National Project Coordinator - NOA (DC)

Introduction

The private sector in Iraq is underdeveloped due to the economy’s heavy reliance on oil exports, an abundance of cheap imports, and competition from state-owned enterprises. Private sector development is a central government priority, but a lack of productive investment in the formal private sector has resulted in inadequate creation of decent jobs for Iraq’s growing labor force. Moreover, years of conflict and unrest have quashed the entrepreneurial initiative of many Iraqis. A poor business environment, a weak financial system, the absence of relevant support services and the lack of a diversified and competitive economy has made it difficult for MSMEs to start-up, operate and grow.

The ILO is working to promote decent job creation for IDPs, refugees and host communities and has recently launched the project “Improved Business Development Services targeting MSMEs in Iraq”, financed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to promote micro, small and medium enterprises. To this end, the ILO will be introducing and institutionalizing its Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) program within the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in order to provide potential and existing entrepreneurs with quality support services to help them start and develop small businesses and income-generating activities. The project will use the ILO Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training program, which is a management training program, targeting existing and potential owners and managers of small businesses to develop and strengthen their basic management skills.

Reporting lines:

Under the general guidance of the ILO Iraq country coordinator and the direct supervision of  Project Manager in the ILO Regional Office for Arab States and in Baghdad, the incumbent will be based in the ILO office in Baghdad, Iraq.

Description of Duties

1. Provide technical support and advice to IOM as well as other relevant project partners and consultant on the implementation and roll-out of ILO’s SIYB programme for Iraqi host communities, IDPs as well as Syrian refugees.
2. Coordinate the preparation, adaptation and translation of training material and guiding documents related to SIYB and entrepreneurship development in close collaboration with IOM and relevant consultants, and organise and oversee all project training workshops on these subjects.
3. Organize and facilitate workshops for IOM and other relevant project partners in close collaboration with consultants, trainers and experts to build the capacity of partner organizations to support them in effectively rolling out, monitoring and evaluating SIYB trainings for IDPs, refugees and host communities.
4. Prepare action plans for the implementation of activities, undertake travel to different governments and regions of Iraq and KR-I to supervise implementation, and coordinate all activities with IOM and other relevant project partners.
5. Prepare and submit technical reports related to project implementation as well as progress reports for submission to donors and other partners.
6. Perform any other duties as assigned by the ILO Iraq Country Coordinator and/or the Enterprise Development Specialist.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, public policies, development studies or a relevant field. An advanced degree on studies on labour economics would be a strong advantage. Advanced university degree business administration, economics, development studies or other relevant fields.

Experience

Minimum of two years of professional experience at the national level in the area of project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset. Knowledge of ILO enterprise development work is an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic Knowledge of  Kurdish is an asset. 

Competencies

• Good English drafting skills with a demonstrated ability to write reports in English.
• Good knowledge and understanding of entrepreneurship and business start-up development, and financial and non-financial business development service provision.
• Good understanding of the local economic and political context of Iraq and the refugee and IDP situation.
• Ability to organize trainings and workshops and coordinate project activities and implementation with project partners.
• Ability to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of entreprise development.
• Good computer skills.