rfx_4023 / Design, Implementation, and Management of a Green Tech and Digital Transformation Hackathon to Strengthen MSME Capacities and Access to Finance in Southern Iraq
1. Background
The International Labour Organization (ILO), with financial support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), is implementing the project “Towards more and better employment through enhanced support to the private sector in Southern Iraq – with a focus on green business.”
The project responds to Iraq’s structural challenges in private sector development, including overreliance on the oil sector, limited MSME competitiveness, weak business support ecosystems, informality, and constrained access to finance. These challenges disproportionately affect youth- and women-led enterprises and limit the potential for sustainable job creation, particularly in Southern governorates.
The project adopts a three-tiered intervention model:
• Macro level: Improving the business enabling environment through evidence-based MSME policy support.
• Meso level: Strengthening the capacity of financial institutions and business intermediary organizations.
• Micro level: Enhancing MSME and startup capabilities through training, financial education, and facilitated access to finance.
Within the micro-level intervention, the ILO is supporting access to finance under the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) 4 trillion IQD financing initiative, complemented by an ILO-backed partial credit guarantee of up to 35% to reduce lending risk and incentivize lending to startups and MSMEs.
To operationalize this component, the International Labour Organization (ILO) will engage a qualified implementing partner to design and deliver a Green Tech and Digital Transformation Hackathon in Basra, aimed at strengthening MSME loan readiness, promoting the adoption of digital and green business practices, and facilitating loan disbursement to selected enterprises, with participation from MSMEs and startups from Basra and Muthanna governorates.
2. Main objectives:
2.1 Overall Objective
To strengthen the capacity, bankability, and financial inclusion of early-stage and operational MSMEs in Basra and Muthanna, with a focus on digital transformation and environmentally sustainable (green) business models, thereby contributing to decent job creation and local economic diversification.
2.2 Specific Objectives
1. To enhance MSMEs’ business management, financial literacy, and loan-readiness capacities.
2. To support MSMEs integrating digital solutions and green practices into viable and scalable business models.
3. To identify and prepare a pipeline of bankable MSMEs eligible for financing under the CBI initiative.
4. To facilitate access to finance through structured coordination with PFIs and implementation of the ILO partial guarantee mechanism.
5. To strengthen the local entrepreneurship ecosystem in Basra and Muthanna through visibility, networking, and institutional linkages.
2.3 Expected Outputs
• At least 40 MSMEs and startups trained and assessed through the Hackathon
• At least 30 MSMEs validated as loan-ready and shortlisted for financing
• 6 finalist MSMEs fully prepared for investor and bank pitching
• At least 30 complete loan applications submitted to participating financial institutions (PFIs) under the CBI financing initiative supported by the project
3. Scope of the work
ILO is seeking for a competent local consultancy entity/incubator to be responsible for the full technical design, operational implementation, coordination, quality assurance, and reporting of the Green Tech and Digital Transformation Hackathon. The Contractor shall ensure that all activities are delivered in accordance with ILO
standards, ethical principles, and applicable procurement, financial, and reporting requirements. The Scope of Work is structured across the following interrelated components:
4.1 Inception, Programme Design, and Quality Assurance
The Contractor shall:
• Conduct a rapid situational and stakeholder analysis to contextualize the intervention within the Basra entrepreneurship and financial ecosystem.
• Prepare a comprehensive Inception Report, including:
o Detailed implementation plan and timeline
o Roles and responsibilities of the project team
o Risk assessment and mitigation measures
o Quality assurance and internal review mechanisms
o Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework
• Adapt Hackathon methodologies and tools to the local context, ensuring relevance to:
o MSME maturity levels
o Digital transformation opportunities
o Green economy and sustainability considerations
• Ensure cross-cutting integration of:
o Gender equality and youth inclusion
o Environmental sustainability
o Ethical standards, data protection, and confidentiality
• Establish internal coordination and reporting mechanisms aligned with ILO requirements.
