National Reintegration Specialist – UNDP jobs in Iraq

Iraq has been dealing with conflict, insecurity, and instability for decades, creating deep-seated grievances. It has been exacerbated by socio-economic challenges, including the displacement of many vulnerable people who left their communities of origin for different places inside and outside of Iraq. The emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which exploited tensions and took control of large swaths of territory, triggered a new wave of violence and displacement. Consequently, around 3.3 million individuals were displaced during the ISIS insurgence, and around 1.2 million of them remain displaced. The rate of return varies considerably among the governorates throughout Iraq.

The displaced people and returnees, including families perceived to be affiliated with ISIL and Iraqis returning from northeast Syria, have suffered multiple adverse shocks, including losing most of their assets, wealth, and jobs or businesses. IDPs and Returnees of children and women faced specific challenges that hindered their return and reintegration into their communities. Local conflicts, such as those over access to limited basic services, housing, land, and property, as well as insecurity, crime, and inter-tribal and interpersonal relations, further complicate the process and lead to social tensions among different population groups in some areas.

The lack of livelihood opportunities and psycho-social support also contributed to increased social tensions within the community or pushed the population to adopt negative coping mechanisms, including secondary displacement or resurfacing violence and extremism.

In line with the Country Programme Document for UNDP Iraq (CPD 2020-2024), which aims to support the Government of Iraq’s vision for a sustainable peaceful Iraq, UNDP Iraq has a program on Social Cohesion which works in main areas that include 1) Strengthening the national frameworks for peace and social cohesion, 2) Preventing violent extremism through community-led initiatives, and 3) community-based reconciliation and reintegration in Iraq for displaced persons, returnees and at-risk groups.

Going forward, UNDP will continue to capitalize on its long experience to support the national and local efforts to facilitate the socioeconomic reintegration of the most vulnerable groups, including IDPs and returnees, including those that are perceived to be affiliated with ISIL and returnees from northeast Syria, into communities in the targeted areas, such as in Kirkuk, Diyala, Sala al-Din and Anbar.

The Reintegration Officer will perform his/her duties under the direct supervision of the Community Security and Reintegration Specialist. The incumbent will provide technical assistance and support the management of the reintegration package (e.g. livelihoods, MHPSS, community engagement, national and local peace structures), including developing and implementing work plans, budgets, and activities, following up with implementing partners/service providers, developing and maintaining partnerships with national and local partners, and supporting the leads of the relevant taskforces and technical working groups for reintegration.

1. Advise on identification and development of reintegration support components by carrying out the following: 

• Monitor and assess the country’s political, social, and economic situation to stay abreast of challenges and updates related to the reintegration of IDPs and returnees in Iraq;
• Provide technical inputs to the design and development of concept notes and project documents on reintegration and community stability;
• Support synergies of the reintegration components with other UNDP programmes, such as Environment, PVE, Social Cohesion, Security Sector Reform, etc.
• Provide support and technical advice to implementation partners/service providers to ensure compliance of activities with the work plans, budget, and expected results;
• Develop detailed annual work plans for the Reintegration Components, including budget and assurance plans in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations;
• Develop and follow up on internal monitoring and quality assurance plans;
• Facilitate and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, including national and local authorities, civil society, UN agencies, like-minded organizations, international organizations, and the private sector.
• 2. Contribute to effective and efficient day-to-day management of the Reintegration Component in line with the results-based-management approach by carrying out the following: Oversee day-to-day implementation and monitoring of reintegration interventions (e.g. livelihoods, mental health and psychosocial support services, capacity building and training for national and local peace structures) to ensure the achievement of expected results and targets within the timeline and available budgets;
• Ensure timely and quality progress and financial reporting by partners in line with agreed templates and schedules; review the periodic technical and financial progress reports; and provide feedback to UNDP and partners;
• Coordinate procurement processes to sub-contract responsible parties and service providers to implement the reintegration activities, including drafting Terms of Reference, Request for Proposals, capacity assessment of parties, evaluation of bids, recruitment and organization of mission programmes for international and local experts;
• Keeps regular track of budget, expenditures, and balances to identify any financial issues and address them in a timely manner;
• Coordinate with the M&E team to gather, collate, and analyze data on project beneficiaries and impact to ensure achievement of expected results;
• Coordinate with the Gender Specialist to identify entry points to strengthen gender mainstreaming and inclusion in reintegration activities in the target locations;
• Prepare result-oriented progress reports, communication and information materials, and publications on the Component activities in line with UNDP and donor requirements;
• Conduct frequent field missions to monitor the implementation of reintegration activities and provide inputs/assist with writing timely assessment and field monitoring reports.
• 3.Advise about Coordination Platforms on Reintegration to ensure timely and effective coordination and regular information sharing by carrying out the following: 
• Support Taskforce Co-Leads in coordinating and reporting on progress in implementing the UN Whole Plan on Reintegration of Iraqi Returnees;
• Maintain a multi-stakeholder engagement to continuously bring relevant actors together where information and knowledge are shared;
• Participate in inter-agency programming processes, including joint needs assessments;
• Participate in UN-wide task forces and working groups and represent UNDP when appropriate, preparing presentations, writing of the meeting Minutes and possible analysis and advocacy papers destined for the Government authorities and other stakeholders.
• 4.Support Knowledge Management and Communication: 
• Contribute to developing knowledge management products on return and displacement issues.
• Support the production of communication materials on reintegration work, including the database of high-quality pictures, videos, human stories, and success stories/lessons learned.
• Ensure effective documentation of project results, taking note of best practices and lessons learned
• Ensure systematic documentation and filing.
• Performs any other tasks as required with regard to UNDP Iraq’s Reintegration work and as requested by the senior management.

Other Tasks: 

• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization..

Institutional Arrangement

The National Reintegration Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the Team Leader of the Social Cohesion Pillar and direct supervision of the Community Security and Reintegration Specialist to achieve the aforementioned deliverables. She/he will work closely with the UNDP Iraq’s Operations and Finance units, the Programme Management and Support Unit (PMSU), and the Procurement Unit/Service Center. He/she is also expected to ensure mainstreaming of gender equality and inclusion of women and people with disabilities throughout all projects.