Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

II. Scope of work

Under the overall supervision of the project manager, the consultant will be responsible for delivering entrepreneurship and financial literacy support services to project beneficiaries in Basra and facilitating their access to finance. The consultant shall undertake the following tasks:

1. Beneficiary Identification and Selection

o Support the selection of eligible beneficiaries in accordance with the project criteria.

o Coordinate with field consultant and relevant stakeholders to ensure transparent and inclusive beneficiary selection.

2. Delivery of SIYB and Financial Education Training

o Organize and deliver four rounds of SIYB (Start and Improve Your Business) and Financial Education training.

o Each training round shall be conducted over four consecutive days using approved training materials and methodologies.

o Ensure active participation, maintain attendance records, and administer pre- and post-training assessments.

o Provide practical guidance on business planning, financial management, loan readiness, and green business opportunities.

3. Post-Training Coaching and Access to Finance Support

o Provide individual and group follow-up support to trained beneficiaries.

o Assist beneficiaries in developing and refining business plans and loan application packages.

o Guide beneficiaries through the financing process and coordinate with participating financial institutions where required.

o Track beneficiary progress and address challenges that may hinder access to finance.

o Maintain regular communication with beneficiaries until completion of the financing process, including loan approval, rejection, or withdrawal.

4. Tracer Study Data Collection (sample 1000)

o Supervise and support the collection of tracer study data from project beneficiaries using approved questionnaires and tools.

o Ensure data quality, completeness, accuracy, and timely submission.

o Coordinate with enumerators and project staff to resolve data collection challenges.

5. MSME Dialogue and Stakeholder Engagement

o Facilitate 6 dialogue sessions and networking events for MSMEs and relevant stakeholders.

o Promote business linkages, enterprise formalization and registration, access to opportunities, adoption of green practices, and awareness of available business support services.

6. Reporting

o Submit periodic progress reports and a final report summarizing activities, outputs, beneficiary achievements, tracer study results, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in program planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects.
• Certified trainer with the ILO (SIYB and Financial Education) (must)
• Strong communication and coordination skills, particularly in engaging with ILO's social partners and MSMEs in Basra. (must)
• Professional experience in development programming, with expertise in liaising with government authorities, national/international technical counterparts, NGOs, and building effective partnerships.
• Skilled in working and communicating with diverse actors, including government authorities, humanitarian agencies (UN and NGOs), and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian programming.
• Familiarity with ILO tools and methodologies (desirable).
• Familiarity with Decent work country programme in Iraq (desirable)
• Fluency in Arabic as the trainings will be delivered in Arabic, and good level in English for reporting.