The ‘PROSPECTS’ Partnership for improving Prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons, was launched by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019 in response to forced displacement crises, bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank. The partnership spans eight countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Uganda.
Within the framework of the PROSPECTS partnership in Jordan, ILO’s focus is on enhancing resilience of the country’s crisis-distressed labour market and creating better livelihoods and employment opportunities for both Jordanian host communities and Syrian refugees. It is doing so by promoting the development of market relevant skills (Education and Learning Pillar); enhancing employment placement services and labour market governance, and promoting micro, small and medium sized enterprises as well as sectors, including the agriculture and agri-food with potential for decent job creation (Employment and Economic Inclusion Pillar); and strengthening social protection schemes (Protection Pillar).
The partnership has now entered its second phase which will be implemented from 2024-2027 and builds on the strategic areas of intervention and maximizing impact from phase one. ILO will build on the results and lessons learned under the three pillars of phase I, while also introducing new interventions in the second phase that were identified with the PROSPECTS partners to respond to evolving needs and priorities. One such intervention that has been introduced under the Employment Pillar of PROSPECTS II in Jordan is in the area of entrepreneurship development, financial inclusion and market systems development.
The National Project Coordinator (NOA) will work to promote micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), through entrepreneurship education, improved access to finance for marginalised groups, development of cooperatives, and other Social and Solidarity Organizations, and market systems development in sectors with potential to create more and better jobs in Jordan, with a focus on both refugees and host communities.
Reporting Lines
The National Project Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the ILO PROSPECTS Jordan Project Manager, and under the overall guidance of the Regional Enterprise Development Specialist. The incumbent should also ensure alignment of activities with the PROSPECTS Financial Inclusion and Enterprise Technical Officer based in Beirut.
Description of Duties
The National Project Coordinator will contribute to the PROSPECTS project components related to entrepreneurship promotion, financial inclusion, cooperatives development, value chain and market systems analysis and development, specifically:
Support the PROSPECTS team in developing a detailed work plan, identifying potential national partners, and required capacity building for partners in the area of entrepreneurship, financial education, grants/ loans management, and cooperative development.
Draft cooperation agreements with implementing partners with a view of facilitating systemic and inclusive change in the wider market systems of targeted value chains and sub-sectors, including green and digital economy.
Work closely with partners, agencies, line ministries at the national level, partner and executing government offices, social partners and other organizations to plan, implement and monitor activities and ensure targets are met and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country/action programs, and administrative and financial procedures.
Undertake frequent field missions across Jordan, to plan, follow up and monitoring project activities.
Provide technical support and advice to national implementing partners (including banks, MFIs, cooperatives and SSEs and their umbrella organizations), project partners and consultants on the implementation of the entrepreneurship, financial inclusion that target both refugees and host communities, cooperatives development and inclusive market systems development.
Description of Duties (continued)
Support the adaptation and finalisation of entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business education materials for trainings and mentoring in both Arabic and English.
Organise and oversee all project trainings relating to entrepreneurship development (particularly ILO enterprise trainings such as SIYB, GET Ahead, among others) and value chain and market systems development trainings. Provide support to trainers and to the PROSPECTS team in leading all logistics.
Ensure that the selection criteria for beneficiaries and trainers and implementing partners for business training, coaching and mentoring are developed and followed in close coordination with the PROSPECTS agriculture officer; contribute as required to data collection and reporting along the project M&E plan.
Work with PROSPECTS partners (UNHCR, UNICEF, IFC and WB) in rolling out ILO enterprise development tools, financial inclusion and market systems development to youth, women, refugees and host community beneficiaries.
Maintain close liaison with the Government of Jordan, banks and MFIs, workers’ and employers’ organisations to ensure smooth implementation and coordination in project activities.
Prepare and submit technical reports related to project implementation in collaboration with the PROSPECTS Jordan Data Analyst, Regional MEL officer and Jordan Project Manager.
Perform any other duties as assigned by the ILO Project Manager, in close collaboration with the Regional Enterprise Development Specialist.
Required qualifications
Education
First level university degree in business, finance, development studies or a relevant field. An advanced degree would be a strong advantage.
Experience
At least one year of professional experience at the national level implementing and/or supporting development projects, and at least three years of experience with the UN or international organisations working in the area of entrepreneurship, business development, market systems development, or financial and non-financial business development services. Knowledge of ILO enterprise development tools is considered a strong asset.
Technical requirements: Good knowledge of business and enterprise development, financial literacy, access and inclusion, and value chain and market systems development. Knowledge of the forced displacement and refugee challenges in financial inclusion and enterprise development in Jordan is an advantage.
Languages
Excellent command of written and spoken Arabic and English.
