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Technical Advisor: Financial Project Management

From 2003, the Multi-Sectoral Implementation Unit, which comes under the Area Based Development & Delivery of Local Services sub-pillar of ERPA, has implemented several projects addressing reconstruction and capacity building needs in the electricity, health, water and sanitation (WatSan) sectors of Iraq. Currently, this unit in the in the process of implementing and finalizing several projects directly related to the Health Sector, including the support to the construction of the Basrah Children’s Hospital (BCH); rehabilitation of the General Hospitals in Ramadi (RGH) and Tikrit (TGH); and the establishment in Fallujah of a Maternity and Children’s Hospital (FMCH). In addition, the unit is providing support for implementation of several other infrastructure projects implemented by other units within the organization.
These 4 projects in particular have encountered a variety of delays due to a number of factors, and thus have been approved for extensions through most of 2012. Delays encountered have included discovery of additional building defects that could not have been spotted by assessments; additional requests made by the Iraq Ministry of Health (MoH); delays on works for which MoH was responsible; manpower and expertise issues with UNDP Iraq’s Consultant Engineers; unforeseen security (e.g. curfews) and climate (e.g. sandstorms) related delays; and others.
Given the new project extensions approved by the projects’ donors and Project Boards, it is imperative that the Multi-Sectoral Implementation Unit has the appropriate expertise and manpower for these ongoing projects, in order to see them through to Final Completion and to effectively close them out. Therefore, the Multi-Sectoral Implementation unit seeks a consultant to carry out a variety of tasks related to project and asset management on the ongoing four hospital projects mentioned above. These tasks will include developing Asset Registers for all projects, Technical Specifications and Bills of Quantities (BoQs) for remaining aspects of all projects, and use inventory/asset logs to provide inputs for project Final Close-Out Reports.
Due to the fact that these projects are scheduled to all end and be closed-out by the end of 2012, it is most cost-effective to hire an IC for these tasks rather than full time staff; it is not advisable to allocate permanent staff to the needs of limited-time projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives:
The Consultant’s key objectives will be to contribute inputs critical to the financial closing out of all works for the BCH, RGH, TGH, and FMCH projects, as well as contributing inputs to the Final Close-Out Reports for these projects.
Scope and expected outputs:
The scope of this assignment is related to financial management for various aspects of the BCH, RGH, TGH, and FMCH projects. These will be provided based on needs and timelines furnished by UNDP’s Consultant Engineers and Contractors responsible for each project, and approved by the Project Boards. The expected overall outputs (in conjunction with other colleagues on the Multi-Sectoral Team) are:
  • Financial close-out of the RGH and TGH projects;
  • Draft financial close-out of the BCH and FMCH projects;
  • Final Close-Out Reports for the RGH and TGH projects;
  • Draft Final Close-Out Reports for the BCH and FMCH projects.
Deliverables:
While UNDP will be responsible for the logistical costs of the participants The Multi-Sectoral team overall will be responsible for the completion of all projects; under this, the Consultant will be responsible for producing the following deliverables:
  • RGH: Reconciliation of project expenditure, analyse, correct charges and reverse accordingly from/to project and between budget accounts within the project according to project documents. Draft;
  • RGH: Full analyses of financial status of the project and preparation for Financial closer of the project with accordance with UNDP detailed guidance in closing DIM project. Draft;
  • RGH: Preparation of financials for close out report for Ramadi General Hospital. Draft;
  • RGH: Reconciliation of project expenditure, analyse, correct charges and reverse accordingly from/to project and between budget accounts within the project according to project documents. Final;
  • RGH: Full analyses of financial status of the project and preparation for Financial closer of the project with accordance with UNDP detailed guidance in closing DIM project. Final;
  • RGH: Preparation of financials for close out report for Ramadi General Hospital. Final;
  • TGH: Reconciliation of project expenditure, analyse, correct charges and reverse accordingly from/to project and between budget accounts within the project according to project documents. Draft;
  • Tikrit: Full analyses of financial status of the project and preparation for Financial closer of the project with accordance with UNDP detailed guidance in closing DIM project. Draft;
  • Tikrit: Preparation of financials for close out report for Tikrit General Hospital. Draft;
  • TBH: Reconciliation of project expenditure, analyse, correct charges and reverse accordingly from/to project and between budget accounts within the project according to project documents. Final;
  • TGH: Full analyses of financial status of the project and preparation for Financial closer of the project with accordance with UNDP detailed guidance in closing DIM project. Final;
  • TGH: Preparation of financials for close out report for Tikrit General Hospital. Final;
  • BCH: Reconciliation of project expenditure, analyse, correct charges and reverse accordingly from/to project and between budget accounts within the project according to project documents. Draft;
  • BCH: Full analyses of financial status of the project and preparation for Financial closer of the project with accordance with UNDP detailed guidance in closing DIM project. Draft;
  • BCH: Preparation of financials for close out report for Basrah Children Hospital. Draft;
  • FMCH: Reconciliation of project expenditure, analyse, correct charges and reverse accordingly from/to project and between budget accounts within the project according to project documents. Draft;
  • FMCH: Full analyses of financial status of the project and preparation for Financial closer of the project with accordance with UNDP detailed guidance in closing DIM project. Draft;
  • FMCH: Preparation of financials for close out report for Fallujah Maternity & Children Hospital. Draft.

