LABOUR MARKET ASSESSMENT IN SINJAR, MOSUL AND TEL KAIF DISTRICTS, NINEWA GOVERNORATE, IRAQ Labour Market Assessment in Sinjar, Mosul and Tel Kaif Districts, Ninewa Governorate, Iraq Frontpage photo: Market stall in Sinjar. Photo Credit: Optimum Analysis OPTIMUM ANALYSIS Established in 2019, Optimum Analysis is a locally registered research company that operates throughout Iraq. Its mission is to make a contribution to improving humanitarian and development programming, positively impact economic development, and build the capacity of national researchers in Iraq. By combining the technical skills of international staff with the contextual knowledge of national researchers, and adhering to international standards for social science, Optimum Analysis is able to ensure that the highest quality data and analysis is being delivered. Core services include research design, data collection, and analysis and report writing. MERCY CORPS Mercy Corps is an international humanitarian aid and development organisation with a mission to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. With a team of over 5500 members, Mercy Corps works in over 40 countries to transform the lives of the local population. In Iraq, Mercy Corps has been working to build resilience within communities since 2003. Its services focus on the delivery of emergency, life-saving assistance to conflict-affected populations while also addressing longer-term needs and underlying causes. This publication is produced with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) The content and opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect the views of the SIDA or the Swedish Government. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged. © Mercy Corps January 2020 Labour Market Assessment in Sinjar, Mosul and Tel Kaif Districts, Ninewa Governorate, Iraq ACKNOWLEDGMENT The support and assistance of Mercy Corps staff in Erbil and Ninewa governorates were crucial for the successful completion of this research project. Mercy Corps staff provided Optimum Analysis with documents for the desk review, feedback on the data collection tools, assistance and support during fieldwork, and feedback on the final report. In specific, Optimum Analysis would like to express its gratitude to the following Mercy Corps staff for their help and support throughout all phases of the project: ▪ Susan Mae Detera Head of Livelihoods Program ▪ Muna Omar Social Cohesion Program Manager ▪ Ali Younis Ali Social Cohesion Program Officer Optimum Analysis would like to extend its gratitude to community members and stakeholders in Sinjar and Tel Kaif districts, for their participation in the project as respondents and data collectors. TEAM STRUCTURE This project was executed by Optimum Analysis. The following individuals made a significant contribution to the research design, data collection, analysis, and report writing for this project: ▪ Sarah Nijholt Lead Evaluator ▪ CS Brown Livelihoods Specialist ▪ Mahran Alhayek Fieldwork Manager ▪ Falah Mirza Hassan Team Supervisor ▪ Paybar Idrees Ali Team Supervisor Optimum Analysis i Research Design, Data Collection, and Analysis Labour Market Assessment in Sinjar, Mosul and Tel Kaif Districts, Ninewa Governorate, Iraq Map of Ninewa Governorate, Iraq Studied locations highlighted in red Optimum Analysis ii Research Design, Data Collection, and Analysis Labour Market Assessment in Sinjar, Mosul and Tel Kaif Districts, Ninewa Governorate, Iraq TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgment ...................................................................................................................................................................... i List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................................................... iv Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................................................................... iv Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ v 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3 2.1 Desk Review .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Qualitative Interviews .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Quantitative Household Survey........................................................................................................................................ 4 2.4 Data Analysis and Reporting ............................................................................................................................................ 5 2.5 Limitations ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 3. Context .................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Market Environment ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 3.2 Purchasing Power .................................................................................................................................................................. 6 4. Labour Supply ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 4.1 Demographics .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7 4.2 Employment.............................................................................................................................................................................. 7 4.2.1 Men’s Employment ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 4.2.2 Women’s Employment ............................................................................................................................................. 10 4.2.3 People With Disabilities .......................................................................................................................................... 12 4.3 Skills Training ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12 4.3.1 Past Training Courses ............................................................................................................................................... 13 4.3.2 Future Training ........................................................................................................................................................... 14 4.4 In Focus: Digital and Online Work ............................................................................................................................... 15 4.5 In Focus: Agricultural Enterprises ............................................................................................................................... 16 5. Market Opportunities .................................................................................................................................................... 17 5.1 Demographics ....................................................................................................................................................................... 17 5.2 Existing Businesses ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 5.2.1 Business Challenges .................................................................................................................................................. 19 5.2.2 Procurement ................................................................................................................................................................. 19 5.3 New Business Opportunities .......................................................................................................................................... 21 5.4 In Focus: Micro and Small Agriculture Entrepreneurship ................................................................................. 22 5.5 Finance Practices ................................................................................................................................................................. 23 6. Social Cohesion ................................................................................................................................................................