Wage Policy Research and Coordination

International Labour Organization Iraq

I. Background and purpose

Iraq is undergoing significant economic and social transitions, with employment creation, wage regulation, and social protection reform at the core of national development strategies. Current wage structures across both the public and private sectors are fragmented and often insufficiently linked to productivity and labour market realities. In the construction sector in particular, wage disparities and informality remain widespread. At the same time, Iraq is prioritizing public works programmes as a tool for job creation and infrastructure development, requiring innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms.

Within the framework of the Building an Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT) project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) and social partners, the ILO is supporting evidence-based reforms to enhance wage policy, wage-setting mechanisms, and decent work in Iraq.

A fair and well-regulated wage system is essential for promoting social justice, reducing inequality, and ensuring productivity growth. The ILO is therefore conducting an in-depth study on wage structures, institutional arrangements, and wage-setting practices in Iraq, in line with international labour standards and the principles of social dialogue.

To ensure that national data, legal frameworks, and institutional realities are properly reflected, the ILO will engage a National Consultant to collaborate closely with the International Wage Policy Expert. The national consultant will support technical research, facilitate coordination with national counterparts, and contribute to the drafting and validation of analytical and policy outputs.

II. Scope of work

The National Consultant Wage Policy Research and Coordination in Iraq will assist the ILO and the international expert by providing:

• Contextual and technical inputs for wage policy analysis.
• Access to national data sources and documentation.
• Coordination and facilitation of consultations with ministries and social partners; and
• Drafting and translation support for policy reports and validation meetings.

III. Detailed tasks

• Data and Information Collection
• Compile and organize national data on wages, employment, and labour costs from MoLSA, the Ministry of Planning, and other official sources.
• Review national laws, decrees, and policy documents related to wage determination and collective bargaining.
• Summarize trends in public and private sector wage-setting systems.
• Institutional and Stakeholder Coordination
• Liaise with MoLSA, the Ministry of Planning, and social partners to arrange interviews and data collection meetings.
• Facilitate the organization of technical and tripartite consultations on wage policy.
• Prepare attendance lists, summary notes, and follow-up actions.
• Research and Analytical Support
• Provide contextual analysis on wage policy implementation challenges, enforcement mechanisms, and regional variations.
• Draft sections of the national report in Arabic, and support translation and editing of English versions.
• Verify the accuracy of data and institutional information in collaboration with ILO staff.
• Validation and Reporting
• Support the organization and facilitation of the national validation workshop on wage policy.
• Contribute to the finalization of the national wage policy report and policy brief.
• Document lessons learned and recommendations for implementation and follow-up.

IV. Expected deliverables

Deliverable Timeline Expected Output
Deliverable 1
Week 1 2 After signing the Contact Inception note outlining methodology, data sources, and work plan.
Deliverable 2 Week 3 5 After acceptance of the inception phase report Compiled dataset and summary of wage laws, reports, and statistics.
Deliverable 3
Week 6 8 After compiling the dataset Draft analytical inputs and translated materials for the wage policy report.
Deliverable 4 Week 9 10 After proving acceptance of the draft analytical inputs. Summary of stakeholder consultations and validation meeting report.
Deliverable 5 Week 11 12 after acceptance of the summary of stakeholder consultations and the validation meeting report Final contribution to ILO Wage Policy Report and Policy Brief.
All deliverables must be bilingual (Arabic and English) and formatted according to ILO reporting standards.

V. Reporting arrangements

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq and the BEIT Project Manager, in close technical coordination with the International Wage Policy Expert and the ILO Wage Specialist, ROAS (Beirut).

Regular virtual and in-person coordination meetings will be held throughout the assignment.

VI. Detailed qualifications, experience and skills required

1. Advanced university degree (Economics, Labour Economics, Development Studies, Industrial Relations or related field).

2. At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in wage analysis, labour market research, or social dialogue in Iraq.

3. Proven knowledge of Iraq s labour legislation, public wage structures, and institutional frameworks.

4. Experience in drafting analytical and policy reports in Arabic and English.

5. Familiarity with ILO wage conventions and decent work frameworks.

6. Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills in Arabic and English. Knowledge of Kurdish is an asset.

VII. Indicators for evaluation of outputs

• Timely submission and quality of deliverables.
• Completeness and accuracy of data and documentation.
• Analytical depth and relevance of report inputs.
• Quality of coordination with government and social partners.
• Integration of national feedback and recommendations into final outputs.

VIII. Payment terms

1. Progress payments

Payments will be made in instalments against deliverables, as follows, with a note that all deliverables are subject to ILO approval prior to payment:

Deliverable Estimated
Days Payment (%) Description
Deliverable 1
Inception note Up to 3 working days 12% (an amount equivalent to the actual number of worked days) Work plan and data collection plan approved.