Role Overview

The Team Leader will provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership for a baseline study examining the prevalence, drivers, and conditions of child labour in Iraq, with a particular focus on the construction and brick-making sectors. The role requires strong familiarity with Iraq’s socio-economic context, informality in labour markets, and child protection systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall design and implementation of the baseline study in line with ILO standards, including relevant international conventions on child labour.
• Develop and oversee mixed-methods research methodology tailored to hard-to-reach and informal work settings (e.g., brick kilns, construction sites).
• Manage and coordinate the research team, including qualitative and quantitative researchers and field staff.
• Engage key stakeholders, including government counterparts (e.g., Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs), employers, workers’ organizations, NGOs, and community leaders.
• Ensure integration of child safeguarding, ethical research practices, and “do no harm” principles.
• Oversee risk management, particularly regarding access, security, and sensitivity of working with children.
• Validate research tools, sampling strategies, and analytical frameworks.
• Ensure high-quality outputs, including inception report, interim findings, and final baseline report.
• Present findings and policy recommendations to stakeholders in Iraq and KRI.

• Minimum 6 years of experience in leading complex research or evaluations in fragile or conflict-affected settings.
• Advanced degree (Master’s) in Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field.
• Proven expertise in child labour, labour market systems, or social protection.
• Demonstrated experience working in Iraq or similar contexts strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Excellent English required; Arabic and/or Kurdish highly desirable.

Core Competencies

• Leadership in complex environments
• Strong contextual understanding of Iraq/KRI
• Ethical and child-sensitive research management
• Strategic analysis and policy engagement

Additional Notes for Position

• Strong understanding of ILO conventions on child labour (C138 and C182) is highly desirable.
• Prior experience in construction, brick kiln economies, or informal labour sectors is a significant asset.
• Commitment to child safeguarding, gender equality, and inclusion is essential.

Interested candidates should submit their CV in PDF format to: hr@kohrw.org 
 cc: info@kohrw.org

Please indicate “Team Leader – Baseline Study on Child Labor” in the subject line of your email.

Please note this Position will be in Erbil with Travel to federal governorates

Deadline: 15th of May 2026
We will contact only shortlisted candidates.