Economic Recovery Cluster Leader, Economic Recovery Cluster, UNDP-Iraq, Baghdad

ECONOMIC RECOVERY CLUSTER LEADER, ECONOMIC RECOVERY CLUSTER, UNDP-IRAQ
Location : Amman with frequent travel to Baghdad, JORDAN
Application Deadline : 27-Feb-09
Type of Contract : 200 Series
Post Number : 27854
Post Level : L-6 (ICS-13)
Languages Required :
English
Duration of Initial Contract : One year

Iraq is making the transition to a sovereign, unified, democratic and federal state where all Iraqi citizens will live in dignity. Under extremely difficult circumstances, the Iraqi Government is pursuing this goal, along with the inherently complicated task of national reconstruction and development. The national planning frameworks, the National Development Strategy (NDS) and the International Compact for Iraq (ICI), give priority to restoring basic services and creating employment in the short terms, while emphasizing comprehensive security, political and economic reforms in the long term.

In the context of these frameworks and as part of the integrated response of the UN system to the above priorities and challenges, UNDP is likely to continue to focus its cooperation in the two strategic programmatic areas of: (i) Democratic governance; and (ii) Economic recovery. UNDP is currently elaborating a Country Programme Strategy for Iraq for better positioning and realigning of its cooperation.

Over 50% of the active population is unemployed or underemployed. Large sums of the capital budget for 15 governorates (excluding the KRG) remain unspent. Without comprehensive, diversification-oriented local development plans that address priority areas outlined in the ICI and NDS to facilitate the engagement of development partners, the envisaged peace-building and pro-poor growth may not be realized.

The UNDP-Iraq Country Office (CO) has operated in exceptionally difficult circumstances over a period of almost two decades, but especially so in the last few years since the withdrawal of almost all resident staff from Iraq and relocation of UN offices in August 2003. As a CO ?in exile?, Jordan, with sub-offices in Baghdad and Erbil and more recently in Basra, Ramadi and Najaf inside Iraq.

Under overall supervision of the UNDP Country Director, the incumbent will report to the UNDP Deputy Country Director/Programme.

The current annual UNDP Economic Recovery Cluster budget has reached US$ 100 million, and it is expected to increase significantly, as the programme expands its geographical and substantive scope of coverage during the course of 2009. In 2008 the programme employed around 40 staff, but this number is expected to grow to more than 70 staff members as the programme expands through 2009.

UNDP-Iraq is one of the organizations that constitute the UN Country Team, and participates in the eight Sector Outcome Teams that form the Sector approach established to ensure integrated strategic planning by UNAMI in partnership with IRFFI. UNDP led by the Economic Recovery Cluster Leader heads the sector on Economic Reform and coordinates the economic reform related work of all UN agencies with participation of relevant UN and non-UN members.

The Economic Recovery Cluster Leader works closely with the Iraqi Government (Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Electricity, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Health etc) and counterparts: national and regional public institutions, civil society institutions and the private sector. Programmes are designed, and developed with counterparts in Amman and Iraq and implemented throughout Iraq.

The Economic Recovery Cluster Leader (ERCL) acts as Economic Policy Coordinator within the UNCT Policy Group in Baghdad; leads the Economic Reform and Diversification (ERD) Sector Outcome Team in the UN Country Team in Amman; and is responsible for supervision, overall management and guidance for UNDP?s Economic Recovery Cluster.

The general functions of the Economic Recovery Cluster Leader include:

* Organization and team leadership and management;
* Policy leadership, direction and guidance on economic, recovery, poverty and infrastructure issues;
* Information management;
* Monitoring, assessment and analysis;
* Coordinated project planning;
* Institutional capacity development;
* Reporting and accountability.
* Key Results expected

More specifically, the ERCL will be responsible for overseeing UNDP?s programmes targeted at the following areas of work:

