.

• Evaluate external providers based on quality, relevance, cost and business impact.

• Manage vendor selection, contracting coordination and training logistics in line with company policies.

• Ensure external development investments are linked to clearly identified employee and organizational capability needs.

• Develop partnerships and certification opportunities

• Develop and manage Zain Academy programs for external learners (graduates, professionals and partner organizations) from enrollment through to delivery and evaluation.

• Manage and continuously enhance the company’s digital learning platform.

• Develop, curate and maintain relevant digital learning content.

• Drive employee adoption and utilization of online learning resources.

• Introduce modern learning approaches including blended learning, self-paced learning, virtual classrooms and other digital learning solutions.

• Monitor platform utilization, completion rates and learning effectiveness.

• Set the online learning roadmap and use platform data to improve outcomes.

• Design and manage leadership development programs for different management levels.

• Support the development of future leaders and succession pipelines through targeted development interventions.

• Work closely with Talent Management and business leaders to identify development priorities for high-potential and critical talent.

• Develop learning solutions addressing common organizational capability gaps.

• Support individual development plans arising from performance, talent and succession processes.

Education, Experience and Competencies

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Education or a related field.

• Master’s degree or relevant professional certification is an advantage.

 Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years of relevant experience in Learning & Development, Talent Development, Corporate Academy or Organizational Development, with demonstrated responsibility for managing learning programs.

• Experience in designing and implementing organization-wide learning and capability development initiatives.

• Strong experience in leadership development, digital learning and external training management.

• Experience working with universities, professional certification bodies or executive education providers is an advantage.

• Experience in a large, complex organization, preferably within telecom, technology or a similarly fast-paced industry, is preferred.

• Experience in pricing and managing commercial training programs.

 Competencies

Behavioral Competency

• Embracing Change (Flexibility)

• Developing Talents

• Visioning and Inspiring

• Serving our customers

• Achievement Driven

• Information Seeking

• Relationship Building

• Initiative

Technical Competency

• Financial Management

• Performance Management

• Negotiation

• Managing Information

• Technology Application

• Advertising and Marketing

• Strategic Planning and Thinking

IDE Competency

• Courage to Engage

• Addressing Bias

• Allyship