TOR for an International Consultant: Development of Comprehensive Guidelines and a Technical Framework on the Application of the Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP), Under the PROSPECTS P

The Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) was successfully implemented under the PROSPECT Partnership – Phase I in Duhok and Nineveh Governorates. This project resulted in the creation of over 46,000 working days through several infrastructural development and construction interventions aimed at mainstreaming decent work principles at construction sites and providing short to medium term employment opportunities for vulnerable groups to address the forced displacement consequences at these communities.

Between the years 2021 and 2025, the ILO through PROSPECTS partnership implemented a range of EIIP interventions which focused on green works to promote environmental sustainability and mitigating the effects of climate change at Duhok governorate. These interventions included improvement of irrigation systems for local farmers, restoration of un-used lands and forestation activities to increase the green areas and supporting the solid waste recycling efforts through sorting and production of natural compost for agricultural use.

Together, these projects addressed critical environmental challenges in Duhok while creating decent job opportunities for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities. However, the EIIP interventions didn’t serve only as a short-term employment creation initiative, but it succeeded to form a comprehensive model that covered all infrastructure development stages at the governorate level, which shall allow the local partners to upscale the model towards a National Public Works Program (NPWP) adopted by the government of Iraq. The shifting from EIIP model at the governorate of Duhok, towards NPWP at the national scale requires Technical Guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures, Manuals, and Tools to be developed which will among others provide guidance and clarity on: Targeting mechanisms, Project Selection Criteria, Coherence and Integration within Programmes, Potential Collaborations, Quality Assurance, Capacity Building, Technology and Innovation, Piloting and Roll-Out, Exit Strategy and Incentives. The ILO engagement through the EIIP green works between the years 2021-2025 in Duhok governorate provides the hands-on experience that has significant potential of upscale and repetition at the NPWP.

The Government of Iraq has identified the establishment of a National Public Works Programme (NPWP) among priorities within the National Development Plan 2024-2028 and has requested the ILO for technical support. The 

Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT) Project implemented by ILO in partnership with UN- Habitat and ITC and funded by the EU is providing technical support to the Government of Iraq which seeks to

establish a National Public Works Programme (NPWP). The ILO BEIT Project is currently developing a road map for the establishment and operationalization of the NPWP, with coordination governance structures being set- up and capacity building on-going which will be followed by the development of Standard Operating Practices (SOPs), Manuals and Guidelines. The establishment of the National Public Works Program for Iraq presents a transformative opportunity to tackle unemployment, enhance infrastructure, and promote inclusive economic growth. With strong governance, sustainable funding, and a structured implementation plan, the NPWP can be a key driver for Iraq’s long-term development.