Duties and Responsibilities

Beginning September 2009, the UNDP Iraq Country Office has been reorganized with two Programme Pillars, namely: a) Governance; and b) Economic Recovery & Poverty Alleviation (ERPA) with the objective to promote a more harmonized response to Iraqi priorities.

The Governance Pillar itself is divided into three sub-clusters representing the focus areas of UNDP in this domain. They are:

1. Participatory Governance
2. Rule of Law and Human Rights
3. Accountable and Responsive Governance

Under the direct supervision of the Governance Team Leader the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the CO programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the CO and UNDP HQs as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.

The Programme Associate can supervise clerical and support staff of the Programme Unit. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the CO and UNDP HQs as required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.

1. Supports formulation of programme strategies and implementation of the Country Programme Action Plan focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Collection, analysis and presentation of background information for preparation of CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP, effective application of RBM tools and establishment of management targets (BSC).
• Presentation of background information for formulation of country programme, draft project documents, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.

• Coordination of Annual Work Planning and Results Reporting
• Creation of a project in Atlas, preparation of required budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, determination of unutilized funds, operational and financial close of a project.
• Provision of guidance to the implementing partners and responsible parties on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources, and coordinating project assurance activities.
• Follow up on performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones.
• Presentation of information for audit of projects, supports implementation of audit recommendations.
• Organization of events, workshops and conferences, when required;
• Assisting with Arabic correspondence and communication with GoI counterparts;
• Taking accurate and clear minutes of meetings as appropriate;
• Preparation of periodic project progress reports with project staff;
• Liaison with project key stakeholders, UN agencies, implementing partners, donors and GoI counterparts in order to maintain quality partnerships and ensure effective project implementation;
• Provision of translation and interpretation in Arabic/English as necessary;
• Monitoring of project’s assumptions, assessing risks and proposing mitigation measures;
• Review of disbursement forecasts and monitoring of projects delivery;

• Review of projects Financial Reports; preparation of Direct Payment Requests for development projects.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas.
• Provide input to Finance Unit for timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
• Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects, register of goods receipt in Atlas.
• Making budget check for requisitions, ensure fund availability for POs and vouchers.
• Ensure that they requisitions, POs and payment requests include all necessary supporting documents from an audit point of view and as per UNDP rules and regulations.
• Ensure projects maintain documentation in line with corporate standards and systems, equipment and asset registries, and update the inventories;

• Analysis of information on donors, preparation of donor’s profile.
• Track and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Atlas.

• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.