Background:
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
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.
ILO PROSPECTS in Iraq
1.1 Agriculture in Northern Iraq
years of conflict, water scarcity, and deteriorating infrastructure have
markets. Additionally, the sector faces severe decent work deficits, with many agricultural workers earning low wages under poor and often hazardous conditions, lacking the means to improve their livelihoods. With adequate support, agriculture has the potential to be a key driver of employment generation in Iraq. Job opportunities in the sector extend beyond on-farm
activities to include upstream (input supply and primary production), midstream (handling and processing), and downstream (distribution and marketing) segments.
Dohuk and Ninewa, where the ILO PROSPECTS project operates, account for
damage on the agricultural sector, leading to significant losses in productivity and income. This devastation has had lasting consequences on the livelihoods of farmers in these conflict-affected governorates, further exacerbating food security and economic stability challenges.
1.2 Status of the Cooperative Sector in Northern Iraq
In 2022, ILO PROSPECTS conducted an assessment to review the legal framework governing cooperatives, existing cooperative structures, and the role of public and private support organizations in the cooperative ecosystem. The assessment highlighted that there is no cooperative law in KRI as it was abolished in 2001, while cooperative laws in Federal Iraq require modernization to align with internationally accepted principles, such as those outlined in ILO Recommendation 193. Additionally, few cooperatives operate sustainably and independently of the state, with most struggling to provide meaningful economic benefits to their members. Most formal agricultural cooperatives in Dohuk and Ninewa are geographically structured rather than value chain-based, limiting their effectiveness. Exceptions include three groups focused on beekeeping, fisheries, and poultry, which function more as
-existing cooperatives disrupted by conflict, require support to re-establish as legal cooperatives. Weak private sector engagement further constrains cooperative integration into commercial value chains, underscoring the need for legal reforms, capacity-building, and stronger market linkages.
1.3 Training and Assessment of Potential Cooperatives
In 2023, to address these gaps, ILO implemented the Think.COOP and Start.COOP training programs, introducing cooperative concepts and business planning methodologies to farmers and cooperatives. Following this training, ILO conducted a targeted assessment of six cooperatives and
partnership, and capacity-building support through regional consultant. The findings revealed significant challenges, including weak adherence to cooperative principles, a lack of institutional support, and limited market integration. The assessment confirmed the need to build cooperative structures from the ground up while strengthening the broader cooperative ecosystem to ensure sustainability and impact.
Through this assessment process, a nascent Social and Solidarity Economy
leading cooperative and agricultural development efforts. This independent entity, established in 2023, focuse
improving agricultural production quality and income, and supporting cooperative formation in specific value chains. Awder is signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture in KRI to ensure close coordination and activation of joint committee to support Awder
cooperative movement and agricultural sector in Iraq specifically in KRI.
Following the governance capacity building workshop, which was held in Feb 2025, ILO through a regional cooperatives expert supported AWDER to develop a 5-year strategy including mission, vision of the SSE entity, and strategic objectives, as well as a 2-year operational plan for the development of the agriculture sector and cooperatives.”
As a result, ILO will be signing an implementation agreement with Awder to fulfil its action plan for the coming two years. This newly established SSE entity requires technical coaching and strategic guidance to support its board and management. Engaging s
capacity to lead the cooperative movement and facilitate the formation of cooperatives within targeted value chains in the areas of project intervention across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and Ninawa.
To ensure high-quality execution and sustainable results, ILO is seeking to engage a cooperative expert to provide tailored coaching and advisory supports for the SSE.
The objective of this assignment is to contract a regional cooperative expert to provide technical
and cooperative ecosystem development in the Northern Region of Iraq (including the Kurdistan
(SSE) tools as well as providing strategic guidance to the board, senior management and key staff of the SSE.
The cooperative expert will be responsible for the following tasks: A-
and procedures in alignment with the principles of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and support in designing a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to ensure effective tracking and documentation of all activities within the SSE while training staff on them.
B- Coach AWDER staff namely agriculture field agronomists and certified national trainers in delivering training sessions in selected value chains (based on simple value chain analysis) and mobilizing at least 600 farmers including forcibly displaced persons (FDPs and women to establish 5 agricultural cooperatives and hands on guidance in the realization of business plans. This includes previously developed 2 cooperatives and the three newly planned coops.
C- Provide technical support in drafting a policy paper on the current status and development of the cooperative sector in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and facilitate policy dialogue with relevant stakeholders, while revising the developed 2-year operational work plan of Awder by end of first year, ensuring that it encompasses a sustainability plan.
Facilitate and provide technical
governance structure, internal policies, and procedures in alignment with the principles of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and support in designing a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to ensure effective tracking and documentation of all activities within the SSE and train SSE team on them Provide technical inputs and procedures, and job descriptions ensuring alignment with SSE principles and best practices in cooperative development.
Deliverable 2- Design in consultation with ILO team and SSEE entity management a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to ensure effective tracking and documentation of all activities including log frame, key indicators, tools, frequency of data collection, and evaluation tools for trainings.
Deliverable 3- Conduct training sessions for technical staff at AWDER and board members on cooperative principles and values, and on the newly developed policies & M&E system.
working days
Deliverable 4- Support the technical team in
B. Coach AWDER staff namely conducting simple value chain analysis and
agriculture field agronomists, draft SOPs for the agronomists to train
technical team leader and farmers on best agriculture practices and
certified national trainers in coach them on their use.
delivering technical and coop training sessions in selected value chains (based on simple value chain analysis) and mobilizing at least 600 farmers
including forcibly displaced
Facilitate a 3-day Think.Coop and Start.Coop refresher workshop for selected national trainers and AWDER staff to enhance their capacity in cooperative training and mobilization
working days
persons (FDPs) and women to
Provide hands-on guidance to
establish agricultural
cooperatives. supporting formalization, realization and
implementation of business plans for at least
five cooperatives.
Support AWDER in drafting a
diagnostic assessment of the cooperative
C- Provide technical support in drafting ecosystem in the KRI, with a focus on
a policy paper on the current status and legislation and institutional frameworks, in
development of the cooperative sector consultation with the KRI Ministry of
in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Agriculture and the Office of the Prime
facilitate policy dialogue with relevant Minister
stakeholders, while revising the developed 2-year operational work plan of Awder by end of first year, ensuring that it encompasses a sustainability plan. Revise the developed 2-year operational work plan by end of first year, ensuring that it encompasses a sustainability conclusion.
working days
Provide technical inputs for drafting one key policy document related to the development of the cooperative ecosystem, based on findings from the diagnostic assessment and consultations with relevant stakeholders.
working days
Throughout the assignment, the consultant will work under the direct supervision of PROSPECTS Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion Technical Officer, covering Lebanon and Iraq and National Project Officer (Iraq), under the guidance of 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.
To effectively carry out the responsibilities outlined in this assignment, the Cooperative Expert must meet the following minimum qualifications and requirements:
– A university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Cooperative Development, Development Studies, or a related field.
– Technical knowledge of cooperative principles, governance structures, and sustainability strategies.
– Technical expertise and certification on the ILO tools ofThink.COOP and Start.COOP programmes including trainer and trainee manuals
– Proven Experience in designing and supporting the formalization and operationalization of cooperatives or informal agriculture groups
– Proven knowledge and technical skills in rural agricultural development and value chains
– Fluency in Arabic language and excellent command of English
– Working knowledge and experience in the Iraqi contexts
– Willing and able to travel frequently to project sites in Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaymaniyah for field-level support, training supervision, and stakeholder engagement.
