Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts 
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

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 34 project Loan Agreements (L/A) with the Government of Iraq (GoI), totalling approximately USD 11 billion between January 2008 and August 2025.

The GoI, as the owner and executing agency of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan-financed projects, carries out key implementation activities such as procurement, contract management, and financial management through dedicated Project Management Teams (PMTs) established in each of the implementing ministries and agencies. JICA’s mandate is to promote the efficient use of loans and ensure that projects are implemented in an accountable, transparent, and efficient manner in line with its guidelines to achieve project objectives expeditiously.

To ensure accountability, transparency, and efficiency in project implementation and loan utilization, the GoI, GoJ, and JICA established a joint Monitoring Committee (M/C) that convenes quarterly. The M/C reports to the Prime Minister and is chaired by the Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Commission (PMAC), with members comprising senior officials from the GoI, GoJ, and JICA. 

In 2009, pursuant to JICA and UNDP Partnership Agreement, the Loan Management Unit (LMU) was established within UNDP Iraq to act as the Support Unit to the M/C. Since then, the LMU   has facilitated the implementation of Japanese ODA loan projects by providing fiduciary and implementation monitoring, evaluation, and capacity development support to the M/C, the GoI and JICA.

Under the overall supervision of the Team Leader of the LMU, the Engineering Specialist will conduct fiduciary and project monitoring activities, with a primary focus on the nationwide electricity sector and projects in the Kurdistan Region, as well as other assigned Japanese ODA loan projects. The incumbent will lead monitoring and coordination of project implementation, engage directly with managerial-level and senior government officials, support the GoI in the formulation of new projects, and contribute to the capacity development of PMTs and oversight ministries. All activities will be carried out in alignment with the Partnership Agreement with JICA and the responsibilities of the LMU to the Monitoring Committee (M/C).

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Cycle Management of Large-Scaled Electricity Sector and Infrastructure Project

• Lead the monitoring of electricity sector nationwide, acting as a primary focal point for Japanese ODA loan projects in the Kurdistan and other assigned projects across Iraq. 
• Provide strategic direction for site monitoring activities, ensure high-quality preparation of site monitoring reports, engaging with PMTs. 
• Oversee the review of progress in procurement, disbursement, and physical works, and evaluate PMTs’ readiness for operation and maintenance (O&M) including staffing, budgeting, and documentation, and regularly reporting findings to the LMU and JICA.

Identification and Formulation of New Japanese ODA Loan Projects

• Lead the identification and formulation of new projects in the electricity sector and other infrastructure sectors nationwide, with particular responsibility for the Kurdistan Region. 
• Exercise leadership in engaging with high-ranking officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Ministry of Electricity, fostering strategic relationships to facilitate project development.
•  Oversee and coordinate with implementing ministries/agencies and oversight ministries to guide and support project identification, appraisal, and endorsement, ensuring alignment with national priorities and JICA requirements, as assigned by the Team Leader.

Fiduciary Monitoring of Infrastructure Projects

• Lead coordination for assigned projects with implementing and oversight ministries/agencies, 
• Undertaking regular monthly missions to the Kurdistan Region and other nationwide project sites to oversee preparatory activities and monitor execution.
•  Identify and address bottlenecks in implementation, facilitate timely decision-making with stakeholders, and ensure that all activities remain aligned with JICA’s implementation guidelines and standards.

Monitoring Committee (M/C) and Related Activities

• Participate in M/C activities by contributing to the preparation of projects’ technical documentation and engaging in preparatory discussions with GoI managerial-level and senior officials, including those from the electricity sector and the KRG. 
• Provide high-level support to these officials in advancing sector-related discussions, ensuring clarity on technical and procedural matters.
•  Contribute to the operational support of the M/C, alongside all LMU team members, as assigned under the Partnership Agreement with JICA, including meeting logistics, technical translation, and follow-up on high-level agreed actions that typically require engagement with senior government officials.

