National Consultant for the Development and Piloting of a Micro-Credentialing Framework in Iraq
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of children's rights not just as a job but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to support the design, development, piloting, and operationalization of a national micro-credentialing approach for selected professions sector competencies in Iraq. The consultant will be instrumental in developing the methodology, competency standards, assessment tools, training materials, and implementation modalities for the micro-credentialing framework. This will involve ensuring strong alignment with national systems, labor market requirements, and UNICEF's core principles of inclusion and safeguarding. The consultancy aims to create a practical, competency-based, and inclusive framework that addresses Iraq's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) qualifications framework (TVQF) and labor market needs, fostering coordination among various stakeholders and ensuring the integration of essential principles like gender-responsiveness, disability inclusion, and meaningful youth engagement.
Responsibilities
The consultant will develop a practical, competency-based, and inclusive micro-credentialing framework and implementation methodology aligned with Iraq’s TVQF and labor market needs. This includes facilitating coordination and consultation with relevant ministries, employers, private sector actors, chambers of commerce, academic institutions, training institutions, youth-led organizations, and the UN PROSPECTS partners. The role involves supporting the development of competency standards, assessment tools, certification modalities, and quality assurance mechanisms for selected construction-sector micro-credentials. Additionally, the consultant will develop training and operational materials for assessors and implementing partners. A key responsibility is to support the piloting of the micro-credentialing model, document lessons learned, and facilitate its follow-up implementation with relevant entities and stakeholders. The consultant must ensure the integration of gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, safeguarding, green skills, digital skills, and meaningful youth engagement principles throughout the entire process, contributing to a robust and comprehensive framework.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in TVET, skills development, competency-based training, workforce development, or qualifications systems is required. Demonstrated experience in developing training methodologies, occupational standards, competency frameworks, or assessment systems is essential. Experience working with government institutions, the private sector, and development partners is also necessary.
Skills
Competency-based education and training systems, Labour market systems and private sector engagement, Inclusion, safeguarding, youth engagement, and gender-responsive programming, Analytical skills, Drafting skills, Facilitation skills, Reporting skills, TVET framework development, Stakeholder coordination, Capacity building, Assessment tool development, Training material development