ILO Job: Technical Officer – Inclusive market systems development in Amman

Introduction

With 720,000 UNHCR-registered refugees, Jordan is one of the countries with the highest number of refugees per capita worldwide. Years of regional instability and conflict, coupled with the refugee influx, have been significantly contributed to increasing the pressure on Jordan’s infrastructure, resources and labour market. The situation was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified the country’s economic challenges and unemployment rates, particularly among the youth.

There is therefore an urgent need for initiatives aimed to develop the private sector and stimulate investment and labour demand within the private sector, notably in those sectors that can boost decent jobs for young refugees and young Jordanians while driving the transition towards a more resilient and greener economy in Jordan. Untapped potential exists specifically with regard to export promotion, that according to ITC estimates amounts to 4.9 billion USD. Key sectors including but not limited to agri-food processing as well as textiles and garments would require strategic investments into research and development, product diversification, skills development and export promotion strategies to unfold their full potential in terms of growth and job creation.

Against this background, the ILO is proposing to mobilize its expertise in market systems development, job creation and private sector engagement to boost youth livelihoods opportunities for both young Syrian refugees and young Jordanians from vulnerable host communities in high-potential sectors in Jordan. The project “Advocating for Resilient Market Systems to Enhance Livelihoods for Syrian Refugees and Jordanians” aims use to market systems development approach to conduct research, develop long-term strategies for sectoral growth and systemic change and liaise with a wide range of stakeholders to foster change. The incumbent is expected to lead these efforts and independently coordinate research activities, develop strategies and action plans and focus on market facilitation to enhance the roles of both public and private institutions in market systems.

Reporting lines:

The Technical Officer will report to the Project Manager of ESTIDAMA++ based in the ILO office in Amman, Jordan and will work under the overall guidance of the ILO Country Coordinator for Jordan as well as the Director of the Decent Work Team based in the Regional Office for the Arab States in Beirut. The incumbent will receive guidance and support from the Enterprise Specialists in the DWT as well as from the AIMS/MSD team at ILO’s MSME Branch in ILO HQ Geneva.

Description of Duties

1. Further the ILO’s work on inclusive market systems development in Jordan, including through advising partners, constituents, donors, and other stakeholders on systemic approaches to decent job creation, conduct research and analyses and liaise with key partners and stakeholders to develop strategies and action plans for systemic change.

2. Conduct or oversee research aimed at identifying and analyzing sectors and value chains with potential for inclusive growth and job creation, assist in the development of strategies to create decent jobs based on analysis results and liaise with a wide range of public and private partners and constituents to validate strategies and facilitate change.

3. Provide technical support and advice in the field of market systems development to national partners, project partners, constituents, and other stakeholders on systemic approaches to create decent job opportunities for various target groups.

4. Develop training materials and conduct capacity building for field staff, local partner organizations and implementation partners, on systemic approaches to entrepreneurship and inclusive markets.

5. Under the guidance of the responsible supervisor, maintain close liaison with the Jordan Government, workers’ and employers’ organisations, project partners as well as coordination with other national and international actors working on similar livelihood and social protection initiatives in Jordan.

6. Identify opportunities for technical cooperation project proposals, formulate submissions to public and private donors, identify potential new donors, negotiate with donor’s representatives, and play an active role in resource mobilization. Maintain relations with field offices and key donors and follow up on joint activities.

7. Prepare analytical reports on ILO job creation and private sector development work, specifically in relation to inclusive market systems, and the use of private sector development tools in forced displacement settings.

8. Perform any other duties in consultation with direct supervisor.

Required qualifications

Advanced university degree in economics, business or public administration, social science, or other related field with demonstrated expertise in the field of small enterprise development.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least 5 years’ experience in the field of market system development and/or private sector development

Languages

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Arabic would be an asset.

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies (Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration), this position requires the following technical competencies:

• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability to conceptualise and design research techniques and analyse complex cross-national practices and data sets covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques and ability to conceptualize, plan, coordinate, and conduct activities consistent with the project’s objectives.

• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
• Proven ability to take ownership of responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical, and organizational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standard.
• Excellent leadership and collaboration skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.