Mercy Hands for Humanitarian Aid is a non-governmental not-for-profit nonpartisan organization that works in conflict torn and disaster affected areas to save lives, sustain human rights and restore a healthy community. We serve people in need, regardless of their religion, sect, ethnicity and/or political affiliation.
We aspire to live in a society where justice prevails, law rules, individual and group rights are preserved, differences are acknowledged and welcomed, people work together to develop and sustain resources for future generations, and manmade disasters are virtually nonexistent.
About the Project:
Mercy Hands is partnering with Action Contre La Faim to support vulnerable families, women, and youth in Al-Qaim and Al-Fallujah districts of Anbar Governorate through economic empowerment initiatives.
The project provides emergency family income support through Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA).
It implements basic training courses in linguistic, mathematical, and digital literacy.
Entrepreneurial and business start-up training is delivered with a strong focus on women and young people.
The project offers start-up grants to support the creation of market-oriented micro-enterprises.
Specialized training on women’s self-entrepreneurship is also included.
Advisory services are provided to support the formal registration of small businesses.
Overall, the Mercy Hands component targets 1,100 beneficiaries in the project areas.
Objective of the Assignment:
The overall objective of this consultancy is to improve entrepreneurs' access to financial services through:
- Mapping available financial services and financial service providers operating in the target governorates.
- Assessing entrepreneurs' financial needs and readiness.
- Developing practical guidance materials for entrepreneurs.
- Facilitating awareness-raising and advisory sessions.
- Supporting linkages between entrepreneurs and financial institutions.
- Providing follow-up mentoring and technical guidance to selected entrepreneurs.
Scope of Work
The consultant shall undertake the following tasks:
Task 1: Mapping of Financial Services
Conduct a comprehensive assessment and mapping of financial service providers and financing opportunities available to entrepreneurs in the target areas, including:
- Commercial banks
- Islamic banks
- Microfinance institutions
- Small business financing schemes
- Government financing programmes
- Loan guarantee mechanisms
- Venture capital opportunities
- Crowdfunding platforms
- Digital financial services
- Mobile banking solutions
- Savings products
- Insurance products relevant to MSMEs
For each service provider, document:
- Type of financial product
- Eligibility criteria
- Required documentation
- Interest rates and fees
- Repayment terms
- Geographic accessibility
- Application procedures
- Contact details
Task 2: Financial Needs Assessment
Conduct consultations with selected entrepreneurs to:
- Understand business stages (start-up, growth, expansion)
- Identify financing needs
- Assess financial literacy levels
- Assess readiness to apply for financing
- Identify barriers preventing access to financial services
The guide should be available in Arabic and should use simple language suitable for entrepreneurs.
Task 3: Awareness and Outreach Sessions
Design and deliver awareness sessions for entrepreneurs covering:
- Importance of financial inclusion
- Available financing opportunities
- Banking services
- Microfinance products
- Digital financial services
- Savings and financial planning
- Understanding loans and repayment obligations
- Financial risk management
- Preparing for financing applications
The consultant shall develop all training materials and facilitate the sessions jointly with MH staff.
Required Qualifications:
The consultant should possess:
Advanced university degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Development Studies, or a related field.
- Minimum 7 years of relevant experience.
- Proven experience in financial inclusion programmes.
- Experience working with MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and business development initiatives.
- Experience conducting market and financial assessments.
- Strong knowledge of the Iraqi financial sector.
- Previous experience with NGOs and donor-funded programmes is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of commercial banking and microfinance systems.
- Understanding of business development and entrepreneurship support.
- Experience in training facilitation and coaching.
- Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.
- Fluency in Arabic, English is an asset.
You are invited to submit a bid to provide individual “Consultant for Mapping Financial Services and Providing Advisory Support to Entrepreneurs” service.
The service pricing offers must be submitted no later than (Deadline 17th October 2026) to (ayat.musaab@mercyhands.org) mentioning the reference in the subject bar.
Service price offer received after the deadline will not be accepted.
Service provider shall provide a written service price offer, fully compliant with the instructions given. Failure to comply with requirements may result in the rejection of the proposal. Every proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the terms & conditions provided below by mercy hands for humanitarian aid.
Required Document:
• ID and residence ID.
• CV.
• Academic Certificate.
Available from: 12/10/2026
Deadline: 17/10/2026
Note: any offer not to organize it to the above criteria will be excluded from the competition.