Introduction
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.
Project Context and Scope
economic affected areas in Iraq, IOM Iraq implements the Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) to support economic development and sustainable job creation within small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
A key component of the EDF grant which requires further strengthening is the implementation and management of Environmental & Social Action Plans (ESAP), which aim to mitigate environmental and social risks in the SMEs funded by the EDF, as well as improving staff safety and wellbeing.
Under the direct supervision of the Project Officer (Livelihoods), and in close collaboration with the Senior Livelihoods Technical Assistant, the Consultant (Environmental and Social Risk Management) will support the operationalisation and strengthening of the ESAP within EDF through a combination of:
b) Desk review and refinement of ESAP technical processes
c) Development of sector-specific and item specific minimum standards and tools
d) Capacity building of both EDF Technical and Operational Teams
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
The consultant will be operating within the Peace and Recovery Division, under the overall supervision of the EDF Project Officer (Livelihoods) and direct supervision of the Senior Livelihoods Technical Assistant.
This opportunity is open to international consultants only. The position is based in Erbil, Iraq, with frequent travel to Baghdad.
Tasks to be performed under this contract
The consultant will be responsible for the following phases:
Phase 1: Desk Review and ESAP Impact Assessment:
- Desk review of the existing end-to-end process for the provision of ESAP funding as part of the EDF grant, including drafting of plans, approvals, field implementation, disbursement of ESAP budget, monitoring and reporting. Identify gaps, bottlenecks and areas for improvement in these current processes. Develop a report evaluating the quality and consistency of ESAP plans previously implemented under EDF.
Conduct field visits to EDF-supported businesses across diverse sectors and governorates to assess the implementation and effectiveness of ESAP measures in mitigating social risks and compliance with ESMF requirements.
- Collect qualitative and quantitative data during these visits through interviews with business owners, staff, and site observations on the state of its infrastructure.
- Produce an ESAP Impact Assessment Report identifying key findings from the above, lessons learned and actionable recommendations.
Phase 2: Development of ESAP Systems, Standards, and Tools for EDF
Based on the report and assessment findings from ‘Phase 1’, develop sector-specific minimum standards for ESAP plans, aligned with ESMF guidelines, Iraqi legislation and feasibility based on allocated budget.
- Develop clear guidance on appropriate ESAP measures and interventions tailored to the main sectors covered by EDF for EDF Technical Team to implement. These standards must then be embedded into new or existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and enforced during the EDF process.
- Develop monitoring tools and templates to enable EDF Technical Teams to assess ESAP compliance and effectiveness, in collaboration with the EDF Project Officer.
- Validate research findings and proposed amendments through consultation with relevant IOM EDF technical and operational staff and make any adjustments accordingly.
Phase 3: Capacity Building of EDF Technical & Operational Team Capacity to Identify & Resolve Risks through EDF
- Design and deliver a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for EDF Technical Team, building staff capacity to identify risks, appropriate ESAP measures and monitor ESAP compliance to ensure quality implementation by operational staff.
- Training of EDF operational field teams to ensure understanding of updated SOPs, tools and sector-specific guidelines.
- Accompany EDF operational field teams to implement based on updated guidelines, as well as EDF technical validation and provide feedback as necessary.
Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment
No.DeliverableIndicatorDate of Submission 1.Phase 1: ESAP Impact Assessment ReportVisit EDF businesses across all major sectors and governorates covered, conducting impact reports, mapping common risks and identifying lessons learned.Inclusion of both desk review and field based findings (site visits, interviews, FGDs)Clear identification of ESAP design and implementation gaps, common ESMF risks and process bottlenecks. July 2026 (2 months) 2.Phase 2: Development of new ESAP guidance, sector-specific standards, SOPs and monitoring tools. Development of sector-specific ESAP standards aligned with ESMF guidelines and Iraqi legislationIntegration of ESAP standards into updated SOPsValidate all outputs through consultation with Project Officer and Quality Assurance Technical Sub-Team. Provide evidence that tools and SOPs are feasible within EDF budget and operational constraints September 2026 (2 months) 3.Phase 3: Capacity building of Staff and Operationalisation of updated ESAP guidelines Staff demonstrate theoretical understanding of, and practical ability to implement ESAP guidance, evidenced by the quality of ESAP plans produced and field application. November 2026 (2 months)
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:
• Relevance and feasibility of recommendations and sector-specific, item-specific and geographically specific standards.
• Successful integration of the desk review and impact assessment findings into EDF SOPs and tools
• Effective capacity building of staff, with demonstrated staff understanding of ESAP implementation
• Timely delivery of all outputs.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education, Experience and/or skills required
• University degree in Environment Engineering, Environmental Sciences/ Environmental Studies or at least 5 years relevant working experience.
• Must have prior experience of working with Environmental & Social Management Framework (ESMF)’s in a humanitarian context.
• Familiarity with the Iraq context and experience working in Iraq is highly desirable.
• Familiarity and/or experience with livelihoods, SME development or economic recovery programming is desirable.
• Strong writing and research design skills, with the ability to express and report results in a concise and clear manner to technical and non-technical audiences.
Languages
For this consultancy, Fluency in English is essential, and working proficiency in Arabic and/or Kurdish is highly desirable.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Travel is required for this consultancy. This consultancy will be based in Iraq and will require travel to locations across Iraq where the EDF is implemented. All personal travel-related expenses, including airfare and subsistence, will be covered by the consultant. All work-related travel expenses within Iraq will be covered by IOM.
Required Competencies
Notes
IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.