Call for Social Protection Research Initiative Project Management (Iraq)

Deadline: 17-Sep-26

UNICEF is inviting qualified national NGOs in Iraq to provide project management, coordination, and administrative support for the Kurdistan Region Social Protection Research Initiative (KRISPRI). The initiative will support multidisciplinary research on child poverty and social protection, strengthen links between researchers and government, and promote evidence-based social policy reform in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. What Is the UNICEF Social Protection Research Initiative? The Social Protection Research Initiative, also referred to as KRISPRI, is a UNICEF-supported initiative focused on strengthening research and evidence for social protection policies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The initiative responds to the need for stronger evidence on child poverty, social protection systems, and social policy reform. It is being developed in collaboration with relevant government ministries and universities in the Kurdistan Region. The initiative aims to connect research more effectively with policymaking so that social protection reforms can be informed by reliable and locally relevant evidence. What Are the Main Objectives of KRISPRI? KRISPRI is designed to achieve several interconnected objectives: - Strengthen multidisciplinary research on child poverty and social protection. - Support research by both junior and senior researchers. - Establish a competitive research grant mechanism. - Encourage collaboration between universities, researchers, and government institutions. - Promote policy-oriented research. - Generate evidence that can inform social protection reforms. - Create opportunities for dialogue between researchers and policymakers. - Strengthen the use of research findings in social policy decision-making. Why Is Child Poverty Research Important? Child poverty is influenced by multiple economic and social factors, including household income, access to services, employment opportunities, education, health, and social protection. Research that examines these factors can help policymakers understand: - Which children and families are most vulnerable. - Where social protection gaps exist. - How existing programmes affect children. - Which interventions provide the greatest benefits. - How social protection systems can become more inclusive and effective. KRISPRI therefore places research at the intersection of child wellbeing, poverty reduction, social protection, and public policy. What Is the Role of the Selected NGO? UNICEF is not primarily seeking an organisation to conduct the academic research itself. Instead, the selected national NGO will provide project management, coordination, and administrative support for the research initiative. The organisation will help ensure that the research grant mechanism operates efficiently, transparently, and in coordination with government and academic partners. Key Responsibilities of the Selected Organisation The selected NGO is expected to manage several important components of KRISPRI. Research Grant Competition Management The organisation will support the administration of the competitive research grant mechanism.

Responsibilities may include:

- Supporting the research grant application process. - Coordinating communications with applicants. - Facilitating transparent administrative procedures. - Supporting grant-related documentation. - Coordinating relevant research activities. The mechanism will be designed to support both junior and senior researchers. Government and University Coordination The NGO will coordinate with relevant ministries and universities in the Kurdistan Region. This requires strong institutional relationships and the ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders. Event and Dialogue Management The organisation will support events designed to bring together: - Researchers. - Government representatives. - University representatives. - Social protection stakeholders. - Policy experts. - Other relevant partners. These activities are intended to strengthen dialogue between research and policymaking. Financial and Administrative Monitoring The selected NGO will also oversee administrative and financial processes associated with the research grants.

This requires reliable systems for:

- Financial monitoring. - Grant administration. - Documentation. - Reporting. - Compliance. - Record keeping. Who Is Eligible? The opportunity is intended for qualified national NGOs in Iraq that can provide the required project management and coordination functions. Applicants should demonstrate relevant institutional capacity and experience.

Important areas of experience include:

- Working with UN agencies. - Managing development or research initiatives. - Working with government ministries. - Collaborating with universities and academic institutions. - Coordinating research or grant programmes. - Organising large-scale events. - Conducting outreach and communications. - Managing financial and administrative systems. - Implementing safeguarding and governance procedures. What Experience Should Applicants Demonstrate? Experience With UN Agencies Previous experience working with UN agencies can demonstrate familiarity with international development standards, reporting requirements, coordination structures, and compliance procedures. Applicants should clearly describe relevant previous assignments and their responsibilities. Relationships With Ministries and Universities Because KRISPRI requires close cooperation between government and academia, applicants should demonstrate established or relevant working relationships with: - Government ministries. - Universities. - Research institutions. - Development partners. Research and Development Expertise Applicants should have experience in development, social protection, research management, child-focused programming, poverty research, or related fields. The strongest applicants are likely to demonstrate an understanding of both research administration and