Tenders are invited for External Collaborator - Capacity Building and Comprehensive Study on Wage Structure and Public Works Financing in Iraq. Closing Date: 4 Nov 2025 I. Background and purpose Iraq is undergoing significant economic and social transitions, with employment creation, wage regulation, and social protection reform at the core of national development strategies. Current wage structures across both the public and private sectors are fragmented and often insufficiently linked to productivity and labour market realities. In the construction sector in particular, wage disparities and informality remain widespread. At the same time, Iraq is prioritizing public works programmes as a tool for job creation and infrastructure development, requiring innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms. Against this backdrop, and within the framework of the Building an Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT) Project, funded by the European Union, the International Labour Organization (ILO) seeks to engage an international consultant to (i) Conduct a comprehensive study on Iraqs wage structures and provide practical reform proposals. (ii) Design and deliver a training programme on wage policies for key national stakeholders. (iii) Carry out a separate study on financing options for public works programmes. (iv) Design a wage survey questionnaire tailored to the construction sector. (v) Organize and facilitate two national validation workshops. The assignment will strengthen the knowledge base for evidence-based policy dialogue, improve institutional capacity, and support Iraqs transition towards more equitable, sustainable, and productive employment systems. II. Scope of work The consultant will undertake research, analysis, training design and delivery, formulation of interventions and tool development in close collaboration with the ILO BEIT Project, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, workers and employers organizations, technical working Group for NPWP and academic partners. The scope covers both macroeconomic and sectoral dimensions, including wage setting and reforms, wage policy frameworks, financing of the public works programmes, and data collection in the construction sector. The consultant will advise the search of documents that the national consultant will collect, translate into English and provide to the project and to the consultant. The Consultant shall provide technical guidance and oversight to ensure the quality, accuracy, and relevance of the materials collected and translated for the project. III. Detailed tasks Detailed tasks, including sequential steps if applicable Please delete the text above before entering content Study on Wage Structures in Iraq Review existing wage structures in the public and private sectors (formal and informal). Analyse disparities across gender, skills, sectors, and regions. Benchmark Iraqs wage systems against international best practices. Develop evidence-based recommendations for wage structure reform. Organize and facilitate Validation Workshop 1 with national stakeholders, revise study accordingly. (2) Training on Wage Policies Develop a training curriculum on wage policy concepts, reforms, and international practices. Deliver at least two-days capacity-building workshop for approximately 30 40 participants, including academics, government officials, workers and employers organizations. Produce training materials (presentations, handouts, case studies). (3) Construction Sector Wage Survey Design Design two structured questionnaires, one to be used for business and the other one for workers, to capture wage levels, working conditions, gender and skill-based differentials, and informality in construction. Develop survey guidance and methodology notes for implementation by national counterparts. (4) Study on Financing Options for Public Works in Iraq Assess current financing mechanisms for public works programmes. Identify international experiences and innovative financing instruments (budgetary allocations, donor funds, PPPs, trust funds, etc.). In consultation with National Experts, identify possible financing options for NPWP Validate costing model presented in Road Map Process Report and establish applicable financial cost model for Iraqi NPWP Propose practical financing scenarios tailored to Iraqs fiscal and institutional context. Organize and facilitate Validation Workshop 2 with national stakeholders, revise study accordingly. (5) Final reporting Consolidate all findings, incorporating workshop feedback. Produce a final report summarising the two studies, training outcomes, and survey design. For further details please see the annexes (I, II): Annex (I): The implementation Plan. Annex (II): The workplan for Implementation IV. Expected deliverables Deliverable #1 Week 1- Week3 after contracting start): Inception report *, including methodology, workplan, and data sources. Deliverable #2 ( Week 3 Week5) : Construction Sector Wage Survey Questionnaire with methodology guidance. Deliverable# 3 ( Week 3- Week6): Draft Study on Wage Structures in Iraq (40 50 pages),. Deliverable #4 ( Week7): Validation Workshop 1 Report and revised Wage Structure Study ,. Deliverable # 5 ( Week 8 Week 9).: Training package on Wage Policies (curriculum, presentations, handouts) and delivery of one national training workshop , Deliverable #6 (Week 10 Week 13): Draft Study on Financing Options for Public Works in Iraq (3040 pages),. Deliverable #7 ( Week 14 Week ) : Validation Workshop 2 Report and revised Financing Options Study ,. Deliverable #8 ( Week 15 Week 16): Final consolidated report summarising findings, recommendations, training outcomes, and survey tool,. . For the implementation plan please refer to annex 1 . All deliverables incorporate inclusive and equitable analysis, ensuring the participation and perspectives of men, women, and persons with disabilities. V. Reporting arrangements The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, BEIT project Manager and Team, and in close coordination with the Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) Specialist in ROAS and the Wage Policy specialists at HQ. Regular updates will be provided bi-weekly via email/online calls. VI. Detailed qualifications, experience and skills required 1. Advanced university degree (Economics, Labour Economics, Development Studies, or related). 2. Minimum 1015 years of international professional experience in wage policy, labour market analysis, financial and economic analysis and public employment programmes. 3. Proven experience in conducting national wage studies, survey design, and financing options for employment programmes. 4. Demonstrated capacity to deliver training to mixed stakeholder groups (government, workers, employers, academia). 5. Strong knowledge of ILO wage conventions, wage-setting mechanisms, and social dialogue. 6. Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills in English. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset. VII. Indicators for evaluation of outputs 1. Timely submission of high-quality deliverables aligned with agreed methodology. 2. Practical, evidence-based, and context-specific policy recommendations. 3. Training delivered with positive participant feedback (evaluations >75% satisfaction). 4. Validation workshops held with documented feedback incorporated. 5. Final outputs meeting academic and ILO quality standards. VIII. Payment terms 1. Progress payments Payments will be made in instalments against deliverables, as follows, with a note that all deliverables are subject to ILO approval prior to processing relevant payment/s Task Weeks Deliverables Ratio of Payment Inception & consultations 13 Inception Report 20% Construction Sector Wage Survey Design and Methodology. 35 Draft Survey Questionnaires. 30% Study on Wage Structures. 36 Draft Wage Structure Study Validation Workshop 1 7 Submitting the workshop Report and Revised Wage Study (Final version) Training package development & delivery 89 Delivery training, the materials, and training Workshop Report 15% Study on Financing Options (draft) 1013 Draft Financing Options Study. 20% Validation Workshop 2 14-15 Validation Workshop 2 Report , revised Financing Study ( Final version). Reporting 1516 Final Consolidated Report 15% 2. In case of progress payments, payment schedule and timeframe shall be based on the number of days quoted by the applicant and corresponding to each deliverables. 3. The daily fee shall be established within the fee range corresponding to the complexity of assignment, level of experience and the applicant`s country of residence, as per the daily fee range table accessible from the application website. 4. If needed contract can be developed in local currency (IQD) considering the UN operations exchange rate IX. Travel arrangements (if applicable) - The consultant may be required to travel to Erbil for stakeholder consultations, training delivery, and validation workshops. - ILO will afford the cost for flight ticket for the shortest and most economic route from the country of residence to Erbil and the way back, and as per the confirmed need of the ILO team - The ILO will afford the cost of VISA issuance to Erbil in case needed - All movements within the city of Erbil is under the full responsibility of the consultants - In case movement is required between Erbil and other governorates i.e Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk , then ILO will arrange the movement - In case the consultant is not originally residing in Erbil, then while being in Erbil, A Daily Substantial Allowance shall be compensated by the ILO subjected to the UN rules and regulations. Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4183913/call-external-collaborator-capacity-building-and-comprehensive-study-wage-structure-and-public-works-financing-iraq
