Policy Development in Iraq Lead Consultant

International Labour Organization

Within this context, and under the framework of the PROSPECTS Programme, specifically Outcome 2.03.05, the ILO is supporting the Government of Iraq in developing a national SSE policy. This effort is aligned with Diwani Order No. (61) of 2025 issued by the Council of Ministers, which established a national committee tasked with developing a national policy on the SSE.

To support the committee in implementing all phases of the policy development process, the ILO is seeking a qualified international consultant to carry out the full scope of the consultancy, from initial assessment to policy design.

III. Detailed tasks

Phase one: Diagnostic study on the SSE in Iraq

• Conduct a desk review of existing relevant literature on the SSE and its trends at regional levels as well as in Iraq including on its entities
• Conduct a desk review of relevant policies, legislation and national strategies related and/or impacting the development of the SSE and its entities,
• Map relevant SSE stakeholders in particular main SSE representatives at national, regional and local levels, and relevant public authorities in charge of the development of the SSE and/or its entities
• Elaborate the research methodology and tools (e.g., interview guides, questionnaires) for assessing the SSE, its forms, and current and potential contribution to decent job creation for men and women, including vulnerable host communities, refugees and internally displaced persons
• Assess the challenges and opportunities for the development of the SSE and its entities in selected sectors with high potential for decent job creation
• Produce a diagnostic analysis report including the SSE landscape in Iraq (incl. forms of the SSE), stakeholders mapping, employment contribution, good practices of the contribution of SSE entities to national priorities, analysis of challenges and opportunities for SSE development in general and in sectors with high potential for decent job creation, women s economic participation, and refugee and returnee inclusion. The report will include recommendations for future interventions.
• Present the diagnostic report in a validation workshop with key stakeholders

Phase two: Design of the Policy Options and Intervention Matrix

The objective of this phase is to translate diagnostic findings into evidence-based, feasible, and prioritized policy options.

• Synthesize key findings from part 1 highlighting constraints, priority sectors, target groups, and systemic gaps (legal, institutional, financial, market)
• Translate findings into clear, actionable policy problem statements and cluster them into 5 7 priority policy areas
• Propose 2 4 policy options per priority area, based on good practices and stakeholder inputs and ensuring relevance to the Iraqi context
• Develop a policy option and intervention matrix including policy challenges, proposed interventions, expected impacts, feasibility and cost considerations, role and responsibilities of stakeholders and indicative timeframe
• Facilitate consultations at national, regional and local levels, to validate challenges and refine options
• Prioritize policy options using agreed criteria (impact, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, relevance) through a participatory process
• Finalize and validate the matrix by incorporating stakeholders feedback, ensuring coherence and feasibility
• Present the final matrix to the Diwani Order Committee for endorsement

IV. Expected deliverables

Deliverables Description Timeframe

Phase one: Diagnostic and Baseline Study on SSE in Iraq

1. Inception report This document should include detailed work plan with a tentative list of the stakeholders to be interviewed; Specific research questions; interview and FGD guides / questionnaires; Initial bibliography for the literature review. one week after contract signature

2. Draft diagnostic report based on reviews, interviews and FGDs The draft report should include a literature review; Analysis of the SSE landscape e.g. forms of SSE, share of employment, legal environment, assessment of challenges faced by SSE entities, opportunities of SSE in terms of sector with high growth potential and increased women and youth participation; inclusion of vulnerable groups including refugees and returnees, case studies of good practices of SSE entities highlighting ongoing SSE initiatives in the country; Recommendations for future interventions and the way forward; Complete list of interviews; Bibliography; Annexes on the organizations and people interviewed; interview questionnaires; list of stakeholders identified during the mapping exercise Five weeks after contract signature

3. Validation workshop Presentation of key findings to stakeholders and facilitation of a validation workshop Six weeks after contract signature

4. Final diagnostic report Revised report incorporating feedback from ILO and stakeholders Seven weeks after contract signature

Phase two: Design of the policy options and intervention matrix

5. Consultation summary report Summary of stakeholder consultations, including key inputs, areas of consensus, and outstanding issues Nine weeks after contract signature

6. Draft policy options and intervention matrix Structured matrix outlining policy challenges, proposed interventions, expected impacts, feasibility, and responsible entities Ten weeks after contract signature

7. Final validated matrix Revised and prioritized matrix reflecting stakeholder feedback and consensus Eleven weeks after contract signature

8. Final presentation to the national committee PowerPoint presentation and supporting materials for validation and endorsement by the Diwani Order Committee Twelve weeks after contract signature