Project Manager - FFER

The Government of Iraq and KRG had approached UNDP for technical assistance engagement to support the implementation of the specific recommendations outlined in the reform plans through technical assistance modality. Subsequently, UNDP developed Project documents to establish a funding facility for Economic reform at the federal and regional level to support the Federal Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in ensuring implementation of reform. Funding Facility for Economic Reform (FFER) is to be positioned as financing instrument that will be used to channel high-caliber international expertise and support into top priority reform initiatives drawn from the Government’s newly adopted reform plan. The Facility will help to mobilize expertise for initiatives aimed at transforming and diversifying the economy, restructuring and strengthening public administration and public financial management, and improving the delivery of public goods, including basic services.

• Leads the national project team, provides coaching and effective leadership and works closely with a wide array of partners to ensure that the Funding Facility for Economic Reform (FFER) project is in line with UNDP’s country programme strategy;
• Updates Project document to reflect any substantial project design based on results of the need assessments of newly liberated areas and/or of feedback from mid-term evaluation;
• Develops and monitors work plans and budgets for all activities in the project portfolio;
• Ensures timely implementation of the project work plan;
• Ensures timely and adequate reporting against plans, including timely and articulate progress reports;
• Identifies risks and challenges to the ongoing operations of the projects and provides advice to Senior Program Advisor for stabilization on mitigation strategies;
• Ensures the integrity of financial and administrative operations in the project area through financial oversight in consultation with the operations and Finance teams;
• Strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations and ensuring the implementation of clear accountability mechanisms;
• Participates in internal control mechanisms for adherence to UNDP rules and regulations in contracts, assets, procurement, recruitment, etc., as required;
• Ensures systematic and effective analysis, project monitoring, including but not limited to regular field visits, as appropriate, and participation in Project Board and/or Steering Committee meetings;
• Manages day to day administrative matters for the project with support from administrative staff and the performance of consultants and specialist advisers;
• Approves requisitions in Atlas and requests timely budget revisions;
• Ensures proper application of Results Based Management tools;
• Oversees monitoring and data management carried out by the monitoring officer and data management associate;
• Pays special attention to partnership with the PMO and MoP.

• Maintain strong relationships with relevant Government counterparts (special role of the PMO and MoP already mentioned above);
• Strengthen complementarity of UNDP’s support with government policies and plans;
• Advocates for UNDP’s work and represents UNDP with national authorities and the donor community, where requested;
• Contributes to the harnessing of effective partnerships and competitive selection of partners for implementation of UNDP projects;
• Promotes joint programming and UN reform, and collaborates effectively in established frameworks for UN and other international coordination.

• Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project area for organizational sharing and learning as well as external information;
• Actively participates in UNDP knowledge networks and takes advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available in the region and globally, and encourages project staff to do so by creating a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Uses and promotes the use of the Regional Service Center;
• Supports capacity and knowledge building of national counterparts.

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority;
• Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member;
• Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines;
• Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff.

• Ability to apply conceptual models in support of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
• Strong IT skills;
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioural/attitudinal change;
• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

• Identifies country needs and strategies using a fact-based approach;
• Makes use of a variety of resources within UNDP to achieve results, such as cross-functional teams, secondments and developmental assignments, and collaborative funding approaches;
• Ensures the full implementation of country programme and Financial Resources to obtain results.

• Makes effective use of UNDP’s resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships;
• Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations;
• Actively develops partnerships with potential donors and government counterparts in all sectors at country level.

• Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives;
• Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services;
• Advises and develops strategic and operational solutions with clients that add value to UNDP programmes and operations.

• Task management and work planning skills;
• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

• Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics or any other relevant social science field. OR bachelor’s degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of Master’s.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project development and project management in development or crisis context;
• Excellent partnerships building skills;
• Proven ability to work in multi-cultural environment;
• Experience with and knowledge of UN or UNDP policies and procedures an asset.

• Functionally-related professional management skills;
• Ability to plan and priorities work activities to meet organizational goals and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results;
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes, programming;
• Knowledge of fund raising and project proposal drafting.

• Fluency in English and Arabic.

• Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral organizations and bi-lateral aid organizations would be an asset.

• Female candidates are encouraged to apply;
• Knowledge of Results Based Management methodologies would be an asset;
• Knowledge of ATLAS and PeopleSoft would be an asset.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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