Background
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Since the Government of Japanโs (GoJ) announcement of USD 5 billion assistance package to support Iraqโs reconstruction at Madrid Conference in October 2003, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) concluded 33ย Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan agreements with the Government of Iraq (GoI), amounting to approximately USD 11 billion over the period January 2008 - December 2023.ย
The GoI is the owner and executing agency of the Japanese ODA loan-financed projects. Key project implementation activities, such as procurement, contract management and financial management, are undertaken by the implementing ministriesย /agencies of the GoI. As a standing mandate, JICA promotes efficient use of the loans and needs to ensure that the project implementation is undertaken in an accountable, transparent, and efficient manner in line with JICA guidelines and procedures and that the loans are properly used for the purpose of achieving each projectโs objectives expeditiously.
To ensure accountability, transparency and efficiency in project implementation and usage of the loans, GoI, GoJ and JICA agreed to establish a joint Monitoring Committee (M/C) to meet on a quarterly basis. The M/C, reports to the Prime Ministerโs Office, chaired by the Chairperson of the Prime Ministerโs Advisory Commission (PMAC) with membership of senior officials from theย GoI and GoJ and JICA.
The Loan Management Unit (LMU) has been established within UNDP Iraq Country Office (CO) in 2009 to facilitate and accelerate implementation of the Japanese ODA loanย projects in by providing fiduciary monitoring on behalf of the GoI and JICA, implementation monitoring and evaluation and capacity development support to the M/C in particular and the GoI in general.ย
Engineeringย /ย Liaisonย Specialist shall have the dual role of (i) carrying out fiduciary and project monitoring of ODA Loan projects and (ii) establishing, maintaining and liaising with senior GoI levels engaged in the ODA Loans.ย
The incumbent shall perform other duties within their functional profile, as deemed necessary, for the efficient functioning of theย LMU.
Institutional Arrangement
The LMU is situated within the Development Finance Unit of UNDP Iraq CO, to which the LMU Team Leader reports.ย Under the supervision and guidance of the LMU Team Leader, the Engineering Specialist / Liaison Specialist shall engage in the LMUโs fiduciary and project monitoring activities and shall work closely with the M/C, oversight ministries (MoP and MoF) and the implementing ministries/ agencies to ensure optimal coordination among and with the LMU, facilitate Japanese ODA Loan processes and procedures within the GoI and facilitate transparent, accountable and timeous implementation of ODA Loan projects.
ย ย The Engineering / Liaison Specialist shall, in the Liaison Specialist role, report directly to the LMU Team Leader, and in the Engineering Specialist role report directly to the Project Management Specialist, who heads the Project Monitoring Team under the LMU and supervises the fiduciary and project monitoring activities. S/heย shall be part of professional and dynamic team of national and international experts and specialists undertaking fiduciary monitoring, implementation monitoring and facilitation, policy formulation and development financed support, as much as theย Japaneseย ODA Loan is concerned, and capacity development for the ODA Loan Programme in Iraq.ย ย
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Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy Systems Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. Business Direction & Strategy Business Acumen
Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization Business Direction & Strategy Negotiation and Influence Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create โwin-winโ situations. Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Businessย Management Partnerships Management Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies Businessย Management Communication Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.ย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels 2030 Agenda: Prosperity Inclusive Growth SDGs/National Development Strategy, Planning and Budgetingย ย ย Required Skills and Experience ย Min. Education requirements Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or another related field is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areasย mentioned aboveย in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree Min. years of relevant work experienceย Minimum 7 years (with master's degree) or 9 years (with bachelor's degree)ย of progressive relevant experience in development planning, monitoring, evaluation and inter โ governmental coordination. Required skillsย Experience working within GoI ministries, including planning, formulating and budgeting national development and investment projects is required. Experience in development projectsโ monitoring and evaluation is required. Proficiency in using computers, office software packages and advanced project management software, as well as handling web-based management systems. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section Profound knowledge of Iraqโs legislative and regulatory system for formulating and implementing development projects, including processing projects through Federal Budget Law. Working experience under GoIโs inter/intra ministerial coordination for project formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Knowledge of project management and international procurement guidelines adopted for development projects. Working experience in coordination with UNDP and / or international development partners to Iraq. Required Language(s)ย Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Professional Certificates N/A. ย Disclaimerย ยย Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)ย
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