Program Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Recruiting Company	Almethalia for Business Development
Job Title	Program Officer
Contract Type	Fixed Term Contract
Duration	12 months
Sector	International Development Cooperation
Location	Amman, Jordan
Expected salary	Based on the candidate experience

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1.The contracting agency

Almethalia Company for Business Development is a private company specialized in providing general supply chain management and logistics, information technology and technical vocational education and training (TVET) as well as tailored services for institutions’ performance development. Founded and registered in Jordan in 2002, it has offices in Irbid and Amman. In July 2021, Almethalia Company for Business Development was contracted by the Amman Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) to support the implementation of a Technical Secretariat at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Technical Secretariat aims to support the implementation of Italian funded development projects in Jordan, with a special focus on sustainable tourism and human resources development.

1. The funding agency

Established in 2016, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) is the public agency of the Italian Government that leads the formulation, implementation, monitoring & evaluation of Italian funded development and humanitarian projects, worldwide. AICS has been present in Jordan since its creation in 2016. Its country office is located in Amman. AICS Amman works in close coordination with the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the framework of the Development Framework Agreement signed between the two countries. Within its mandate AICS can act either as funding or implementing agency, the latter being especially the case for technical assistance projects.

1. Background of the assignment

The selected candidate will join the existing team of the Technical Secretariat established at MoPIC by Almethalia for Business Development and funded by AICS Amman. The Technical Secretariat is a component of AICS project “Technical Assistance to Supporting the Definition of a Strategic Development Plan for Tourism and Human Resources in Jordan”. The project is part of AICS broader strategy in support of the development of human resources in Jordan, both in terms of early education and technical education and vocational training (TVET). Hence, the project was designed to facilitate the implementation of the Italian Development Policy Loan (DPL) that sustains Jordan National Strategy for Human Resources Development 2016 – 2025. The DPL, amounting to 85 million euros, was designed to support the Government of Jordan in carrying out policy reforms that enhance access for all girls and boys to equal and quality education and improve relevance, quality and effectiveness of TVET programs.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1.4. Purpose

The Program Officer will support MoPIC European Relations Section in the management of Italian funded projects, with a particular focus on education, human resources development and sustainable tourism.

1.5. Tasks

The Program Officer will perform the following tasks:

1. Italian Sovereign Loans

1. Supporting the implementation of the ongoing Development Policy Loan on the National Strategy of Human Resources Development by:

• Liaising with the Ministry of Education and other concerned parties.
• Monitoring the implementation of the agreements governing the loan.
• Reviewing audits reports.
• Preparing relevant documentation to allow loan disbursement.
• Organizing the DPL Steering Committee meetings and ensure proper follow-up.

1. Supporting the design of the upcoming DPLs in Health and Agriculture by:

• Liaising with concerned line Ministries.
• Organizing coordination meetings among concerned parties, ensuring proper follow-up.
• Providing technical support for the formulation and review of Result Framework and KPIs matrix.
• Facilitating the draft of new project documents, based on best practices and lessons learned from the ongoing Italian DPL.

1. Supporting the implementation of other ongoing sovereign loans such as:

• Wastewater Network in Ain Al Basha and Baqaa Camp (e.g. liaising with the Water Authority of Jordan).
• Support to the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences of the University of Jordan.

1. Debt Swap Program

1. Supporting the design of the third phase of the Debt Swap Program between Italy and Jordan by:

• Attending meetings with the Ministry of Finance, AICS and the Embassy of Italy to Jordan.
• Providing technical support in the identification of new sector of interventions in line with national priorities and Italian areas of expertise.

1. Grant portfolio

1. Supporting the implementation of the Italian grant portfolio by liaising with concerned national institutions, as needed.

1. Additional tasks

1. Other tasks assigned by the Head of European Relations at MOPIC, related to the portfolio of the European Relations Division.

LOGISTICS AND TIMING

1. 1. Location

The Program Officer will carry out his duties at the MoPIC European Relation Division.

2.2.Start date & contract duration

As soon as possible and upon completion of the recruitment process. The contract will last 12 months.

2.3. Equipment

The Program Officer will be granted with a fully equipped desk station inside MoPIC European Relation Division.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

1. 1. Job Title: Program Officer

3.2.Experience

1. Required

• A minimum of 5-year experience in the implementation of international development projects.
• Fully conversant with key project cycle management tools (Log-frame, Theory of Change, Key Performance Indicators etc).
• Proven professional experience in technical and financial project monitoring.
• Solid understanding of result-based finance principles and practices.
• Prior experience in at least one of the following sectors: education, TVET, health or agriculture.
• Prior working experience in Jordan.
  1. Desired

• Prior experience in government-led projects is highly desirable.
• Prior experience with sovereign loans.

3.3.Core Competences

• Integrity
• Team player
• Proactivity and accountability
• Discipline
• Result oriented.

3.4. Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public/Business Management, International Development, Economics, Engineering, or any other field relevant to the assignment.
• Fluency in English and Arabic (both written and oral) is required.

The selected candidate must not be in a situation of conflict of interest, including potential, that jeopardize the impartial exercise of their functions.

REPORTING

4.1.Line Manager

The Program Officer will act under the supervision of the Department of Vocational Training and Employment of Almethalia for Business Development.

4.2.Reporting Line

The daily functional reporting line of the Program Officer will be the Head of the European Relations Section at MoPIC.

4.3. Report to AICS

AICS Amman focal point will be the Soft Loan and Debt Swap Manager. The selected candidate will maintain a constant communication channel with AICS Amman providing regular feedback on the state of progress of the concerned projects.

The selected candidate will submit semestral reports to AICS Amman.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates shall submit their cv including three references and a cover letter to [ [email protected] ] cc [email protected] by 23:59 Amman time of 30 November 2022

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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