Consultant on Economic Violence and Financial Literacy

Background:  

Yazda is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2014 in response to the genocide committed by the self-declared Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (“ISIL”) against the Yazidis and other communities in Iraq and Syria.  

The “Know Your Rights” program aims to empower survivors of ISIL atrocities and advocates in Iraq by increasing their knowledge of their rights and their ability to advocate for them through a training program. The program will focus on key areas, including public speaking, ethical and safe public engagement with the media, advocacy techniques, transitional justice in the context of ISIL crimes, gender-based violence, and financial literacy.  

An important aspect of the training program will address the lack of financial literacy and the risks of economic violence faced by survivors. The program will equip survivors with basic financial literacy skills, including budgeting, saving, and managing financial resources, helping them regain financial independence and security. By addressing economic violence, the program aims to empower survivors to take control of their financial well-being and reduce vulnerability to abuse. To raise awareness amongst a bigger audience on these key topics, online awareness materials will be developed with the participants and disseminated.  

Scope of Service: 

YAZDA is seeking a specialized consultant with expertise in economic violence and financial literacy to develop a tailored, culturally sensitive and trauma-informed 1 to 2-day training for survivors of ISIL crimes.  

The consultant will be responsible for the following: 

• Co-develop, with survivors and Yazda’s staff, an accessible and culturally sensitive training module on financial literacy and economic violence, including the following:

• Understanding economic violence: identifying forms of financial abuse and exploring its impact on survivors, especially in the context of ISIL-related trauma.

• Financial literacy: Teaching basic skills such as budgeting, saving, and managing financial resources to empower survivors to regain control over their finances.

• Use of credit card and online payment: Teaching participants how to use credit cards and online payment in the context of Iraq (FIB and other apps).

• Regaining financial independence: Providing survivors with practical strategies to address economic violence within their households and communities, including identifying and responding to abusive financial practices.

• Financial inclusion and empowerment: Promoting economic independence and security through practical tools for financial stability.

• Develop training materials, including pre- and post-tests, practical activities, and PowerPoint presentations for the module, with detailed trainer notes, the module agenda, and any printed materials needed for the training. The training has to be adapted to survivors’ needs and to the level of education.

• Based on the training materials, drafting 2 to 4 pages on financial literacy and economic violence, summarizing key concepts, practical strategies, and tools for survivors to regain financial control to be included into the training’s booklet. This booklet will be tailored for survivors of ISIL crimes and will serve as a practical tool to increase their understanding of financial independence, budgeting, saving, and addressing economic violence. It will be provided to them during the training.

• Conducting a one-day Training-of-Trainer’s course (ToT) for Yazda’s staff.

• If based in Iraq, conduct two (2) days training sessions with participants in person.

• After the training, the consultant will provide a one-page report outlining the outcomes and offering recommendations for follow-up actions to be taken by Yazda and its partner organizations.

Ethics: 

It is essential that the trainer adheres to Yazda’s strict ethical and confidentiality guidelines. The trainer has to demonstrate they are keenly aware of survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches. 

 

Deliverables 

• Co-develop with survivors, accessible, survivors-centered training materials on economic violence and financial literacy.

• 2 to 4-page summarizing key concepts, to be added to the training booklet and distributed to training participants.

• A one-day Training-of-Trainers session for Yazda staff.

• If based in Iraq, two days of in-person training sessions for survivors of ISIL crimes.

• A one-page report detailing the outcomes of the training and providing recommendations for future actions.

 

Skills and Qualifications: 

• University degree in economics, finance, social sciences, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of proven experience in delivering technical training on economic violence, financial literacy, and empowerment programs, preferably in humanitarian or protection contexts.

• A deep understanding of economic violence and its implications for survivors, as well as strategies for financial empowerment in post-conflict contexts.

• Ability to design, develop context-sensitive, accessible, and culturally appropriate training materials.

• Demonstrated experience working with survivors of conflict or violence, particularly in post-conflict settings, and a strong understanding of the specific challenges faced by survivors of mass atrocities.

• Fluency in English (Arabic, Kurdish, French, and/or German is a plus).

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage and build trust with diverse groups of survivors, while maintaining sensitivity to their needs.

Interested candidates should submit the required documents to [jobs@yazda.org] with the subject line “ Consultant on Economic Violence and Financial Literacy’’ by February 15, 2025.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps, and late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Required Application Documents: 

• A detailed CV

• A one-pager with their approach to successfully accomplishing the consultancy

• The contact information of three references. commendations