Capacity Development of Project Management Teams (PMTs)

• Deliver both on-the-job and structured capacity development trainings to PMTs, drawing on advanced technical expertise in Japanese ODA loan project management. 
• Designing and facilitating specialized workshops and lectures on procurement, contract management, and financial management activities related to project planning and progress, specifically disbursement planning, forecasting, and monitoring, in full accordance with JICA procedures and international best practices.

Ensure Techniacl Documentation

• Ensure high-quality fiduciary monitoring and documentation for assigned projects, including observation of procurement events, tracking and forecasting disbursement progress, following up with PMTs on the submission of Monthly Progress Reports, reviewing their content, and identifying implementation challenges. 
• Collecting Iraqi legal or procedural documents and providing necessary translations, both Arabic to English and Kurdish to English, for submission to the LMU and JICA.

Enhancement of the Role & Function of the Loan Management Unit (LMU) and facilitating knowledge management

• Perform other tasks, as assigned by the Team Leader, that contribute to the LMU’s mandate under the Partnership Agreement with JICA, including inputs to internal reviews for reporting to JICA, preparation of project-related documentation for the Monitoring Committee and JICA, and coordination efforts with counterparts.
• Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Institutional Arrangement

The LMU is situated within the UNDP Iraq Country Office. The team is led by the Loan Management Specialist – Head of LMU, who serves as the LMU Team Leader and reports to the Country Office senior management. The Engineering Specialist is a member of the LMU’s Project Monitoring Team and reports to the Project Management Specialist, who in turn reports to the LMU Team Leader. The Engineering Specialist works closely with other LMU team members and engages with key Government of Iraq counterparts, including oversight ministries, implementing ministries/agencies, and other stakeholders, to support the delivery of assigned tasks.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

• Systems Thinking:
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Business Acumen: 
  • Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. 
  • Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization

Business Development        

• Knowledge Generation: 
  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. 
  • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Partnership Management   

• Relationship Management    
  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Business Management

• Communication          
  • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. 
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

2030 Agenda: Prosperity      

• Inclusive Growth
  • SDGs/National Development Strategy, Planning and Budgeting 

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements              

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Energy Engineerng and Mechanical Engineering, or another related field is required.Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Min. years of relevant work experience         

• Minimum 5 years (with master's degree) or 7 years (with bachelor's degree) of progressive relevant experience in development project implementation, progress monitoring, and coordination with implementing and oversight parties.

Required  skills

• Substantial experience in supporting the implementation of large-scale infrastructure development projects with the Government of Iraq’s ministries and agencies responsible for oversight and implementation of projects, particularly the Federal Ministry of Electricity (MoE) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its relevant ministries/agencies, including direct engagement with managerial-level and senior government officials.
• Proven track record of sound understanding of the electricity sector in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, covering generation, transmission, and distribution, with knowledge of the national electricity master plan and of various generation fuel types (e.g., gas, heavy fuel oil, renewable energy), as well as the sector’s associated development and operational challenges.
• Proven track record of sound knowledge of major equipment used in the power sector, including generation units (e.g., gas turbines, steam turbines, boilers), transformers, switchgear, substations, and transmission and distribution systems, as well as related construction and installation practices, including civil works for power facilities and training centers.
• Experience in supporting the implementation of development agency–financed projects in accordance with donor requirements, such as those from JICA, the World Bank, or other international financing institutions, and hands-on experience coordinating with project implementing ministries/agencies’ Project Management Teams (PMTs) and technical staff on procurement and disbursement, in compliance with donor or government requirements, with a sound understanding of international procurement guidelines.
• Proficiency in using computers and standard office software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Experience in working with or within UNDP or other United Nations agencies, and/or in coordinating with international development partners on infrastructure or development cooperation projects in Iraq, including joint planning, progress review, and stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with the Government of Iraq’s institutional framework, administrative procedures, and relevant laws and regulations, with a track record of effective engagement with government entities.
• Experience in monitoring, reviewing, or directly participating in infrastructure construction projects in sectors beyond electricity.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
• Knowledge of Kudish labguage is an asset. 

Professional Certificates

• N/A.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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