Capacity building consultant to support the implementation of Employment-Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) interventions Individual Consultant

rfx_5859_ROAS – Call for External Collaborator –Consultant Engineer – Capacity building consultant to support the implementation of Employment-Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) interventions, PROSPECTS Project, ILO Iraq Country Office

I. Background and purpose
The global forced displacement crisis has increased significantly in scale and complexity. According to UNHCR, 117.3 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide by the end of 2023. Forcibly displaced persons (FDPs), including refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), face multiple vulnerabilities such as loss of livelihoods and assets, limited access to rights and services, heightened protection risks, disrupted education, and constrained planning horizons. Host communities likewise experience increasing pressure on services, infrastructure, and local development opportunities.

To respond to these challenges, the PROSPECTS Partnership for Improving Prospects for Host Communities and Forcibly Displaced Persons were launched in 2019 by the Government of the Netherlands. The partnership brings together the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Finance Corporation (IFC), UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Bank to deliver complementary interventions across education, skills development, employment, and protection.

PROSPECTS operates in eight countries—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda—and Phase II covers the period 2024–2027.

Iraq has endured decades of conflict, instability, and governance challenges that have weakened infrastructure, institutional capacity, and social cohesion. Despite ongoing reconstruction and stabilization efforts, substantial needs persist, particularly among refugees and IDPs living in remote or disputed areas with limited access to public services.

Within this context, PROSPECTS supports the implementation of Employment-Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) interventions in Duhok Governorate, using EIIP as an entry point to create decent work opportunities while rehabilitating and improving local infrastructure through local resource-based approaches.

EIIP interventions implemented under PROSPECTS Phase I in Duhok and Nineveh Governorates generated more than 46,000 working days, mainstreaming decent work principles in infrastructure development. Between 2021 and 2025, EIIP activities in Duhok focused on green works, including rehabilitation of irrigation systems, land restoration, afforestation, and solid waste recycling. These interventions contributed to environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and improved livelihoods for refugees, IDPs, and host communities.

Building on these achievements, EIIP has informed the development of a national EIIP guideline that underpins the Government of Iraq’s National Public Works Programme (NPWP). Under PROSPECTS Phase II, EIIP interventions will support the pilot implementation of PWP using the EIIP approach in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This pilot will strengthen institutional and technical capacities, promote climate- resilient and environmentally sustainable infrastructure, and generate short-term employment opportunities for vulnerable populations, contributing to Iraq’s broader socio-economic recovery and resilience.

II. Scope of work
The purpose of this assignment is to engage a consultant engineer – Capacity Building consultant to support the implementation of the youth engagement program under EIIP interventions in Duhok Governorate and Zakho Independent Administration, within the framework of the Public Works Programme (PWP).

• Consultancy Duration: 3 May 2026 – 31 July 2026

The consultant engineer – Capacity Building consultant will support the planning, organization, and coordination with local authorities for program implementation, as well as design and deliver structured capacity-building activities targeting youth engineers. The consultant will closely follow up with engineers at the field level, ensuring effective learning through practical, hands-on implementation. In addition, the consultant will provide work-based technical guidance and mentoring, strengthening the quality of engineering outputs and promoting labor-based, environmentally sustainable, and climate-resilient approaches in line with EIIP principles. All activities will be implemented in compliance with ILO standards, national regulations, and the objectives of the PWP.

III. Detailed tasks
The consultant engineer – Capacity Building consultant will perform the following specialized consultancy tasks under the supervision of the EIIP Technical Officer for Iraq and in coordination with the relevant project management team:

1. Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
• Coordinate and liaise with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to support the effective planning, organization, and implementation of the youth engagement program under EIIP interventions.
• Facilitate communication and coordination among stakeholders to ensure alignment of activities with program objectives and local implementation frameworks.
2. Capacity Building program Design
• Design structured theoretical and practical capacity-building programs tailored for youth engineers, with a strong focus on hands-on, field-based learning methodologies.
• Develop training materials, technical modules, and guidance tools aligned with EIIP principles, PWP objectives, and program requirements.
• Translate relevant training materials, technical documents, and guidance notes into Kurdish as required to facilitate effective communication and learning.
3. Delivery of theoretical and practical session and technical mentoring

• Deliver training sessions, and practical field sessions to strengthen participants’ technical knowledge,
applied skills, and employability.
• Conduct daily follow-up with youth engineers during field-based practical implementation activities to ensure effective learning and application.
• Provide continuous on-the-job technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to support the proper application of engineering practices.
• Identify technical challenges encountered in the field and support their resolution by proposing practical and context-appropriate solutions.
4. Reporting and Documentation
• Prepare and support the submission of training and activity reports, documenting progress, outputs, and key achievements under the assignment.
• Compile and synthesize feedback, observations, and lessons learned from field activities and capacity- building sessions to support continuous improvement of the program.

IV. Expected deliverables

Deliverable Tasks / Activities Timeline / Deadline
1. Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement Report Report outlining coordination activities with local authorities and stakeholders, including communication processes, coordination efforts, and inputs supporting the planning and implementation of
the youth engagement program under EIIP interventions. Two Weeks after the signature of the contract.
2. Capacity Building Program Design Report Complete package including a structured theoretical and practical training program, training materials, technical modules, guidance
tools, and translated documents (Kurdish). Six Weeks after the signature of
the contract.
3. Training Delivery Report Report documenting the delivery of theoretical and practical training sessions, including activities conducted, participant engagement, field-based sessions, and overall outcomes. Ten Weeks after the signature of the contract.
4. Final Consolidated Report Comprehensive report summarizing all activities undertaken, including coordination, program design, training delivery, field mentoring, key results, challenges, lessons learned, and
recommendations. Twelve Weeks after the signature of the
contract.

V. Reporting arrangements
The consultant engineer – Capacity Building consultant will report directly to the ILO EIIP Technical Officer for Iraq and guidance of PROSPECTS Project Manager. This structure ensures technical guidance, operational support, and alignment with project objectives.

1. Reporting Lines

• Direct reporting to the EIIP Technical Officer for Iraq for all technical, operational, and implementation matters.

2. Progress Reporting

• provide updates, and inputs to the EIIP Technical Officer on field activities, progress, challenges, and immediate needs.
• Prepare and submit required deliverables and reports in accordance with the agreed workplan and deliverables schedule.

VI. Detailed qualifications, experience and skills required
• Education: University degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in Engineering or closely related field; advanced certifications in construction management, sustainable infrastructure, or project supervision are advantageous.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in general civil engineering, including design and supervision of works; at least 3 years of experience in Employment-Intensive approaches, Cash-for-Work programs, or similar initiatives; demonstrated experience in capacity building programs targeting youth engineers, including design and delivery of technical training, coaching, and field-based mentoring; proven experience in green works such as irrigation systems, land restoration, afforestation/forestation, and solid waste management; experience in practical, hands-on training environments is highly desirable, preferably in Duhok or similar contexts.
• Technical & Training Skills: Strong knowledge of construction planning, site supervision, quality assurance, and occupational safety; ability to translate technical engineering concepts into practical training modules and field-based learning for youth engineers; familiarity with environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure practices; knowledge of ILO EIIP methodologies is an advantage.
• Language Skills: Excellent communication in Arabic, Kurdish, and English (written and spoken); ability to translate technical meetings and documents into Kurdish.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office; knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, GIS, or other engineering tools is an advantage.
• Personal Competencies: Strong analytical, advisory, and problem-solving skills; ability to provide high-level guidance and mentoring; independent work in field conditions while coordinating effectively with supervisors and stakeholders.
• Knowledge from the local context of the KRI and particularly from Dohuk is highly preferred
• Permanent existence on the ground in Dohuk is highly preferred

VII. Indicators for evaluation of outputs
• Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement Report (Deliverable 1): Submitted within Two Weeks after the signature of the contract; evaluated for accuracy, completeness, and effectiveness of coordination with stakeholders.
• Capacity Building Program Design and Translation Package (Deliverable 2): Submitted within six Weeks after the signature of the contract; evaluated on the quality, relevance, and completeness of training materials, as well as alignment with EIIP principles and translation accuracy.
• Training Delivery Report (Deliverable 3): Submitted within ten Weeks after the signature of the contract; evaluated for effectiveness in delivering theoretical and practical training sessions and strengthening the technical capacity of youth engineers.
• Final Consolidated Report (Deliverable 4): Submitted within Twelve Weeks after the signature of the contract; evaluated for completeness, clarity, and quality of documentation, including activities, lessons learned, and key observations.

VIII. Payment terms

Payment No. Deliverables Included Submission Deadline Payments Approval
1 Upon submission of Deliverables 1, 2, 3, and 4 – Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement Report; Capacity Building Program Design and Translation Package; Training
Delivery Report; Final Consolidated Report Three months after the signature of the contract Submission and approval of all deliverables by the EIIP Technical Officer
1. In case of progress payments, payment schedule and timeframe shall be based on the number of days corresponding to the deliverables.
2. The daily fee shall be established within the fee range corresponding to the complexity of assignment and
the external collaborator’s country of residence, as per the ILO Daily Fee Range Table.
3. If the external collaboration contract is to be established in local currency, the amount will be converted from USD to local currency using the United Nations Operational Rate of Exchange effective at the time of establishing the contract.

IX. Travel arrangements (if applicable)
• The consultant Engineer – Capacity Building Consultant will be responsible for local his /her transportation within Duhok Governorate, as required for supervision, coordination, and field visits.
• In case movements shall be needed between governorates of the Kurdistan region i.e Sulaymaniyah or Erbil, the ILO shall compensate the transportation cost as per the UN operation standards applicable in Iraq
• In case the consultant is needed to stay for overnight outside the duty station, then the ILO shall provide Daily Substitutes Allowances as per UN operation standards
• All travel must comply with ILO travel policies, safety guidelines, and security regulations.

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Link: https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/297159

Tagged as: Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihoods