Entrepreneurship Specialist

HRF Purpose

For over thirty years, Human Relief Foundation has been providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters, armed conflicts, and poverty across the world. Our focus is on providing assistance in the areas of emergency response, education, orphan care, healthcare, and sanitation. Established in 1991, HRF was founded in Bradford,  United Kingdom with a mission to provide assistance to those affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and poverty around the world. We operate on the principles of compassion, solidarity, and sustainability, aiming to alleviate suffering and empower communities to build a better future.

Job Purpose

The Entrepreneurship Specialist will play a critical role in designing, implementing, and scaling programs that support entrepreneurs in developing and emerging economies. The specialist will work closely with local communities, governments, donors, and private sector partners to promote inclusive economic growth, build sustainable enterprises, and foster innovation. The ideal candidate will have experience as an entrepreneur and will command a strong understanding of entrepreneurship ecosystems, small and medium enterprise (SME) development, and capacity-building in resource-constrained environments.

Key Responsibilities 

• Support the project team with the delivery of entrepreneurship development programs, focusing on marginalized groups, youth, and women. This will include the following; working closely with a Project Manager, providing technical inputs in programme design and delivery.
• Contribute to the implementation of all the activities including reporting, M&E, finance, conducive to meeting project goals in all targeted areas.
• Support the design of capacity-building interventions to strengthen local entrepreneurship ecosystems, including mentorship, access to finance, and market linkages.
• Provide technical assistance and advisory support.
• Develop tools, resources, and best practices to enhance the effectiveness of entrepreneurship programs.
• Any other task as assigned and agreed upon with the project manager.

Person Specification

• Advanced University/Master’s degree, preferably in Business, Economics, International Development or other studies related to International Development.
• Minimum 3-5 years of professional experience in entrepreneurship development, SME support, or private sector engagement in international development contexts.
• Experience as an entrepreneur.
• Strong understanding of entrepreneurship ecosystems, impact investing, and financial inclusion in emerging markets.
• Proven experience designing and implementing entrepreneurship capacity-building programs.
• Experience working in fragile or post-conflict environments.
• Experience with delivery of training and facilitation of knowledge development
• Experience in conflict resolution and problem solving is an asset.
• Writing and verbal communication skills in both Arabic and English.
• Right to live and work in Iraq, with the ability to travel within and outside the region.
• Willing to start work on short notice.

How To Apply

Please send the following in English to:  recruitment-iq@hrf.co.uk

• CV. (please mention in your CV or cover letter: titles, objectives, description, and duration of at least 2 similar projects that you were responsible for).
• Covering Letter indicating earliest date of availability.
• Details of 2 references.

Please put ‘Entrepreneurship Specialist’ in the email subject line. Note that due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  Due to the urgency to fill this role, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we reserve to close this advert before the confirmed closing date. 

IMPORTANT: Applicants are applying to be part of a roster of pre-qualified candidates for a future project. Being on the roster means you may be considered for a role as it becomes available, based on your skills and experience. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee immediate placement but allows for expedited hiring when suitable positions arise.