A PROJECT OFFICER FOR BAGHDAD OFFICE

In the current post-conflict and economic reconstruction context in Iraq, the priorities for a development bank as AFD are the following:

• To help strengthening Iraqi institutions and reinforce their role in promoting the rule of law and good governance practices at the national and federal levels, including the fight against corruption. The recovery of the financial sector in its essential functions of intermediation and means of payment is also an issue for donors and development banks.
• To restore basic public services (mainly water and electricity).
• To develop the economy through infrastructure and productive investments that can create jobs and fight against poverty. A special focus will be given to youth and women in this field.

Activities

I. To contribute to the AFD strategic and academic knowledge production on Iraqi issues and to participate in the animation of a sectoral dialogue with Iraqi authorities. To develop our knowledge of the Iraqi territory, context, issues, challenges and opportunities

II. To develop and intensify our relationships with counterparts and partners in Iraq, in coordination with the AFD Amman Office:

• with the federal authorities (sectoral ministries and the Ministry of Finance)
• with international donors and UN agencies
• with the Embassy of France and the Economic Service of the Embassy
• with civil society actors, including NGOs
• representing the Agency in the various coordination instances set up by the Iraqi authorities and the donors’ community.

III. To participate in the development and monitoring of AFD operations in Iraq:

• To prospect, appraise and help formalizing financing operations in the relevant operational sectors (see above),
• To follow-up the execution of a portion of the projects’ portfolio (both grants within the SAWA initiative and sovereign loans),
• To contribute to the implementation of the AFD economic influence strategy,
• To follow and coordinate the activity of Expertise France in Iraq, and its office in Irbil,
• To organize and monitor the identification, appraisal and follow-up missions carried out by colleagues from the Amman office, the Middle-East regional office based in Beirut and AFD headquarters in Paris

Knowledge and skills

• Very good knowledge of Iraq and Iraqi institutions. Ability to analyze the context and country issues,
• Good knowledge of AFD and its strategic orientations, as well as procedures related to the appraisal process and procurement rules of a development bank,
• Professional knowledge of the water and sanitation sector issues, and, ideally, of the energy sector as well.

Professional qualities and abilities

• Ability to anticipate, schedule and monitor the execution of the AFD business plan.
• Very good interpersonal skills and sense of patience. Ability to facilitate dialogue and negotiation, to use diplomacy in order to work easily with many different institutional interlocutors.
• Ability to innovate in terms of design, implementation of projects, and answers to challenges.
• Fluency in English. Fluency in Arabic would also be highly appreciated.