National Short-Term Expert – Development of Vocational Training Concept and Pilot Programme

(Inter) National Short-Term Expert – Development of vocational training concept and pilot programme 

Project: Employment Prospects for Socio-economic Integration of Refugees, IDPs and Host Communities (EPSI/GIZ) 

Location: Kurdistan Region of Iraq 

Assignment period: June-September 2026 

Level of effort: Up to 24 expert days 

Contract type: Short-term consultancy 

Background 

GFA Consulting Group GmbH is an implementing partner of the GIZ project Employment Prospects for Socio-economic Integration of Refugees, IDPs and Host Communities (EPSI) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. EPSI aims to improve economic opportunities for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host community youth, with a focus on women and persons with disabilities. The project supports the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) to enhance the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system through demand-driven, inclusive, and practice-oriented interventions.  

GFA Consulting Group introduces a dual vocational training pilot, combining classroom-based learning with practical workplace experience. The pilot will focus initially on Tourism Management and is aligned with national TVET strategies, EPSI objectives, and private sector requirements. 

Assignment Objective 

The NSTE will develop an implementation-ready dual vocational training concept and pilot program for Tourism Management, ensuring alignment with EPSI, MoLSA, and VTC capacities. The expert will also facilitate stakeholder engagement, design a certification system, and produce practical tools for trainers and companies to operationalize the pilot. 

Main Tasks

• Develop Dual Vocational Training Concept

• Design a dual training model adapted to KRI.

• Define theoretical vs. workplace-based learning, roles of MoLSA, VTCs, companies, and trainees.

• Include quality standards, inclusion measures (women, PWDs, refugees/IDPs), and sustainability principles.

• Identify risks and propose mitigation measures.

• Stakeholder Consultation

• Prepare and facilitate a one-day workshop with MoLSA, VTCs, private sector representatives, and relevant partners.

• Collect and integrate stakeholder feedback to strengthen ownership and alignment.

• Develop Certification Process

• Define assessment criteria, attendance requirements, and certification standards for the dual training pilot.

• Coordinate with VTC trainers, in-company mentors, and MoLSA for validation.

• Monitoring & Evaluation

• Prepare a practical M&E plan including key indicators, data collection tools, feedback loops, and evaluation methods.

• Adapt Existing Tourism Management Curriculum

• Review and adapt current training materials into a competency-based, 45-working-day dual training pilot.

• Develop workplace learning plans, weekly schedules, assessment tools, and basic implementation templates.

 

Required Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Education, Pedagogy, Tourism, or related fields (Master’s preferred).

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in TVET, dual vocational training, curriculum development, or skills development programs.

• Experience in project implementation with refugees, IDPs, or vulnerable youth is an asset.

• Strong knowledge of labour market-oriented vocational training and private sector engagement.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Ability to work in high-risk or fragile contexts and remotely coordinate with project teams.

• Fluency in English; Kurdish/Arabic skills are advantageous.

Key Deliverables 

• Concept document for dual vocational training in KRI.

• Stakeholder workshop report and integrated feedback.

• Standardized certification process.

• M&E plan for pilot implementation.

• Implementation-ready Tourism Management curriculum, including:

• Competency-based structure

• 50/50 classroom and workplace distribution

• Workplace learning plan and schedule

• Assessment tools and templates

 

Application:

Submit your CV, motivation letter, and relevant references to: Roshna.Rostam@gfa-group.de 

Deadline: 17.06.2026 

GFA promotes equal opportunity and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from diverse backgrounds.