Engineering Specialist (FMA Project)

United Nations Development Programme (Iraq)

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.