Organizational Unit - United Nations Iraq

‫برنامـج أالمــم ألمتحـدة أالنمائـي‬
IRAQ
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT [RE - ADVERTISE ]
Organizational Unit:
Duty Station:
Post Title:
Post Level:
Type of contract:
Duration of Initial Contract:
Deadline for application:
UNDP Iraq Country Office
Baghdad, IRAQ
Livelihoods Project Officer
SC10
Service Contract
One Year
19 April 2016
Organizational Context
On 10 June 2014, fighters led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant organisation (ISIL) captured
the major northern Iraqi city of Mosul after three days of fighting. The fall of Mosul, and the quick
advance of ISIL and its allies south towards Baghdad, plunged Iraq into one of the most, if not the
most, significant political, social and security crisis the country has experienced since 2003. It also led
to a huge displacement of Iraqis which is currently estimated at around 3.2M Internally Displaced
People (IDPs). Since then, substantial progress has been achieved in recapturing some areas
previously held by ISIL. The Iraqi Government, with support from an international coalition of partners
in its fight against ISIL, has started planning for the immediate stabilization of newly accessible areas
which will allow the displaced population to return to their home areas.
In order to support the newly liberated areas, the coalition of partners in their fight against ISIL have
financed the Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilization (FFIS) which was set up by UNDP in June
2015. This facility channels resources to the priorities identified by the rapid assessments carried out
by local authorities of newly liberated areas and has 4 windows: (i) rehabilitation of light
infrastructure, (ii) jumpstarting the local economy, (iii) short term capacity building and, (iv)
community reconciliation.
Enhancing livelihood and employment opportunities is one of the urgent priority needs that falls
under window 2 of the FFIS. UNDP’s efforts in the livelihoods sector will be closely allied with the
broader goal of strengthening peaceful coexistence and greater community solidarity. The main
mechanisms for jumpstarting the local economy are public works programs and youth brigades to
carry out civic activities through a Cash for Work modality such as cleaning of public spaces, painting,
rubble and waste removal. Another mechanism is small business grants for shopkeepers who have
lost their assets and need an additional incentive to re-open shops again.
It is foreseen that the Project officer will gradually assume more responsibilities as UNDP’s expert on
livelihoods and resilience interventions.
‫برنامـج أالمــم ألمتحـدة أالنمائـي‬
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Participation in effective design and implementation of livelihoods activities under the Funding Facility for
Immediate Stabilization (FFIS), focusing on achieving the following results:

Develop potential livelihoods initiatives which are in line with the UNDP Stabilization livelihoods
strategy and assist in the implementation phase of livelihoods interventions;

Assess funding proposals from potential partner organizations and evaluate proposals on quality and
consistency;

Quality control of livelihoods activities which UNDP is supporting and ensure monitoring in close
coordination with the project’s area coordinators;

Identify project delivery issues and provide solutions to overcome bottlenecks in implementation,
mostly from a substantive livelihoods perspective;

Prepare monitoring reporting templates and provide technical advice to project counterparts to
ensure smooth progress and quality in implementation of the activities;

Collect and update relevant data and information on the progress indicators of livelihood activities in
a regular manner;

Prepare analytical narrative reports on UNDP;s overall stabilization efforts in livelihoods;

Support UNDP’s positioning as effective partner in livelihoods and job creation;

Develop specific livelihoods activities which are tailor-made for women and ensure that gender
concerns are integrated into livelihoods programming;

If requested, keep track on financial and expenditure records related to livelihood activities in
collaboration with UNDP FFIS program manager. Identify operational and financial problems of
livelihood activities and develop solutions.

Provides logistic and liaison support for activity implementation of FFIS window 2.
Contributes to the development of strategic partnerships and ensures coordination with FFIS implementing
partners and relevant stakeholders, such as NGOs/CSOs, the government, donors, and UN agencies, focusing
on achievement of the following results:

Analyzes and researches of information on FFIS window 2 and provide inputs for preparation of
substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of
new projects, active contribution to the overall programme effort;

Ensure capacity building of local partners and organize trainings, where relevant, for local
NGOs/CSOs on project management, reporting, monitoring and cash for work programs;

Identifies best practices and lessons learned from livelihood interventions and documents them.
Assist production of publicity materials on FFIS related to window 2, including database of high
quality pictures, human stories and success stories/lessons learned;

Support resource mobilization for UNDP’s livelihoods activities under FFIS;

Identify potential and well-positioned NGOs in the targeted areas to engage with based on their
knowledge and experience, and build a network of NGOs that could be communicated for future
engagement;

Act as a focal point to build bridges between different involved NGOs and develop a coordination
mechanism that allows to share information and to harmonize the work carried out by different
partners.
‫برنامـج أالمــم ألمتحـدة أالنمائـي‬
Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the UNDP country office:

Documents best practices and lessons learned;

Contributes to knowledge networks where applicable;

Shares proactively information in the UNDP country office as thematic expert on livelihoods.
Core Competencies:
Functional Competencies:
Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Carries out results-based project 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.
Building Strategic Partnerships

Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-todate on partnership related issues;

Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders;
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing with Client Orientation

Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective
ways of doing things;

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.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of crisis response and early recovery;

Possesses knowledge and experience in livelihood enhancement, employment creation, private
sector development;

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.
Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;

Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
‫برنامـج أالمــم ألمتحـدة أالنمائـي‬

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.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, social sciences or related field. Bachelor degree is only
considered with sufficient years of experience.
Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of experience in the design and implementation of employment/ livelihoods
recovery projects/programme. For bachelor degree, minimum of 7 years of relevant experience is
required;

Previous experience of working with NGOs is required;

Solid knowledge on result-based management and project implementation;

Good analytical skills and writing skills;

Experience in (post) conflict contexts.
Language Requirements:

Excellent English both written and spoken. Proficiency in Arabic.
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 Deadline for submission of applications: 19 April 2016
Instruction for submission of applications:

Please fill out a P-11 form posted on http://www.iq.undp.org/content/iraq/en/home/operations/jobs.html and
apply online. Please note that no other type of application form, including CVs, will be considered for such
positions, other than the one found at the link specified above.

Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted.

We strongly encourage qualified female candidates to apply. UNDP seeks to ensure that male and female
employees are given equal career opportunities, and that staff members are able to keep an appropriate balance
between work and private life.

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, as a matter of practice, does not charge any application, processing or training fee at any stage of the
recruitment process.