* Support for key emergency physical rehabilitation projects coupled with high-impact policy interventions including master plan development in sectors such as energy, transport, basic services delivery.
* Strengthening the institutions and build the capacity of Iraqi authorities to better manage the significant national resources through training, budget execution, support to planning, exposure to international experience and best practice.
* Providing upstream support to poverty reduction and the MDGs through, capacity development, the production of important publications and surveys to better target poverty in the country.
* Implement downstream area development schemes that target employment generation and provision of basic services.
* Act as the UN country team policy group coordinator for Economic Policy in Baghdad
* Lead the Economic Reform and Diversification (ERD) Sector Outcome Team in the UN Country Team in Amman coordinating with heads of agency and members of the sector outcome team, and enabling the work of UNCT members on programmes and projects related to economic reform and diversification
* On behalf of the UNCT lead the Economic reform and diversification SOT analysis and SOT approval of related project proposals for funding by UNDG ITF/IRFFI
* On behalf of the UN policy group lead the peer review of economic cluster projects submitted for funding to IRFFI and other donor resources.
* Coordinate UNCT economic reform and diversification activities in support of the International Compact with Iraq, monitoring and reporting progress toward the ICI objectives, formulating initiatives to ensure achievement of the objectives and proposing relevant funding through IRFFI.
* Initiate and develop interactions between the UNCT and the Government of Iraq at the Cabinet level related to economic issues contained in the International Compact with Iraq and the UN Iraq Assistance Strategy 2008-2011;
* Initiate and develop relations with international donors in support of the UNCT Economic reform and diversification sector and UNDP?s economic recovery portfolio.
* Represent the UNCT and UNDP on politically sensitive issues related to economic recovery with the UN Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) in Baghdad and with the Government of Iraq in Baghdad.
* Analyze the socio-economic situation and trends, assess needs and identify/propose areas for possible UNDP/UN intervention;
* Based on ongoing programme, develop cluster programmes, formulate innovative programme strategies and project proposals to address the requirements of Iraq and provide variety of options to Iraqi authorities in the focus areas and relevant result areas of UNDP;
* Provide policy advice and guidance to the UNDP Economic recovery Cluster as well as the UN economic reform and diversification SOT highlighting best practices and most appropriate technical assistance approaches, bearing in mind the specific context of Iraq;
* Organize the work of UNDP economic recovery team to ensure proper planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation
* Support the development of innovative and appropriate implementation modalities that respond to the uniqueness of the political and security situation in Iraq and the challenges of working remotely;
* Monitor the overall UNDP economic recovery cluster programme performance by ensuring proper planning, benchmarking and target setting (substantively and financially);
* Working closely with Iraqi counterparts, international community, UNAMI, Civil Society Organizations, private sector and UN agencies manage the delivery of the programme in an efficient and effective manner to ensure that the planned results are achieved in a timely fashion;
* Lead and/or facilitate the formulation, advocacy and realization of business-development initiatives in practice areas and cross-cutting thematic initiatives. Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as gender, environment, human rights etc. are incorporated into the economic recovery cluster programmes;
* Contribute to resource mobilization through the identification of niches for UNDP and UN interventions bearing in mind activities of other partners (i.e. the GOI, the World Bank, EU, DFID etc.)
* Liaise closely with other UNCT SOT leads/focal points inside Iraq;
* Seek early and coordinated response to problems, bottlenecks and foreseeable crises;
* Manage the economic recovery cluster?s generation, dissemination and application of knowledge, best practices and programme results for Advocacy, resource mobilization, learning and practice development;
* Provide knowledge-driven policy advice and services to partners and public authorities and maintain upstream dialogue based on UNDP?s comparative advantage and mandate in the area of economic recovery;
* Ensures the integrity of financial and administrative operations
* Supervises staff of the economic recovery cluster

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

* Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
* In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
* Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

* Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
* Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects
* Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communicational technology, general administration
* Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change
* Ability to apply development theory to practice and to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
* Ability to manage of results: translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities, monitors them, making periodic adjustments as required.
* Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting

Management and Leadership

* Ability to effectively represent UNDP at the L-6 level in internal and external meetings. Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
* 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 openness to change and ability to manage complexities
* Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
* Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
* Remains clam, in control and good humored even under pressure
* Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills

Education:

* Master Degree in Economics, Political Sciences, Public Administration, International Development or a related field.

Experience

* At least fifteen (15) years of substantive international development experience in economic recovery programme management, project control, and/or resource mobilization in the UN, government or consultant organization, preferably in emergency and post-conflict situations;
* At least seven (7) years of practical management experience in working on aspects of economic recovery (infrastructure rehabilitation and economic reduction and crises prevention)
* Developing or transition country experience is required
* A sound knowledge of Iraq an asset;
* A proven professional credibility, as well as level working experience in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a developing country highly desirable
* Ability to prepare and administer large and complex budget/resources/work papers;
* Ability to manage and supervise a team;
* Experience and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures strongly desire.
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Experience with UN or international organization working in Iraq would be an advantage;
* Results oriented, possesses skills to manage relationships, communicate.
* Forward thinking, program solving
* Ability to work as part of a team

Technical skills required:

* Remote management skills
* Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language requirements:

* Fluency in English both written and oral
* Good working knowledge of Arabic is an asset

Previous UN Experience:

* Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral banks (World Bank, Asian Development Bank etc) and bi-lateral aid organizations would be an asset.

Note:

* Willingness to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders in Iraq is a must;
* Female candidates are encouraged to apply
* Knowledge of Prince2 and other Results Based Management methodologies would be an asset.
* Knowledge of PeopleSoft also an asset.

Related Post: