NKE 1 SENIOR NON-KEY EXPERT: SOCIAL PROTECTION EXPERT / TEAM LEADER

Project title: ‘’EU Facility supporting policy dialogue and technical assistance in Iraq’’Brief description of the project: The specific objective of this assignment is to strengthen public institutions and develop capacities for policymaking, planning, and implementation in view of engaging with non-state actors, responding to citizens’ needs and contributing to general socio-economic development including domestic revenue mobilization. Within this framework, the purpose of this contract is to provide on-demand technical assistance open to all Government entities targeted by EU interventions in Iraq through EU Special Measures and the EU multi-annual indicative program 2021-2026, as well as technical assistance directly to the EU delegation and support to the EU delegation for policy dialogue.For an assignment: Social Protection Policy PaperDAI is looking to recruit: NKE 1 SENIOR NON-KEY EXPERT: SOCIAL PROTECTION EXPERT / TEAM LEADERASSIGNMENT PURPOSEThis assignment will produce a qualitative and quantitative research-based policy brief to analyse the potential link between investments globally in social protection and their effect on migration, radicalisation, and socio-economic stability globally, with a particular emphasis on Iraq. ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES AND OUTPUTSSpecific outputs include:Mainly desk research to source and select reputable, ideally regional, examples of social protection inclusion and modernisation efforts that successfully mitigated extremism and illegal migration risks. International databases of the World Bank and other international institutions will be explored intensively. All EU references to the topic will be listed and analysed (joint EUD Iraq contact with INTPA G4).Complemented with qualitative interviews with beneficiaries of Iraq’s social protection system to produce case study-style anecdotes.A global comparative quantitative analysis that explores the co-relationships between spending on social protection and a defined set of political outcomes. The analysis will draw from a selected sample of upper-middle-income countries (based upon the World Bank’s classification) and the sample may be narrowed further by other criteria, such as focusing on oil-exporting states, based on consultation with the EUD.An action and advocacy-oriented policy brief that the EUD and its implementing partners can strategically deploy when engaging appropriators and policymakersTwo live presentations of the results of each assignment: hybrid with EUD Iraq/EU HQ and hybrid with the GoI, the implementing partners, or other entities. The expert will carry out the following tasks: Overall leadership of the activity, including research design, fieldwork, analysis, and production of the reports/recommendations as described in this ToR. Overall leadership of the activity, including managing the team, their inputs and outputs, and managing delegations across the team. Leading overall EUD, stakeholder, team, and contractor liaison (including delegating as appropriate). Directly undertaking specific areas of research, analysis and programming within the assignment, such as select institutions and topics, to be defined during the inception period. Overall responsibility to produce the draft and final reports, including the social protection framework and policy paper, defined in this TOR, whilst managing contributions across the team. Flexibility to undertake and direct other tasks across the team, as required for the successful completion of the overall assignment TOR. Provide progress updates to the project controller to present to related stakeholders. Qualifications, experience, and skills required:Master’s degree in law, public administration/social policies, or closely related field, and 10 years of experience relevant to the assignment, or a bachelor's degree in public administration/social policies, or closely related field, and 15 years of experience relevant to the assignmentExperience in assessing the policy environment and advising on social safety net system reforms, specifically to inform and persuade policymakersKnowledge of social protection modernisation methods, including financing arrangements, piloting approaches, and turnkey solutionsExcellent analytical, conceptualisation, interpersonal, and English report writing skillsExcellent English presentation/communication skillsExperience supporting/analysing social safety net reforms in countries with recent experience with national social safety reforms Experience in the MENA region will be an advantage, preferably in IraqExperience with EU-funded projects will be an advantageDuration of the assignment: 43 working daysPeriod of the assignment: December 2025 – March 2026Place of assignment: Erbil, Republic of IraqThe interested candidates are invited to submit their CVs in English no later than 21st of November!Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted!