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CONSULTANCY TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT OF JORDAN IN DRAFTING THE NATIONAL POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY

Location : Amman - Jordan
Application Deadline :19-Jul-12
Type of Contract :Individual Contract
Post Level :International Consultant
Languages Required :
 Arabic   English  
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)		01-Aug-2012
Duration of Initial Contract :2 months
Expected Duration of Assignment :30 days

Background
During the last two decades, Jordan has adopted an economic strategy that aims at increasing self-reliance while minimizing the dependence of the Jordanian economy on foreign resources through the implementation of numerous economic programmes. These programmes have focused on restructuring the national economy, enhancing its openness and substantiating the role of the private sector as a major producer of commodities and services, as well as increasing its global competitive edge while emphasizing the legislative and oversight role of the public sector.

Jordan has also experienced since its foundation the influx of forced displacements of population groups from neighboring areas, the first of which was the displacement/immigration of the Palestinian population in 1948, and again in 1967, followed by the return of hundreds of thousands of Jordanian and Palestinian expatriates from Kuwait in 1990, the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who poured into Jordan in recent years, and finally the ongoing immigration of Libyan and Syrian refugees. These factors combined have caused the population of the country to double 12 times during the last sixty years. This unnatural increase in the population has led to increased pressures on the country's resources, infrastructure and basic services. Likewise, additional stress has been put on the labour market due to the huge challenges the nation has faced in terms of creating thousands of job opportunities for the new entrants into the labor market. Alongside these major transformations, poverty has emerged as a key problem for decision-makers in Jordan.

The impacts of these above mentioned factors, in addition to the recent financial crisis, has led the Government of Jordan (GoJ) to develop a series of social programmes aimed at increasing employment opportunities, curbing unemployment, combating poverty and offering in-kind and cash assistance for social groups that are especially vulnerable. While these efforts are notable there are still challenges in coordinating, implementing and refining these programmes. In 2011, the GoJ responding to these programmatic challenges—and the social unrest sweeping the region—decided to develop a national poverty reduction strategy (PRS).

The PRS Formulation Process: In 2011, the GoJ requested technical assistance to support the two main governmental stakeholders in the PRS formulation process: the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) and the Ministry of Planning and International Development (MoPIC). UNDP was tasked with offering support to policy analysis and the preparation of the PRS document, whilst the World Bank (WB) undertook the preparation of a series of background papers for the PRS. In addition, Columbia University’s Earth Institute (EI) carried out preliminary poverty-related data analysis and, due to their expertise in the area, the development of key aspects of social care delivery.

In late 2011 UNDP recruited a consultant to undertake phase one of the PRS process. Following a review of Jordan’s previous Poverty Alleviation Strategy (2002) and as a result of consultations with MoSD, MoPIC, WB and EI the following was agreed: (i) a framework for the PRS; (ii) a strategic planning process; and (iii) a provisional PRS structure.

The PRS framework envisions a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy, which is based on evidence and a consultative process. It mainstreams gender, environment and disability. Moreover, the strategy should be aligned to existing national (e.g. the National Agenda 2006-2015 and the Executive Development Programme 2001-2013) and sectoral policy (e.g. National Employment and Microfinance strategies) and legislation (e.g. new social security legislation). Finally, the PRS addresses poverty holistically in five thematic areas. These are:
  1. Social Protection and Gender;
  2. Pro-Poor Employment and Entrepreneurship;
  3. Inclusive Education and Health;
  4. Pro-Poor Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development; and
  5. Infrastructure, Transport and Housing for the Poor.
A major component of the agreed strategic planning process included the development of a series of policy option papers (POPs). These POPs were to determine strategic direction and to form the basis of the emerging strategy. The POPs were completed in early July 2012 and the GoJ, in a two-day workshop held in Amman, selected preferred policies. The next phase of the PRS formulation process includes the recruitment of a consultant to provide technical support to build upon the POPs to draft the final PRS document.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives and Scope of Work:

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical support to MoSD and MoPIC in drafting the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Delivery of this technical support will be divided into five phases:

  1. Review of existing documentation. Documentation includes: (i) existing poverty-related assessments and policy documents for Jordan; (ii) the series of policy options papers developed in phase one of the PRS process; and (iii) the PRS framework and structure.
  2. In-country consultations. Consultations with key stakeholders will take place in Amman. These consultations will be focused on agreeing the structure, and general content of the PRS (with the latter based on the selected policy options).
  3. Drafting of PRS. Based upon existing data and the selected policy options a draft of the PRS will be prepared. This includes the preparation of narrative and thematic chapters. The latter will include policy measures matrices, which in turn consist of policies, actions, timelines, stakeholder responsibilities, and performance and outcome indicators.
  4. Validation Workshop. The draft PRS will be presented to governmental, civil society and private sector stakeholders, in Amman, for validation.
  5. Finalisation of PRS. Comments received from key stakeholders will be integrated, and the PRS will be finalized.

Methodology:

This assignment will include a desk review of relevant documents and drafting and finalization of deliverables in the consultant’s home country. Furthermore, at least two in-country missions, during which the consultant will be located at UNDP, will be undertaken.

The Consultant will work with national representatives from the main governmental stakeholders to discuss the content and format of the final PRS.

Deliverables and Timeline:

The consultancy duration is 2 months from signing of the contract, with a total of 30 working days allocated for completion of deliverables. This includes, at least, two in-country missions: (i) a mission of seven days for key stakeholder consultations, and (ii) a three-day mission for the validation workshop. 

Based on the above objectives and activities, below is a table with key deliverables and the respective timelines: 

Deliverable Timeline No. of Working Days

  • Mission Report Within 10 days of signing contract 7 Days
  • Draft of PRS Within 30 days of signing contract 20 Days
  • Final PRS Within 60 days of signing contract 3 Days

Management Arrangements:

UNDP will be responsible for the recruitment of the consultant and management of the assignment. Once these Terms of Reference are signed, they are considering binding and will be annexed to the Individual Contract Agreement signed by the consultant. UNDP and the consultant may agree to amend the Terms of Reference, in which case the amended version will be signed accordingly. The consultant will report to the UNDP Programme Manager.

Competencies
  • Very strong analytical, communication and advocacy skills;
  • Ability to use Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource; 
  • Proven knowledge of tools for the analysis and assessment of poverty and poverty indicators; and 
  • Strong background in and knowledge of the Middle East an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Master's Degree in statistics, economics, social science, or development studies or any other related field.
Experience:
  • Specialized academic or policy experience in poverty reduction, including formulation and implementation of poverty reduction strategies and policies, labor and employment policies, and social safety networks;
  • Experience in results-based management, including the formulation of policies, indicators and action plans; and
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in poverty policy development and analysis.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.


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