BACKGROUND

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.

Iraq has been dealing with conflict, insecurity, and instability for decades, creating deep-seated grievances. It has been exacerbated by socio-economic challenges, including the displacement of many vulnerable people who left their communities of origin for different places inside and outside of Iraq. The emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which exploited tensions and took control of large swaths of territory, triggered a new wave of violence and displacement. Consequently, around 3.3 million individuals were displaced during the ISIL insurgence, and around 1.2 million of them remain displaced. The rate of return varies considerably among the governorates throughout Iraq.

In response to this crisis, UNDP has been implementing Programmes aimed at providing Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced People (IDPs), with a specific focus on facilitating their return, local integration or relocation within the country.

Many IDPs in Iraq have endured years of displacement, facing uncertain futures and barriers to returning to their areas of origin. The protracted nature of displacement exacerbates vulnerabilities and complicates efforts to achieve Durable Solutions. These displaced individuals often struggle to access adequate livelihood opportunities, impeding their ability to rebuild their lives and integrate into their new communities effectively.

Displaced populations and returnees frequently lack access to essential services such as housing, education, healthcare and clean water, posing significant challenges to their reintegration process. Furthermore, tensions between IDPs, returnees and host communities can lead to social instability, hindering efforts towards achieving Durable Solutions. Promoting social cohesion and fostering reconciliation is crucial for successful reintegration and sustainable peace.

Going forward, UNDP will address the needs of IDPs and facilitate their return, local integration or relocation within the country. UNDP is aligned with the Government of Iraq’s efforts to provide Durable Solutions for displaced populations, in line with international humanitarian principles.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Programme Management Specialist – Durable Solutions will provide leadership and technical expertise in planning, implementation and coordination of UNDP’s Durable Solutions Projects for IDPs in Iraq. This position aims to ensure effective Project management, adherence to UNDP policies and Donor requirements and the promotion of Durable Solutions for displaced populations. She/he will work closely with the UNDP Iraq’s Operations and Finance units, the Programme Management and Support Unit (PMSU), and the Procurement Unit/Service Center.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Key duties and accountabilities include:

Lead the Durable Solutions project component by carrying out the following tasks:

• Collaborate with the Team Leader to plan, prioritize and sequence Project Activities effectively.
• Manage the overall implementation of Durable Solutions Projects, including financial, administrative and technical oversight.
• Maintain oversight of Project deadlines and reporting requirements in accordance with UNDP rules, regulations and Donor specifications.
• Supervise technical staff involved in Durable Solutions component and provide relevant training and capacity building.
• Provide support and technical advice to implementation partners/service providers to ensure compliance of activities with the work plans, budget, and expected results.
• Provide technical inputs to the design and development of concept notes and proposal to promote durable solution to displacement.
• Develop annual workplans and budgets for the Durable Solutions component, ensuring alignment with results & Resource Framework.
• Review Workplans and Budgets regularly to prioritize activities and ensure efficient resource allocation.

Engage in result-based project monitoring and implementation:

• Contribute to the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the Projects for organizational sharing and learning.
• Coordinate with the Monitoring & Evaluation team to gather, analyze and report data on Project beneficiaries and impact.
• Organize field visit with donors and UNDP to monitor results of DS projects.
• Prepare period, quarterly and annual report on the DS component and as required by donors and UNDP.
• Contribute to measuring development solutions to displacement

Lead Durable Solution coordination:

• Act as technical focal person to durable solution coordination within UNDP and with UN Durable Solution Working Group which is co-chaired by UNDP.
• Actively engage with national and sub-national Durable Solutions coordination structures to identify gaps and enhance synergies in Programme implementation.
• Coordinate with Government counterparts, partner Organizations and local communities to promote Durable Solutions for displaced populations.
• Undertake technical coordination of the Reintegration Taskforce within the framework of One UN plan towards return and reintegration of Iraqi national from Northeast Syria camps.
• Support UNDP’s engagement in the discussion around transition from humanitarian to development in Iraq and help identify UNDP’s strategic priorities.

Contribute to building partnerships with key actors for policy advocacy and resource mobilization: 

• Analyze donor priorities to identify resource mobilization opportunities for durable solution to displacement and prepare substantive concept notes and project proposals as required.
• Support resource mobilization efforts through programmatic reporting, liaising with donors as necessary.
• Establish and maintains partnerships with relevant actors at the national and international level as well as national and international organizations to build synergies and achieve greater impact of the UNDP interventions.
• Participate in inter-agency programming processes, including joint needs assessments.
• Participate in UN-wide task forces and working groups and represent UNDP when appropriate.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and management: 

• Organize and deliver training for the UNDP’s Durable Solutions Projects
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.

Other duties:

• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results:  LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy: System 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 Management: Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

2030 Agenda – Peace: Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions

• Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion.

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Management: Partnerships Management 

• Ability to 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.

Business Management: Communication

• Ability to 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.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.

Business Management: Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Political Sciences, International Relations, International Development, or related field is required, OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: 

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and/or projects in durable solutions area; and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national government is required.
• At least 2 years of experience in similar functions in crisis and post-conflict environment is required.
• Demonstrated excellent writing and communication skills/experience are desired
• Proven experience in Durable Solutions and/or IDP-support programming is required.
• Experience and strong understanding of UNDP policies and practices is an asset.
• Experience with UN/UNDP Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding guidance and implementation methods is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of development and displacement issues and challenges in the MENA Region is an asset.
• Knowledge and/or experience of result-based management, including progress monitoring, would be an asset.
• Previous experience of working with governments, NGOs, and UN agencies is preferred.
• Experience in gender and conflict-sensitive programming and implementation would be an advantage.

Languages:

• Proficiency in oral and written English is required.
• Fluency of Arabic is an asset.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest performance evaluations (if applicable). 

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Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

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Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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