Local Consultant for Supporting Project Activities in ILO – Baghdad

Term of Reference
Towards more and better employment through enhanced support to private sectors in southern
Iraq – with a focus on green business (PSD_GREEN)
TOR Title Local Consultant for Supporting Project Activities in ILO – Baghdad
Country Iraq Project Code IRQ/22/03/ITA (109048)
Duration From 15/08/2024 to 15/02/2025
PROJECT BACKGROUND
1. General background
Iraq faces significant challenges in unlocking its entrepreneurial potential due to heavy reliance on the oil sector and
extensive government involvement in state-owned enterprises, hindering private-sector growth and diversification.
This results in a small private sector struggling to compete against cheap imports and limited investments,
compounded by a challenging business environment with complex registration processes, inadequate tax systems, and
weak contract enforcement. Access to credit, especially for SMEs, is problematic, contributing to a prevalence of
informal businesses. High unemployment rates, particularly among women and youth, worsen the situation. Iraq
requires comprehensive structural reforms to address these issues, and the International Labour Organization (ILO)
can play a vital role in supporting evidence-based policies, strengthening business and finance capacities, promoting
formalization, and providing essential support to startups, ultimately aiming to boost job quantity and quality while
diversifying the Iraqi economy.
In response to these challenges, the International Labour Organization (ILO), with support from the Italian Agency for
Development Cooperation (AICS), is implementing a project in Southern Iraq. The project focuses on enhancing private
sector development and creating decent jobs, emphasising sustainable green businesses and support for startups. The
project operates on three levels: at the macro level, it supports evidence-based policy options for micro, small, and
medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through business environment assessments. At the meso level, it builds the
capacities of financial institutions to better serve their clients’ needs and provides training to intermediary
organizations. At the micro level, it offers training to youth, small business owners, and startups, focusing on business
management and financial literacy, while facilitating their access to financial services. The project collaborates with
various ministries, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and financial institutions, ultimately benefiting vulnerable
workers in Iraq. This initiative aligns with the Iraq Decent Work Country Programme and the government’s Riyada’
initiative for development and employment, with a focus on the green economy, improving MSME capacities, enhancing
financial inclusion, and providing essential support to startups. It includes enterprise assessments, identification of
constraints in green business development, and training and support for trainers, financial institutions, and businesses.
Assignment background:
The project aims to enhance support for private sector development and decent job creation in Southern
Iraq, with a focus on promoting sustainable green businesses. It operates at macro, meso, and micro levels
to improve the business environment, build institutional capacities, and support MSMEs.
At the macro level, the project supports evidence-based policy options for micro, small, and medium-sized
enterprises (MSMEs) through business environment assessments, developing MSME development
strategies, and establishing the Business Disability Network. These activities require close collaboration
and coordination with the government, ILO constituents, and partners in Iraq.
The PSD_GREEN project aims to enhance support for private sector development and creation of decent
green jobs. The Local Consultant will assist the project team in Baghdad by facilitating communication,
coordinating activities, and ensuring smooth project execution.
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Objective of the Consultancy
The Local Consultant will provide comprehensive support to achieve the project’s objectives in Baghdad,
focusing on:
 Effective stakeholder engagement
 Coordination of meetings, workshops, and training sessions
 Monitoring and reporting on project progress
SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
4.1 Project Coordination and Follow-up:
 Maintain regular communication with the project team (Estimated Activities: Daily)
 Track project deliverables and activities, highlighting any delays or concerns (Estimated
Activities: Ongoing)
 Prepare progress reports for the Project Manager (Estimated Activities: Bi-weekly)
4.2 Meeting Arrangements:
 Schedule and organize meetings with stakeholders (government, employers, workers,
financial institutions, MSMEs) (Estimated Activities: 20 meetings)
 Prepare and distribute meeting agendas, minutes, and documentation (Estimated
Activities: For all 20 meetings)
 Ensure proper record-keeping of meeting outcomes and action points (Estimated
Activities: For all 20 meetings)
4.3 Training and Workshop Coordination:
 Organize training sessions and workshops based on project activities (Estimated Activities:
3 training sessions)
 Coordinate with trainers, participants, and venues (Estimated Activities: For all 3 sessions)
 Assist in preparing and distributing training materials (Estimated Activities: For all 3
sessions)
4.4 Stakeholder Engagement:
 Maintain communication with key stakeholders involved in the project (Estimated
Activities: Ongoing)
 Facilitate stakeholder consultations for green business development (Estimated Activities:
3 consultations)
 Promote dialogue between stakeholders for collaborative efforts (Estimated Activities:
Ongoing)
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4.5 Green Business Action Plan Development Support:
o Moderate workshops (Estimated Activities: 4 workshops)
o Conduct stakeholder meetings (Estimated Activities: Up to 10 meetings)
o Follow up with stakeholders for arrangements (Estimated Activities: Ongoing)
o Attend meetings as requested (Estimated Activities: As needed)
4.6 Reporting and Documentation:
 Prepare and submit regular progress reports to the Project Manager (Estimated Activities:
Bi-weekly)
 Document success stories, lessons learned, and best practices (Estimated Activities:
Ongoing)
 Maintain organized project documentation (Estimated Activities: Ongoing)
4.7 Additional Tasks:
 Perform any additional tasks assigned by the Project Manager or National Senior Project
Officer, aligned with project objectives.
DELIVERABLES & FEES
The assignment will take place from 15 August 2024 to 15 February 2025.
Deliverable Reporting period Daily rate Total
Report on the results of the work
carried on: Conduct regular meetings
with the project’s stakeholders to
ensure that all activities are
implemented (up to 10 and meetings
and 2 training sessions)
15 August 2024 –
15 October (20
working days)
Report on the results of the work
carried on: Conduct regular meetings
with the project’s stakeholders to
ensure that all activities are
implemented (up to 10 and meetings
and 2 training sessions)
15 October 2024
– 15 December
2024 (20
working days)
Report on the results of the work
carried on: Conduct regular meetings
with the project’s stakeholders to
ensure that all activities are
implemented (up to 10 and meetings
and 2 training sessions)
16 December
2024 – 15
February 2025
(20 working
days)
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SELECTION CRITERIA: Qualifications and Expertise:
The consultant should meet the following qualifications and possess the necessary expertise:
1- University degree in a relevant field (e.g., business administration, environmental science,
development studies).
2- Minimum 3 years of experience in a relevant field.
3- Demonstrated experience in program planning, design, implementation, and follow-up.
4- Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
5- Experience working with government authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders in
Baghdad.
6- Excellent organizational and project management skills with proven experience in
planning, follow-up, and coordinating multi-stakeholder committees or working groups,
preferably in the context of social protection or labor issues.
7- Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to lead discussions and ensure
productive outcomes.
8- Good experience working with local government agencies, trade unions, employers’
organizations, and civil society.
9- Sector Knowledge: Familiarity with the private sector and green business initiatives in Iraq
would be advantage.
SUPERVISION
The consultant will conduct the assignment under the overall supervision of the PSD-GREEN
project manager and the and the Senior National Project Officer
TIME FRAME AND PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
The assignment will take place tentatively from 15 August 2024 to 15 February 2025.
Please submit the following by 6 August 2024 at 17:00 Baghdad time to:
[email protected]
Please indicate the title of the consultancy in the subject of the email: Local Consultant for Supporting
Project Activities in ILO – Baghdad
Required Submissions:
1. Proposal (one page including previous experience in similar works, and implementation
methodology)
2. CV
3. Financial proposal (daily rate & actual working days)