Background

Promoting Local Economic Development in Jordan – Support to tourism services - is an EU-funded action tha is being implemented by UNDP with the Ministry of Interior. This action aims to contribute to the implementation of the local economic development for the governorates of Ajloun and Tafileh, particularly by supporting the development of tourism services. This action is expected to contribute to poverty alleviation and employment generation through supporting low-value grants in tourism services related services. This action is expected to strengthen the capacities of the target group by providing guidance and mentoring them on implementing the planned activities with sound administrative and financial management of the grant. Capacity developments in this context includes information sessions for eligible target groups and follow up activities that include field visits, on the job training, and monitoring of implementation on the ground.

The proposed action will support the implementation of the local tourism development plans for the Governorates of Ajloun and Tafileh and will assist the development of tourism support services in the following sub-sectors (i) accommodation and lodging (ii) catering (iii) handicrafts and souvenirs (iv) organisation of local fairs; through financial support to support community-based organisations and individual/family private initiatives.  This action will address unemployment and regional disparities in the two targeted governorates through Tourism Support Services.

The Ministry of Interior through its presence on the groud through the governorates specialised Local Development Units is strongly contributing to the development efforts. The Ministry represents a major stakeholder, and driver of development initiatives at the local level. UNDP will use the fast track implementation modality[1] to accelerate the implementation of the action.

Duties and Responsibilities

The project will launch call/(s) for proposals (depending on the number of proposals received, and the number selected) seeking applications from local CBOs, private sectors and individuals over the next 10 months. The assessor will participate in the evaluation committee, and he/she will provide technical input to the committee from technical point view in relation to tourism services, for a second or a third reading.

The assessor is expected to perform the following tasks:

  • Evaluate the eligibility of the applicant;
  • Evaluate the relevance of the action, and its expected contribution to the impact;
  • Evaluate national context of tourism services into action’s activities;
  • Assess the technical content of the proposal, and the proposed activities;
  • Evaluate the proposed budget and timeline of the action, in relation to the proposed activities;
  • Write a one page summary (in English) of each proposal evaluated;
  • Provide a report with the total number of proposals evaluated in each area, list of accepted proposals, list of rejected proposals, and a brief on the proposal idea, and an evaluation explaining why each project was accepted/rejected (in English);
  • Proposals evaluation should be undertaken according to UNDP provided scoring and evaluation forms.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional competencies:

  • Strong interpersonal skills;
  • Communication and diplomatic skills;
  • Ability to work with stakeholders including governments;
  • Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • University Degree in agriculture or equivalent in development, local economic development, economics, sustainable development, community development or related field.

Experience:

  • At least 15 years of working experience in project management, Monitoring and Evaluation, or project design and formulation.
  • Experience in M&E and/or evaluation of grant proposals;
  • Demonstrated experience in providing management advisory services;
  • Demonstrated track record in the design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing/facilitating relationships between international organizations and national/local NGOs/CBOs;
  • Must have adequate administrative and organizational experience and knowledge to function and operate effectively with political, economic and legal realities in Jordan;
  • Knowledge of, and experience with UNDP’s rules and regulations;
  • Familiarity with the United Nations system, MDGs and other relevant UN global/regional processes;
  • Sound knowledge of results-based management (especially results-oriented monitoring and evaluation);
  • Ability to undertake project budget analysis.

Language:

  • Fluency in Arabic and English.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Proposal:

  • Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
  • Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work.

Financial proposal

Personal CV

  • Including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.