consultant

<section><p class="heading jdMain">Job Description</p><p class="heading">Roles &amp; Responsibilities</p><div class="paragraph"><p>&nbsp;International Organization for Migration Project Context and Scope The project titled Inclusive Stabilization Partnerships for Reintegration and Empowerment (INSPIRE) is a five-year programme (July 2026 June 2031) funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (MFA) and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). INSPIRE will operate in Ninewa, Anbar, and Salah al-Din Governorates, with national-level engagement in Baghdad. The project aims to address key barriers faced by vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees (including Iraqi individuals from northeast Syria), and host community members in accessing basic services, civil documentation, and durable solutions. It operates across three interconnected levels: individual, community, and systemic, organized under three outcomes: Outcome 1: Improved access to basic services and durable solutions pathways for vulnerable displaced populations Outcome 2: More resilient and cohesive communities in areas of high return, with empowered local civil society structures Outcome 3: Enhanced national and local government capacity to plan, coordinate, and deliver services to Iraqi citizens Inception Phase Recognizing Iraq's evolving context, with shifting return and displacement patterns, changing funding priorities, and significant differences across governorates and districts - INSPIRE will begin with a three-month inception phase. This phase is critical to ensure that the five-year programme is evidence-based, context-sensitive, and strategically targeted from the outset. The Inception Phase will produce one core output: the Inception Report. The Report will contain: A detailed Year 1 Intervention Plan, identifying priority locations and beneficiary groups based on current conditions; and A five-year Strategic Impact Monitoring Framework, aligned with INSPIRE's Results Matrix and Theory of Change. The Inception Report will integrate multiple data sources, including: IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) data; funding and intervention mapping to identify gaps where INSPIRE can add value without duplication; field consultations with local authorities, community leaders, and potential beneficiaries; and interviews with Government of Iraq (GoI) counterparts, local CSOs, UN agencies, and international partners. The Inception Phase will conclude with a Validation Workshop convening the Government of the Netherlands, relevant Iraqi ministries, the UN Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO), and key partners to finalize the Year 1 workplan and agree on coordination structures, including annual revision mechanisms. The INSPIRE inception phase requires specialized expertise in programme design, durable solutions programming, stakeholder consultation methodologies, conflict-sensitive analysis, and strategic results framework development. Given the time-bound nature of the inception phase and the need for independent technical expertise to support the development of the Inception Report and associated strategic frameworks, these services cannot be fully met through existing project staffing resources during the inception period. Therefore, IOM seeks to engage a consultant to provide targeted technical advisory support for this assignment. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing Under overall guidance of the Chief of Mission (CoM), and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator in close coordination with the involved IOM teams. The consultancy is open to international consultants and will be primarily remote. Field missions to Iraq will be required for stakeholder consultations, fieldwork, and facilitation of the Validation Workshop. Mission timing and locations will be agreed with the IOM Senior Programme Coordinator based on operational needs and security considerations. Scope of Work The consultant will provide senior-level technical advisory support and facilitate the analytical and consultative process for the development of the INSPIRE Inception Report and associated strategic frameworks. The consultant will provide advisory services only and will not have decision-making, supervisory, or representational authority on behalf of IOM The consultant's responsibilities include: Conducting a comprehensive desk review of relevant secondary data sources, including IOM DTM reports, existing assessments (legal, protection, MHPSS, livelihoods), prior IOM project documentation, and national/UN strategic frameworks (UNSDCF, National Plan to End Displacement, Yazidi Survivors Law, INAP III) Developing and implementing a stakeholder consultation methodology, including Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions, with GoI counterparts (federal and KRG), local CSOs, UN agencies, international partners, community leaders, and affected populations across Ninewa, Anbar, and Salah al-Din Conducting a funding and intervention mapping exercise to identify ongoing and planned interventions in target areas, assess complementarity, and identify gaps where INSPIRE can add value Analysing IOM DTM and other displacement data to ensure targeting reflects current displacement and return dynamics Development of a strategic Year 1 Intervention Plan, including prioritized locations, target beneficiary groups, preliminary activity plans, and indicative resource allocation, in coordination with the IOM programme and MEAL teams Developing a five-year Strategic Impact Monitoring Framework aligned with the INSPIRE Results Matrix, Theory of Change, and SRoL/DSH indicators Supporting the facilitation, preparation and documentation of the Validation Workshop with the Government of the Netherlands, Iraqi ministries, UNRCO, and key partners Incorporating stakeholder feedback and finalizing the Inception Report for submission and publication&nbsp;</p></div></section><section><p class="heading">Desired Candidate Profile</p><p class="paragraph"></p><ul><li>Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Political Science, International Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Conflict Studies, Sociology, Migration Studies, or a related field. A first-level university degree with significant directly relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.</li><li>A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme development, project design, or research in humanitarian, stabilization, or development contexts.</li><li>Demonstrated experience developing reports or strategic frameworks for multi-year, multi-sectoral programmes in conflict-affected or post-conflict settings.</li><li>Proven experience conducting stakeholder consultations, KIIs, and field assessments in complex operating environments, ideally in Iraq or the MENA region.</li><li>Familiarity with the Iraq displacement and reintegration context, and the relevant GoI institutional landscape.</li><li>Experience with monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) frameworks, including results matrices and Theory of Change development.</li><li>Prior experience with IOM, UN agencies, or internationally funded programmes (particularly Dutch MFA-funded programmes) is a strong advantage.</li><li>Experience engaging with civil society organizations, and familiarity with protection, MHPSS, livelihoods, durable solutions, and community policing programming, is desirable.</li><li>Excellent analytical and writing skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable recommendations.</li><li>Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops.</li><li>Proficiency in data analysis and presentation.</li><li>Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks under time pressure, and deliver high-quality outputs on schedule.</li><li>Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.</li><li>Proficiency in Arabic/Kurdish is advantageous.</li></ul><p></p></section>

<section><p class="heading jdMain">Job Description</p><p class="heading">Roles &amp; Responsibilities</p><div class="paragraph"><p><br></p><p>Project Context and Scope As a part of economic recovery and basic service improvement of conflict affected, climate and other economic affected areas in Iraq, IOM Iraq implements the Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) to support economic development and sustainable job creation within small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). A key component of the EDF grant which requires further strengthening is the implementation and management of Environmental &amp; Social Action Plans (ESAP), which aim to mitigate environmental and social risks in the SMEs funded by the EDF, as well as improving staff safety and wellbeing. Under the direct supervision of the Project Officer (Livelihoods), and in close collaboration with the Senior Livelihoods Technical Assistant, the Consultant (Environmental and Social Risk Management) will support the operationalisation and strengthening of the ESAP within EDF through a combination of: a) Impact assessment of existing ESAP implementation under the EDF b) Desk review and refinement of ESAP technical processes c) Development of sector-specific and item specific minimum standards and tools d) Capacity building of both EDF Technical and Operational Teams</p><p>The consultant will ensure that ESAP is implemented within the EDF in a feasible, practical, and effective manner, aligned with ESMF guidelines and Iraqi legislation in both the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and Federal Iraq (FI). This includes conducting an impact assessment of ESAP implementation, developing sector-specific standards, designing monitoring tools, and delivering capacity building for EDF Technical and Operational Teams.</p><p>Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing The consultant will be operating within the Peace and Recovery Division, under the overall supervision of the EDF Project Officer (Livelihoods) and direct supervision of the Senior Livelihoods Technical Assistant. This opportunity is open to international consultants only. The position is based in Erbil, Iraq, with frequent travel to Baghdad.