– Good communication, presentation, coaching and facilitation skills
– Good management and reporting skills
Output Indicators for Deliverables
Deliverable Timing Indicators Achievement of Goals
Indicators Quality of Work
Indicators
1. Provide technical inputs and feedback on
policies, procedures, and job
descriptions Completed within agreed workdays (first phase of assignment) Policies, procedures, and job descriptions reviewed and aligned with SSE principles Feedback reflects international best practices and is validated by ILO technical team
2. Design an M&E system in consultation with
ILO and SSEE management Draft M&E system delivered within scheduled timeline M&E framework developed with log frame, indicators,
tools, and data collection schedule System meets ILO M&E standards; feedback from ILO
and AWDER integrated
3. Conduct training sessions for AWDER staff and board members on cooperative principles and M&E system (max. 10
WDs) Trainings conducted as per plan within allocated 10
working days Minimum 15 20 participants trained; pre- and post- assessments show improved understanding Training materials are clear, context- adapted, and positively evaluated by participants
4. Support technical team in value chain analysis and drafting SOPs for
agronomists Activities completed within planned timeframe At least one value chain analysis completed and SOPs drafted SOPs are practical, gender-sensitive, and validated by AWDER
agronomists
5. Facilitate a 3-day Think.Coop and Start.Coop refresher
workshop Workshop held on agreed dates with attendance recorded At least 15 national trainers and AWDER staff complete refresher training Participants report improved facilitation skills; workshop evaluation score
6. Provide hands- on guidance in business plan implementation for five cooperatives (max. 13 WDs) Completed within 13 working days Business plans developed and partially implemented for at least five cooperatives Cooperatives demonstrate understanding and ownership; ILO review confirms
practical application
7. Support AWDER in drafting a diagnostic assessment of the
cooperative ecosystem in KRI Draft submitted within scheduled timeframe Assessment completed with data from at least 3 key ministries/institutions Report is evidence- based, well- structured, and endorsed by ILO/AWDER
technical review
8. Revise 2-year operational work plan by end of first Revision completed before end of Year 1 Updated work plan integrates sustainability Revised plan approved by AWDER
management an
year to include sustainability plan measures for post- project continuation aligns with ILO
sustainability criteria
9. Provide technical inputs for drafting one key policy document on cooperative ecosystem development (max.
12 WDs) Draft submitted within 12 working days after consultations Policy document incorporates findings from diagnostic assessment Document demonstrates strong policy coherence, reviewed and validated by stakeholders
The assignment is deliverable-based and will require maximum up to 35 working days as follow
Facilitate and provide technical Provide technical inputs
policies, procedures, and job descriptions ensuring alignment with SSE principles and best practices in cooperative development.
Deliverable 2- Design in consultation with ILO team and SSEE entity management a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to ensure effective tracking and documentation of all activities including log frame, key indicators, tools, frequency of data collection, and evaluation tools for trainings.
Deliverable 3- Conduct training sessions for technical staff at
governance structure, internal
policies, and procedures in
alignment with the principles of
the Social and Solidarity Economy
(SSE) and support in designing a
monitoring and evaluation (M&E) working days
system to ensure effective tracking
and documentation of all activities
within the SSE and train SSE team
on them
AWDER and board members on cooperative principles and values, and on the newly developed policies & M&E system.
Deliverable 4- Support the technical team
in conducting simple value chain
B. Coach AWDER staff namely agriculture field agronomists, technical team leader and certified
national trainers in delivering analysis and draft SOPs for the agronomists to train farmers on best agriculture practices and coach them on their use.
technical and coop training Facilitate a 3-day
sessions in selected value chains (based on simple value chain analysis) and mobilizing at least
600 farmers including forcibly
Think.Coop and Start.Coop refresher workshop for selected national trainers and AWDER staff to enhance their
capacity in cooperative training and
working days
displaced persons (FDPs) and mobilization
women to establish agricultural cooperatives. Provide hands-on guidance
supporting formalization, realization
and implementation of business plans
for at least five cooperatives.
C- Provide technical support in drafting a policy paper on the current status and development of the cooperative sector in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and facilitate policy dialogue with relevant stakeholders, while revising the developed 2-year operational work plan of Awder by end of first year, ensuring that it encompasses a sustainability plan.
Support AWDER in drafting a diagnostic assessment of the cooperative ecosystem in the KRI, with a focus on legislation and institutional frameworks, in consultation with the KRI Ministry of Agriculture and the Office of the Prime Minister
working days
Revise the developed 2-year operational work plan by end of first year, ensuring that it encompasses a sustainability plan for AWDER following
Provide technical inputs for drafting one key policy document related to the development of the cooperative ecosystem, based on findings from the diagnostic assessment and consultations with relevant stakeholders. 4
working days
1. Progress payments or lumpsum payment
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
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.
5. ILO will provide round trip tickets on the basis of the shortest most economic direct route from/to country of residence to Erbil, Iraq.
6. Visa application fees to Iraq shall be compensated by ILO
7. Movements within the city of the assignment (Erbil) is under the responsibility of the consultant
8. In case movements between Erbil and other governorates i.e Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk shall be needed, then movement will be arranged by ILO
While being on assignment in the fields i.e Erbil or other governorates, the ILO will provide Daily Substantial Allowances subjected to UN rules and regulations.
How to apply
For Applicant. Please follow below link to apply of the vacancy.
Link:Â https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/281421