UNDP Jobs - 61857- Program Manager Stabilization

Program Manager Stabilization

Location :

Baghdad, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

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

Currently, one of the highest priorities for UNDP Iraq is to support the newly liberated areas which were freed from ISIL. At the request of the Government of Iraq and the DSRSG, UNDP has been given the programmatic lead to support these areas. In this context, a Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilization has been set up (FFIS) and local needs assessments have been conducted in the newly liberated areas, with costing of immediate and medium term needs. There is strong donor support for this FFIS and contributions and pledges exceed 30M USD which requires UNDP to deliver in a timely fashion. For the implementation of FFIS, a project team with stabilization advisors and project implementation staff has been set up as well as an Operations Service Centre headed by a senior operations manager. Iraq currently has around 3.2M IDPs and another 250,000 Syrian refugees.

Under the direct supervision of the Country Director and the overall guidance of the Resident Representative/Deputy SRSG, the program manager focuses on the implementation of the projects under the Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilization that was set up in June 2015. The program manager also works closely with the Service centre for the Immediate Stabilization Funding Facility (FFIS).FFIS works with a wide array of partners: government counterparts, local and international NGOs as well as UN agencies where appropriate.

The Project Manager also liaises closely with the Country Office and assists the Country Office in all relevant activities in the area of Stabilization, ensuring that the project produces the results specified in the respective project documents, to the required standards of quality and within the specific constraints of time and cost, and that appropriate linkages are established with other projects. The Program Manager also ensures that the implementation of the Projects is consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. Priorities for FFIS are set by the steering committee, chaired by the Government of Iraq.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Country Director, the Stabilization program manager is responsible for managing the Stabilization Projects under FFIS and its timely implementation:

Leads the project teams and works closely with a wide array of partners to ensure that the projects under stabilization directly respond to the UNDP country programme strategy;
Supervises the project staff, provides coaching to staff and effective leadership;
Develops, oversees and monitors work plans and budgets for all activities in the project portfolio;
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 Country Director on mitigation strategies;
Ensures appropriate levels of visibility and public awareness on results and ongoing activities;
Ensures the integrity of financial and administrative operations in the project area through financial oversight, under advice of UNDP Operations staff;
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;
Manages day to day administrative matters for the project with support from administrative staff and the performance of consultants and specialist advisers.

The Program Manager promotes UNDP’s mandate and corporate policy and provides senior high level policy advice to government and other partners on stabilization:

Promotes early stabilization approaches and provides policy advice to UNDP Senior Management, government counterparts, donors and other partners on issues related to stabilization; Thorough analysis of political/social and economic situation of the country and identify strategic areas of support for UNDP in areas of stabilization and its transition to recovery;
Builds solid relationships with key national partners and identifies institutional development and capacity building opportunities and priorities, where relevant;
Ensures the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, peace building, human rights and resilience into stabilization and post crisis response;
Liaises closely with other UNDP programs and ensure smooth transition of stabilization to longer term development programs such as Local Area Development and Rule of Law;
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;
Represents UNDP as requested by CD or RR.

The Program Manager supports partnership building and resource mobilization for UNDP’s Stabilization Programme:

Ensures sufficient resource mobilization for the project in close consultation with Senior Management and is responsible for reaching the annual resource mobilization targets;
Advocates for UNDP’s work and represents UNDP with national authorities, the donor community, and international financial institutions, where requested;
Liaises regularly and forges close linkages with other UN programmes, agencies and entities, as well as other international and national stakeholders concerned with or providing assistance on early recovery or stabilization issues in Iraq;
Ensures high-quality and timely reporting to government partners and donors involved in the project;
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.

The Stabilization Program Manager ensures knowledge management focusing on achieving the following results:

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;
Promotes the participation of UNDP Iraq in regional programmes and regional activities related to the project area as appropriate;
Supports capacity and knowledge building of national counterparts.

Any other tasks as assigned by the Country Director or Resident Representative.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office through personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession;
Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally;
Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates;
Shows willingness to learn from others.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

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.

Management and Leadership:

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in Economics, Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant fields.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant experience in project management and project assurance;
Proven experience in Resource Mobilization, preferably also in relationship building with Japan and Arab donors;
Proven track record in program support/monitoring;
Proven management experience, preferably in UNDP or other UN agency, with sound knowledge of project cycle management;
Experience in working in crisis or conflict country;
Experience working in a multi-cultural and/or international work environment.

Technical skills required:

Functionally-related professional management skills;
Plan and prioritises work activities to meet organizational goals and organizes and oversees work processes efficiently to achieve quality results;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as experience in the handling of web based management systems;
Previous UN Experience - Experience from previous UNDP assignments and/or UN agencies or multilateral banks (World Bank, Asian Development Bank, etc.) and bi-lateral aid organizations would be an asset.

Language:

Fluency in the English both written and oral;
Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Note:

Female candidates are encouraged to apply;
Knowledge of Results Based Management methodologies would be an asset;
Knowledge of ATLAS/People Soft would be a strong asset.