Economic Analyst Jobs in Iraq

<p><br></p><p>How can you make a difference?</p><p>The purpose of this national consultancy is to support the UNICEF Iraq Country Office (CO) in advancing evidence generation and capacity strengthening on Public Financing for Children (PF4C) within the education sector. The consultancy will work closely with the Ministries of Education (MoE) in Federal Iraq and Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and their General Directorates of Education (GDoEs) at the sub-national level to strengthen public finance management (PFM) practices and promote more equitable, efficient, and child-centred investments in education, with a particular focus on early childhood education (ECE) and pre-primary education. PFM is a critical enabler for realizing children s rights and improving their well-being, particularly in the education sector. Transparent, equitable, and efficient allocation and utilization of public resources are essential to ensure that children benefit from government budgets, policies, and programmes. This is especially important in ECE, where underinvestment and unequal access continue to limit developmental opportunities and contribute to long-term inequalities.</p><p>The consultancy aligns with the priorities outlined in the Iraq National Education Strategy (INES) 2020-2030, particularly Pillar 3: Governance, Educational Management and Finance, which emphasizes strengthening the legislative, administrative, planning, and financial capacities of the education system to improve education service delivery. Recognizing that PF4C implementation and advocacy must remain responsive to evolving government processes, policy opportunities, and sector priorities, the consultancy will adopt a flexible and adaptive approach. While the overarching objective of the assignment is to support government systems in becoming more transparent, equitable, efficient, and results-oriented in the allocation and use of public resources for children in education, a key focus for this assignment will be the development of a PFM/PF4C framework for education, capacity building of key MoE and GDoE staff in PFM, and facilitating UNICEF s high-level advocacy for PFM grounded in the principles of equity, efficiency, transparency, and accountability.</p><p>In practical terms, the consultancy will support the collection of education financing and expenditure data at both national and sub-national levels to inform PF4C evidence generation, policy dialogue, advocacy efforts, and capacity building. In this context, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) will serve as a key counterpart for the success of this assignment, particularly for budgetary data collection and engagement on public financing processes. In addition, the consultant will support the design and implementation of a series of capacity strengthening activities for relevant MoE and GDoE staff through training, coaching, mentoring, and technical support on PF4C and education financing.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Desired Candidate Profile</strong></p><ul><li>Bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, business, public administration, or any other relevant subjects.</li><li>A higher degree is preferred.</li><li>At least five years of relevant professional experience is required.</li><li>Experience working within national financial institutions, including if possible the MoF.</li><li>Experience in institutional capacity building including training, coaching, and mentoring.</li><li>Fluency in Arabic (for analysis of budget documentation, policy documents and engagement with the Iraqi government)</li><li>Proficiency in English (for writing, presentations and communication with UNICEF and international consultant).</li><li>Very good knowledge of PFM systems, budget system, budget cycles, and fiscal frameworks in Iraq.</li><li>Understanding of social sectors, with special emphasis on education in Iraq.</li><li>Strong interpersonal skills and diplomatic acumen for direct engagement with both senior and technical-level government officials and other stakeholders.</li><li>Advanced knowledge of the MS Office/Microsoft 365 suite of applications (especially Excel and PowerPoint).</li><li>Fluency in Kurdish is an advantage.</li><li>Knowledge of and experience in PF4C is a strong advantage.</li><li>Prior experience of working with UN organizations</li></ul>

<p>Paragon is searching for a Head of Finance for an E&amp;P company in Iraq. This is a rotational role (35 x35) based in Iraq and reports to Head of International Financial Operations. PositionTitle : Head of Finance StafforTemp : Staff Rotation : 35 x 35 Expectedpackage : To be discussed. Location : Iraq Position Overview: Provide strategic, commercial and financial guidance as a Business Partner to key stakeholders including the CFO and COO on matters relating to compliance, budgets and expenditures. Lead the Finance function in line with the Finance mission to be Role Model Guardian through protecting the financial resources of the organization and excel in providing accurate and reliable financial information to stakeholders by using the latest AI technologies. Oversee the in-country Finance function to deliver seamless end-to-end operations including Accounts Payable, Treasury, Tax, Payroll, Accounting, Budgeting and Reporting. Regularly assess risks and put in place mitigation plans to address them timely whist ensuring compliance with the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) including obligations relating to statutory and local reporting as well as the Company s policies and procedures.