Technical Expert in Digital Economy

Organization Description

Aligning Cultures is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering community resilience and unity in conflict-affected and fragile environments. Operating across the Middle East and North Africa, the organization builds transformative collaborations to empower local communities. As a 501(c)(3) entity, Aligning Cultures takes pride in promoting peace and interconnectedness through its impactful initiatives.

Program Description

Diaspora Digital Bridges (DDB) is a new partnership between Aligning Cultures and the Iraqi Home Foundation for Creativity, a pioneer organization that helps embrace and shelter orphans and homeless children. The goal of the Iraqi Home Foundation for Creativity is to provide shelter, education, emotional support, and rehabilitation to help orphaned Iraqi children heal from the trauma, while Aligning Cultures seeks to build resilient communities through transformative partnerships. The Iraqi diaspora didn’t have any structured bonds with their home, and for decades, all the support to Iraqi vulnerable communities was made based on individual effort. DDB provides a structured and hands-on bridge connecting the diaspora expertise and support to their home.

Program Objective:

DDB aims to empower orphans through digital skills and self-reliance, while simultaneously fostering a strong, engaged connection with the Iraqi diaspora community. Focus on impact sourcing models, which connect marginalized orphans directly to digital work.

Role Description

DDB is looking to recruit a highly qualified, practice-oriented consultant who will provide strategic direction and technical support to orphans to develop digital skills and attain digital economy employment. The role requires the following:

• Conduct analytical assessment of digital skills gaps & opportunities for young orphans (males and females)
• Recommend industry-aligned curricula (AI literacy, cybersecurity, digital marketing).
• Advise on digital inclusion models for marginalized groups.
• Identify private tech partners (Microsoft, Google, Meta, local tech hubs).
• Support creation of digital pathways from skilling → internships → jobs.
• Analyze current trends in Iraq's digital economy, including platform sectors.
• Conduct a risk and safeguarding analysis for orphans engaging in digital/gig work (online harassment, overwork, non-payment, data/privacy issues, mobility constraints for orphans.
• Define minimum standards / due diligence criteria for platforms and private-sector partners.
• Develop practical pathways to recommended, safe, and fair models for orphans to access flexible and sustainable income solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Advanced degree in a related field with 7–10 years of professional experience in digital skills training and digital economy programs.

• Program Design: Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing digital skills training for marginalized groups.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong network and experience working with Iraqi officials, international donors, private‑sector companies, and innovation hubs.

• Digital Market Knowledge: In-depth understanding of Iraq’s digital market challenges, employment dynamics, and gender gaps.

• Communication & Training: Excellent communication skills in Arabic and English, with experience delivering capacity‑building workshops and producing accessible technical materials.

Duration and Level of Effort

• 6-month framework agreement, starting from mid-January 2026.
• Up to 30 consultancy days may be utilized over the contract period, based on the agreed work plan and needs.

How to apply

Please send your Resume and cover letter, as PDF documents with the above-mentioned points to ([email protected] ) by 8-Jan-2026, referencing "Technical Expert in Digital Economy"