Project Manager (Open to Internal and External Applicants)
Organizational Context
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global leader in fighting poverty, inequality, and climate change, working in 170 countries to build sustainable solutions. In Iraq, a country significantly impacted by climate change, UNDP supports the Government's National Determined Contribution (NDC) implementation through capacity development and advisory services. This role is within the Nature, Climate, and Energy team, focusing on managing projects related to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and chemical hotspots.
Job Purpose
The Project Manager will lead the day-to-day implementation and coordination of the Integrated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Chemical Hotspots Management Project in Iraq. This involves strengthening national frameworks for POPs and hazardous chemicals management, updating inventories and implementation plans, enhancing laboratory and institutional capacities, and ensuring the environmentally sound management and disposal of obsolete pesticides and PCB-contaminated materials. The role also includes assessing and planning remediation for chemical pollution hotspots. The Project Manager will provide strategic technical direction, ensure quality assurance, foster partnerships, monitor progress, and facilitate knowledge sharing to achieve project objectives and contribute to Iraq's environmental sustainability and compliance with international conventions.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic technical direction and leadership for the project, including planning, work plan development, and budget/HR/procurement coordination. Offer high-level guidance, ensuring alignment with UNDP priorities, national frameworks, and international commitments. Advise management and stakeholders on technical issues, risks, and opportunities. Oversee the technical quality of project outputs and deliverables, ensuring compliance with international standards. Lead the design and implementation of innovative technical solutions and integrate cross-cutting issues like gender equality and environmental sustainability. Supervise project personnel and review technical documents. Ensure proper execution of administrative activities, including procurement and financial management. Identify synergies with other projects. Lead technical quality assurance and program oversight, reviewing work plans, reports, and deliverables. Ensure activities align with project documents, UNDP regulations, and donor requirements. Support technical teams and provide technical assistance to implementing partners. Facilitate technical dialogue and collaboration with government, development partners, and other stakeholders. Represent the project in relevant forums. Monitor and report on project progress, developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Manage project risks and coordinate corporate, donor, and government reporting. Facilitate knowledge building, capacity development, and advocacy.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience (with a Master's degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor's degree) is required. Experience should be at the national or international level in environmental management, chemicals and waste management, climate change, biodiversity, natural resources management, environmental safeguards, environmental policy, governance, and project management. Demonstrated experience in managing multidisciplinary teams, consultants, and projects involving government institutions and international development partners is essential.
Skills
Project Management, Environmental Management, Chemicals and Waste Management, Climate Change, Biodiversity, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Policy and Governance, Strategic Planning, Technical Guidance, Quality Assurance, Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership Building, Monitoring and Evaluation, Risk Management, Capacity Building, Knowledge Sharing, Budget Management, Negotiation, Effective Decision Making, System Thinking, Fluency in English and Arabic.