</p><p>Duties, Responsibilities, Performance Standards &amp; Percentage of Time:</p><p>Duty or Responsibility Management:</p><ul><li>Supervise and manage effectively the members of the finance and accounting team.</li><li>Plan and control the allocation of Finance team resources in a manner that will ensure all activities are performed in the most efficient and cost-effective way.</li><li>Direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of the Finance team.</li><li>In conjunction with CFO and Head of International Finance Operations, contribute to the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), goals and objectives for the Finance team.</li><li>Monitor working practices and processes to ensure the Finance team KPIs, goals and objectives are met.</li><li>Provide input to develop appropriate staffing level to ensure that the Finance team operations are handled effectively and efficiently.</li><li>Keep up-to-date on new and changes to laws and regulations relevant to the company and the Finance function, and contribute to the development of new or amendment of existing documents (guidelines, standards, procedures, etc.) when necessary.</li><li>Provide procedural, controls and technical guidance to staff and assist them in resolving queries and problems.</li></ul><p>Operational:</p><ul><li>Perform and direct finance and accounting operations; ensure that proper controls and standards are in place and all activities comply with regulatory requirements and company policy .</li><li>General Supervise monthly closing process to ensure that all related activities are completed in accordance with the schedule to facilitate timely reporting.</li><li>Ensure that all reconciliations are performed and that the company's consolidation practices and principles are followed.</li><li>Review and approve all accounting journals prepared by the Finance team through ERP.</li><li>Provide direction in the preparation of audit packs.</li><li>Provide direction and ensure timely provision of information as may be required by both internal and external stakeholders.</li><li>Review and provide input to contractual clauses of tendering documents relating to financial matters (e.g. tax regulations, payment, invoicing etc.)</li></ul><p>Accounts Payable, Treasury &amp; General Ledger</p><ul><li>Review and monitor Accounts Payable Aging to ensure a healthy balance sheet is always maintained for the Company.</li><li>Act as necessary on timely clearance of old balances (if any).</li><li>Maintain good communication and relationship with vendors by attending to their issues on a timely manner.</li><li>Ensure payment on time to vendors is always met.</li><li>Review and approve all payment orders prepared by Treasury Accountant for payments to vendors and local salary according to schedule.</li><li>Review and approve quarterly Central Bank Reports. Ensure timely submission according to schedule.</li><li>Review and monitor all balance sheet reconciliations and reconciling items to ensure a healthy balance sheet position is attained by the Company.</li><li>Act as necessary on timely clearance of old balances (if any).</li><li>Review and approve balance confirmation required by external auditors when requested, including for vendor s auditors.</li></ul><p>Tax &amp; Payroll</p><ul><li>Review and ensure timely filing of annual and periodic tax returns applicable to the company s operations in the region and resolve in a timely manner any issues arising in close co-ordination with Finance Head Office.</li><li>Review and monitor all tax related balance sheet reconciliations and reconciling items to ensure a healthy balance sheet position is attained by the Company.</li><li>Act as necessary on timely clearance of old balances (if any).</li><li>Ensure sufficient and timely payments are made to tax authorities covering WHT and CIT.</li><li>Reduce or eliminate as possible penalties relating to non-compliance imposed by Tax Authorities.</li><li>Review and approve monthly payroll related reports and payments on a timely basis.</li><li>Ensure local employee s payroll is processed on time in line with employment contracts.</li></ul><p>Management Accounting</p><ul><li>Direct and supervise together with line manager the Group 5-Year Business and Annual Operating Plan and Budget and its revision with close co-ordinations with Finance Head Office.</li><li>Direct and supervise preparation of Annual Work Program &amp; Budget (WP&amp;B) and its narrative as per Agreement (PSA/PSC/EDPSA/C)) and lead the MCM.</li><li>Direct and supervise the preparation of variance report and cost control through detailed General Ledger and budget analysis to ensure cost correctly captured and reported to enable full cost recovery. Adverse trends identified; recommend measures to address issues (including non-conformities).</li><li>As required informs management of recommended courses of action to mitigate losses and maximize profits, when significant events occur that can adversely affect the business long-term goals.