Programme Specialist (Economist)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Programme in Jordan aims to enhance the nation’s inclusivity and resilience to achieve its national priorities, aligned with the 2030 Agenda. The Jordan Country Office focuses on key priorities, including Governance and Peace, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Livelihoods, Environment, Renewable Energy, Climate Change, Financing for Development, and SDG impact.

Regarding the significant challenge posed by Financing for Development, the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda emphasized the importance of holistic approaches to financing national strategies. In response, UNDP launched Financing for Development (FfD) portfolios which include initiatives in partnership with both governmental and private stakeholders to align public and private capital flows with national development priorities and to mobilize the necessary financing for large-scale development impacts.

In an effort to build a coherent sustainable finance architecture, UNDP leverages its technical expertise and convening power to support the deployment of an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) in Jordan. An INFF is a tool to help countries strengthen planning processes and overcome existing impediments to financing sustainable development at the country level. This government-led process unites government entities, the private sector, and development cooperation partners in devising a strategy to finance national development. To inform this strategy with data and analyses of the financing landscape, UNDP Jordan already conducted a Development Finance Assessment and complementary thematic studies. Building on these efforts, the country office is now deploying a FfD portfolio to further support the Government in developing an INFF roadmap anchored with the priorities of Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision (EMV).

With its FfD portfolio, the country office is seeking to effectively leverage innovative financing and support investments into the green transition. UNDP Jordan is partnering with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) toward an area-based development programme to establish a Jordan Valley Green Economic Corridor. This ambitious initiative is designed to run for over seven years and encompasses a portfolio of development projects aligned with the key components of the EMV.

The Jordan Country Office is seeking to hire a Programme Specialist (Economist)- under the strategic guidance of the Resident Representative (RR) and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident – to lead the implementation of the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and contribute to further developing an FfD portfolio.

2- Scope of Work

The incumbent will undertake the following to ensure the success of the assignment:

1- Lead effective design and implementation of the Financing for Development (FfD) portfolio:

• Lead the operationalization of the INFF in close collaboration with Government partners, private stakeholders, and the international development partners.
• Identify programmatic opportunities and partnerships to develop the Financing for Development portfolio in line with the INFF Financing Strategy and UNDP’s Country Programme Document (CPD), and leveraging UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub offers.
• Compile, analyze and interpret economic and statistical data, conduct thorough research of the economic and development issues in the country and prepare top quality analysis and reports to contribute to UNDP’s positioning as FfD leading adviser.
• Provide technical support as required throughout the implementation of the FfD project, including by conducting economic analyses, designing trainings and other activities, preparing terms of references, concept notes, and action plans, and conducting stakeholder consultations.
• Monitor the implementation of the FfD project and report on targets and indicators, including project results frameworks, CPD indicators, UNDP Strategic Plan Moonshots.
• Generate new ideas and approaches, consolidate best practices and propose effective ways of improving programmes and overcoming implementation challenges.

2- Develop strategic partnerships and ensure coordination with implementing partners and relevant stakeholders:

• Develop partnerships with government institutions, UN Agencies, IFIs, private sector, academia, civil society and development partners around the INFF implementation and FfD project.
• Produce periodic updates and briefs on country development situation and emerging development challenges for the country office, HQ, and relevant partners.
• Make top-quality contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Identify areas of cooperations, analyze donors’ priorities, and support resource mobilization for the INFF and further projects to expand the FfD portfolio.
• Ensure capacity building of national partners, and organize briefings and trainings as needed.
• Identify potential organizations to engage within the targeted areas and contribute to building a network.
• Establish and maintain a network of partners and relevant stakeholders for general information sharing, and to remain up-to-date on issues relevant to the implementation of the INFF and FfD project.

3-Lead and promote knowledge management and information sharing on economic and financing topics across the country office:

• Identify and document best practices and lessons learned from INFF initiatives in Jordan and in other countries.
• Conduct and support research, dialogue, and policy reviews on financing for development.
• Manage commissioning and contracting of external researchers for the FfD project and ensure quality of final research products.
• Develop and share technical material relevant to the country office’s programmes: advocacy papers, policy notes and knowledge products.
• Contribute to advocacy and policy dialogue on FfD and to positioning of UNDP including through identifying appropriate partners, fora for dissemination and policy advocacy, and knowledge networks at regional and global levels.

Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office

4-Institutional Arrangement

The Incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative

5- Competencies 

6- Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

7-   Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

8.       The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials