Consultant to Strengthen Development Data Capacity in Iraq (Arabic speaking)

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00015723 – Management of Contracts under 59% account

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<a href="https://procurement-notices.UNDP.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=322697″ target=”_blank”>TOR

Overview

I. Background

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Iraq, led by the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), is developing the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029 in partnership with the Government of Iraq. The UNSDCF, expected to be signed later this year, will guide the collective work of the UN system in support of Iraq’s national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is built around four key pillars: Inclusive Social Development; Sustainable Economic Development; Environment and Climate Change Resilience; Good Governance, Rule of Law and Human Right. The Framework includes a results framework and joint workplans that outline outcomes, indicators, and accountability mechanisms to track progress.

To ensure these commitments translate into tangible results, the UN in Iraq and its partners have identified the need to strengthen Results-Based Management (RBM) skills across both the UN system and government counterparts. The Data Monitoring, Evaluation, and SDG Group (DMESG), which brings together technical experts from the UN and government, plays a central role in monitoring and reporting on the UNSDCF. However, capacity assessments have highlighted variations in knowledge and skills, especially around monitoring tools, data use, and UN reporting methodologies. To address this, the UN is seeking a consultant to deliver tailored training and practical tools that will build RBM capacity, support effective implementation of the UNSDCF, and promote a stronger results-oriented culture across national institutions and the UN system in Iraq.

II. Main Objectives, Methodology and Expected Outcomes

The overall objective of the assignment is to design training materials, deliver two sets of tailored trainings – one for Government counterparts and one for UN staff – targeting a total of 30 participants, and provide customized advice and solutions to individuals and UN agencies on their development data needs. The trainings will: (i) clarify UN development terminology to ensure all stakeholders share a common understanding as they work together under the DMESG to monitor the UNSDCF; (ii) introduce international RBM best practices to align UNSDCF monitoring with global standards; and (iii) provide practical tools linked to the UNSDCF 2025–2029 results framework, including theories of change, indicators, and reporting systems. More specifically, the training courses should address the following topics:

1. International best practices for RBM and development data management, including the use of development data to conduct analyses, identify gaps, and make recommendations and decisions to prioritize investments and other interventions
2. Terminology and examples used in UN development data management tools, including UNINFO
3. UNSDCF design guidelines as they relate to results-based management, including theories of change, global SDG indicators, joint workplans, leave no one behind (LNOB), the six transitions, and results frameworks
4. Integrating gender-equality and gender-responsive programming into development data management
5. Disaggregating data by gender, age, disability, and other factors to better target development needs and measure results
6. Practical suggestions to coordinate data sharing and analysis between the UN, government, and other development partners
7. Identifying needs for future interventions and investments to strengthen the capacity of UN and other development actors

Methodology

The consultant will be expected to apply interactive and participatory methodologies, drawing on concrete examples from the UNSDCF to ensure contextual relevance and promote immediate Application of skills. Training materials shall be prepared in both English and Arabic in reusable formats, including:

• Presentation slides and facilitator notes
• Case studies and group exercises

Unless otherwise requested by interlocutors, all discussions, learning materials, and other support must be delivered in English for UN staff and in Arabic for government employees.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the assignment, the following outcomes are expected:

• Training participants apply improved development data methodologies and RBM practices in their work.
• Government and UN staff show enhanced ability to jointly plan, monitor, and report on development results using harmonized RBM approaches.
• At least 70% of training participants, as measured by pre- and post-training assessments, demonstrate improved understanding of UN development system RBM concepts, development data methodologies, terminology, reporting frameworks, SDG indicators, and best practices.
• At least 70% of participants report overall satisfaction with the training(s) delivered by the consultant, as shown by post-training surveys.
• Stakeholders report that their specific development data challenges have been addressed.

