Private Sector Engagement Specialist (National)

About the role

The Private Sector Engagement Specialist will lead a comprehensive mapping of Iraq's private sector ecosystem, focusing on construction, agro‑industry, services and emerging sectors with employment potential. The role supports evidence‑based design of vocational training and employment linkage activities for project beneficiaries.

Key responsibilities

• Map key economic actors, SMEs and stakeholders across priority sectors in target governorates.
• Review secondary data and literature on local economic trends and labour market dynamics.
• Design and implement mixed‑methods data collection (KIIs, FGDs) with private‑sector representatives, employers, training providers and authorities.
• Analyse demand for technical skills, recruitment barriers, finance constraints and inclusion of youth, women and persons with disabilities.
• Produce three analytical reports (one per governorate) with sector mapping, gender‑age disaggregated labour force analysis and SME employment assessment.
• Provide evidence‑based recommendations for vocational course design and career‑guidance activities.
• Coordinate with the project team and AVSI Iraq’s MEAL department to ensure methodological coherence.

Required profile

• University degree in Economics, Business Administration, Labour Economics, Development Studies, Statistics, Social Sciences or a related field.
• Proven experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research, including surveys, KIIs and FGDs.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse labour‑market trends, skills demand and private‑sector dynamics.
• Experience in mapping SMEs, value chains and local economic ecosystems.
• Strong stakeholder‑engagement and facilitation skills, especially with government and private‑sector actors.
• Excellent report‑writing and analytical abilities.

Required skills