Consultant – Development and Pilot Application of an Economic Impact Assessment Methodology for Infrastructure Programming in Iraq

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Project Context and Scope

  This opportunity is open exclusively to international consultants, and the consultancy position will be performed in Erbil, Iraq.

As part of IOM Iraq’s efforts to strengthen economic recovery and improve the effectiveness of infrastructure investments in conflict-affected and climate-vulnerable areas, the Infrastructure unit is advancing evidence-based approaches to understand and enhance the economic outcomes of infrastructure programming. Infrastructure initiatives play a central role in restoring services, enabling market activity, and supporting employment generation. To ensure these investments deliver measurable and sustainable economic benefits, Infrastructure unit is undertaking the development of a standardized economic impact assessment methodology and practical toolkit that can be applied across infrastructure projects. This will support more informed project design, resource allocation, and policy engagement, while strengthening institutional capacity to assess direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of infrastructure interventions.

This assignment will be implemented in close coordination with relevant national and local authorities and aligned, where feasible, with national economic recovery priorities and the UN Cooperation Framework. The economic impact assessment framework is intended to support policy dialogue and shared learning across government and development partners.

Under the overall supervision of the Infrastructure Coordinator, and in close coordination with relevant Programme Units, the Consultant will be responsible for designing and operationalizing a standardized methodology and user-friendly toolkit to assess the economic impacts of infrastructure initiatives. This includes piloting the methodology on selected projects, generating and validating economic impact results, and providing practical guidance to support its integration into future project planning, appraisal, and monitoring processes.. The Consultant will also support stakeholder engagement, data validation, and capacity strengthening efforts; however, all coordination with government and partner institutions will be conducted by IOM teams. The consultant’s role will be limited to providing technical inputs, and support, as required, to ensure the methodology is applicable, replicable, and aligned with operational realities in fragile and data-constrained contexts.

Responsibilities

The consultancy aims to develop and operationalize a standardized economic impact assessment framework for infrastructure initiatives and demonstrate its application through pilot analysis. Specifically, the assignment will:

• Develop a robust, context-appropriate, and replicable methodology to assess the economic impacts of infrastructure investments.

• Develop a practical and user-friendly toolkit to support application of the methodology by IOM, government counterparts, and partners where relevant.

• Apply and validate the methodology through pilot assessment of selected infrastructure initiatives.

• Quantify direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of the pilot interventions.

• Provide practical and policy-relevant recommendations to strengthen the economic performance of future infrastructure investments.

• Ensure the methodology is developed in line with national planning frameworks and data systems, and take into accounts inputs from relevant government and partner stakeholders, as appropriate, through coordination facilitated by IOM teams. 

1. Methodology and Toolkit Development

• Conduct a desk review of existing project documentation, infrastructure designs, bills of quantities, monitoring data, and relevant economic and infrastructure assessment frameworks.

• Design a standardized economic impact assessment methodology suitable for data-scarce and fragile settings, including a clear analytical framework for direct, indirect and induced impacts.

• Define standard indicators, variables, data requirements and calculation procedures for different types of infrastructure initiatives.

• Develop a practical and user-friendly toolkit to support future application of the methodology, including at minimum: 

  • step-by-step implementation guidance.

  • standardized data collection templates and questionnaires.

  • calculation tools (e.g. spreadsheets or equivalent tools).

  • guidance on multiplier or input–output approaches under varying data conditions.

  • quality assurance and validation procedures.

  • guidance on documenting assumptions, risks, and limitations.

  2. Institutional Engagement and Coordination

• Identify relevant government institutions, UN agencies, and development partners working on economic recovery or infrastructure impact analysis.

• Support structured consultations with key authorities and partners during the design and validation of the methodology, through coordination facilitated by IOM teams

• Ensure consistency, where feasible, with national economic planning tools, statistical systems, or recovery frameworks.

• Identify opportunities to share findings and lessons through government-led platforms or inter-agency coordination mechanisms.

 3. Pilot Design and Inception

• Establish criteria for selecting pilot infrastructure initiatives.

• Prepare an inception report outlining the methodology, toolkit structure, pilot scope, data requirements, analytical approach, limitations, and workplan.

• Finalize the methodology and pilot scope in consultation with the contracting organization.

 4. Data Collection and Validation

• Compile and analyze available project-level financial and implementation data for the selected pilot initiatives. 

• Collect and analyze primary and secondary economic data as required (e.g. employment, wages, local suppliers, business activity, service access). 

• Support IOM team in Liaising and coordination with relevant government counterparts, local authorities and implementing partners to validate assumptions, data sources and results.

 5. Economic Impact Analysis (Pilot Application)

• Apply the developed methodology and toolkit to the selected pilot infrastructure initiatives (at least 3 projects).

• Estimate direct economic impacts (e.g. jobs created, wages paid, local procurement, value added).

• Estimate indirect and induced impacts through supply chains and consumption effects. 

• Where feasible, apply multiplier analysis or input–output-based approaches adapted to data availability. 