</p><p><b>Responsibilities </b>Tasks to be performed under this contract The consultant will be responsible for the following phases:</p><p>Phase 1: Desk Review and ESAP Impact Assessment:</p><ul><li>Desk review of the existing end-to-end process for the provision of ESAP funding as part of the EDF grant, including drafting of plans, approvals, field implementation, disbursement of ESAP budget, monitoring and reporting. Identify gaps, bottlenecks and areas for improvement in these current processes. Develop a report evaluating the quality and consistency of ESAP plans previously implemented under EDF.</li><li>Conduct field visits to EDF-supported businesses across diverse sectors and governorates to assess the implementation and effectiveness of ESAP measures in mitigating social risks and compliance with ESMF requirements.</li><li>Collect qualitative and quantitative data during these visits through interviews with business owners, staff, and site observations on the state of its infrastructure.</li><li>Produce an ESAP Impact Assessment Report identifying key findings from the above, lessons learned and actionable recommendations.</li></ul><p>Phase 2: Development of ESAP Systems, Standards, and Tools for EDF</p><ul><li>Based on the report and assessment findings from Phase 1 , develop sector-specific minimum standards for ESAP plans, aligned with ESMF guidelines, Iraqi legislation and feasibility based on allocated budget.</li><li>Develop clear guidance on appropriate ESAP measures and interventions tailored to the main sectors covered by EDF for EDF Technical Team to implement. These standards must then be embedded into new or existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and enforced during the EDF process.</li><li>Develop monitoring tools and templates to enable EDF Technical Teams to assess ESAP compliance and effectiveness, in collaboration with the EDF Project Officer.</li><li>Validate research findings and proposed amendments through consultation with relevant IOM EDF technical and operational staff and make any adjustments accordingly.</li></ul><p>Phase 3: Capacity Building of EDF Technical &amp; Operational Team Capacity to Identify &amp; Resolve Risks through EDF</p><ul><li>Design and deliver a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for EDF Technical Team, building staff capacity to identify risks, appropriate ESAP measures and monitor ESAP compliance to ensure quality implementation by operational staff.</li><li>Training of EDF operational field teams to ensure understanding of updated SOPs, tools and sector-specific guidelines.</li><li>Accompany EDF operational field teams to implement based on updated guidelines, as well as EDF technical validation and provide feedback as necessary.</li></ul><p>Objectives of the Assignment The main objective of this consultancy is to develop the Environmental &amp; Social Action Plan component of the EDF grant, to maximise grant impact on the implementation of tailored, sector-specific interventions in the interest of improving staff safety and wellbeing, whilst mitigating risks of environmental impact, complemented by an impact assessment of previous implementation.</p><p>Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment</p><br><p><b>Qualifications Required Q</b>ualifications and Experience Education, Experience and/or skills required University degree in Environment Engineering, Environmental Sciences/ Environmental Studies or at least 5 years relevant working experience. Must have prior experience of working with Environmental &amp; Social Management Framework (ESMF) s in a humanitarian context. Familiarity with the Iraq context and experience working in Iraq is highly desirable. Familiarity and/or experience with livelihoods, SME development or economic recovery programming is desirable. Strong writing and research design skills, with the ability to express and report results in a concise and clear manner to technical and non-technical audiences.</p><p>Languages For this consultancy, Fluency in English is essential, and working proficiency in Arabic and/or Kurdish is highly desirable. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.</p><p>Travel required Travel is required for this consultancy. This consultancy will be based in Iraq and will require travel to locations across Iraq where the EDF is implemented. All personal travel-related expenses, including airfare and subsistence, will be covered by the consultant. All work-related travel expenses within Iraq will be covered by IOM.</p><p><br></p></div></section><section><p class="heading">Desired Candidate Profile</p><p class="paragraph"></p><ul><li>University degree in Environment Engineering, Environmental Sciences/ Environmental Studies or at least 5 years relevant working experience.</li><li>Must have prior experience of working with Environmental &amp; Social Management Framework (ESMF) s in a humanitarian context.</li><li>Familiarity with the Iraq context and experience working in Iraq is highly desirable.</li><li>Familiarity and/or experience with livelihoods, SME development or economic recovery programming is desirable.</li><li>Strong writing and research design skills, with the ability to express and report results in a concise and clear manner to technical and non-technical audiences.</li><li>Fluency in English is essential, and working proficiency in Arabic and/or Kurdish is highly desirable.</li></ul><p></p></section>