Job Description:

Business Consultant

Number Of positions: 1

Duration: 6 Months

Location:  Duhok Governorate

Publishing date: 26th  May 2025

Deadline of submission: 9th Jun 2025

About Us

The Lotus Flower is a non-governmental organisation which is legally registered in the Federal Government of Baghdad and KRI. The Lotus Flower programs empower vulnerable women, girls and other community members  so that they are safe, have opportunities to learn, the tools to become financially independent and the freedom to lead change. We provide safe social spaces inside refugee & IDP camps and implement projects to help them rebuild their lives and earn a living. We run multiple women’s and children centers for the IDP, refugee and host community in Iraq and have mobile teams in areas where static centers are not feasible.

The Lotus Flower services work to fill resource gaps by providing community-responsive programming which changes over time in response to feedback but revolves around 6 pillars from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals:

·         Health & Safety (including MHPSS)

·         Education and Livelihoods

·         Peacebuilding & Human Rights

·         Climate Change

We aim to provide a foundation for women, girls, and other needed community members  to rebuild themselves, their families, and their futures. As local implementers, we work at the grassroots level to get right into the heart of communities, listening to local needs and employing local communities to implement the programs. 

Our main fundamental belief is that women and girls are powerful drivers of change, and we provide the support they need to reach their full potential and rebuild their futures. We strive for a world where they are safe from violence, free to access education, and are empowered to participate in their communities to drive social and economic change from within. We are investing in the future of women and girls because they play a vital role in resurrecting and strengthening communities. As local implementers, we work at the grassroots level to get right into the heart of communities. To ensure we meet their needs, we listen to the local community and employ local women to implement the programs.

The Lotus Flower has been widely recognized for its impactful and innovative work in advancing women's rights, economic empowerment, and justice for survivors. In 2021, the organization was honored with the CARE International Partnership Award, a prestigious recognition granted every four years to celebrate the professionalism and commitment of CARE’s global partners. Further affirming its dedication to women’s economic independence, The Lotus Flower received the IValues Award from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation under the “Economy and Jobs” category for the success and significance of its Women’s Business Incubation project. The organization also gained international acclaim through the PILnet Global Partnership Award for its groundbreaking initiative “Accountability for Yazidi Survivors of Atrocities by Da’esh,” which was recognized as one of the best cross-sectoral pro bono legal collaborations worldwide. Additionally, The Lotus Flower was a proud recipient of the UNHCR Innovation Award in 2022, further highlighting its commitment to delivering creative, impactful solutions for vulnerable communities.

Responsibilities and Job Description:

The Business Consultant will play a crucial role in developing and supporting sustainable livelihoods through innovative and climate-friendly business solutions. The consultant will provide technical guidance and support to business owners, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and skills to manage their enterprises successfully.

·         Create and refine sustainable and innovative business models tailored to beneficiaries’ needs.

·         Ensure business plans are feasible, scalable, and aligned with local market trends and climate-friendly practices.

·         Guide potential entrepreneurs in drafting, structuring, and finalizing their business proposals.

·         Conduct training sessions to educate participants on business planning, budgeting, savings, and expenses.

·         Providing or developing materials and manuals for business management and development trainings.

·         Explain effective marketing and branding strategies to enhance business growth and profitability.

·         Equip beneficiaries with skills to assess business risks and opportunities.

·         Lead ideation workshops in advance of training to explore innovative and sustainable business ideas.

·         Conduct regular field visits to individual business owners for monitoring and evaluation.

·         Provide ongoing advisory support to beneficiaries, addressing business challenges and identifying areas for improvement.

·         Document progress, challenges, and success stories for reporting and learning purposes.

·         Lead a committee for reviewing and selecting the most innovative and sustainable business proposals.

·         Assess business feasibility, impact, and alignment with project objectives before approval.

·         Encourage climate-friendly and eco-conscious business solutions.

·         Offer one-on-one coaching to business owners to refine their ideas and strategies.

·         Guide beneficiaries in daily business operations, problem-solving, and financial management.

·         Support entrepreneurs in establishing business networks and partnerships.

·         Motivate beneficiaries to adopt innovative and environmentally sustainable business practices.

·         Educate entrepreneurs on financial literacy, including daily budgeting, savings, and cost management.

·         Introduce business owners to local and regional market linkages.

·         Connect beneficiaries with relevant stakeholders, including financial institutions, suppliers, and customers.

·         Facilitate peer-to-peer learning among business owners to share best practices and experiences.

·         Support the establishment of business cooperatives or groups to enhance collaboration and sustainability.

·         Prepare detailed reports on training sessions, business monitoring visits, and progress assessments.

·         Provide recommendations for improving business performance and program effectiveness.

·         Guide participants on how to officially register their businesses and provide the necessary information accordingly.

·         Ensure proper documentation of all business-related activities for accountability and future reference.

Required Qualifications

·         A degree in Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or a related field.

·         Minimum 3 Years experience in business development, entrepreneurship training, or

livelihood programs.

·         Strong knowledge of market trends, business strategy, and financial management.

·         Experience in conducting training, coaching, and mentoring entrepreneurs.

·         Ability to develop and analyze business plans and provide constructive feedback.

·         Strong facilitation and leadership skills, particularly in guiding community-based businesses.

·         Experience in monitoring and evaluation of business projects.

·         Familiarity with climate-friendly and sustainable business models.

·         Excellent communication and report-writing skills.

·         Fluency in [Kurdish, English and Arabic].

HOW TO APPLY:

·         Please send your updated CV and cover letter to careers@thelotusflower.org  while mentioning “Business Consultant “as the subject of your email.

·         CVs and Cover letters that are in the form of pictures, and screen-shots will not be

accepted.

·         CVs that do not include the subject line will not be considered.

·         Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

·         Applications past the expiration date of the advertisement will not be considered.