• Assess distributional effects, including impacts on vulnerable and displacement-affected populations, where data allow.

• Clearly document assumptions, uncertainties and data gaps. 

6. Validation, Capacity Support and Refinement

• Organize at least one joint  validation workshop involving IOM technical teams, relevant government counterparts, and where appropriate UN agencies or development partners to review and confirm the methodology and result 

• Revise and finalize the methodology and toolkit based on feedback from the pilot application and validation process. 

• Provide practical guidance on how the toolkit can be integrated into future project design, appraisal and monitoring processes.

  7. Reporting and Dissemination

• Prepare a pilot economic impact assessment report presenting methodology, findings, and policy implications.

• Produce a concise user guide for the toolkit.

• Prepare a policy brief and presentation materials for stakeholders.

• Present key findings and the proposed framework in at least one external coordination forum, government platform, or relevant technical working group.

  8. Key Research and Design Questions 

The consultancy is expected to address, at minimum, the following questions: 

• What methodology is most appropriate to measure the economic impacts of infrastructure initiatives in the targeted context and data environment? 

• What are the direct, indirect and induced economic impacts of the selected pilot infrastructure initiatives? 

• How many jobs are created (temporary and permanent), and what types of jobs? 

• To what extent do infrastructure investments stimulate local markets and private sector activity? 

• How do the initiatives contribute to income generation and access to economic opportunities for local and displacement-affected populations? 

• What data and institutional constraints must be addressed to enable routine use of the toolkit in future projects? 

 Deliverables

The Consultant will produce the following deliverables:

1. Inception Report: Outlining the proposed methodology, toolkit structure, pilot scope, data requirements, analytical approach, risks and limitations, and detailed workplan.

2. Standardized Economic Impact Assessment Methodology: A structured framework defining impact channels, indicators, data requirements, and calculation procedures suitable for infrastructure projects in data-constrained contexts.

3. Economic Impact Assessment Toolkit: A practical, user-friendly toolkit including guidance, data collection templates, and calculation tools to enable routine application by technical and Programme staff.

4. Pilot Data Package: Cleaned and organized datasets used for the pilot assessment, including documentation of data sources, assumptions, and processing steps.

5. Draft Pilot Economic Impact Assessment Report: Analytical report presenting methodology application, preliminary economic impact estimates, key assumptions, and initial findings.

6. Final Pilot Economic Impact Assessment Report: Revised report incorporating stakeholder feedback, presenting validated results and practical implications for future infrastructure investments.

7. User Guide for Methodology and Toolkit: Concise operational guidance explaining how to apply the methodology and toolkit in project design, appraisal, and monitoring.

8. Policy Brief: Short (max 4 pages), non-technical summary highlighting key findings, strategic implications, and recommendations for policy and programming audiences.

9. Institutional Integration Note: Short document summarizing stakeholder consultations, alignment with national frameworks, and recommendations for wider institutional use and coordination.

10. Presentation of Findings and Toolkit Overview: Presentation materials summarizing the methodology, pilot results, and practical guidance for institutional application.

All timelines are indicative and may be revised depending on operational requirements and the actual start date of the consultant

Payment Schedule

Payments will be made upon satisfactory submission and approval of deliverables, as follows:

• 15% upon approval of Deliverable 1 (Inception Report). 
• 25% upon submission and approval of Deliverables 2 and 3 (Standardized Economic Impact Assessment Methodology and Economic Impact Assessment Toolkit). 
• 60% upon submission and approval of Deliverables 4 to 10, including: 
  • Pilot Data Package 
  • Draft Pilot Economic Impact Assessment Report 
  • Final Pilot Economic Impact Assessment Report 
  • User Guide for Methodology and Toolkit 
  • Policy Brief 
  • Institutional Integration Note 
  • Presentation of Findings and Toolkit Overview 
  • Completion of all contractual reporting requirements

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications and Experience

Education and Skills,

• Advanced degree in economics, development economics, public policy, infrastructure economics, or a related field. 

• At least 7 years of professional experience in economic impact analysis, infrastructure economics or local economic development. 

• Proven experience designing economic impact methodologies and practical analytical tools for Programme or policy use. 

• Demonstrated experience applying multiplier, input–output or similar models in fragile, post-conflict or developing contexts.

• Strong understanding of public infrastructure, local markets and labor dynamics. 

• Experience working with government institutions and international organizations.

• Excellent analytical, facilitation and report-writing skills in English. 

• Experience in Iraq or comparable contexts will be considered a strong asset. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Understanding Arabic and/or Kurdish is an added advantage.

Additional Skills

• Stakeholder engagement and consultations 

• Report writing and communication 

• Collaboration and teamwork 

• Problem solving and decision making 

• Ethical considerations in assessment methodologies 

Languages

English required; Arabic/Kurdish an advantage

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments

Travel required

Yes. The Consultant will be based in Erbil, Iraq and will be required to travel to different project locations within the country. 

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

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