Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports Jordan in achieving sustainable development that leads to transformational change, bringing about real improvements in people’s lives through the design and implementation of policy and programming to address the development challenges that affect the country. #Nextgen UNDP also ensures that considerations such as Gender Equality, Private Sector Engagement, Environmental Sustainability, and Innovation are addressed while aligning local demand-driven development solutions to the 2030 Agenda.

UNDP and the European Union collaborate in improving the public sector’s integrity, accountability, and responsiveness to citizens and refugees’ needs in Jordan. The European Union a grant to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the implementation of the “I mproving Local Development to Increase the Resilience of Host Communities and Refugees in North Jordan Programme” which is built on two programmes aiming to support decentralization financed by the European Union and executed by UNDP, DLDSP [1] and DAILL [2] . The Programme fills a very large void in local administrations, which is the lack of financial resources to invest in development projects. In recent years there has been a profusion of development plans, and local economic development strategies; however, they are not backed up by the resources to implement them. The availability of funds will encourage and test new forms of public-private collaboration that include various municipalities and private investors.

Focusing on the Governorate of Irbid, the Programme proposes a series of activities and is inclusive of host communities and refugees. The efforts focus on creating economic opportunities and the joint search for solutions to chronic development challenges. By boosting the growth of economic sectors and supporting either the demand or supply of value chains and clusters, the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will create jobs and enhance social cohesion, integration, and a sense of belonging among refugees and Jordanians.

Scope of Work

Economic Research and Community Outreach Assistant will assist in technical implementation and research expertise in evidence-based policy, implementation and analytical methods, economic impact on the local level, localization of economic and social indices, socioeconomic impact assessments and provide technical support to CBOs, NGOs and CSOs at local level in addition to municipalities.

Functions/ Key Results Expected

Support in Technical Functions:

• Assist the programme team and experts in developing research plan including methods, fielding of the research, analysis, and reporting.
• Support the team of the Local Development Directorates and Local Development Units to organize briefing sessions for selected governorate and municipalities in coordination with the programme’s PSU. The aim of these sessions is to provide the selected governorates and municipalities with information on the capacity development program Implementation with the LED programme clarifying their roles and responsibilities and ensuring they are set up in a timely manner.
• Assist the programme team in monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the LED activities at the local level to the programme’s senior programme assistant.
• Support the programme team and related entities in the implementation of the capital investment projects.
• Assist the programme team in and carrying forward the programme’s component with community-based organisations and all coordination related to their component and their engagement.
• Assist the programme team in the implementation of the programme’s M&E plan.
  
  
  

Support In Administrative Functions

• Support in organizing briefings (for selected governorates and municipalities) and actively participate through holding a presentation and participating in the discussion in line with materials and guidelines provided by the programme team.
• Support in mobilizing the implementation phase of the PEM cycle, which encompasses data collection, facilitating participatory planning sessions, project management/supervision, and devise the most effective ways for developing capacity in these fields through doing.
• Support in keeping a detailed record of regulations, institutional, capacity gaps to perform PEM processes within the governorate and municipality’s departmental structure and engage the programme to address such gaps to Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Local Administration, and line ministries.
• Assist in facilitating and organizing arrangements for programme events, field visits and workshops at the local level in close coordination with programme’s administrative team.
  
  
  

Support In Communication Functions

• Assist the programme team in organizing community-based events.
• Update photo documentation database of LED initiatives.
• Assist the programme team in the development of fact sheets, white papers, briefs, messages, and communications of community-based components.
  
  
  

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Economic Research and Community Outreach Assistant will work under the supervision of the “Improving Local Development to Increase the Resilience of Host Communities and Refugees in North Jordan” programme’s Programme Analyst.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition

Business Direction & Strategy Business Acumen

Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.

Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.

Business Development Integration within the UN

Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.

Business Management Monitoring

Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Business Management Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Ability to ma nage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Planet Nature, Climate and Energy

Green Economy: Green economy and green growth

Business Management Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals

Required Skills And Experience

Min. Academic Education

High school education is required.

A University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Specialized certification in administration or project management will be considered.

Min. years of relevant Work experience Minimum of four (4) years (with secondary education) or one (1) year (with bachelor’s degree) of experience with of relevant experience in providing technical and administrative support in the field of economics, sustainable development, development research or other related fields is required.

Required Skills

Experience in research and policy-level analysis support.

Usage of computers and office software packages

Experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.

Desired Additional Skills And Competencies

• Experience in Design, monitor, and evaluation of development projects.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and deal effectively with partners, including government, academia, civil society, private sector, UN, and other development donors to address the relevant issue and to ensure the greater impact of the projects/ programmes
  
  
  

Required Language(s) (at working level) Fluency in Arabic and English is required.

Professional Certificates NA

Disclaimer

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Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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