Project Manager

Introduction

Despite Iraq’s youthful demographic profile, wherein nearly 50 percent of the population is under 19 years old and 20 percent falls between 15 and 24 years, there exists a noteworthy scarcity of opportunities for channelling this population into productive learning, employment, and enterprise avenues. This poses a significant challenge to their reintegration into a fragile, post-conflict economy.

The objective of “Promoting Employment and Employability among Marginalized Populations in Northern Iraq, with a Focus on the Green Economy” project is to support transition of marginalized populations including youth, women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities into decent jobs. This will be achieved through improving evidence-base for stronger capacities of national stakeholders and policy dialogue, strengthening employment services, technical and business management skills development, financial inclusion and enhancing opportunities for work-based learning.

The ILO interventions under this project are aligned with the ILO’s Decent Work Country Programme in Iraq agreed with the tripartite constituents and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the programme implementation and provide technical advisory services towards the development and execution of future programs to be developed in the Project. He/she will ensure that the objectives stated in the project document are attained within the stated time frame and budget, and ensure compliance with the ILO and the Project’s financial and operating procedures. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas and other components of the ILO Decent Work Agenda.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will be based in the ILO office in Erbil with frequent travel to the targeted governorates. S/he will report to the ILO Iraq Country Coordinator based in Baghdad; and will undertake missions to Baghdad for meetings with constituents, partners, and for coordination with other ILO project teams based in Baghdad, as needed. S/he will receive technical guidance, support and collaboration and work closely with the DWT in ROAS and other relevant technical specialists in the HQ.

The Project Manager may also oversee the work of administrative and other support staff of the Project/Programme, national officers and any other international or local consultant hired during the course of the project.

Description of Duties

1. Conduct, plan, develop and ensure effective implementation of the project activities as part of the wider ILO programme in Iraq, through timely provision of inputs, timely and efficient delivery of outputs, and planning, control, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities. Delivery and outcomes must be in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and Iraq action programs, and administrative and financial procedures.

2. Responsible for the effective management of funds/budget assigned to the project and ensure effective and timely reporting of technical activities covered under the project.

3. Manage efficiently the human resources of the project team, including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects. Plan, organize, supervise and monitor the work of officials working under the project.

4. Interact with all relevant stakeholders, partners and donors at national level and establish synergies regarding project activities with other interventions as part of the UNSDCF for Iraq.

5. Coordinate and to the extent feasible ensure joint delivery of outputs in cooperation with other ILO projects and interventions under the Iraq DWCP.

6. Review, analyse and interpret economic, social and political trends in Iraq. Provide inputs related to trends or developments for which further research and programme development work is needed to further promote decent work and social justice for all within the humanitarian development nexus.

7. Liaise with ILO constituents and ensure their involvement in project implementation and relevant consultations in coordination and communication with the ILO Iraq Country Coordinator and the respective DWT specialists. Increase the project’s visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the project’s interventions.

Description of Duties (continued)

8. Strengthen relationships to cooperate and coordinate with governments, ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, in the planning and implementation of project /programme activities.

9. Liaise with other UN counterparts to promote ILO’s values, increase the project’s visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the ILO’s interventions.

10. Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project/programme, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards, in collaboration with other technical/labour standards specialists. Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

11. Identify training needs, organize and conduct capacity development seminars, workshops and technical meetings with employers, trade unions, and other relevant stakeholders as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities.

12. Write and disseminate information on project/programme materials in close collaboration with other relevant technical specialists at HQ.

13. Ensure the development of information databases covering project/programme activities; prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the implementation status and coordinate with concerned ILO departments and programs.

14. Undertake other duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in economics, development studies, social sciences, management, or a related field.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of relevant professional experience including at the international level in the management of development cooperation activities. This includes field experience in a leadership role for the implementation of projects, preferably in the fields of forced displacement. At least four years demonstrated expertise in senior managerial positions, preferably with the ILO or a UN agency, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in partnership building and networking and in effective fundraising, resource mobilization and donor relations.

Technical expertise in at least one of these fields is required: policy advocacy, employment services, entrepreneurship development, skills development, and green economy.  

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures, including experience in managing large and complex development cooperation projects would be an advantage, as would be work experience in the context of the Arab region.

Languages

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage. 

Competencies

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme’s objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy and procedural matters, and to present them at high-level meetings.
• Ability to promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.

Competencies (continued)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Proven capacity to initiate and implement development cooperation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments and social partners, and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services.
• Ability to plan and support the development of individuals’ skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of job/role responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.