Iraq: Economist

Apr 14, 2025 | Cowater International
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With more than 35 years' experience, Cowater International is one of Canada's global leaders in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial, and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2017 and 2018. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec, Paris, France, Pretoria, South Africa, and London, United Kingdom, Nairobi, Kenya in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

 

Launched in December 2021 and implemented by Cowater International, the Middle East Support Services Project (ME-FSSP) supports regional development programming for the Government of Canada in Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon through the provision of technical Consultants in gender equality, governance and human rights, environment and climate action, and food security

 

 

OBJECTIVE

 

ME-FSSP seeks the services of an Economist who will provide recommendations and advice to Canada’s bilateral development program in Iraq to identify gaps and opportunities, design effective and resource-efficient programming, ensure policy coherence with the Government of Canada and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) policy objectives, and integrate evidence and expertise of the local context to improve current and programming.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The aim of Canada’s bilateral development program in Iraq is to manage Canada’s resources effectively and accountably to achieve meaningful, sustainable results in line with Iraq’s poverty reduction plans and priorities. In order to deliver its programs and projects in Iraq, the Embassy of Canada uses the Middle East Field Support Services Project (ME-FSSP) to provide expert technical services in a variety of sectors and sub-sectors.

 

Although Iraq’s economy has been buoyed by high-oil revenues, underlying structural weaknesses and vulnerabilities present a long-term threat to the country’s economic stability and prosperity. Under its Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada is supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Iraq under the Growth that Works for Everyone Action Area. This includes enhancing women’s economic participation and empowerment, strengthening market-oriented technical and vocational education and training, as well as supporting macro-level economic reforms. Canada is also actively engaged in multilateral platforms that seek to support the economic reform and private sector development and diversification in Iraq; this includes the Iraq Economic Contact Group (IECG), which consists of G7 countries, the EU, World Bank and the IMF, and which functions as an advisory group supporting Iraq on its path toward economic prosperity.

 

 

SCOPE OF SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES

 

The Economist will be responsible for the following tasks, including but not limited to:

 

  • Technical analysis and support related to the analysis of Government of Iraq economic policies and priorities, as well as other major economic reports from key institutions, including International Finance Institutions (IFIs) and organizations
  • Technical support to review and assess project documents (proposals, narrative reports) related to Canada’s international assistance related to inclusive economic growth portfolio in Iraq
  • As needed/requested, economic analysis of local context trends/shifts (including exchange rate fluctuations, drivers of growth, budget analysis, private sector development and diversification trends, impact of economic trends on displacement and insecurity/conflict, economic impacts of climate change, including the economic impact of increased dust storms)
  • Conduct a donor mapping and analysis of international programs and support initiatives that promote economic growth in Iraq, including exploring potential cooperation opportunities with other donors.
  • Help identify effective entry points for Canadian engagement, including by working with other ME-FSSP sector specialists to identify cross-sectoral issues (i.e. with regard to gender equality and climate change)
  • Attend donor and technical group discussions related Canada’s development programming in Iraq, contributing to knowledge-building/sharing and policy dialogue.
  • Provide technical assistance to incoming missions from Canada, if required. Prepare written and oral briefings and accompany visiting GAC staff, Canadian Government officials and consultants on field trips and meetings. Feed into meetings notes and speeches; prepare field visit reports and make recommendations about any needed corrective measures.
  • Conduct assessment visits to GAC-funded projects in Iraq as needed and attend GAC partner meetings/events upon request.

 

 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Consultant:

 

The Consultant is responsible to deliver the services described in section 4 of this TOR according to the agreed timelines, expected results, and deliverables outlined in a Task Tracking Table, and any additional services as requested by the Project Technical Lead (see below). The Consultant must work in close collaboration with the GAC’s field staff in Iraq and GAC HQ’s programming teams and any assigned HQ Consultants, and whenever necessary with other consultants.

