Short-term Consultancy - Preparation of Project Implementation Plan

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture(ICBA) is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ICBA is a unique applied agricultural research center in the world that is focused on marginal areas where an estimated 1.7 billion people live. It identifies, tests and introduces resource-efficient, climate-smart crops and technologies that are best suited to different regions affected by salinity, water scarcity and drought. Through its work, ICBA helps to improve food security and livelihoods for some of the poorest rural communities around the world. ICBA is an equal opportunity employer and appoints qualified staff regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, religion or national origin. We demonstrate our commitment to each member of our team through a competitive benefits package designed to assist our employees to cover their needs and the needs of their immediate family members.

Job Summary

ICBA is preparing a Project Implementation Plan (PIP) and Annual Work plan in collaboration with ICBA’s team and partners on the “FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN IRAQ THROUGH SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT AND CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE” project. 

The PIP and Annual Workplan should be submitted before the end of June 2024. 

Job Responsibilities

Project Implementation Plan (PIP) 

A description of the PIP and related tasks is given below:

  • The PIP describes how ICBA intends to implement the Project over the entire duration. It will update Project information, validate the Project design, and provide new information not fully covered in earlier documents. Part of the preparation is to  provide confirmation that all stakeholders are in agreement with respect to the project design. 
  • The PIP and the First Annual Work Plan form one document that should not exceed 30 pages (excluding annexes). The PIP components should cover the entire Project duration. ICBA and Partners will provide Information on how we will address Gender Equality, Human Rights, Environmental Sustainability and Innovation and ensure these to be fully integrated in each section. The document should include but not be limited to the following sections:
    1. Project Summary
    2. Theory of Change and the Logic Model, including any risks and risk mitigations
    3. Reach (describes who will benefit from the Project, including the number of beneficiaries (direct and indirect) and intermediaries. Every effort should be made to disaggregate by sex (f/m) and, where appropriate, by other identity factors relevant to the Project.
    4. Outcome-Based Schedule
      • To sub-activity level for year 1 of Project
      • To activity level (by year for entire Project duration)
      • Procurement strategy including, without being limited to, detailed procurement and contracting management procedures and operational standards for goods, services and construction, a detailed procurement plan, support and oversight mechanisms of procurement activities and resources involved.
      • Anti-corruption policies and Code of Ethics with adequate anti-corruption procedures to be implemented. Training plans for staff to implement the Anti- corruption policies and the Code of Ethics and commitment of resources.
    5. Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation Plan expanding on the performance measurement framework and specifies the logistics, budgets and other operational details of data collection and analysis.
    6. Project Management and Governance, including management structure, partnerships and roles and responsibilities of individual Project stakeholders and Project Committees.
    7. Gender Equality Strategy
    8. Communications Strategy to publicize Project achievements and to acknowledge the GAC’s Contribution (for entire project duration). The strategy shall include the following: target groups in Canada and the Recipient Country, including Project stakeholders, estimated target population and planned communication methods. The Visibility and Recognition Activities Planning Form (for entire Project duration; and for the first year) shall be included with the communications strategy.
    9. In addition, the following forms needs to be revised with updated information, where applicable:
  • Fully completed Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), including all Baseline Data.
  • Budget by line item which include:
  • Forecasts for the entire Project duration broken down by year, including the contributions of the ICBA (in-kind and cash).
  • All expenses requiring prior GAC approval. 
  • A gender-based fragility and conflict sensitivity strategy

Annual Work plan:

  • Update the annual work Plans on any proposed changes to elements such as reach, project management and governance, procurement strategy, management considerations etc.
  • The updated plan should provide information on how the ICBA will address Gender Equality, Human Rights, Environmental Sustainability and/or Innovation. 
  • The annual work plan should be a stand- alone document of no more than 20 pages (excluding annexes), cover a period of one year, and include but not be limited to the following sections:
  • Outcome-Based Schedule (to sub-activity level) Budget Variances
  1. Any expected salary increases for the Project year
  2. Expenses and transfers among budget categories that require the GAC’s prior written approval
  • Communications activities to publicize Project achievements and/or to acknowledge the GAC’s Contribution. This shall include the following: target groups in Canada and the Recipient Country, including Project stakeholders, estimated target population and planned communication methods. The Visibility and Recognition Activities Planning Form shall be included.
  • Budget by line 
  • Any change on Logic Model.
  • Any change on Performance Measurement Framework (PMF)
  • Any change on risk information
  • Any change made on Gender Equality Strategy
  • Any change on summary of the gender-based fragility and conflict sensitivity strategy

The consultant is responsible for contributing to the preparation and delivering the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) and Annual Work plan in collaboration with ICBA’s team and partners on the “FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN IRAQ THROUGH SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT AND CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE” project. More specifically, he/she will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Revised Project Management and Governance, including management structure, partnerships, and roles and responsibilities of individual Project stakeholders and Project Committees.
  • Revised procurement strategy prepared by ICBA team including detailed procurement and contracting management procedures and operational standards for goods, services and construction, a detailed procurement plan, support and oversight mechanisms of procurement activities and resources involved. 
  • Revised Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), including all Baseline Data.
  • Updated budget by line item 
  • Revised annual work plan 

*The consultant should be based in UAE with a valid residency.

Qualifications and Experience
  • Master’s degree in a relevant field (Economics, Social Sciences, Environmental sustainability, Statistics, etc.).
  • At least 10 years of relevant Project Management experience.
  • Strong analytical, quantitative and qualitative research skills.
  • Fluency in English language.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong project management reporting  and coordination skills.

Desirable

  • Financial analysis and reporting
  • Understanding of research for development projects
Post Date
29 May 2024
Status
Closed
Vacancy Type
Consultancy
Closing Date
5 June 2024
Location
ICBA Office
Report To
Program Leader - SNRM
Job Number
NA
Duration of the assignment
1 Month