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Programme Manager, Iraq Public Sector Modernization Joint Programme, UNDP-Iraq

Public administration in Iraq faces many challenges due to the rapid evolution of the government in recent years. Most ministries and government offices still follow outdated structures and systems, while others lack a coherent architecture and standard operating procedures, without sufficient automation of processes to ensure efficiency. While several efforts are under way to address these issues, case-by-case gains are insufficient against systemic weaknesses in the public administration and consequently on the public service delivery systems.

The UN Country Team in Iraq developed a US$55 million Iraq Trust Fund (ITF) sponsored joint programme “Iraq – Public Sector Modernisation Programme” (I-PSM) to assist the Government with comprehensive public sector reform, in coordination with other international assistance partners in Iraq. The I-PSM in the first phasewas led by UNDP, with sectorial leads provided by WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, UN-Habitat, UNESCWA and UNWOMEN. In the second phase, the Programme Manager will manage the Agencies’ work under the overall leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator.

The second phase of the Joint Programme will focus on four outputs under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator supported by the IPSM Programme Manager:

Component 1: National Level/Whole of Government support on PSM:

  • Technical assistance for drafting of the Government’s PSM Strategy;
  • Development of the organizational structure (e.g. Directorate of Public Administration Reform) to serve as the focal point for PSM at the center of government (maybe in Prime Minister’s office); AND development of reform implementation monitoring units in selected pilot ministries (e.g. Health);
  • Development of the human resources, structures and processes for leading and sustaining PSM at the center of government (e.g. technical support to PSM Steering Committee, including hiring of additional staff to support PMAC);
  • Exploration of options for the building of an independent centre of excellence on governance to advise and carry out research and build a sustained flow of knowledge and information sharing on governance reforms. This centre could build on existing institutions (e.g. NCMDIT, Bayt al Hikma, etc)
  • The planning and execution of annual national consultations on PSM to showcase progress and lessons learned in a forum engaging both officialdom and the public (e.g. civil society, MPs );
  • Exploration of options for a Senior Executive Service (SES) and assistance in the design of potential SES pilots (to be coordinated with USAID Tarabot and civil service reform work);
  • Technical support to Kurdistan regional government to review public sector reform efforts in Kurdistan, and develop a regional PSM strategy, fully aligned with National PSM strategy

Component 2: Cross-Cutting/System or Government-wide support:

  • Implementation of road map for National Statistics System (UNFPA with CSO/KRSO)
  • Further development of E-Governance in support of the Ministry of Science & Technology including the finalization of the E-Governance National Strategy, the building of a National Academy on E-Governance and mounting of E-Governance pilots (e-services) in various sectors;
  • Further development of the aid management system, the Iraq Development Management System (IDMS), including the Kurdistan component (KDMS);
  • Technical support for mainstreaming Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) across all of government (using 3 sectors as pilots) in collaboration with World Bank (PFM);
  • The strengthening of the National Center for Management Development & Information Technology (NCMDIT) and the Kurdistan Institute of Public Administration (KIPA) for more effective training and development of the next generation of senior civil servants (in collaboration with USAID civil service work)

Component 3: Sector Reform support:

