Economic Research Assistant – NPSA 4 (One year with a possibility of extension based on performance evaluation and budget availability)

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 “Improving 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, DLDSP¹ and DAILL². 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.

3- Scope of Work

The Economic Research Assistant will provide technical support and research expertise in evidence-based policy, implementation and analytical methods, macroeconomic analysis and impact on the local level, localization of economic and social indices, socioeconomic impact assessments and provide a range of deliverables and services as agreed with the programme management for the “Improving Local Development to Increase the Resilience of Host Communities and Refugees in North Jordan” and DAILL Programmes

Functions/ Key results expected:

• • Support in analysis of the local economic environment
    • Review all relevant economic data provision of periodic analysis of national and local economic and development issues and themes.
    • Tracking national and local economic data and analysis.
    • Tracking of current socio-economic trends.
    • Advice on macroeconomic performance at the governorate and municipal levels.
    • Conduct qualitative and quantitative economic sectorial research at the governorate level.
    • Develop a comprehensive dashboard to support macroeconomic indicators and detection of vulnerabilities at the governorate level.
• • Support in the local economic development process
    • Collect and support in analysis of socio-economic data at the governorate level and present key findings along with corresponding recommendations.
    • Work closely with the governorates, municipalities, MOLA, and MOI to modernize their current economic practices and make them results-focused and in tune with the management challenges faced by governorates and municipalities.
    • Analyse ongoing trends, evolving needs, and emerging issues to identify appropriate responses for capacity building.

• • Innovative approach to working processes
    • Suggest new ways to enhance the environment and support the promotion of local economic development at the local level.
    • Tracking national and local economic data, and provision of periodic analysis of national and local economic and development issues and themes.
    • Generates new ideas and approaches, research best practices, and propose new, more effective ways of achieving tasks.
    • Ensure green economy requirements are abided by to support sustainability.

• • Sectoral Cluster Research and Analysis
    • Review and build upon previous development partners/programmes efforts and assessments to advice on macroeconomic performance at the governorate and municipal levels.
    • Research potential solutions to internal and external client needs and report back in a timely, succinct, and appropriate fashion
    • Collect and compile relevant literature and policy documents upon the guidance of the supervisor.
• Support in capital investment projects
  • Report to senior management on economic findings and recommended corrective measures that feed needs assessments and projects on the ground.
  • Prepare and deliver feasibility studies, economic impact assessment studies, economic modelling, and other analysis and studies at the governorate and municipality levels for the potential projects implemented by DAILL.
  • Remains apprised on all capital investment projects’ updates.

• Any other activity required by the supervisor

4- Institutional Arrangement:

The Economic Research 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.

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
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

Min. Academic Education	High school education is required or a bachelor’s degree in economics, development studies, social sciences, public administration, or related fields. Specialized certification in administration or project management will be considered.
Min. years of relevant Work experience	Minimum of four years of experience with high school education or minimum of one year of experience with a bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in providing technical and administrative support in the field of economics, sustainable development, development research or other related fields.
Required skills	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	– 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; and – Ability to work under minimum supervision in a complex environment.
Required Language(s) (at working level)	Working knowledge in Written and spoken Arabic and English
Professional Certificates	NA