In mid-2015, at the request of the Government of Iraq (GoI) and with the support of the development partners, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq established the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) to carry out stabilization activities in the governorates of Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din, which were affected due to the ISIL conflict. In support of this, UNDP has been leading stabilization efforts using the FFS as the primary vehicle to create the necessary conditions for IDPs to return and rebuild their lives in dignity and peace.

Since then, the FFS’ integrated approach has been paving the way for an inclusive and sustainable post-conflict recovery in Iraq; by combining significant infrastructure rehabilitation efforts across key sectors, such as education, electricity, health, housing, municipal services, roads and bridges networks, sewage, water, with immediate and medium-term socioeconomic interventions to support livelihoods, local government capacity support as well as social cohesion and peacebuilding initiatives.

UNDP’s FFS intervention was initially supposed to have completed the implementation on 31 December 2021. However, the FFS Steering Committee on 11 October 2020 extended the project for two years, bringing its implementation completion date from 31 December 2021 to 31 December 2023 to allow the implementation and completion of ongoing critical priority projects across sectors in reached and hard-to-reach locations and populations.

To facilitate the implementation and completion of the remaining FFS projects within the healthcare sector and secure the long-term sustainability of UNDP’s stabilization efforts and gains in the health sector across the governorates of Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din, UNDP will continue its coordination and collaboration effects with the GoI through its Ministry of Health (MoH) at national and governorate levels, and subsequently strengthen the relationship in support of future projects design and implementation in the five FFS operational governorates or other new governorates.

Scope of Work 

1-Stakeholders’ coordination to facilitate effective implementation and completion of FFS health and future health projects, through focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Lead the coordination and liaison between UNDP’s Senior Management and senior Government Officials at the Ministry of Health at national and governorate levels to support the implementation and completion of FFS health projects and future project initiatives in FFS’ targeted or other governorates.
• Promote a consultative process between UNDP and the Control Centers/local councils.
• Participate in Control Center meetings, provide updates and inputs on behalf of UNDP’s FFS health project implementation, and communicate their recommendations for improving project implementation.
• Collect necessary information for project implementation from the field, analyse it and share it with the Head of Stabilization.
• Support the Government’s led coordination mechanism by providing information on UNDP’s activities and other technical inputs.
• Ensure UNDP’s interventions and planning are reflected in coordination meetings with GoI/governorates.
• Facilitate reporting and information sharing with partners.

2-Provide technical and oversight support to facilitate effective implementation and completion of FFS Health and future health projects, through focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Support the implementation of project activities, where required, and advise on project contracting requirements.
• Support project activities’ day-to-day monitoring and implementation progress and promptly report any abnormalities or risks to the Head of Stabilization / FFS Programme Manager.
• Develop and design interventions based on accurate information and risk analysis on the ground and utilizing lessons learned from the activities in consultation and coordination with the Head of Stabilization / FFS Programme Manager.
• Analyse and share information with the FFS project team and the local technical teams.
• Supervise and organize the process of checking the materials and equipment received at construction/renovation sites against damages, missing parts and appropriate ratings, and ensure the materials/equipment provided by the contractor meet UNDP’s requirements and standards.
• Discuss site issues with the contractor and promptly report to UNDP if a problem requires UNDP’s input.
• Assist in checking and certifying substantial construction progress/completion and the corresponding payments. Advise UNDP to withhold any payments for any work that has been rejected or does not comply with the previously prepared specifications.
• Provide technical inputs to strengthen alignment and complementarity of UNDP’s support with government policies and plans.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Stabilization and direct supervision of the FFS Programme Manager, the Project Specialist (Health Sector Projects) will lead UNDP’s coordination and collaboration effects with the GoI through its MoH at national and governorate levels to facilitate the implementation and completion of the remaining FFS’ health projects in the governorates of Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din, and subsequently strengthen the relationship between UNDP and MoH in support of future health projects in the five FFS operational governorates or other new governorates.