</li><li>Work closely with all budget holders to ensure any variances explained, addressed and acted upon, and forecast numbers captured and reported. This include identify, execute, monitor and report the cost saving/optimization/reduction achievement to stakeholders and shareholder periodically.</li><li>Coordinate with the operating departments in the field to resolve all matters that affect accounting and reporting.</li><li>Ensuring quality in forecasting and financial reporting issued to both shareholder and stakeholders.</li><li>Direct the overall Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) management including AFE closures.</li><li><br></li></ul><p><strong>Desired Candidate Profile</strong></p><ul><li>Minimum Education Level Required Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting economics or business studies</li><li>Certificate: CIMA/ACCA/ICAEW/CPA</li><li>The minimum years of experience required (All qualification listed Must be job related) Minimum 10-15 years oil and gas industry (upstream) finance, tax and accounting experience, 5 years in a supervisor capacity, recognized professional accounting qualification.</li></ul>

<h2 class="h5">Job description</h2> <div class="t-break" data-jb-field="description"> <p>Mission and objectives</p><p>UNICEF has a long-term commitment to Iraq’s children and young people, with the first formal cooperation agreement signed with the Government in 1963. UNICEF works in close partnership with the Federal through established Cooperation Agreements. UNICEF has a broad geographic presence in the country with four offices located in Basra, Baghdad, Erbil and Dohuk. UNICEF collaborates with UN agencies, international and national NGO partners to meet the humanitarian and development needs of most vulnerable children and young people.</p><p>In recent years, UNICEF’s work to support the unique needs of young people has gained momentum, as the challenges facing them have come more sharply into view. UNICEF is committed to deliver for all children and young people through its overall impact goal of ‘realizing the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged. The UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2018−2021 recognizes the whole spectrum of young people, including young adults or youth over 18, and includes in its Change Strategies “supporting young people and children as agents of change.” Taking its cue from the strategic plan, the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy 2019−2021 (GCAS) asserts the important role that young people can play in the successful realization of UNICEF’s mandate, and outlines the need to listen to, co-create and collaborate with young people and create meaningful engagement opportunities for them to make a difference. Being important drivers of change, children and young people are essential partners and contributors to both the development and implementation of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022 2025. With a new and ambitious SP, UNICEF intends to be deliberate and committed in fully involving children and young people in creating the solutions to accelerate the realization of the SDGs and driving change forward.</p><p>Context</p><p>The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was established in 1946 by the United Nations General Assembly to provide humanitarian and development assistance to children worldwide. UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. In Iraq, UNICEF supports the Government at federal and regional levels in strengthening systems and services that improve the well-being of children and families, including social protection, education, health, child protection, water and sanitation, and social policy.</p><p><br></p><p>This United Nations Volunteer (UNV) assignment is part of UNICEF Iraq's Social Policy Programme, which contributes to the reform and strengthening of Iraq's social protection system under the European Union–United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection. The programme aims to support the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government in developing more inclusive, equitable, shock-responsive, and child-sensitive social protection systems.</p><p><br></p><p>Key interventions include supporting the implementation of the national Social Protection Strategy, strengthening institutional capacities, improving social protection delivery systems, generating evidence to inform policy reforms, and piloting innovative approaches to expand access to social protection services for vulnerable populations. The programme also supports initiatives such as cash transfer pilots, assessments focused on vulnerable groups including teenage mothers, and the modernization of social protection management information systems.</p><p><br></p><p>Key stakeholders include the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Federal Iraq), the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Ministry of Planning, the European Union, participating UN agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and other national and sub-national institutions involved in social protection policy and service delivery.</p><p><br></p><p>The UN Volunteer will contribute to the effective implementation of programme activities through technical, coordination, operational, and administrative support, helping advance social protection reforms that improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families across Iraq.</p><p>Task description</p><p>Under the supervision of the Social Policy Specialist, the UN Volunteer will support the implementation of UNICEF's Social Protection programme by undertaking the following tasks:</p><p><br></p><p>Support the implementation of national social protection priorities</p><p>• Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Social Protection Strategy implementation roadmaps for both the Federal Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).</p><p>• Assist in tracking progress against agreed milestones, identifying implementation bottlenecks, and supporting coordination with relevant government counterparts and development partners.</p><p><br></p><p>Support social protection research and assessments</p><p>• Contribute to the implementation of the Teenage Mothers Assessment, including coordination with stakeholders, data collection activities, review of outputs, and dissemination of findings.</p><p>• Support the generation of evidence and analysis to inform social protection policies and programmes.</p><p><br></p><p>Support government capacity strengthening</p><p>• Assist in the planning, organization, and delivery of capacity-building activities for government officials in line with the agreed annual workplan.</p><p>• Support the development of training materials, documentation of training outcomes, and follow-up actions to strengthen institutional capacities.</p><p><br></p><p>Support the expansion of cash transfer initiatives</p><p>• Assist with the implementation and scale-up of the Cash Pilot Programme in both Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.</p><p>• Support coordination with government counterparts and partners to facilitate programme delivery, monitoring, and reporting.</p><p><br></p><p>Support programme coordination and event management</p><p>• Coordinate the organization of workshops, consultations, technical meetings, and high-level events related to the Social Protection programme.</p><p>• Liaise with event management service providers and ensure timely delivery of logistical and administrative arrangements in accordance with UNICEF procedures.</p><p>• Prepare meeting agendas, presentations, minutes, and follow-up action points as required.</p><p><br></p><p>Support operational and administrative processes</p><p>• Work closely with UNICEF Supply and Operations teams to facilitate the processing and follow-up of programme-related requests, including procurement, contracting, and logistical arrangements.</p><p>• Proactively monitor the status of requests and ensure timely communication between programme and operational teams.</p><p><br></p><p>Support partnership and stakeholder engagement</p><p>• Assist in maintaining effective coordination and communication with government institutions, UN agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders involved in social protection initiatives.</p><p><br></p><p>Perform other duties as required</p><p>Undertake any other programmatic, operational, coordination, or administrative tasks assigned by the Social Policy team to support the effective implementation of UNICEF's Social Protection programme.</p><p><br></p> </div><h2 class="h5">Skills</h2> <div data-jb-field="skills"><p>Age</p><p>18 - 80</p><p>Required experience</p><p>7 years</p><p>Nationality</p><p>Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.</p><p><br></p><p>Assignment requirements</p><p>Relevant experience</p><p><br></p><p>7 years</p><p>Languages</p><p>English, Level: Fluent, Required</p><p>Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required</p><p>Kurdish, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable</p><p>Required education level</p><p>Bachelor's degree in Social Policy, Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration, Social Sciences, International Development, Political Science, or another relevant field is preferred.</p><p>Competencies and values</p><p>1 Builds and maintains partnerships</p><p>2 Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness</p><p>3 Innovates and embraces change</p><p>4 Drive to achieve results for impact</p><p>5 Manages ambiguity and complexity</p><p>6 Thinks and acts strategically Nurtures, leads and manages people</p><p>7 Works collaboratively with others</p><p>care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability and sustainability</p><p>Skills and experience</p><p>• Professional experience in social protection, social policy, programme management, public sector reform, public administration, or related fields.or other relevant programmes; experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset;</p><p>• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;</p><p>• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;</p><p>• Excellent interpersonal skills; cultural and social sensitivity; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;</p><p>• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;</p><p>• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;</p><p>• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;</p><p>• Sound security awareness;</p><p>• Have affinity with or interest in social protection and public policy as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.</p><p><br></p></div>