Technical and Learning Advisor Consultancy

Near East Foundation, Iraq

Technical and Learning Advisor Consultancy

Application Deadline: 6 July 2024

Location of Consultancy: Al-Anbar, Iraq (Heet, Ramadi, and Fallujah)

Background

NEF Belgium is a non-profit international development organization that supports livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucuses. NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to improve livelihoods and local governance among conflict and crisis-affected groups, while maintaining neutrality and ensuring inclusiveness in our approach. Our programs are organized around three pillars: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

Since 2019, NEF has leveraged its global experience and expertise to provide structured business activation services and access to finance across Anbar, Basra, Diyala and Salah Ad Din Governorates. NEF seeks to leverage its initial success to strengthen and scale its Anbar Business & Workforce Advancement for Improved Living Conditions program nationwide.

NEF is looking to procure the services of a Technical and Learning Advisor to undertake a participatory review and inform an evidence-driven program strategy for our Iraq programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will work with NEF’s Iraq, regional, and HQ teams to:

1. Conduct an in-depth review of NEF’s current programming.
2. Develop an evidence-driven program strategy with associated technical methods and approaches, and a national offering, rooted in robust programmatic analysis of NEF current programs, prospective technical and geographic priorities, which may include:
   • MSME financial and non-financial services in hard-to-reach contexts and in support of hard-to-reach and underserved groups
   • Complementary or standalone innovative job creation, retention, and placement in underserved geographies and in high growth
   • Value chain development (agricultural and non-agricultural) involvement innovative, replicable, scalable, and lean methods and investments
3. Develop technical and funding collateral.
4. Provide coaching and capacity building facilitation for NEF’s Iraq technical team in areas related to priority programs and approaches.
5. Socialise the programmatic offering with current and prospective funding and programmatic partners.
6. Contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals as prioritised.

Level of Effort (LoE) and Location

The Level of Effort (LoE) for this assignment is three to six months (number of days will be agreed with the consultant during the review process). The assignment is remote however will require at least two missions to Iraq in close collaboration with NEF Iraq and global leadership.

Competencies

• Outstanding knowledge of nexus/development programming in DCAS environments including Iraq.
• Ability to partner effectively with local and international teams.
• Ability to rapidly assess and deliver best-in-class solutions in complex programmatic contexts.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure work environment and meet urgent deadlines.
• Ability to respond positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Experience

• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in humanitarian/development programming communications and/or external representation for INGOs/International Organizations, with extensive experience in Iraq and comparable contexts.
• Demonstrable experience in informing organizational and programmatic strategy in humanitarian/development contexts.
• Extensive experience engaging with humanitarian/development institutional donors (such as the European Union and United States Government) in Iraq and/or comparable contexts.

Language Skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Arabic or Kurdish would be considered an advantage.
• Experience in Iraq is an advantage.