Job: PROJECT MANAGEMENT ANALYST, UNDP IRAQ

Location : Baghdad, IRAQ

Application Deadline : 17-Nov-13

Type of Contract : TA International

Post Level : P-2

Languages Required : English

Duration of Initial Contract : Six months

Background

UNDP has a global mandate to support governments in the area of good governance and Security Sector Reform (SSR), and has the widest experience of any UN agency in producing policy advice and support to governments. In Iraq, in the context of its Rule of Law work, UNDP has developed a strong working relationship with the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) and has been asked by this office to consider the provision of capacity building support to his office in the conduct of a comprehensive National Security Review (NSR) and the provision of advice in the formulation of a new Iraqi National Security Strategy (NSS). Following this request, UNDP has prepared a two year project which aims to provide support to the Government of Iraq to reform its Security Sector, in line with international standards. This will be achieved through:

• Support for the development of a National Security Strategy;
• Capacity development of the Defense and Security Committee of the Iraqi Council of Representative (CoR);
• Development of the research and analytical capacities of the ONSA.

This project will complement other activities in the security sector that UNDP is currently implementing and which include, Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), the alleviation of domestic and gender based violence, national reconciliation, and a wide ranging program of support to capacity building in the COR.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Management Analyst will contribute to UNDP's programmatic work in relation to good governance and Security Sector Reform.

Technical Analysis and Support in Project Delivery

• Conducts regular analysis and research on the political, social and economic situation in the project's operational environment/target sites;
• Supports and ensures compliance with UNDP's policies and procedures on project management in all aspects of the project cycle;
• Supports application of effective Results Based Management (RBM) tools and systems, and advises on effectiveness of these;
• Supports conflict-sensitive project planning, including drafting of project budgets and annual workplans;
• Drafts minutes of project boards and other meetings, as well as briefing notes, presentations, letters, agreements, memos, and other project related correspondence and documentation.

Coordination, Monitoring and Reporting on Project Implementation

• Support coordination and implementation of SSR project activities by working closely with country office and SSR project operations;
• Develop appropriate outcome and project monitoring tools based on measureable and verifiable project output targets and indicators and incorporate these in all aspects of project planning;
• Support organization and conduct of regular monitoring missions by field based teams, as well as review and finalize monitoring reports;
• Support organization, coordination and provide logistical support to assessments, studies, audit, reviews and/or evaluation missions;
• Supports internal communication and reporting systems for field-based colleagues, as well as external project clients and stakeholders;
• Drafting regular progress reports in line with scheduled reporting deadlines, including regular updating of risks and issues logs;
• Identify and provide recommendations on solutions to mitigate bottlenecks and other implementation challenges throughout the project cycle;
• Support activities related to capacity development of government counterparts.

Programme Development

• Research and draft concept notes, proposals, project documents and related documentation in support of project development;
• Supports organization of all project-related meetings and events, including but not limited to board meetings and workshops;
• Supports regular liaison with stakeholders, donors, partners and other relevant project stakeholders, as well as maintains and updates regular contact lists;
• Support drafting of knowledge products and dissemination of these and other communications on the SSR project to counterparts, partners and stakeholders;

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI's, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the security sector based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors' priorities;
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals;
• Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP's mandate.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly.

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)

• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors;
• Develops a database of project profiles. Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP's Goals

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UNDP's goals for a variety of audiences;
• Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for advocating for UNDP's mandate.

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly .

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's Degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development, Human Rights/Security or other related field. Focus on post-conflict development / peace building highly desired.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of post-conflict human rights/security, peace building, recovery/development, rule of law and/or security-related projects;
• Prior experience in (post) conflict countries is required. Prior experience in Iraq is a significant advantage.
• Proven experience in supporting strategic partnerships/donor liaison, conflict-sensitive programming and resource mobilization;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
• Experience and knowledge of UN financial, human resources, procurement, management and general operations policies, an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English;
• Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

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.

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