4.2 Outreach, Mobilization, and Participant Selection
The Contractor shall:
• Design and implement a multi-channel outreach and communication strategy targeting MSMEs and startups in Basra and Muthanna, including:
o Digital campaigns
o Coordination with chambers of commerce and industries, business associations, and local authorities
• Organize information sessions to explain programme objectives, requirements, and benefits.
• Develop and manage application tools, eligibility criteria, and selection processes.
• Conduct structured screening and due diligence of applicants, including interviews.
• Select 40 MSMEs based on transparent, documented, and merit-based criteria.
• Maintain complete records of the selection process for audit and verification purposes.
4.3 Hackathon Delivery – Business Validation, Digital Transformation, and Green Integration
The Contractor shall:
• Design and deliver a two-day intensive Hackathon for the selected MSMEs, incorporating practical, applied learning methodologies.
• Deliver technical content covering, at minimum:
o Business Model Canvas development and validation
o Market analysis and competitive positioning
o Cost structures, pricing strategies, and cashflow logic
o Financial modeling and feasibility assessment
o Digital transformation opportunities across operations, marketing, and service delivery
o Green business integration, resource efficiency, and environmental impact considerations
o Regulatory awareness, compliance, and pathways to formalization
o Presentation, pitching, and communication skills
• Ensure facilitation by qualified experts with relevant technical backgrounds.
• Establish and manage a transparent digital scoring and evaluation system.
• Facilitate jury deliberations and selection of the top 30 MSMEs demonstrating loan readiness.
• Ensure integrity, impartiality, and conflict-of-interest safeguards throughout the evaluation process.
4.4 Mentoring, Coaching, and Final Competition
The Contractor shall:
• Design and implement a structured mentoring programme for the top 6 finalist MSMEs, including:
o Individualized coaching plans
o Business and financial model optimization
o Risk analysis and mitigation strategies
o Loan and investor readiness preparation
o Pitch deck development and presentation coaching
• Deliver a minimum number of one-on-one mentoring sessions per finalist, as specified in the technical proposal.
• Organize and manage the final pitching event, including:
o Jury coordination
o Scoring and deliberation
o Awards and recognition
• Ensure professional event management and documentation.
4.5 Access to Finance Facilitation and Guarantee Coordination
The Contractor shall:
• Support the 30 selected MSMEs in preparing and submitting complete loan applications to participating financial institutions (PFIs).
• Provide advisory support on:
o Loan documentation
o Financial projections and repayment capacity
o Compliance with PFI and CBI requirements
• Coordinate with PFIs and the ILO to support implementation of the ILO-funded 35% partial credit guarantee, including:
o Alignment with guarantee account arrangements
o Monitoring of repayment milestones linked to guarantee release
• Maintain records of all financial facilitation activities while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection standards.
The Contractor’s responsibility is limited to technical preparation and facilitation of loan applications. Final loan appraisal, approval, disbursement, and guarantee issuance remain the responsibility of the participating financial institutions, the Central Bank of Iraq, and the ILO
4.6 Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Reporting
The Contractor shall:
• Track progress against agreed indicators and milestones.
• Collect and report sex- and age-disaggregated data for all participants.
• Document outputs, outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Produce periodic progress updates as requested by the ILO.
• Prepare and submit:
o Interim technical documentation (where applicable)
o Final technical and financial reports in ILO-approved formats
• Support visibility and knowledge-sharing activities, including:
o Success stories
o Case studies
o Media and stakeholder communication materials
o Video and photos covers all the hakathon activities.
4.7 Compliance, Ethics, and Risk Management
Throughout the assignment, the Contractor shall:
• Comply with ILO ethical standards, anti-fraud policies, and conflict-of-interest requirements.
• Ensure transparency, accountability, and traceability of decisions and expenditures.
• Apply appropriate safeguards related to:
o Data protection and confidentiality
o Environmental and social responsibility
o Health and safety during events and activities
• Immediately report any risks, incidents, or deviations to the ILO.
4. Deliverables, Timeframe and Payments schedule
The selected service provider shall be expected to fulfil the required tasks and execute the deliverables in the given timeframe, and payment shall be made in accordance with the given percentages:
Deliverable #
Description
Timeframe
Payment %
1 Deliverable 1 – Inception and Hackathon Delivery Package
• Inception report and detailed workplan
• Outreach and selection report
• Hackathon plan report
• Digital scoring results
• List and profiles of selected MSMEs
30 days after signing the contract
40% of the contract amount (This deliverable is a lump-sum deliverable covering all preparatory outputs required prior to the hackathon) to be processed by 30 days after submission of Deliverable #1 to the satisfaction and clearance from the ILO team
2 Deliverable 2 – Final Completion Package
• Mentoring and final competition report
• Hackathon report
• Evidence of loan application facilitation
• Final technical and financial report
• Lessons learned and recommendations
• Professional Video and photos summarize all the Hakathon stages
60 days after signing the contract
60% of the contract amount, to be processed by 30 days after submission of Deliverable #2 to the satisfaction and clearance from the ILO team
Payment Notice: The payments will be disbursed upon completion of the delivery and submission of the corresponding documentation and invoices to the satisfaction and clearance of the ILO (International Labour Organization).
5. Qualifications and Requirements
The contract shall only be awarded to a qualified consultancy entity matching the following qualifications, experience and competencies
5.1 Institutional Qualifications
• Be a legally registered entity in Iraq with a valid business license.
• Demonstrated experience (minimum 3 years) in implementing entrepreneurship development programs, business incubation, or similar capacity-building initiatives.
• Proven track record in managing outreach, training logistics, and coordination with international organizations or development agencies.
• Capacity to operate in Baghdad, with a functional office and staff presence, and capacity to operate in Basra and Southern Iraq.
5.2 Technical and Operational Capacity
• Experience in organizing and managing training workshops, including outreach, participant screening, and logistical arrangements.
• Ability to provide professional multimedia coverage, including photography and video production of training sessions.
5.3 Human Resources Requirements
• A dedicated project coordinator with at least 3 years of experience in managing training or development projects.
• Staff with strong communication skills in Arabic and English, and familiarity with the local context and target groups.
5.4 Financial and Administrative Requirements
• Ability to manage project funds transparently and efficiently, with sound financial reporting systems.
• Capacity to provide logistical support (e.g., stationery, venue, refreshments) as part of the service package.
5.5 Compliance and Reporting
• Commitment to ILO’s principles of non-discrimination, gender equality, and decent work.
• Ability to submit biweekly progress reports detailing outreach efforts, selection processes, and training implementation.
• Willingness to coordinate closely with the ILO Project Team and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner.
6. Selection and Evaluation Criteria
▶ Only proposals received from Consultancy entities including Incubators, Logistics and Management companies operating registered in Iraq will be considered.
▶ The ILO invites technical and financial proposals from qualified entities who have relevant experience in delivering similar services to those mentioned in this Terms of Reference (TOR). Technically responsive and
financially viable entity will be chosen following ILO’s procurement rules/procedures on evaluation by ILO
team of professionals.
▶ The ILO will award the contract to the most technically compliant and cost effective application received. The technical proposal is expected to be submitted by the bidders in the following structure:
1. Executive Summary: Entity’s profile demonstrating the history and the required capacity and local presence/activities in summarizing experience and works undertaken in providing
trainings. (Max 3 pages)
2. Detailed description of relevant past works and assignments related to start-up development, financial education, if any. (Max 3 pages)
3. Summary of the proposed methodology, implementation plan and M&E. (Max 5 pages)
4. Detailed work plan with a timetable related to the different activities. (Max 5 pages)
5. Detailed team matrix table including CVs of Team leader and staff involved in the project implementation demonstrating their capacity to conduct the assignment and Arabic and
English Proficiency. (Max 3 pages)
6. At least three past projects references
Clarity of the proposal, provision of all required documentation, and innovative delivery are considered as a cross-cutting measurement criterion.
7. Reporting and Supervision
The Consulting entity that will be carrying out all activities within the scope of this Terms of Reference will be reporting to and supervised by the project manager and senior project officer.
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.
How to apply
To apply for the job, please click on the provided link and follow the instructions on the website. Make sure to read the job description carefully before submitting your application. You may be asked to create an account.
UNGM Link: https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/289082