Financial Management Specialist

1- OFFICE/UNIT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Since the Government of Japan’s (GoJ) announcement of USD 5 billion assistance package to support Iraq’s reconstruction at Madrid Conference in October 2003, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has concluded 34 ODA Loan project agreements with the Government of Iraq (GoI), totalling approximately USD 11 billion between January 2008 and December 2023.

The GoI, as the owner and executing agency of Japanese ODA loan-financed projects, carries out key implementation activities such as procurement, contract management, and financial management through dedicated Project Management Teams (PMTs) established in each of the implementing ministries and agencies. JICA’s mandate is to promote the efficient use of loans and ensure that projects are implemented in an accountable, transparent, and efficient manner in line with its guidelines to achieve project objectives expeditiously.

To ensure accountability, transparency, and efficiency in project implementation and loan utilization, the GoI, GoJ, and JICA established a joint Monitoring Committee (M/C) that convenes quarterly. The M/C reports to the Prime Minister’s Office and is chaired by the Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Commission (PMAC), with members comprising senior officials from the GoI, GoJ, and JICA.

Since 2009, the Loan Management Unit (LMU) within UNDP Iraq has facilitated the implementation of Japanese ODA loan projects by providing fiduciary and implementation monitoring, evaluation, and capacity development support to the M/C, the GoI and JICA.

The Financial Management Specialist will support the GoI and PMTs in strengthening fiduciary assurance for JICA’s lending operations. The Specialist will provide strategic guidance, conduct fiduciary analysis, and deliver capacity development support to enhance individual and

institutional capacities. Key responsibilities include supporting loan and budget formulation, monitoring financial management activities, preparing financial reports, assessing fiduciary risks, and implementing capacity development initiatives and to ensure compliance with JICA guidelines and the efficient use of Japanese ODA loans.

2- SCOPE OF WORK

The Financial Management Specialist will support the LMU Team Leader and lead the LMU’s national representation in financial management and facilitate high-level coordination and oversight of Japanese ODA loan activities. This role will involve close collaboration with senior GoI officials, PMTs and Iraq’s international development partners to ensure compliance with financial standards and the successful delivery of ODA-loan financed projects.

• Project Formulation and Budgeting: Strategically represent LMU as the primary interlocutor to (i) establish and strengthen high-level communication, coordination, and collaboration with the Ministry of Finance (MoF) at the Director General and above levels and with JICA. This includes leading LMU’s support to the ex-ante evaluation, formulation, and endorsement of new ODA Loans for the Federal Budget Law, and managing the processes through the GoI system; (ii) facilitate, in coordination with senior officials in the MoF Department of Public Debt and the Department of Accounts, the design and implementation of effective and comprehensive financial management arrangements that align with ODA Loan requirements; and (iii) facilitate the processes for allocating and budgeting the GoI contributions to ODA Loan project costs.
• Project Implementation and Financial Reporting: Lead LMU’s financial management support to PMTs by (i) ensuring that PMTs have sufficient knowledge of the financial management sections in Loan Agreements (L/A) and JICA’s guidelines through structured guidance and coaching as needed; (ii) evaluate and provide strategic oversight of PMTs financial management arrangements for both new and ongoing projects, making high- level recommendations for alignment with JICA standards; (iii) support implementing PMTs in preparing, updating, and revising annual disbursement plans, and track their implementation; (iv) monitor the preparation and verification of disbursement requests, and PMTs maintaining of accurate contract records; (v) prepare, and compile monthly and quarterly analytical financial reports as required by JICA; (vi) facilitate reallocation among L/A categories in collaboration with Ministry of Planning (MoP) and MoF, including delivering financial explanations and ensuring that all necessary approvals are obtained;

(vii) review and monitor PMTs’ and implementing ministries / agencies’ bookkeeping, documentation, and financial record-keeping practices for ODA Loan projects; and (viii) support PMTs in handling L/C applications, amendments, extensions and resolving discrepancies, as well as payments, and transfer requests, fostering self-sufficiency.

• Post-Completion Financial Closure and Evaluation: Lead LMU’s effort in Japanese ODA Loan project closure and post-completion monitoring by (i) supporting PMTs in the

preparation of Project Completion Reports and conducting financial closure activities for L/As; (ii) coordinate with PMTs and implementing ministries/agencies in financial planning and budgeting for the operation and maintenance of completed projects, establishing effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms for operation and maintenance; (iii) ensure comprehensive archiving and maintenance of financial documents, including disbursement records and evidence of payments, to support ex- post evaluations, GoI audits, and future project assessments; and (iv) coordinate with JICA and GoI on ex-post evaluations and audits, providing leadership in assessing project financial accountability, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.

• Support for JICA’s Special Lending Schemes: Manage and provide strategic oversight for JICA’s Special Lending Schemes, such as the Two-Step Loan (TSL), by (i) coordinating closely with the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) and JICA in preparing financial rationales to ensure private sector projects selected for TSL financing meet both JICA and GoI eligibility and compliance requirements; (ii) working with MoF to obtain timely approval and issuance of sovereign guarantees, and required documentation; (iii) establishing and leading fiduciary monitoring protocols to oversee TSL loan disbursements and ensure financial compliance, with close tracking of adherence to TSL terms by TBI and MoF; and

(iv) maintaining active communication with TBI and MoF, addressing issues, discrepancies, or compliance gaps as they arise, and providing guidance and corrective measures as needed.

