Background

UNDP Iraq implemented the Private Sector Development Programme for Iraq (PSDP-I) as a joint programme with six other UN agencies (FAO, ILO, UNHabitat, UNIDO, UNOPS and UNWomen) during the period 2009-2012, working in close partnership with the Taskforce for Economic Reform (TFER) the Prime Minister’s Advisory Commission.

The PSDP-I was designed together with Iraqi stakeholders (public and private) and other international stakeholders in an effort to create and enable an effective, coherent, and comprehensive framework for private sector development in Iraq, as a means of achieving: I) sustainable and increased employment opportunities; II) poverty reduction; III) enhancement of the legal and regulatory framework to allow an increase in sustained domestic and international investment; IV) improvement of the enforcement capacity designed to perpetuate an overall rational, coherent, and economic environment; and V) ultimately, the diversification of Iraq's economy as a basis for future economic growth in Iraq in a gender-inclusive and environmentally sustainable manner.

Much work has been done in the past four years in terms of arriving at a consensus between representatives from Iraqi’s private sector, the Government of Iraq, and the international development stakeholders, on the nature of reforms that are needed to create a healthy environment under which the Iraqi private sector might flourish. Under PSDP-I, UNDP, in close consultation with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, elaborated a draft document Private Sector Development Strategy of Iraq (the PSD Strategy document) which aims to re-vitalize the Iraqi private sector by establishing an efficient, predictable and transparent enabling environment for business that will eventually contribute to economic diversification, growth and job creation.

Under the authority of the UNDP-Iraq Country Director, with daily direction of the Project Manager for PSDP-I, the Senior Advisor will provide strategic advices in line with the Programme requirements as well as engage in strategic coordination with the stakeholders. The Senior Advisor will be responsible for leading and managing the last rounds of an on-going consultative process with the TFER, concerned Iraqi ministries, the Private Sector and the international development partners so as to achieve a final endorsement by the key stakeholders of the PSD Strategy document. The Senior Advisor will ensure close coordination with the Programme’s main counterpart, the TFER, as well as other key national and international actors in the area of private sector development and coordinate with the Private Sector Development Senior Specialist to reflect recent inputs and fresh analyses during the consultative process as well as to restructure the PSD Strategy document as necessary to allow it to become more understandable to the general public. The Senior Advisor is also tasked to draft an accompanying Implementation Plan document for the PSD Strategy document for the immediate period of 3 - 4 years detailing the steps that need to be taken to roll out the primary areas of focus contained within the PSD Strategy document.

Objectives

The objective of the assignment is to lead and manage consultative process with PMAC/TFER, concerned ministries, the private sector and the international development partners to have the PSD strategy endorsed, to structure the PSD Strategy to make it understandable to the general public and to draft an accompanying Implementation Plan for PSD strategy for the short term to roll out the primary areas of focus.

The Senior Advisor will engage in direct communications with the TFER as well as key national and international actors in the areas of private sector development to properly address their concerns. The Senior Advisor will be required to meet with the key counterparts on a regular basis in Baghdad and elsewhere as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope and Expected Outputs

Lead and manage a consultative process with PMAC/TFER, concerned ministries as well as the private sector and the international communities including two roundtable meetings (one in Baghdad and one Amman) in order to have the final draft endorsed by the key stakeholders and facilitate a final launching conference in Baghdad:

• Consult with PMAC/TFER to confirm the process and work schedule so as to have the PSD strategy endorsed by the end of 2013;
• Prepare a presentation package to be delivered at two roundtable meetings in order to effectively receive feedback from key stakeholders; facilitate and lead the discussions during the consultative process;
• In coordination with the PSD Senior Specialist, review and realign, as necessary, the PSD Strategy of Iraq, highlighting the priority areas of focus needed for reform of the business environment by reflecting recent inputs and analysis during stakeholder consultations;
• Finalize the PSD strategy taking into account information and perspectives exchanged during of the final two roundtable meetings and other relevant communications with key stakeholders;
• Develop an Executive Summary of the revised PSD strategy to make its key elements accessible and easily understandable to the public.

Draft an accompanying implementation plan for PSD Strategy for the immediate (3 - 4 years) that details the steps needed to roll out the primary areas of focus.

• In addition to the overall long term rollout timeframe which is a part of PSD Strategy, draft an detailed Implementation Plan for PSD Strategy, which will be used to develop the basic architecture for a future programme;

Deliverables.

The Consultant will be responsible for producing the following deliverables.

• Presentation package for roundtable meetings;
• Consultative process completed to receive the inputs from the key stakeholders (PMAC/TFER, Private Sector and international communities);
• Final draft PSD Strategy document as a result of consultative process;
• An Executive Summary of PSD Strategy;
• An accompanying Implementation Plan for PSD Strategy.
  

Time and Method of Payment

Payments will be done based on the deliverables. For each payment a certification of payment needs to be signed and approved by the direct supervisor attached to it the provided services and tasks/ deliverable and provision of a performance evaluation of the consultant on last payment

Key Performance Indicators During Implementation of Services

• Provision of comprehensive reports and strong reporting skills;
• Successful completion of two rounds of consultations;
• Excellent communication skills (verbal communications to large public forums);
• Successful coordination with relevant parties and timely submission of reports.

Location:

While Amman being the primary duty station, the Senior Advisor will be required to travel to Baghdad (and Basra/Erbil as required) on missions.

Travel Plan

• 60 days - Jordan / Amman;
• 30 days - Iraq / Baghdad, Basra and Erbil.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

  Functional Competencies: Operational Effectiveness and Practical Knowledge

• Ability to introduce and implement strategic management advice;
• Demonstrates a solid understanding of the legislative framework and bottlenecks in Iraq surrounding the private sector.

Knowledge Management

• Solid knowledge of and experience working with the GoI management system, legislation, regulations and procedures;
• Analytical skills: Proven analytic capacities on assessing institutional capacities and the ability to identify areas requiring capacity development, especially in a management context;
• Substantial knowledge in communication and information dissemination techniques.

  Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors and fosters partnership networks;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters degree in Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, International Development or related field with equivalent professional experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 20 years professional development experience with senior responsibilities working at the policy level;
• A minimum of 5 years working experience as a senior manager in post conflict and/or transitional countries with senior responsibilities and a track record of successfully working at the policy level;
• Management experience of private sector development related programme/projects is required;
• Extensive experience in providing capacity building advice to national government institutions is essential;
• First hand work experience in the private sector would be an asset;
• Prior knowledge of Iraq, working experience in Iraq and experience with UNDP practices would be important assets.

Languages:

• Fluency in English.

Important Notices:

• Application documents are published on the following link http://www.iq.undp.org;/ProcurementNotices_Overview.aspx under procurement Notice Ref. IRQ10/IC-067/13 (presented in compressed file);
• Applicants should complete and sign the required documents and send the scanned copies to the email IC1.undp.iq@undp.org by the deadline (It is a MUST to indicate the Procurement Notice Number “IRQ10/IC-067/13” in the e-mail subject box);
• Any email received after deadline due to any technical problem in sending or receiving servers may be rejected
• Applications with any missing documents or non-UNDP format may NOT be considered for evaluation;
• Applicants need to use Adobe reader, Word 2010, zipping software (WinRAR) to be able to use and view the documents for this procurement notice;
• Only applications submitted to the email address IC1.undp.iq@undp.org will be considered
• Any request for clarification must be sent to the above e-mail address;
• The Procurement Unit will respond by mail, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to identified consultants who have notified UNDP of their interest to participate;
• Applications without all the required documents may be not considered;
• Each email should be less than 8 MB; emails over this size will not be received to the above mentioned account.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.