**NKE 3 SENIOR NON-KEY EXPERT: MIGRATION COUNTRY SPECIALIST & RESEARCHER (KURDISTAN REGION)** City/Country Location Details **Erbil/ Iraq; Sulaymaniyah/Iraq** Employment Status Job Type **Consulting** 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: **_Irregular Migration Governance in Iraq - Political Economy and Conflict Analysis_** DAI is looking to recruit: **NKE 3 SENIOR NON-KEY EXPERT: MIGRATION COUNTRY SPECIALIST & RESEARCHER (KURDISTAN REGION)** _ASSIGNMENT PURPOSE_ + This assignment will produce a political economy and conflict analysis (PECA) that examines the policies, processes, and procedures that apply to migrant communities who have returned to Iraq, including Iraqi citizens returning from Europe and those returning from Northeast Syria (NES). This PECA is central to understanding governmental views on different groups of returnees, mapping reintegration services, and learning from existing donor-funded programs supporting returnees. The PECA’s insights will inform the EU Delegation in Iraq (EUD) as it develops forthcoming interventions that provide assistance to the governments of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region as they manage the reintegration and service delivery needs of returnees. + The ultimate purpose of this assignment is to produce a comprehensive political economy and conflict analysis (PECA) that explores the formal and informal power structures, governmental policies, stakeholders, and the services/processes provided to returnees. Based on this analysis, the PECA will also deliver strategic recommendations and lessons learned. The analysis will include stakeholder maps of government bodies involved in the returns process and international/domestic implementers providing services and resources to returnee communities. Case studies using journey maps will illuminate the steps returnees take, differentiating between Iraqis repatriated from NES and those repatriated from Europe, outlining the services and resources available to them alongside the requirements to obtain them. The PECA will provide tangible, verifiable insights that support the design of a new EUD-supported intervention. _The expert will carry out the following tasks:_ + Working closely with the NKE 1/ Team Leader to support all tasks, including research, liaison, coordination, knowledge/materials management, occasional interpreting, and translating. + As specified by the NKE 1/ Team Leader, lead the research of select topics or institutions and the assignment's associated analysis and programming activities. + Analyse findings from field research by identifying trends, patterns, and key insights related to the sector, providing evidence-based assessments to inform policy recommendations. + Conduct field research and data collection, ensuring the systematic gathering of qualitative and quantitative data through interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions with key stakeholders. + Facilitate and co-lead data verification and analysis workshops to ensure accuracy, consistency, and relevance of collected information, engaging key stakeholders in discussions and validation processes. + Conduct stakeholder mapping and engagement by identifying key actors in the migration sector, assessing their roles, interests, and influence, and fostering dialogue to enhance collaboration and policy alignment. + Support field access and logistical coordination by liaising with local partners, government institutions, and community representatives to facilitate research activities, ensuring smooth data collection and stakeholder consultations. + Flexible support to other tasks as needed for the successful completion of the assignment. **Qualifications, experience, and skills required:** + Master’s degree in law, public administration/social policies, migration studies, or a closely related field, and 10 years of experience relevant to the assignment preferred. In case of only a Bachelor's degree, 12 years of experience in a relevant field is required. + Strong research background with demonstrated experience developing migration-related qualitative research frameworks. + Experience with PEA, conflict analyses, or similar initiatives that aim to understand the socio-political dynamics in Iraq. + Sound knowledge of KRG institutions relevant to the assignment, such as MoI, Border Force, and similar agencies. + Proven experience in facilitating interviews, stakeholder engagement, and conducting data verification and analysis. + Excellent diplomatic, interpersonal, and communication skills. + Excellent report drafting skills. + Experience with EU projects is preferred. + Full spoken and written Kurdish and English language proficiency is required. Arabic is an advantage. _Commencement date:_ Expected to commence in **August 2025** (subject to EUD approvals and coordination of assignment kick-off). Completion is expected within six months of commencement. _Input:_ **Up to 60 working days** _Place of the assignment:_ **Erbil or Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, with possible travel to Baghdad and site visits to other areas within Kurdistan with returnee communities.** **The interested candidates are invited to submit their CVs in English no** **later than 25th of July!** **Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted!** Back (https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf04/ats/careers/v2/searchResults?org=DAINC&cws=48) DAI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with all applicable law. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, DAI will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. To request a potential accommodation, please send an email to accommodationrequest@dai.com.