Competencies

Competencies:
  • Ability to understand complex project finances (aggregate and itemized) relating to construction/infrastructure projects;
  • Ability to apply nonprofit asset management/financial tracking tools (ATLAS and new IPSAS rules) thoroughly to existing projects to reconcile and verify assets;
  • Ability to liaise with multiple partners including UNDP Senior Management, Consultant Engineers, Contractors, and community groups;
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, different genders, and diverse political views;
  • Strong communication and organizational skills as well as team work capabilities;
  • Proficiency in English language.
Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Management and Leadership:
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
  • Remains calm and in control under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree in Business Administration or Finance.
Work Experience:
  • Minimum 10 years general experience;
  • Minimum 5 years specific experience, in administration, financial, logistical, and resource management.
Skills:

Financial Project Management

  • Deep background in standard nonprofit organization asset management/financial tracking tools (ATLAS, and new IPSAS rules);
  • Deep background with contract management modalities – specifically UNDP General Conditions of Contract and Special Conditions of Contract;
  • Strong experience in the Direct Execution (DEX) and National Implementation (NIM) project implementation modalities are essential;
  • Ability to utilize all of the above thoroughly to existing projects, to reconcile and verify assets and (if applicable) track finances/expenses for multiple aspects/packages of projects.
General Project Management
  • Excellent background (minimum 3 years) providing top-level project management services, preferably on construction/infrastructure projects;
  • Experience in Iraq and with UNDP required – specifically with UNDP General Conditions of Contract and Special Conditions of Contract for such projects.
Construction/Infrastructure
  • Ability to understand complex itemized technical specifications relating to construction and infrastructure projects, in order to determine the financial implications of these;
  • Ability to liaise with multiple partners including organizational Senior Management, Consultant Engineers, Contractors, and community groups;
  • Understanding of UNDP’s standard Technical Specifications and Bills of Quantities formats as they relate to project financial tracking and reporting;
  • 3 years minimum experience with construction/infrastructure projects, preferably in Iraq and/or with UNDP.
Other:
  • Demonstrated experience working in Iraq or similar environments.
Language Requirements:
  • All work shall be conducted in English;
  • Arabic is a plus in order to facilitate liaising with multiple Iraqi or other Arabic-speaking partners.
Proposals:
Proposals should be submitted to the following e-mail address no later than COB 24th December 2011:
ssa.undp.iraq@undp.org (It is a MUST to indicate the Procurement Notice Number in the e-mail subject box). All needed information which includes: Complete Terms of Reference, The Selection Criteria, and Required Annexes are found on the following link under Procurement Notice Number Q-IC-110/11:
Provision of CVs only will not be accepted. Documents to be included when submitting the Proposal:
Technical Proposal: (which will include the following):
  • Signed Proposal Submission Form. (Please use Annex 1).
  • Letter explaining why he/she consider himself/herself the most suitable candidate for the work.
  • A brief methodology on how he/she will approach and conduct the work.
  • Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references. Please Use the attached CV Form – Annex 2 attached. UNDP-Iraq reserves the right to disqualify any of CVs who are not compliant with the requested form.
Financial proposal:
  • The financial proposal will specify a total lump sum amount and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. A breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems) is to be provided by the IC candidate. Total Fees: Please use Annex 3 – Financial proposal form.

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.

Technical Advisor: Financial Project Management