JOB DESCRIPTION

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: Carbon Market Readiness and Technical Assistance

DAI is looking to recruit: NKE 5 SENIOR NON-KEY EXPERT: ENGINEERING EXPERT (ENERGY SPECIALIST)

ASSIGNMENT PURPOSE

• The ultimate purpose of this assignment is to produce a range of studies and technical reports that outline Iraq’s potential and readiness for carbon market trading, and to provide technical assistance and strategic advice to the GoI and EUD as each institution develops its policies and support packages, respectively.

ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES AND OUTPUTS

Working closely with the EUD and GoI stakeholders including the General Company for Carbon Economics (GCCE) and the Prime Minister’s Office/Advisory Council (PMO and PMAC), the consultant team will conduct detailed studies to produce and provide technical assistance through several modalities, including technical reports, presentations, workshops, and policy dialogues.

Several steps need to be taken before carbon credits can serve as a source of investment in gas-flaring reductions. These can be broken down into two significant preparatory steps: understanding the potential and barriers to participation in carbon trading based on gas-flaring reduction, and a delivery focus in which the required rules, systems, and capacity are put in place to deliver trading. Using a phased approach, the assignment will conduct:

PHASE 1: Baseline Readiness Assessment
Studies of the technical and market potential of nonflared natural gas, identification of key stakeholders, and analysis of the scope for potential international support, e.g., through the Global Methane Initiative (GMI). This phase would also include an assessment of the scope of the current regulatory framework for gas flaring, an estimation of investment needs, and a review of peer-country actions to address gas flaring. Deliverables include:

• Targeted Political Economy Analysis
• Market Feasibility Study
• Gap Assessment, Policy and Regulatory Analysis + Policy Dialogue
  Concluding the phase with a comprehensive policy and regulatory analysis and gap assessment that defines Iraq’s requirements for participation in Article 6 trading under the Paris Agreement, inclusive of substantive recommendations. As part of this deliverable, the consultant team will facilitate a policy dialogue with key technical stakeholders.

PHASE 2: Systems and Market Development
Specific definition of systems and mechanisms needed to operationalise trading systems, with a focus on Article 6 trading, on the assumption that there will be lower interest and revenue potential in the VCM. The heaviest capacity requirement is expected to be in the definition of Article 6 trading systems, which require subsequent independent action by the GoI to formalise the framework that will allow for the development of an MRV system, and to define the legislation and regulations required to operationalise all aspects of the system. Deliverables include:

• Stakeholder Key Requirements
• Article 6 Trading Arrangements + Policy Dialogue
• Gas Flaring Legislative/Regulatory Gap Assessment + Policy Dialogue
• Methane Capture Market Prioritisation Study
• Sovereign Off-Takers Landscape Mapping
• MRV System Design
• Carbon Market Readiness Familiarisation

The expert will carry out the following tasks:

• Substantively contribute to the Methane Capture Market Prioritisation Study with oversight and support from NKE1/Team Leader and NKE3.
• As specified by the NKE 1/Team Leader, lead on the research of select topics or institutions, associated analysis, and policy discussion activities of the assignment.
• Flexible support to other tasks as needed for the successful completion of the assignment, as specified by the NKE 1/Team Leader.

Qualifications, experience, and skills required:

• Master’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field with experience in the energy sector.
• At least 10 (ten) years of work experience with a focus on the energy sector, including renewables. Prior experience producing high-level engineering studies in the energy sector is strongly preferred.
• Experience in energy issues, regulation, and/or infrastructure sector reform.
• Demonstrable knowledge of carbon-producing and climate change-related institutions in the Federal and Kurdistan Regional Governments, including the ministries of environment, oil, electricity, planning, and the General Company for Carbon Economics.
• Understanding of the compliance for carbon markets and knowledge of carbon market standards, protocols, and best practices for carbon credit generation and retirement strongly preferred.
• Excellent diplomatic, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Excellent report drafting skills.
• Fluent English and Arabic.

Duration of the assignment: 75 working days
Period of the assignment: January – October 2026
Place of assignment: Baghdad, Republic of Iraq.

The interested candidates are invited to submit their CVs in English no later than 21st of November!

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted!

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements