Project Manager

The Project Manager will lead the implementation and coordination of the Integrated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Chemical Hotspots Management Project in Iraq. The role involves strategic planning, technical guidance, stakeholder engagement, and oversight to ensure alignment with UNDP priorities and national development frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning for the project as well as formulation and periodic revisions of the project’s annual work plan (AWP), including plans for budget, HR and procurement developed in coordination with UNDP teams
• Provide high-level strategic and technical guidance ensuring alignment with UNDP priorities, donor requirements, national frameworks, and international commitments
• Advise UNDP management and stakeholders on technical issues, risks, opportunities, and strategic approaches
• Oversee technical quality of project outputs, deliverables, studies, assessments, and knowledge products
• Provide leadership in innovative technical solutions supporting project objectives
• Guide integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, human rights, and capacity development
• Support adaptive management by recommending strategic adjustments based on progress and lessons learned
• Provide direction and supervision to UNDP project personnel and review project documents for technical standards
• Manage administrative activities including procurement, contracting, recruitment, and financial arrangements
• Identify opportunities for synergies with other projects within UNDP and beyond
• Provide technical review and quality assurance of project work plans, reports, procurement specifications, training materials, policy products, and other deliverables
• Ensure project activities comply with approved documents, UNDP rules, donor requirements, and national priorities
• Support technical teams to maintain high standards of delivery, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness
• Review outputs from consultants, contractors, and partners and recommend improvements
• Ensure consistency and coherence across project components to maximize results
• Provide technical support to implementing partners and act as liaison between UNDP and partners
• Support resource mobilization and project development efforts
• Facilitate technical dialogue and collaboration among UNDP, government, development partners, academia, civil society, and private sector
• Provide technical advice to strengthen ownership, coordination, and effective implementation
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, and collaboration
• Represent the project in meetings, workshops, consultations, conferences, and policy dialogues
• Monitor and report on progress in implementing activities and achieving targets
• Lead development of baselines and indicators for monitoring and evaluation and coordinate results framework finalization
• Implement project monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify deviations and make course corrections
• Conduct field visits to verify activities and provide updates to UNDP management
• Lead mid-term, annual reviews, end line assessments, and coordinate independent evaluations
• Organize project review and evaluation meetings and follow up on decisions and recommendations
• Manage and monitor project risks including social and environmental risks
• Coordinate preparation of corporate, donor, and government reports and provide ad hoc reports as requested
• Ensure proper operational and financial closure of the project
• Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to thematic areas
• Provide technical guidance for development and refinement of indicators, monitoring frameworks, and reporting tools
• Review project progress and provide recommendations to improve performance
• Document lessons learned, good practices, case studies, and knowledge products
• Lead and support capacity-building initiatives, technical trainings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing activities
• Promote knowledge exchange and contribute to communities of practice, technical networks, and learning platforms
• Perform other duties as necessary for efficient functioning of the Office and Organization

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Natural Resources Management, Development Studies, Project Management or a relevant related field is required, OR a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the above fields in combination with two additional years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience at the national or international level in environmental management, chemicals and waste management, climate change and biodiversity, natural resources management, environmental safeguards, environmental policy and governance, and project management is required
• Demonstrated experience in project management, preferably in environmental, chemicals, hazardous waste, climate, natural resources or sustainable development projects
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams and consultants
• Experience managing projects involving Government institutions and international development partners
• Proven Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, and experience in handling web-based management systems
• Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations
• Proven knowledge of capacity building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required

Skills

• Environmental Management
• Project Management
• Chemical and Waste Management
• Climate Change
• Biodiversity Management
• Natural Resource Management
• Environmental Safeguards Policy
• Environmental Policy
• Governance
• Interdisciplinary Team Management
• Consultancy Management
• Government Relations
• International Development Partnership
• MS Word
• Excel
• Spreadsheet Management
• Database Management
• Web-based Management Systems
• Capacity Building
• Capacity Assessments
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Strategic Planning

Languages

English, Arabic