Institution
The Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani
Position Type
This is a commissioned Senior Contributor role, with compensation provided on a fee-per-report basis. It is not a full-time or consultancy position.
Location
Baghdad/Sulaimani, Iraq (With flexibility for hybrid/remote baseline)
Overview
The Iraq Economic Review (IER) is an independent platform that produces rigorous, policy-relevant economic analysis on Iraq. It engages policymakers, civil society actors, and researchers, and examines economic dynamics at the local, national, and regional levels. A core focus of the IER is on how Iraq’s economic trajectory is shaped by its regional relationships, particularly through trade, energy linkages, and infrastructure development. Iraq relies almost entirely on crude oil revenues to fund its national budget, public sector salaries, and essential food and medical subsidies. With the Strait of Hormuz rendered impassable due to active conflict, Iraq’s southern oil terminals in the Strait of Houmuz—accounting for over 85% of total export capacity—are effectively offline. IRIS is seeking a Senior Research Fellow to deliver a comprehensive, actionable macroeconomic assessment analyzing the immediate domestic fallout of this closure and evaluate the survival strategies being deployed by the newly formed Iraqi government.
Scope of Work
The selected fellow will lead a high-stakes research initiative, producing two deeply technical policy papers designed to serve as a roadmap for emergency governance, fiscal defense, and infrastructure pivot:
Piece 1: The first piece will examine the government’s immediate tactical response to the ongoing war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, analyzing how it plans to protect domestic oil revenues and stabilize the economy if the closure persists.
Piece 2: The second piece will assess the new government’s broader program for long-term economic growth and structural diversification, explicitly analyzing how its strategic priorities, reforms, and economic philosophies differ from those of the Al-Sudani administration. Across both pieces, the contributor will examine how Baghdad financially survives the crisis—looking at how it reallocates budget funds, delays debt payments, and uses central bank reserves to keep the market stable without triggering hyperinflation.
Profile
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Iraq’s political economy and a track record of producing high-quality, policy-oriented analysis. They should understand Iraq's fiscal architecture, supply chain vulnerabilities, and energy logistics—specifically regarding northern bypass pipelines and overland trade routes. Most critically, the candidate must have the capacity to research the economy from both "above" (engaging with senior government officials and elites) and "below" (fieldwork with ordinary traders, businesses, and consumers) under tight, crisis-driven timelines.
Deliverables
The contributor will submit two written pieces, each between 1,500 and 3,000 words, depending on format and editorial direction. The contributor will also be expected to engage in an iterative editorial process to refine the analysis for publication.
Compensation
Compensation will be provided as a fee per accepted contribution, with payment made upon final approval of each piece.
Application
Interested candidates should submit a short statement of interest of 300 to 400 words, outlining relevant expertise and proposed angles for the two contributions. Applicants should also include a CV and one writing sample. Applications should be sent to [email protected]