 

The Program Technical Lead (PTL):

 

The PTLs, identified by the International Assistance in Iraq team, is responsible for:

 

  • The provision of service requisitions to the Expert, including the approval of the Expert’s assigned work and deliverables.
  • Reporting to GAC and ME-FSSP on the completion of services and deliverables against the approved tasking as set out in the online Tracking Table and Service Requisition forms.
  • Reporting to GAC and ME-FSSP on the completion of services and deliverables in accordance with the approved tasking outlined in the online Tracking Table or Service Requisition forms.

 

ME-FSSP team:

 

  • Managing the competitive process of identifying and hiring the Consultant, including signing the contract.
  • Communicating/disseminating to the consultant key documents related to GAC policies, programming approaches and processes, regulatory or reporting requirements.
  • Delivering initial and periodic information sessions and ‘updates’ to the consultant? on GAC’s policies, programming approaches processes and, regulatory or other reporting requirements.
  • Review and approve payments based on the invoices and timesheets submitted by the Consultant.

 

 

REPORTING/ DELIVERABLES

 

The Consultant reports directly to ME-FSSP Project Manager (PM) who has full responsibility for the administration of the contract, including the approval of timesheets and invoices. Technical assignments, Service Requisitions and deliverables, evaluation of the quality of services and deliverables, etc. are approved by GAC’s PTL. Deliverables include, but are not limited to:

 

  • Financial reporting which consists of a detailed monthly invoice, covering the Consultant’s fees for the services rendered during the previous month(s) indicating the date, the day and the number of hours worked for each day as well as any necessary and reasonable expenses incurred during the previous month(s), including all original receipts in support of the expenses claimed.
  • Research, analytical or status narrative reports, as requested by GAC.

 

 

LOCATION, TIMELINES AND ESTIMATED LEVEL OF EFFORTS

 

This contract will be valid for 12 months of starting date, with a 3-month probationary period. The Consultant should be located in Iraq and ready to travel inside Iraq to support GAC’s development and, to a lesser extent, humanitarian assistance programs’ planning and monitoring activities and to meet with partners. The ME-FSSP PM must approve all travel prior to the travel.

 

Payment and payment schedule will be based on a fixed-time rate contract. The level of effort is estimated at up to 140 days depending on the needs and activities of the program.

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

 

  • The Expert will be contracted under the ME-FSSP, administered by Cowater International on behalf of Global Affairs Canada.
  • The contract will be administered through the ME-FSSP, and the Expert will be accountable for delivering the agreed-upon services and deliverables to the Global Affairs Canada team at the Embassy of Canada in Lebanon.
  • The Expert is expected to use their own workspace, equipment, and materials, as office space will not be provided.
  • Payment to the Expert will be made according to the agreed daily rate, reflecting the level of effort outlined in monthly financial timesheets and reports. All activities and services must align with approvals from the PTLs.

 

 

TECHNICAL CONSULTANT PROFILE

 

Education

 

  • A bachelor’s degree (Master preferred) in Economics, International Development, or a related field

 

Experience

 

  • Minimum 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in analysis, focusing on economic and developmental issues.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience with an international NGO or a bilateral/multilateral development institution, with project management or technical Consultant services within a development project.
  • Knowledge of results-based management approaches and tools and aid effectiveness principles, including gender equality and thematic priorities.
  • In-depth knowledge of Iraq’s local economic context.

 

Skills:

 

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic.
  • Proven analytical capacity.
  • Proven ability to synthesize information based on various sources of information and present written recommendations.
  • Capacity to work independently and under tight deadlines.

How to apply

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

 

For your application to be considered, please send all requested documents to : info@me-fssp.com, with “Economist -Iraq” in the subject line latest by 26 Apr 2025.

 

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by sending the following documents:

 

  • A CV indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) with at least three (3) professional references.
  • A brief statement as to why you consider yourself the most suitable for the assignment.
  • A Financial Proposal specifying an all-inclusive daily rate in USD .