Since the Government of Japan’s (GoJ) announcement of USD 5 billion assistance package to support Iraq’s reconstruction at Madrid Conference in October 2003, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) concluded 33 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.

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 ministries /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 project’s 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 Minister’s Office, chaired by the Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Commission (PMAC) with membership of senior officials from the 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 loan 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.

Engineering / Liaison 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.

• Perform as the national representative of the LMU to actively facilitate and expedite the identification, formulation and endorsement of new Japanese ODA Loan projects, ensuring their listing in the Annual Investment Programme and the Investment Budget component of the Federal Budget by collaborating with decision-making Government of Iraq officials from the potential implementing ministries / agencies, the MoP, and the MoF, while identifying challenges and impediments, providing recommendations on how to address them, and reporting on progress to the M/C and the LMU;
• Advise the LMU’s Project Monitoring Team in identifying challenges and obstacles in the implementation of Japanese ODA Loan projects, applying strategic oversight and problem-solving skills to work with the PMTs and the competent GoI institutions to resolve them under the guidance of the LMU Team Leader;
• Conduct a thorough review and analysis of the outcomes of site inspections and verification missions, monitor and report on progress in implementation, and provide well-informed, strategic insights and recommendations to JICA, the Japanese ODA loan administrator, and the M/C, while attending ODA Loan projects decision-making meetings as a fiduciary monitoring agent, including Monthly Progress Meetings and Special Meetings with the Employer, Consultant and Contractor, and provide advice and feedback;
• Attend and monitor procurement events, including pre-qualification document openings, pre-bid meetings, and financial and technical bids opening, utilizing expertise in procurement and contract management under JICA’s guidelines, while maintaining thorough records within the LMU and reporting to JICA with detailed analysis, recommendations, and feedback on these events and the procurement process, while ensuring adherence to international competitive bidding standards;
• Monitor and analyse performance of PMTs, identifying institutional challenges at the project implementation level, ministerial and central levels, as well as challenges within the legislative process, along with capacity gaps and development needs, and provide strategic recommendations for the LMU to effectively address these challenges and strengthen PMTs capabilities;
• Ensure optimal collaboration and facilitate the transfer of the LMU’s knowledge and experience to the MoP’s Follow-Up Team on Grant and Loan Funded Projects, positioning the team to serve as the central body for monitoring governmental investment projects in the future.

The incumbent shall perform other duties within their functional profile, as deemed necessary, for the efficient functioning of the LMU.

Institutional Arrangement

The LMU is situated within the Development Finance Unit of UNDP Iraq CO, to which the LMU Team Leader reports. Under the supervision and guidance of the LMU Team Leader, the Engineering Specialist / Liaison Specialist shall engage in the LMU’s 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.

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/he 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 the Japanese ODA Loan is concerned, and capacity development for the ODA Loan Programme in Iraq.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements