ILO External Collaboration Contract Terms of Reference: Social and Solidarity
Economy Diagnostic and Policy Development in Iraq – Supporting Consultant
I. Background and purpose
The forced displacement crisis has increased in scale and complexity in recent years. According to UNHCR, 117.3 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of 2023. Forcibly displaced persons (FDPs), including refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) face specific vulnerabilities, including loss of assets, limited rights, lack of opportunities, a protection risk as well as a risk to be out of school, and a lack of planning horizon. In addition, the communities hosting FDPs also struggle to pursue their own development efforts
In response to the considerable challenges facing FDPs and host communities, a partnership initiative titled: ‘PROSPECTS' Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons, was launched by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019, bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank. Through the PROSPECTS partnership, the five partner agencies aim to leverage their comparative advantages and areas of expertise to programme complementary and interdependent interventions that address education and skills, employment and protection challenges. The partnership spans eight countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda and covers in its Phase II the period 2024-2027.
1. Status of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Iraq
In Iraq, the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) already exists in different forms, even though it is not yet formally recognized or clearly defined. While the term “SSE” is relatively new, its core ideas, such as cooperation, mutual support, and community-based activities, have long been part of Iraqi society. These are reflected in traditional and informal structures like cooperatives, associations, and self-help groups.
In recent years, Iraq has faced major economic and social challenges, including political instability, internal displacement, high unemployment, especially among youth and women, limited access to finance for small businesses, and a large informal economy. These challenges highlight the need for more inclusive and flexible economic approaches that can complement both the private and public sectors.
The SSE provides a promising way to respond to these challenges. It supports inclusive growth, strengthens communities, and promotes sustainable livelihoods. SSE entities, such as cooperatives, social enterprises, and community-based organizations, can create decent jobs, support local economic development, enhance social cohesion and improve resilience of vulnerable groups, including displaced people, returnees, and host communities.

However, the development of the SSE in Iraq is still limited by several challenges. These include the lack of a clear legal and regulatory framework, fragmented institutional coordination, limited access to finance and business support services, and lack of reliable data and statistics informing SSE mapping, policy and programming.
2. ILO PROSPECTS Iraq support to the SSE
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.
Following a series of meetings, the national committee agreed to adopt the ILO approach for developing the SSE policy in line with the ILO Resolution on decent work and the SSE. In February 2026, the ILO conducted a two-day orientation workshop to formally launch the SSE policy development process, introduce the concept and principles of SSE and present the policy development roadmap. This roadmap, which was approved by the national committee, includes a series of technical and consultative steps to ensure that the policy is inclusive, participatory, and based on evidence.
To ensure that the SSE policy development process is grounded in the Iraqi context, inclusive, and participatory, the ILO will recruit a national consultant to work closely with the international consultant and support all phases of the assignment, particularly stakeholder engagement, and field research.
II. Scope of work
Under the two phases related of the diagnostic study on the SSE in Iraq, and the development of a policy options and intervention matrix, the national consultant will support the international consultant in:
• Ensuring strong contextual grounding of the SSE diagnostic and policy options
• Facilitating stakeholder mapping, engagement, and consultations at national and subnational levels
• Supporting data collection, validation, and analysis
• Contributing to the development of feasible and context-appropriate policy options

III. Detailed tasks
The national consultant will work in close coordination with the international consultant and in regular liaison with the national SSE committee and its technical committee, under the supervision of the ILO.
Under Phase 1: Diagnostic Study of the SSE in Iraq, the consultant will:
• Support the identification and mapping of stakeholders involved in SSE development in Iraq, including government and social partners at national and local levels, cooperatives
and other SSE entities and their representative organizations, civil society
organizations, private sector actors, academia and research institutions, organizations or informal associations representing vulnerable groups including women, youth, refugees, and IDPs.

• Maintain regular coordination and communication with the national SSE committee and its technical committee
• Facilitate access to key informants and organize interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and field visits
• Contribute to the adaptation of research tools (questionnaires, interview guides) to the Iraqi context including translation into Arabic and/or Kurdish, as required
• Conduct and/or support data collection in Arabic and/or Kurdish, including interpretation and translation where needed
• Provide contextual analysis and insights on SSE forms and practices in Iraq, institutional, legal, political and socio-economic dynamics, challenges and opportunities faced by SSE entities
• Support the identification of priority sectors for SSE development, good practices and case studies
• Contribute to the drafting of sections of the diagnostic report, particularly stakeholder mapping, interview (KII and FGD) summaries, case studies
• Support the organization and facilitation of the validation workshop

Under Phase 2: Policy Options and Intervention Matrix, the consultant will:
• Support the organization and facilitation of stakeholder consultations at national and local levels
• Ensure inclusive and effective participation of relevant stakeholders (as identified under Phase 1), with particular attention to vulnerable groups
• Provide context-specific inputs on feasibility and relevance of proposed policy options
• Contribute to refining policy problem statements, validating priority areas and assessing institutional and political feasibility
• Assist in drafting consultation summary reports and inputs to the policy options matrix
• Support the final validation process including the organization of the
validation workshop and preparation of inputs to the final presentation to the national committee.

IV. Expected deliverables

Deliverables Description Timeframe
Under Phase 1: Diagnostic Study of the SSE in Iraq
1. Stakeholder mapping and engagement plan List of key stakeholders and engagement approach One week after contract signature
2. Fieldwork and data collection reports Reports from interviews, FGDs, and field missions Five weeks after contract signature
3. Inputs to diagnostic report Contributions to mapping, case studies, and contextual analysis Six weeks after contract signature
4. Validation
workshop report Summary of workshop discussions
and outcomes Seven weeks after contract signature
Under Phase 2: Policy Options and Intervention Matrix,
5. Consultation facilitation and
summary report Support to national and subnational
consultations and summary of key findings Nine weeks after contract signature
6. Draft policy options and intervention matrix Development of a structured matrix outlining policy challenges, corresponding interventions, anticipated impacts, feasibility considerations, and assigned responsible entities.” Ten weeks after contract signature
7. Final validated matrix Revised and prioritized matrix incorporating stakeholder feedback and reflecting consensus outcomes. Eleven weeks after contract signature
8. Final presentation to the
national committee Inputs to presentation materials and report of the validation workshop Twelve weeks after contract signature
V. Reporting arrangements

Throughout the assignment, the national consultant will work in close coordination with the international consultant and in regular liaison with the national SSE committee. The consultant will operate under the direct supervision of the PROSPECTS Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion Technical Officer and the ILO COOP/SSE Unit in Geneva, and under the overall guidance of the PROSPECTS Project Manager in Iraq.

Deliverables shall be submitted in line with the requirements explained in this TOR within the deadlines. The deliverables are subject to the approval of the ILO.

VI. Detailed qualifications, experience and skills required
• Advanced degree in economics, social sciences, development studies, law, or related field
• Proven experience in research and policy analysis
• Experience in cooperative and/or SSE development and local economic development in Iraq
• Strong knowledge of Iraqi institutional landscape, socio-economic context, including displacement dynamics
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and facilitation, conducting interviews and field research
• Experience working with international organizations, UN agencies, or development projects
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills
• Fluency in Arabic (required), English (required), Kurdish is an asset
• Local Context Experience: Proven experience working in the local context of Iraq, with strong and active engagement with local governments and authorities and partners is highly preferred; permanent existence on the ground inside Iraq is highly preferred.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including ability to synthesize complex information
• Ability to verbally convey complex technical issues to a diverse audience
• Demonstrated ability to develop presentations and verbally convey complex technical issues to a wide range of stakeholders
• Willingness to travel inside Iraq when needed.

VII. Indicators for evaluation of outputs
The quality of the national consultant’s outputs will be assessed based on the following criteria:
• Timeliness: Delivery of all outputs within agreed deadlines and in accordance with the approved workplan.
• Quality of deliverables: Clarity, coherence, structure, and accuracy of all reports and written contributions, in line with the requirements of the ToR and ILO standards.
• Relevance and depth of analysis: Quality and usefulness of contextual insights provided on the SSE ecosystem in Iraq, reflecting institutional, socio-economic, and political realities.
• Stakeholder engagement and facilitation: Effectiveness in identifying, mobilizing, and engaging diverse stakeholders, and ensuring inclusive and meaningful participation, including of vulnerable groups.
• Contribution to data collection and fieldwork: Completeness, reliability, and quality of data collected through interviews, FGDs, and field visits, including proper documentation and translation where applicable.
• Collaboration and coordination: Effectiveness in working with the international consultant,
ILO team, and national SSE committee, including responsiveness to feedback and timely incorporation of comments.
• Practicality and feasibility of inputs: Relevance, realism, and applicability of contributions
to the development and prioritization of policy options within the Iraqi context.
VIII. Payment terms
1- Progress payments as per the below table:

Payment
number Deliverable included Timeframe
1st

Upon the completion of deliverables # 1,2,3, and 4. To the satisfaction and acceptance of the ILO 1st August 2026 to be as per the time frame of deliverable 4

i.e 7 weeks after the contract signature
2nd Upon the completion of deliverables # 5,6,7 and 8. To the satisfaction and acceptance of the ILO 15th September 2026 o be as per the time frame of
deliverable 8

2. In case of progress payments, payment schedule and timeframe shall be based on the number of days corresponding to the deliverables.
3. The daily fee shall be established within the fee range corresponding to the complexity of assignment and the external collaborator’s country of residence, as per the ILO Daily Fee Range Table.
4. If the external collaboration contract is to be established in local currency, the amount will be converted from USD to local currency using

the United Nations Operational Rate of Exchange effective at the time of establishing the contract.

IX. Travel arrangements (if applicable)
- In case the consultant is based inside Iraq, all movements within the governorate of the residence are under the full responsibility of the consultant.
- If travel between governorates within Iraq is required at the request of the ILO, i.e. outside the individual’s governorate of residence, the ILO will cover the travel costs in accordance with UN operations and transportation standards.

▶ Additional information on the ToR (for internal use)

Title of advertisement:
(*to appear on UNGM)

Summary of work to be performed:
(*to copy in the “Description” field in Jaggaer for display on UNGM)
Dear Bidder,
The International Labour Office (ILO) is looking for an individual consultant to undertake work as an External Collaborator.
Below is a summary of the work to be performed:
Under the PROSPECTS Partnership programme, is seeking a National Consultant to support the diagnostic assessment and policy development process for the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Iraq.
The consultant will support the Government of Iraq, through the National SSE Committee established under Diwani Order No. (61) of 2025, in developing an inclusive and evidence-based national SSE policy aligned with the ILO Resolution on decent work and the Social and Solidarity Economy. The consultancy will be implemented in close coordination with the International Consultant, relevant government institutions, social partners, and other key stakeholders, under the supervision of the ILO.
The assignment will cover two main phases. Under the first phase, the National Consultant will contribute to the diagnostic study of the SSE in Iraq by supporting stakeholder mapping and engagement at national and subnational levels; facilitating access to key informants; organizing interviews, focus group discussions, and field visits; supporting data collection, translation, and contextual analysis; and contributing to the drafting of selected sections of the diagnostic report, including stakeholder mapping, case studies, and consultation summaries. The consultant will also support the organization and facilitation of the validation workshop.
Under the second phase, the National Consultant will support stakeholder consultations for the development of policy options and an intervention matrix, ensure inclusive participation—particularly of vulnerable groups such as women, youth, refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities—and provide context-specific inputs on the feasibility and relevance of proposed policy options. The consultant will assist in refining policy priorities, drafting consultation summaries, supporting the final validation process, and contributing to the presentation of results to the national committee.
The assignment aims to ensure that the SSE policy development process is context-appropriate, participatory, and grounded in the Iraqi institutional, legal, and socio-economic context.
If you are interested, please express interest and follow the instructions attached to consult the detailed terms of reference and other relevant information in the ILO e-sourcing platform.
Please submit your proposal before the specified deadline. Thank you.

Complexity of assignment (as per IGDS 695):

☐ A Projects or technical tasks of a narrow scope and low complexity
☒
B Projects or technical tasks of moderate complexity with either broad scope/limited depth or restricted scope/considerable depth
☐ C Projects or technical tasks of broad scope and considerable depth
☐ D Projects or technical tasks of broad scope, high complexity and impact
☐
E Projects or technical tasks of exceptionally complex programmatic scope, unusual complexity and/or sensitive nature

Required experience and qualifications (as per IGDS 695):

☐ 1 Limited technical skills and less than 3 years of relevant experience
☒ 2 Limited technical skills and more than 3 years of relevant experience
☐ 3 Specialized degree or training in the relevant field and more than 5 years of relevant experience
☐ 4 Specialized or technical knowledge and skills and more than 10 years of extensive
relevant professional experience
☐ 5 Highly specialized skills and expertise with more than 15 years of extensive relevant
experience
Expected contract duration:
• Expected start date of assignment: 1 June 2026
• Expected end date of assignment / full delivery: 31 October 2027

Confirmation:
The external collaboration contract is the appropriate type of contract for the work to be undertaken.
The Terms of Reference are timebound and clearly output-based and the complexity vs experience/qualifications matrix has been carefully assessed above.
Is this Excoll selection process subject to an exception as defined in paragraph 23 of IGDS 695?

Yes ☐ No ☒
Note: Paragraph 23 states: “If it is in the interest of the ILO, due to urgency of delivery or specialisation, an exception may be approved by the Deputy Director-General, the appropriate Assistant Director-General or Regional Director for a specified contract. The requesting organisational unit will enter the terms of reference and payment terms in the ILO e–Sourcing platform, selecting the specific process for exceptions, which will be published by the UNGM/on the UNGM website for the directly selected external collaborator to submit their application. The report of the exception process should be uploaded in IRIS, together with the finalized terms of reference, payment schedule and a copy of the email approval from the Deputy Director-General, Assistant Director-General or Regional Director.”

How to apply

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