Job description

The Position:

UNFPA Iraq, in partnership with the Ministry of Planning (MoP), seeks to recruit a qualified national consultant to develop a comprehensive National Policy for Adolescent Development that strengthens adolescents' capacities and opportunities, protects their rights, empowers them to participate actively in social, economic, and cultural life, and provides a safe and supportive environment for their growth, thereby contributing to the development of human capital capable of advancing sustainable development.
National and international indicators show that adolescents (aged 10–18 years) constitute a significant proportion of Iraq's population and represent the future of the country's social and economic development. However, they face multiple and interconnected challenges that negatively affect their physical and mental health, educational attainment, and future opportunities.
These challenges are multidimensional, involving human, financial, legal, and institutional factors, making it essential to establish a comprehensive and integrated national policy.
Key Contributing Factors
1.Human Factors
Limited capacity-building programmes for parents, teachers, and caregivers to address thespecific needs of adolescents.
Insufficient community awareness programmes addressing behavioural and health risks facing adolescents, including substance abuse, violence, and school dropout.
High unemployment and poverty rates in some areas, contributing to social risks such as child labour and early marriage.
2.Financial Factors
Insufficient budget allocations for adolescent-focused programmes despite the size andimportance of this population group.
Heavy reliance on external or short-term funding, undermining the sustainability of services.
Lack of clear financing mechanisms for local initiatives targeting adolescents, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Limited investment in adolescent-friendly infrastructure, including youth centres and safe cultural and sports spaces.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

Job Purpose:

The National Policy aims to:

• Develop an integrated national framework for adolescent development in Iraq that clearly defines roles and responsibilities and strengthens coordination among stake holders.
• Promote adolescents' physical, mental, and social well-being while improving access to quality health services.
• Improve access to quality education and strengthen life skills and digital literacy.
• Empower adolescents economically and socially and prepare them for labor market integration and entrepreneurship.
• Promote civic and community participation among adolescents in decision-making processes.
• Protect adolescents from all forms of violence, exploitation, addiction, and digital risks.
• Promote equity by reducing disparities based on gender, geography, and social background.
• Strengthen coordination among government institutions and development partners to ensure effective implementation of adolescent-focused programmes.
   

The National Policy for Adolescent Development in Iraq, which will establish a comprehensive national framework to guide investments, policies, and programmes supporting adolescents aged 10–18 years in line with national priorities, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and international commitments.
The consultancy aims to produce a high-quality, evidence-based national documents that will support policy formulation, sectoral planning, and coordinated implementation across government institutions.

You would be responsible for:

The consultant will lead policy development and social analysis, including:

• Review existing adolescent-related legislation, strategies and policies.
• Conduct policy gap analysis.
• Analyze social determinants affecting adolescents.
• Draft the National Policy for Adolescent Development.
• Develop implementation arrangements.
• Develop governance mechanisms.
• Prepare monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Draft implementation roadmap.
• Facilitate consultations with ministries and partners.
• Lead validation workshops.
   

The consultant will also:

• Develop an inception report and methodology.
• Conduct desk reviews.
• Hold consultations with government entities, UN agencies, academia and civil society.
• Organize technical workshops if needed.
• Prepare presentations.
• Revise drafts following comments.
• Prepare final versions of both documents.
• Support report layout and design.
• Present findings to the Ministry of Planning and UNFPA.
   

Proposed Policy Pillars

• Primary healthcare and promotion of physical and mental health.
• Education and learning.
• Innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Prevention of substance abuse.
• Civic engagement and volunteerism
   

The policy is aligned with:

• Iraq National Development Plan (2024–2028)
• National Population Policy (2023)
• Iraq Vision 2020–2030
• National Education Strategy (2022–2031)

Duration and working schedule:

3 months 

• Deliverable 1: Inception Report, detailed methodology, workplan, and consultation plan - End of Week 2
• Deliverable 2: Comprehensive literature review, review of national and international policies, analysis of the 2024 Population and Housing Census data, and stakeholder consultation report- End of Month 1
• Deliverable 3: First draft of the State of Iraq's Population Report and first draft of the National Policy for Adolescent Development submitted for technical review- End of Month 2 
• Deliverable 4: Validation workshop(s) conducted and revised drafts incorporating comments from UNFPA, the Ministry of Planning, and key stakeholders- Final National Policy for Adolescent Development, executive summaries, PowerPoint presentation, and all editable source files submitted- End of Month 3

Place where services are to be delivered:
Home-based with frequent missions inside Baghdad and other governorates as required.
Delivery dates and how work will be delivered:

The consultancy will be implemented over a period of four (3) months. All deliverables shall be submitted electronically in editable Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as applicable) and PDF. Final reports and policy documents shall be submitted in both editable and PDF versions, together with all supporting datasets, analytical tables, presentations, and source files. Hard copies may be requested by UNFPA and the Ministry of Planning for the final approved documents. 

Deliverables: 

• 1st deliverable: Draft report no later than 1st October 2026. 1st instalment (50%) of total payment. 
• 2nd deliverable: Final draft report no later than 15 November 2026. 2nd instalment (50%) of total payment

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Programme Specialist and in close coordination with the Ministry of Planning. Progress will be monitored through regular coordination meetings, technical review sessions, and submission of agreed deliverables according to the approved workplan.
 

The consultant shall:

• Submit an Inception Report within the first two weeks outlining the methodology, workplan, and timeline.
• Provide bi-weekly progress updates summarizing activities completed, challenges encountered, and planned next steps.
• Participate in regular technical coordination meetings with UNFPA and the Ministry of Planning, as requested.
• Submit all draft deliverables for technical review and incorporate comments received from UNFPA, the Ministry of Planning, and relevant stakeholders.
• Present findings during consultation and validation workshops.
• Submit the final deliverables in accordance with the agreed timeline and to the satisfaction of UNFPA.

Acceptance of each deliverable will be subject to UNFPA's technical review and written approval before proceeding to the subsequent milestone.

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will report directly to the UNFPA Programme Specialist, SRH and UNFPA Census Advisor and work closely with the Ministry of Planning, Human Development Directorate, and other relevant government counterparts.

Expected travel:

Travel within Iraq, including Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, to facilitate consultations, workshops and validation meetings.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

An expert specializing in social policy and adolescent development to provide technical support throughout all stages of developing the national policy. The expert should have experience in drafting national policies and strategies and a thorough understanding of the Iraqi context and government systems.
Advanced university degree in:

Social Policy, Sociology, Public Policy, Human Development, Development Studies or related discipline.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years of experience in policy development.
• Experience preparing national strategies.
• Experience with adolescent development.
• Strong knowledge of rights-based programming.
• Experience facilitating multi-sector consultations.

Languages: 

• Fluent in English and Arabic are required.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:
Payment is 5000$ shall be made on two instalments, first instalment when delivering the first draft and second when delivering final draft. Deliverable-based, first instalments upon receiving first draft no later than 1st of October, second instalments upon receiving final version no later than 15th of November.
Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.