Team Leader and SME Training & Coaching Expert with International Expertise (Consultant)

Who are we?

In 2003, DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance indrc.ngountry. Today, DRC continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil.

Find more about DRC operations in Iraq here: Iraq | DRC Danish Refugee Council

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Coordinator in Erbil or Amman.

Title: Team Leader and SME Training & Coaching Expert with International Expertise 

Overall purpose of the role: 
DRC is seeking out innovative SME Training and Coaching Experts with international experience to express their interest in joining to a team for a potential upcoming project to be implemented in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The expert is expected to bring past expertise in SME Loop methodology, capacity development and vision in SME development in particular in the agriculture sector.
The team leader will strengthen local partners’ and institutions’ capacity to provide SME promotion and coaching services through provision of technical knowledge and strategic leadership, while covering cross-cutting topics like gender equality across the project implementation. In addition to designing, implementing and evaluating training and capacity building initiatives, the team leader oversees staff management, financial planning and monitoring processes. Using the SME Loop methodology, the team leader creates sustainable systems for SME support by carrying out needs evaluations, consulting with stakeholders and bridging international experience and practices with local context to ensure the project strategy aligns with development cooperation goals. 

Responsibilities: 

Project Management:

• Ensure coherence and complementarity between the contractor’s services and other project activities implemented at local and national levels.
• Plan, coordinate and oversee the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of capacity development measures for local partners, including:
  • Training of Trainers (ToT)
  • Adaptation and implementation of curricula
  • Measurement of training results and impact
  • Strengthening of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices
• Ensure that cross-cutting issues, in particular gender equality, are systematically taken into account across all project activities.
• Manage project staff and experts, including:
  • Identification of needs for short-term technical assignments within the available budget
  • Planning, coordination and supervision of assignments
  • Technical support and guidance to deployed experts
• Ensure that agreed monitoring procedures are implemented and followed throughout the project.
• Prepare and submit regular reports in accordance with contractual requirements and agreed deadlines.
• Oversee the use of funds and financial planning in close coordination with the donor focal point.

Technical Responsibilities – SME Loop and Capacity Development

• Conduct needs assessments to identify:
  • Knowledge and capacity gaps of local Business Development Service (BDS) providers
  • Local requirements for business development support to SMEs
• Carry out stakeholder consultations with relevant institutions and actors.
• Develop and/or adapt training materials, user guides and guidelines in line with the SME Loop methodology.
• Establish and strengthen M&E capacities, including:
  • Definition of relevant indicators based on the agreed framework and timeline
  • Regular collection, analysis and documentation of data
  • Preparation of monitoring and progress reports
• Provide technical assistance and backstopping to trainers and coaches during the implementation of the SME Loop.
• Plan and deliver Training of Trainers (ToT) and coaching trainings for local training institutions, as well as refresher trainings for existing trainers, based on identified needs.
• Review the implementation of SME Loop training and coaching phases and provide recommendations for the design and implementation of subsequent phases.

Experience and Technical Competencies:
Key requirements include:

• 7 years of professional experience in SME promotion. 
• 6 years in training and coaching of SMEs with three years’ experience in using SME Loop methodology. 
• 3 years of leadership experience as project team leader of at least 2 team members. 
• 5 years of professional experience in projects outside the Middle East. 
• 3 years of professional experience in projects in the Middle East, of which two years in projects in Iraq. 
• 6 years of professional experience in Development Cooperation projects. 

Education:

• University degree (Master’s or German Diploma in business administration, economics or agronomy, or other relevant field. 

Languages:

• C1 level language proficiency in English in the Common European Framework of reference for language. 
• Kurdish or Arabic an asset 

Key stakeholders: Head of Programme, Local BDS providers, government stakeholders and EcRec Technical Coordinator

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies: 

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Consultancy Contract length: 8 months
• Consultancy Salary: To be determined based on quotes
• Suggested start date: Pending project approval
• Duty station: Erbil, with frequent travel across KRI 

Application process

Interested to apply? All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 5 April 2026

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.

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