Background

In 2014 and 2015 respectively UNDP in Iraq designed and initiated the Iraq Crisis Response and Resilience Programme (ICRRP) and the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) - the two primary and largest Project platforms through which to support the Government of Iraq to respond to the crisis that had broken out in the country and to stabilize the areas that were formerly under the control of ISIL. Both Project platforms were anchored under the Stabilization Pillar of UNDP Iraq's Country Programme framework.

The Iraq Crisis Response and Resilience Programme (ICRRP) which was set up at the end of 2014 promotes the recovery and resilience of communities vulnerable to multi-dimensional shocks associated with large-scale returns and the protracted displacement of Iraqis and Syrian refugees. This is achieved through immediate crisis response and medium-term programming, integrating crisis management capacity building, rehabilitating basic service infrastructure, livelihood recovery and social cohesion. ICRRP activities have been implemented in 11 Governorates in Iraq. While initially set-up to provide immediate support to I DPs, Syrian refugees and host communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), the increasing number of returnees to newly liberated areas (NLAs) and the protracted displacement of individuals facing security challenges or a lack of livelihoods opportunities, resulted in a geographic and strategic shift, shaped by a need for greater self-reliance amongst target communities. ICRRP activities are implemented through Responsible Parties spanning government, civil society and private sector entities.

The Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) was set up in June 2015, with UNDP Iraq taking the Programmatic lead at the request of the Government of Iraq, and the DSRSG/RC/HC/RRto support the newly liberated areas that were freed from ISIL. FFS supports stabilization activities in Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah al-Din. The FFS Steering Committee, which is co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers (CoM) and the UNDP Resident Representative (RR), provides strategic direction to the FFS. All stabilization activities are decided in agreement with the local authorities
(Governor's office and mayors), based on priorities identified at the local level through consultations. Given the sensitive nature of stabilization and the fragile conditions prevailing in many newly liberated areas, concerns relating to human rights, protection, gender and inclusion are taken into account during the prioritization and sequencing of activities.

• Window One: Public Works and Light Infrastructure Rehabilitation;
• Window Two: Livelihoods;
• Window Three: Capacity Support; and
• Window Four: Social Cohesion.

The different windows of FFS are implemented by government entities, NGOs/CBOs and other UN agencies, where relevant. However, ownership by and the leading role of the Iraqi Government (particularly at governorate level) are critical and include decision-making power on project-funding and priority setting through consultative processes with the international partners and other stakeholders. Where feasible, the contracting/implementation/monitoring of activities are coordinated with Government technical implementation entities to ensure maximum ownership. FFS is working in 31 areas across five governorates, and is an essential tool of the Government of Iraq in its effort to stabilize areas retaken by the Iraqi Security Forces.

Both FFS and ICRRP are required to produce consolidated reports on quarterly basis {including annual reports at the end of each year) for its partners {including donors), in addition to donor-specific reports for UNDP to fulfil its contractual requirements while meeting the corporate quality standards.
The consolidated reports enable the stabilization pillar to share with donors in a published document, the important work undertaken through the program, describe challenges and lessons learned, and serve as an important tool to inform policymakers of progress in Iraq on stabilization. Further, the documents are translated into Arabic so that Iraqis can read the progress of the program.

As for donor-specific reporting, at least six donors (Austria, Denmark, EU, France Germany and Japan) require periodic written reports (quarterly, biannual and/or annual, as per each contribution agreement), while other major donors require ad hoc progress updates in various forms {including biweekly meeting update to USAID). In other words, this means between 7 to 14 reports need to be prepared in a quarter. Moreover, it is anticipated that the majority of 27 donors to FFS project will require final reports this year, as all contribution agreements stipulated final reports to be submitted at the end of contribution. Given the changing resources mobilization landscape in the country, it is crucial that the Reporting Specialist provides accurate and informative reports in a timely manner, to fulfil the most essential contractual deliverable of reporting to the donors.

Therefore, the Stabilization pillar requires a Reporting Specialist capable of producing 75-100 page documents that analyze reporting from across the field in an accurate, compelling, and efficient manner, and contributes positively to donor relations, resource mobilization, and information sharing and coordination of FFS and ICRRP under the Stabilization pillar. In charge of managing reporting officers within the reporting team under the Donor Relations unit, it is also the responsibility of Reporting Specialist that the reports and other documents drafted meet UNDP delivery quality standards.

Duties and Responsibilities
Project and donor reporting

• Ensure proper and timely reporting to donors and other partners on FFS and ICRRP projects implementation, the achievement of outputs, and progress towards outcomes and impact;
• Improve FFS and ICRRP impact reporting,and assist in the development of information management requirements to improve impact reporting;
• Draft and publish all FFS and ICRRP reporting in a timely manner while meeting minimum quality standards, especially:
• Consolidated Project Quarterly Reports
• Consolidated Project Annual Reports
• Produce donor-specific reports that are required by donor agreements and ensure that donor-specific reporting adheres to guidelines of donor agreements;
• Ensure lessons learned from the field are incorporated and shared in donor reporting;
• Ensure that reporting adheres to UNDP reporting guidelines;
• Coordinate with the Stabilization M&E Team on qualitative data collection requirements for reporting;
• Ensure availability of stabilization pillar inputs to meet UNDP Iraq’s corporate reporting requirements;
• Support ad hoc reporting requests as required.

Contributes to effective and strategic donor relations and promote UNDP partnerships through engaging, innovative, and informative reporting

• Through reporting, ensure donors and the Government of Iraq have access to and are aware of project progress, and understand opportunities and challenges;
• Ascertain and monitoring donor reporting requirements, ensuring that FFS reporting meets donors’ informational needs;
• Advocate for project goals and support communication of results.

Provides strategic support to FFS and ICRRP (Stabilization pillar) Management and Communications Team

• Assist Communications Team and Stabilization pillar management in content development, especially with regards to reporting of program impact, beneficiary figures, and project progress to external audiences;
• Assist Communications Team in the development of presentations with accurate information;
• Promote information sharing and coordination with various implementing partners and donors.
• Ensure that data communicated by the Stabilization Pillar Management and Communications Team is consistent with donor reporting;
• Assist the Communications Team to identify opportunities to highlight donor-specific communications opportunities;
• Assist the Communications Team and Head of Donor Relations unit (Mobilization Specialist) in adhering to communications requirements required by donors.

Supports Program Team with technical assistance through sharing lessons learned

• Utilizing the captured lessons learned, advise the Program Team on project activities to ensure they contribute to the strategic direction of the program as prescribed by the Project Document;
• Incorporate lessons learned from other conflict and stabilization contexts in the region to monitor and measure program’s contribution to the Stabilization pillar’s strategic goals;
• Liaise with the M&E team to ensure conflict sensitivity data is captured in reporting.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in social policy, public policy, politics, economics, development studies or a related area.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience creating and producing reports, papers, and other documents for external audiences;
• Demonstrated strong applied writing and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated experience in conducting assessments, analyses, and applied monitoring and evaluation in development and/or conflict contexts;
• Demonstrated experience working with donors and host-nation governments to advance relations;
• Previous experience working with the United Nations is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English. Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Source:https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=31675&HRS_JO_PST_SEQ=1&hrs_site_id=2