National Monitoring Officer

Introduction

Promotion of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq” is an eight-year project funded by the KFW.

The project aims to provide sustainable access to financial services for already operating but also start-up SMEs in Iraq for an improved job creation with focus on youth and women. This will take place through credit guarantees offered to commercial banks which lend to SMEs. Capacity building within project national partners including ICBG and participating financial institutions is a first step followed by funds injection in ICBG. The overall objective is to contribute to Iraq’s private sector development through enhancing the productivity of SMEs and hence their job creation potential.

The proposed Project structure combines three components, which are considered necessary for a significant contribution to the financial inclusion of SMEs in Iraq:

1. SME window established by selected private Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) through their own capital funds for SMEs
2. An effective credit guarantee scheme: which is critical to overcome the obstacles that SMEs face in securing acceptable collaterals.
3. Technical assistance to capacitate the (PFIs), Iraqi Company for Banking Guarantees (ICBG), as well as the SMEs

To strengthen accountability, evidence-based decision-making, learning, and results measurement across all project components, the project seeks to recruit a Monitoring Officer who will strengthen the project’s results-based management approach and lead its monitoring and reporting in line with ILO standards, donor requirements, and international best practices in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.

The position is responsible for strengthening project performance management frameworks, indicator tracking systems, data quality assurance, knowledge management, and internal and external reporting processes, and for coordinating evaluation activities. The incumbent will identify and integrate lessons learned and provide analytical inputs and recommendations to management to strengthen project delivery, accountability, learning, and evidence-based decision-making.

Reporting lines

The National Monitoring Officer will report to the Chief Technical Advisor and will work under the overall supervision of the ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq. The incumbent will receive technical guidance from the Regional Programming Services (RPS) in Beirut, and the Planning, Monitoring and Reporting (PMR) Officer in Iraq, as well as Social Finance and SMEs units of the HQ Enterprise Department.

Description of Duties

This position is part of the Promotion of the Development of SMEs in Iraq project. The incumbent will manage project monitoring, reporting, data quality assurance, and knowledge management processes. The incumbent will track project progress, monitor performance against established targets and indicators, drive evidence-based reporting, and strengthen learning and accountability across project interventions. In particular, the National Monitoring Officer will:

1. Establish and maintain the project’s monitoring systems, indicators, monitoring plans, and tracking tools, in coordination with the CTA and project team, to enable effective monitoring of project implementation, outputs, and outcomes.
2. Monitor and review implementation progress against project milestones, targets, outputs, outcomes, and indicators, as well as project ToC assumptions, through regular collection, consolidation, verification, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
3. Design and implement feedback forms, data collection tools, field monitoring visits, and stakeholder consultations to improve evidence-based reporting and learning.
4. Draft project reports and monitoring documentation to ensure that reporting is results-oriented, evidence-based, accurate, and aligned with the donor and ILO reporting requirements.
5. Prepare project annual work plans, monitoring plans, risk matrices, and progress reports highlighting achievements, implementation challenges, risks, and corrective actions.
6. Identify, document, and disseminate lessons learned, success stories, and good practices to strengthen adaptive management and ensure comprehensive institutional learning.
7. Plan and coordinate baseline studies, assessments including the project evaluability assessment, mid-term reviews/evaluation, final evaluations, and other learning exercises in accordance with ILO evaluation policies and donor requirements.
8. Coordinate with project teams and relevant operational units to monitor project implementation and delivery progress, review periodic budget and expenditure progress, track the status of Purchase Orders and project activities, and conduct verification exercises as required.
9. Ensure compliance with all ILO reporting requirements by coordinating with the PMR Officer in Iraq and RPS in Beirut to provide timely input to ILO Programme & Budget (P&B) planning, monitoring and reporting, DWCP annual progress reports, and UNSDCF 2025–2029 Results Group reporting in UNINFO.
10. Perform any other duties as assigned by the Chief Technical Advisor and the Country Coordinator.

Required qualifications

Education

First-level university degree in Economics, Statistics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Project Management, Information Management, or a related field. An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in one of these fields would be an advantage. Certification in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, project management, or related disciplines would be an advantage.

Experience

At least three years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national level in project monitoring, project implementation, reporting, data analysis, or development cooperation programmes. Experience supporting donor-funded projects and monitoring project performance against established targets and indicators would be an advantage. Experience related to SME development, financial inclusion, private sector development, or economic development programmes in Iraq would be an asset.

Technical requirements: Good knowledge of project monitoring methodologies, data collection and verification techniques, data analysis, performance tracking systems, reporting processes, and evaluation principles. Good understanding of labour market dynamics, SME development, financial inclusion, and private sector development in Iraq. Experience using data management, visualization, and reporting tools would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of Arabic and good working knowledge of English, both written and spoken.

Competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of project monitoring methodologies, data collection and verification techniques, indicator tracking systems, and performance monitoring tools.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to interpret and analyse quantitative and qualitative data and prepare analytical reports and monitoring dashboards.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment and to collaborate as part of a team while working independently when required.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and data collection tools (including survey platforms).
• Proficient use of data analysis and visualization tools such as Power BI or similar applications.
• Knowledge of project administration, budget monitoring, reporting, and evaluation concepts and procedures.
• Knowledge of labour market institutions and the SME development context in Iraq.
• Good understanding of the context, opportunities, and challenges related to private sector development, financial inclusion, and SME development in Iraq.
• Ability to identify implementation challenges, assess risks, and propose practical solutions to support effective project delivery.
• Ability to work independently, accurately, and under pressure while demonstrating initiative and accountability.
• Ability to deal with people with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.