Consultant Trainer / Specialist

Brief description of the organization

Yazda Iraq is a local organization registered in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It operates as a subsidiary of the global Yazda organization and adheres to the same mission: supporting vulnerable communities, particularly those affected by genocide and mass atrocities. In Iraq/KRI, Yazda implements programs focused on advocacy, legal assistance, humanitarian aid, and community and survivor empowerment initiatives. The Country Director leads these efforts, ensuring they align with organizational goals and respond effectively to local needs.

Background

Yazda is implementing a four-month GIZ/CPS-funded project titled “Strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) through Dissemination of the MHPSS Needs Assessment, Capacity Building and Family Therapy”. The project builds on the MHPSS Needs Assessment conducted by Yazda in partnership with GIZ and the Family Therapy Capacity Building Training for Psychologists delivered in January 2026.

Under Component 2, the project will deliver a structured capacity-building programme for 20 MHPSS practitioners, including Yazda's MHPSS team and staff from other NGOs delivering MHPSS services in Sinjar and IDP camps.

Job Purpose

The Consultant Trainer / Specialist will design and deliver the capacity-building programme on family therapy and evidence-based MHPSS approaches, so that at least 70% of participants demonstrate improved knowledge and skills in delivering survivor-centred MHPSS services.

Main Responsibilities

1. Conduct a learning needs assessment with Yazda's MHPSS team and participating practitioners.
2. Develop the training plan, agenda and curriculum based on the assessment findings.
3. Prepare a culturally adapted training package (facilitator guide, presentations, handouts, case studies, role plays).
4. Develop pre- and post-training assessment tools with Yazda's M&E Officer.
5. Deliver the training on trauma-informed care, communication with survivors, management of complex cases, evidence-based therapeutic approaches and family therapy.
6. Deliver a Training of Trainers (ToT) module to enable cascading of learning.
7. Ensure a safe learning environment, use of anonymised case material and attention to practitioner self-care.
8. Administer and analyse the pre- and post-training assessments.
9. Submit a final training report with results and recommendations.

Coordinate regularly with the Project Manager and respect confidentiality and agreed deadlines.

• Master's degree or higher in clinical psychology, counselling psychology, psychotherapy or a closely related field
• At least 7 years of experience in MHPSS service delivery, including work with survivors of conflict-related trauma
• Proven experience designing and delivering training for psychologists and MHPSS practitioners, including Training of Trainers (training samples and references required)
• Strong expertise in trauma-informed care, evidence-based therapeutic approaches and the management of complex psychological cases; knowledge of family/systemic therapy is a strong asset
• Sound knowledge of the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS and of survivor-centred and do-no-harm principles
• Experience working in Iraq/KRI, preferably with Yazidi communities and survivors of the genocide
• Fluency in Kurdish (Kurmanji/Badini) and/or Arabic, and good written English for reporting
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, and availability to meet deadlines

Interested applicants must send their CV and Cover letter to jobs@yazda.org with a subject “Consultant Trainer/ Specialist- JV25326“

Important Notes:

• When applying, please indicate your earliest possible start date and payment expectation per day.
• All submitted CVs and cover letters must be in PDF format.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements or are submitted after the closing date may not be considered. The recruitment process may include a technical written test.
• Due to the urgency of this position, Yazda reserves the right to close the vacancy before the stated deadline.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the posting period.