UNDP Jobs - 65625- International Consultant in Cooperative Developmen

International Consultant in Cooperative Development

Location :

Erbil, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-May-2016

Application Deadline :

30-Apr-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Three Months

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Three Months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The high level of violence throughout 2014 in Iraq has caused a massive wave of population displacement that has added a new dimension of insecurity to the conflict. Since January 2014, IDPs have moved within the country, fleeing from volatile areas including Mosul, Anbar, Ninewa, Diyala, Baghdad and Salahadin. The IDP movements have strained the resource capacity of the Kurdish Region of Iraq, which has already been hosting more than 246,000 refugees from Syria as well as other government structures in Central/ South Iraq.

The large influx of displaced population groups is placing a considerable burden on local Iraqi host communities (which are mainly located in the most impoverished areas in Iraq with high numbers of vulnerable households), their basic social services (particularly education, health, water and electricity) and employment and income generating opportunities. Crowding effects in the local market, in particular housing and labor are widely reported. Stagnant socio-economic development further affects daily life in Iraq, while institutional capacity remains limited, which further hampers the ability of IDPs to return home. Integration into camps and communities is far from durable and thus their exposure to ongoing risk factors further exacerbates cycles of violence and poverty.

Under this political and security context, UNDP has developed the Iraq Crisis Response and Resilience Project (ICRRP). The ICRRP covers the following key thematic areas: 1) coordination, 2) basic services, 3) livelihoods, 4) protection and 5) social cohesion, in order to build the resilience of the communities that are most affected by the displacement of refugees and IDPs. The programme has a strong gender focus and aim to address the specific needs and opportunities for affected women.

In this context, the international consultant will be responsible for ensuring the capacity building of women cooperatives related to livelihoods outputs under the ICRRP programme. The main focus will thereby be in the short term on supporting the start-up of women cooperatives and building capacity of the existing one in various conflict affected areas.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Technical Specialist for Livelihoods under overall guidance by ICRRP Programme Manager, closely working with other relevant specialists on social cohesion as well as area managers in ICRRP.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant, supported by the UNDP Technical Specialist in Livelihoods and the Gender Specialist will be;

Assessing the current situation of cooperatives in KRI in terms of historical development, existing obstacles and challenges.
Mapping the existing women cooperatives in KRI.
Analyzing the existing rules and regulations regarding cooperatives in KRI.
Analyzing needs and gap for the development of women cooperatives in KRI.
Providing support, technical knowledge and a road map for setting up women cooperatives (start-ups) to relevant stakeholders.
Providing support in terms of trainings to the existing women cooperatives for capacity building.
Identifying possible business development opportunities for the existing women cooperatives.

Competencies

Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
Works effectively with people from different backgrounds;
Operates in compliance with UNDP regulations and rules;
Establishes and maintains productive partnership with HJC by gaining their trust and respect;
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve programme goals and objectives;
Facilitates and encourages open communication,
Passes up situations and actions considered inappropriate or which present a conflict of interest

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum of Master’s degree in economic studies, development studies or related disciplines

Experience:

Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in cooperative development.
Strong technical knowledge on livelihood support in crisis situations
Knowledge of economic issues in Iraq is an asset.
Experience supporting KRG and other Kurdistan organizations is an asset.
Experience addressing issues of economic development and poverty alleviation especially for women is an asset.
Experience with diverse projects – in complex environments, involving multi-disciplinary teams, broad ranges of stakeholders, and within volatile security situations – is strongly preferred
Previous working experience with international organizations such as UNDP and/ or other UN agencies is an asset.
Background in conducting research and analysis in these or related fields.
Excellent writing skills.
Experience in the Middle East is desirable.

INTERESTED CANDIDATE HAS TO ACCESS PROCUREMENT NOTICE POSTED ON BELOW LINK:

http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=

Please do not send your application through this website and send the complete application to IC1.undp.iq@undp.org (only application with complete supporting documents received in IC1.undp.iq@undp.org before or at the closing date will be processed).