  • Implementation of the three road maps agreed to by relevant ministries for the Health, Education and WATSAN sectors – technical assistance with policy and legislation, organizational structures, human resources, financial management and budget execution and systems reform.
  • The implementation of these road maps will require significant cost-sharing with relevant line ministries.
Component 4: Decentralized Service Delivery, Local Governance & Participatory Processes support:
  • Technical assistance to enhance the quality of decentralized service delivery at provincial level, and improve the quality of Federal-Provincial Relations including technical assistance to the Ministry of State for Provincial Affairs ;
  • Improving the quality of decentralized service delivery and local governance through enhanced participatory and gender-sensitive planning and citizen feedback on the quality of government services;
  • Pilots for 3 Sectors (Health, Education and WATSAN) in three pilot governorates to test implementation of service delivery mechanisms identified in sector road maps – results to be used to make adjustments for replication and scaling up implementation of sector road maps, including for other sectors;
Technical assistance to improve the quality of urban governance in Iraq, including technical assistance to the Ministry of Municipalities and selected city governments, and sector pilots (e.g. WATSAN). Clarification on roles and responsibilities between Federal, Provincial and City/Urban government structures, and options for improved financing and service delivery at urban level.
The I-PSM will work closely with other UNCT programmes such as Local Area Development Programme, Iraq-Private Sector Development (PSD), on-going sectoral master planning initiatives, and other related governance programmes supported by international and national partners such as USAID, the World Bank and the Government itself. Although the successful achievement of comprehensive public sector modernisation goes beyond the scope of the inputs contained in this programme, it is anticipated that a firm foundation will be established through the proposed activities that will serve to mobilise additional government and external resources for what is a long term process.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Coordinator and direct supervision of the UNDP Country Director, the Programme Manager will be required to manage the Joint Programme activities and coordinate with other participating UN agencies. The Programme Manager is expected to lead the successful orchestration of UN implementation of I-PSM Phase 2 and encourage national counterparts to utilize I-PSM as a key tool for Iraq’s reform. Additionally, he/she will:
  • Lead the I-PSM UNCT to successful implementation of the Joint Programme, documentation of the process and drawing of lessons learned;
  • Bring international practice and experience on reform to I-PSM stakeholders so that they have the benefit of best practice;
  • Play a vital role in identifying and recruitment of qualified specialized expertise in various certain aspects of I-PSM undertaking as needed;
  • Coordinate among national and international stakeholders including national committees, sub committees and taskforces, UNDP Office and TA advisors, UN sister agencies (UNCT, UNDP, UNFPA, UN-Woman, WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, UN-Habitat and UNESCWA), bilateral and regional entities to ensure harmonization, timely and satisfactory progress of I-PSM;
  • Prepare and deliver periodic reports to the UNDP/RCO and the I-PSM management team on the progress, barriers and difficulties faced and suggested remedies;
  • Manage the I-PSM’s management unit;
  • Convene and chair regular monthly, or more frequently as required, meetings of the I PSM Management team consisting of all Programme Managers/Chief Technical Advisors of each participating UN agency to discuss progress, share and document experience and lessons learned, resolve issues and make linkages among the different UN agency efforts;
  • Receive work plans and progress reports from participating agencies and identify issues/opportunities therein and have bilateral and/or UN Country Team (UNCT) meetings to discuss and decide on a course of action and grant approval of such documents for distribution and application;
  • Put forward proposals to the UNCT and to authorities to whom s/he reports to address issues of I-PSM progress, deviation from the prodoc work plan, I-PSM finance/budget and linkages and synergy among UNCT members for enhanced I-PSM impact;
  • Call for and comment on plans and progress reports from UNCT members and work with members in strengthening/completing their reports;
  • Ensure cross-cutting and system-wide I-PSM effort, e.g. gender overlay, is linked with sectoral and center of government effort and make necessary changes in plans and implementation effort where needed;
  • Maintain an overview of implementation, emerging issues and opportunities to enhance overall I-PSM impact and report on same with recommendations/options to higher authorities;
  • Participate in individual UNCT member meetings with their counterpart Ministry/Agency where warranted.
  • Brief, orient and coordinate with outside parties on the I-PSM, e.g. the donor community, the mid-term and end of programme evaluation consultants and other related modernization projects in Iraq;
  • Maintain a watching brief on all modernization-related UN efforts and make the necessary linkages to coordinate effort and bring synergy to the overall effort.
  • Represent the project at the I-PSM Steering Committee and improve/establish reporting, communication and coordination mechanisms (internal and external) as required.
  • Represent the project at Governorate Steering Committee and facilitate and coordinate communication across the project’s management structure.
  • Ensure full national ownership of all related programme activities.
  • Other relevant tasks as required by national counterparts and endorsed by UNCT and I PSM leadership.

Reporting Relationships: The Programme Manager reports to:

  1. The Resident Coordinator on major unresolved issues/opportunities of the overall I PSM;
  2. The UNDP Country Director for purposes of a watching brief on I-PSM, for addressing major issues and deciding when to bring an issue to the Resident Coordinator – the Programme Manager is accountable to the UNDP Country Director;
  3. The Prime Minister’s Advisory Council for purposes of briefing it on overall I-PSM implementation and issues of central system-wide modernization effort;
  4. The National Public Sector Modernization Steering Committee (NPSMSC) for purposes of briefing the Committee on I-PSM progress and emerging issues for discussion and decision.
Peer Relationships: Develop constructive relations with the following:
  1. Key stakeholders in the GoI for PSM;
  2. The Project managers/CTAs of the I-PSM UN Country Team for successful implementation of the Joint Programme;
  3. Managers of related UN PSM projects, e.g. PSDP
  4. Key donors involved in PSM, e.g. WB, USAID, SIDA.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism
  • Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring
  • Working in Teams
  • Communicating Information and Ideas
  • Self-Management and Emotional intelligence
  • Conflict Management / Negotiating and resolving Disagreements
  • Evidence based and Transparent Decision Making
Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
  • Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP
Development and Operational Effectiveness
  • Demonstrated capacity and substantial experience in dealing with policy and strategic issues related to public sector modernisation, institution building and other related governance issues
  • Substantive knowledge on institution building, training, public-private partnerships and, economic reform issues with proven track record on policy advice, programme/project formulation and management
  • Demonstrated experience in managing development projects (preferably in conflict or post-conflict environments), in particular dealing with decentralisation, local governance, or broader governance/development issues
  • Substantial previous experience in working with senior government officials, donor representatives and civil society on policy and strategic issues
  • Demonstrates strong co-ordination and facilitation skills
  • Strong communication skills (oral and written)
  • Results oriented, flexible and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to apply conceptual models in support of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects
  • Strong IT skills
  • Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioural/attitudinal change
  • Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
  • Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
  • Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects.
Management and Leadership
  • Builds strong relationships with partners, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
  • Ability to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to field based emergencies
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
  • Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
  • Programme management and demonstrated capacity in leading implementation of complex Governance programmes
  • Strong analytical skills and management skills
  • Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients, monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Development, Social Sciences, or related field.
Experience:
  • At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, project oversight, and resource mobilization in the UN, or other international inter-governmental or non-governmental organisations
  • At least 10 or more years of relevant experience in public administration and civil service reform and national strategy development in conflict and post conflict settings
  • At least 5 years experience in public sector modernization/reform either as a Team Leader or Senior expert
  • Experience with reform in a federalist state
  • Experience with UN Joint Programmes
  • Experience in modernization/reform in the Middle East or better in Iraq
  • Proven superior inter-personal and cross-cultural communication skills
  • Superior conceptual skills in seeing potential and linkages that will enhance Joint Programme implementation and impact
  • Demonstrated skill in negotiating differences/impasses and bringing closure to situations
  • Superior oral and written communication skills in English
  • Ability to maintain an overview in an environment of detailed activities, budget items, administrative constraints and individual agency efforts
  • Capacity to persevere with a positive, constructive worldview
  • Experience in managing complex multi-agency or multi-disciplinary activities on a national scale essential
  • Experience and knowledge of UN/UNDP policies and procedures would be an asset
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Experience with UN or international organizations working in Iraq would be an advantage
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in English both written and oral essential. Working knowledge of Arabic would be an asset.
Note:
  • Willingness to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders in the Provinces of Iraq is a must
  • Knowledge of Prince2 and other Results Based Management methodologies would be an asset
  • Knowledge of PeopleSoft also an asset
  • Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply

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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.