UNDP Jobs - 54916- Project Manager for KRG Development Studies

Project Manager for KRG Development Studies

Location :

Erbil, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

03-May-2015

Application Deadline :

28-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (renewable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

In order to sustain the significant gains that the Kurdistan Region has registered in promoting investment and in expanding the supply of basic services and to ensure the continuity of its development strategy, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) through the Ministry of Planning (MoP) has launched the Regional Development Vision for 2020, which provides a framework for policy development, defines priorities, and outlines a strategy to improve opportunities for the people.

In its Regional Development Vision for 2020, the Kurdistan Regional Government further streamlined its people-centered agenda, setting five major goals meant to strengthen the region’s socio-economic potential for sustainable growth. Based on the positive impact of the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Needs Assessment (SEINA) 2012, to anchor development in the Kurdistan Region in evidence-based analyses, the MoP of KRG requested the UNDP to undertake three different studies involving reputable universities and research institutes and building in parallel the regional capacity to utilize outputs into development planning and impact measuring.

The UNDP Iraq will undertake the three studies within the scope of UNDP Iraq Country Programme as well as the Global Programme “Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development (2013-2017)” specifically supporting Output 4: Public institutions and the private sector have strategies in place for investing resource revenues in economic transformation, social development and environmental sustainability.

The three studies to be conduct include:

Socio-Economic Infrastructure Needs Assessment 2014 (SEINA 2014);
Skills Needs Assessment (SNA 2014);
Kurdistan Region Enterprise Census (KREC 2014).

The results of the three studies will inform the Programme of Action that will translate the Kurdistan Regional Development Vision 2020 into an optimal portfolio of public investments, annually revised and budgeted to ensure resources are properly employed to attract foreign capital and better people’s lives.

They will be conducted in partnership with reputable universities and research institutes and complemented with a capacity development programme for MOP to undertake regular assessments in the future. UNDP, represented in this partnership by the Global Programme on Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development, will leverage the contribution of a series of partners including governments, academic institutions as well as international or regional research institutes and relevant private corporations.

The Project Manager for KRG development studies (PM) will have the responsibility for managing the overall execution of the three studies. The studies will be undertaken in close collaboration with the regional authorities.

The Global Initiative will provide programme quality assurance for all three studies, in collaboration with the UNDP Iraq Country Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Ensures implementation of the Global Programme “Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development (2013-2017)” strategy , focusing on mobilizing the resource revenues of public institutions and private sector in KRG to be invested in economic transformation, social development and environmental sustainability;
Manage the coordination, planning, implementation and procurement process and monitoring of the programme according to the agreed standards and deadlines;
Oversee budget management, including tracking budget performance and monitoring to regularly update and inform programme delivery as well as programme and financial reporting;
Develop detailed work-plans, ToRs, and requests for quotations to implement activities;
Lead the coordination with Ministry of Planning, other Government counterparts, Academia, CSO, in the implementation and monitoring of the programme, ensuring engagement of stakeholders;
Manage implementation (work plans, M&E plans, recruitment processes, timescales, resources, procurement);
Establish a team consisting of individual experts and/or manage the procurement process of obtaining services from firms to complete these studies on time;
Provide technical and advisory support to the Project Board. Develop the communication strategy and material;
Monitor progress and performance, benchmarking and target setting, identify/record best practices and lessons learned and identify opportunities for enhancing resources, knowledge and experience. Results Based Management focused;
Knowledge Management and Advocacy;
Establish and/or strengthen partnerships (academia, SSC, Private Sector etc) and support the development of research;
Coordinate and contribute to the research, assist in the publication of and produce ‘knowledge products’ and reports. Contribute to the development of policy oriented research based on evidence;
Lead the partnership building with the MoP of KRG and other Government counterparts and analyze key development and sectoral challenges in relation with these studies in the region for future resource mobilization with the Government and/or donors;
Support coordination of workshops related to the project;
Provide any other relevant support to the programme as needed.

Competencies

Core Values/Guiding Principles

Integrity:

Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UNDP in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing Diversity:

Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff;
Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values and learning from cultural diversity.

Corporate competencies:

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

Functional competencies:

Technical/Functional

Experience in the implementation of a UNDP development project or programme;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Development and Operational Effectiveness.

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead the formulation and monitoring of management projects;
Solid knowledge of financial and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration;
Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and positively affect staff behavioural/attitudinal change.

Ethics & Values:

Knowledge of Inclusive Business Models and Value Chains;
Working in Teams;
Communicating Information & Ideas;
Self-management & Emotional intelligence;
Decision making;
Strong managerial, organizational, analytical, research and quantitative skills, including experience in developing program / project documents, logical frameworks, results-based work plans and budget;
Strong experience in UNDP procurement processes.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in Business/Public Administration, Law, Environmental Science, Social Science or related field.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of relevant experience in development work and particularly on issues of programme management/ procurement of development programmes;
Experience in programme development, management/coordination, monitoring and evaluation, as well as knowledge management;
Experience in Project formulation, design, monitoring and evaluation is essential;
Experience in capacity building programs is required;
Project experience in crisis or post-conflict countries is an asset;
Iraq operations and UNDP experience with the Government of Iraq would be considered important assets.

Language Requirements:

Excellent written and spoken English;
Knowledge of Kurdish is an asset.