III. Duties and Responsibilities (Outputs and Deliverables)

Under the guidance of the head of the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Submit a workplan with a detailed timeline for the assignment, outlining the working days and tasks to be undertaken.
2. Review relevant existing materials – including drafts of the 2025–2029 UNSDCF and results framework, national development strategies, UN RBM guidelines, recent evaluations and capacity assessments, and examples of best-practice results frameworks – to assess the context of development data capacity in Iraq, with particular emphasis on the new UNSDCF and its draft results framework.
3. Develop a simple assessment tool to help identify capacity gaps in RBM and monitoring practices.
4. Conduct at least ten (10) remote or in-person consultations with the DMESG, UN agencies, government ministries and offices, and other development partners and key interlocutors remotely or in person. These consultations should make use of the assessment tool to identify capacity gaps prior to designing the training programme and other interventions.
5. Write an outcome report on the results of pre-training assessment and consultations, including an outline of the training modules and methodology.
6. Hold preparatory meetings with RCO to further discuss and agree on the training content.
7. Design and prepare two (2) separate and customized interactive training programs for distinct audiences within the UNCT and government., based on the capacity level and needs of training participants determined by previous assessments and the consultant’s pre-training interviews with interlocutors.
8. Develop pre/post-assessment tools and templates.
9. Deliver a total of at least five (5) days of training to separate audiences.
10. Conduct an analysis of pre-post training assessments on training participants’ increased understanding of key data development concepts along with training satisfaction scores and any other relevant feedback from participants.
11. Provide advice and recommendations to individuals and agencies about their specific development data questions and needs.
12. Final report and actionable recommendations for further strengthening institutional development data practices in both government and UN programming environments.
13. Deliver a debriefing presentation to the UN and government focal points, highlighting key takeaways, lessons learned, and next steps.

IV. Institutional Arrangements

• The consultant will be supervised and guided by the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office and the Chair of the DMESG in Iraq.
• The consultant will work closely with the RCO team and inform the Office in a timely manner if any impediments to completing the assignment are encountered.
• Depending on the UN entity used for recruiting the consultant, contracting and payments will be performed by the RCO or its designated agency, fund, or program under the direction of the RCO.
• The consultant must meet and comply with all contractual requirements of the RCO or its contracting entity prior to starting work.

V. Work Location and Travel

The consultant is expected to divide the 20 working days equally between working from home and on site in Baghdad according to the assignment duration outlined below.

The consultant will provide all necessary equipment and services to produce training materials and communicate with interlocutors to complete the assignment. This includes hardware, software, telecommunication, internet access, telephone subscriptions, and any utilities or other home office arrangements necessary to respond immediately and work effectively.

The RCO will facilitate invitations for training participants and make arrangements and payments for the training venue(s), sound and visual presentation equipment, and refreshments and/or lunch for participants.

The RCO will also provide ground transportation, a suitable office and conferencing facilities, and document printing for the consultant to conduct interviews and prepare reports and training materials while on site in Baghdad.

VI. Expected Duration

Not to exceed 20 working days, starting date mid-September and concluding by mid-October 2025 according to the below schedule:

• Mid-September 2025: Five (5) days home based to review materials, conduct interviews with key interlocutors, and design training materials.
• Early October 2025: Ten (10) days on site in Baghdad to complete pre-training assessments, draft training plan, finalize training materials, and conduct trainings and other consultations with individuals and agencies.
• Mid-October 2025: Five (5) days home based to complete post-training reports, consultations, and debriefings.

Any necessary changes to this schedule must be agreed between the consultant and the RCO.

VII. Remuneration and Certification

The consultant will be paid a lump sum at the end of the assignment based on actual days worked upon successful completion of the above deliverables and submission of a detailed invoice. The determination satisfactory deliverables will be made by the RCO. Daily rates are set by the UN Secretariat’s administrative instruction for consultants and individual contractors (ST/AI/2013/4/Rev.1).

If the consultant is not based in Baghdad, all travel expenses will be covered by the United Nations.

VIII. Qualification Requirements/Evaluation Criteria:

Criteria

Requirements

education

Advanced degree in development studies, public or business administration, economics, social sciences, M&E, or related fields.

experience

At least 7 years working in development planning or results-based management.

A minimum of 3 trainings delivered in the past 5 years on results-based management or other data management and analysis in a development context.

Language

fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic required

Technical Skills

Demonstrated expertise in results-based management (logframe design, indicator development, M&E systems, etc.).

Excellent presentation skills and proven effectiveness in designing and delivering interactive training programs and other capacity building techniques.

Familiarity with the United Nations development system, including UNSDCFs or similar UN frameworks.

Other

Experience working in Iraq or the Middle East region is required.

Experience working with the UN and/or government in fragile or post-conflict contexts is a strong asset.

Samples of written work and/or references for past similar assignments may be requested as part of the selection process.

IX. Application Process
Interested candidates who meet the qualifications may submit their applications through to : maysam.al-bairaqdar@un.org