• Capacity Development and Technical Assistance: Develop and lead capacity development initiatives to strengthen the financial management capabilities of PMTs, MoF, MoP and TBI by (i) identifying capacity gaps in financial management skills, compiling findings, and reporting to the M/C, JICA, and LMU; (ii) designing and delivering comprehensive training programmes, including classroom and hands-on technical support, to improve competencies in financial planning, budgeting, and reporting within ODA Loan requirements; (iii) overseeing MoF’s Department of Public Debt and Department of Accounts in handling ODA Loan disbursements and financial record management, offering expert guidance to ensure accurate, timely updates; (iv) advising TBI on improving processes related to L/C management and TSL schemes, and (v) leading knowledge-sharing sessions across GoI stakeholders, fostering unified understanding and consistent implementation of best practices.
• Public Financial Management (PFM) and Fiscal Policy Analysis: Provide high-level analysis and strategic recommendations related to Iraq’s PFM and fiscal policy in the context of the ODA Loan Programme by (i) reviewing Iraq’s PFM systems, including asset management, internal audit practices, and foreign public debt management processes, to identify strengths, gaps, and areas that needs improvement; (ii) developing actionable insights to enhance GoI’s PFM frameworks, particularly in fund allocation, expenditure tracking, internal controls, and alignment with international best practices; (iii) conducting in-depth analysis of Iraq’s public debt profile, assessing both foreign and

domestic public debt with a focus on the impacts of ODA Loan commitments on Iraq’s overall debt sustainability and fiscal health; (iv) evaluating fiscal policy impact on ongoing and potential ODA Loans, with attention to risks associated with debt service, and long- term commitments under changing economic conditions; (v) preparing comprehensive reports to JICA that detail the fiscal and debt-related implications on loan agreements and Iraq’s long-term financial commitments, providing JICA with a reference for future ODA Loan operations.

• Inter- and Intra-GoI Coordination, Fiduciary Monitoring, and Compliance: Drive and manage communication, coordination, and compliance monitoring among GoI stakeholders and JICA by (i) acting as the central liaison between PMTs, implementing ministries / agencies, MoF, MoP, Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), TBI, and JICA; (ii) organizing and leading coordination meetings, sharing project updates, and reporting on financial compliance; (iii) tracking correspondences and workflow processes across stakeholders, identifying and resolving bottlenecks to optimize efficiency; (iv) designing and implementing a compliance monitoring framework to track adherence to JICA and GoI standards; and (v) monitoring transparency and accountability across financial documentation and record-keeping.

3- INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The LMU is situated within the Development Finance Unit of UNDP Iraq, to which the LMU Team Leader reports. The Financial Management Specialist reports to the LMU Team Leader, provides technical advice and recommendations to the Team Leader and works closely with the LMU’s Project Monitoring Team and with key GoI entities, including the MoF, implementing ministries/agencies, and the TBI, to deliver the tasks assigned.

4- COMPETENCIES

LEVEL 3: Set and alignchallenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting

impact

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

LEVEL 3: Createand act on opportunities to

expand horizons, diversify experiences

LEVEL  3:  Proactively  initiate  and  champion

change, manage multiple competing demands

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers

and take action to achieve greater results

LEVEL   3:    Political   savvy,    navigate   complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

5- Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends and use them to inform decision making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models; ability to develop scenarios, speculative designs to present future visions or by makingit experiential. Being able to facilitate debateand discussion aboutpossible

futures; help people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty.

Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit work in the public services. Understands the key stages of audit work, including planning, documentation, testing and reporting. Ability to examine and verify accounts and records. Understands wider mechanisms for assurance and scrutiny. Understands the law and best practice relating to anti-bribery and corruption

controls andthe fraud risksfaced by publicbodies.

Understands the role, importance and accounting practices for commercial activities. Understands income generation options and related risk and reward. Understands the importance of commercial suppliers to the public sector and evaluating their financial resilience. Is adept with private sector accounts and their use within commercial offshoots and subsidiaries. Possesses influence and negotiation skills and can facilitate and engage with ‘productive competitive

dialogue’. Understands the procurement cycle and the scope and features of good contract management.

Ability to report financial information clearly to non- finance leaders, including to various governing bodies such as the Executive Board.

Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social and   intellectual  capital,  and  environmental  and

governance performance

Ability to produce periodic qualitative and quantitative performance reports to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Ability to use a range of costing techniques and analyse cost related data to provide quantitative information to the usersof

reports.

6- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL NPSA:

Min.                Education requirements

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Public Financial Management, Public Policy, Business or another related field is required. OR

A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Min. yearsof relevant work experience

Minimum 7 years (withmaster's degree) or 9 years(with bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in financial management with outstanding experience in financial management issues, including knowledge of the application of accounting, auditing and financial

reporting systems.

Required skills

• Public Financial Management: Extensive knowledge and experience in Iraq’s fiscal policy and public financial management system, including budgeting, debt management, asset management, auditing, and compliance withinternational standards. This includes experience working within Government of Iraq (GoI) institutions such as the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Planning (MoP), Federal Board of Supreme Audit or substantial engagement with these institutions through roleswith international organizations or

development projects.

• High-Level Governmental Coordination: Demonstrated ability and capacity to coordinate effectively with seniorofficials of GoI ministries, Federal Board of Supreme Audit, CBI, and TBI to facilitate project budgetary approvals, financial management, and compliance and to engage with Iraq’s international development partners suchas JICA, WorldBank, IMF, or USAID to coordinate development financing interventions.
• Capacity Development and Training Expertise: Proven ability to design and deliver capacity-building initia