Field Assistant- SC 7 - UNDP JOCO

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP Jordan's 2018-2022 country programme seeks to support national efforts in reaching a solution pathway that achieves the goal of a more inclusive and resilient nation which can effectively address the development challenges it is faced with through its five programme pillars. Among these pillars is the Environment Sustainability, Climate Change and DRR pillar that assist the country to integrate environmental concerns into national and sectoral plans and strategies; secure resources; and implement programmes that advance inclusive, sustainable development, and strengthen livelihoods.

The Environment, Climate Change & DRR pillar at UNDP Jordan Country Office runs a number of projects that support the country`s sustainable management of its natural resources, protect its environment and meet its international commitments towards UN environmental global conventions. These projects focus on supporting the government of Jordan in relation to mitigation and adaptation to climate change, biodiversity conservation and waste management. In addition, the pillar is engaged in a number of different regional initiatives that aim to achieve the sustainability agenda and work at ecosystem level. 

During the last three years, UNDP with financial support from Badia Restoration Programme (BRP) commenced and implemented two projects that aims at enhancing livelihoods of livestock herders in the three Badia regions through value chain development on dairy products and enhancing sheep wool saleability and profitability. The projects worked through numerous community-based organizations called “Rangelands Cooperatives” as vehicles to drive the socio-economic development processes at local level in the remote and rural areas. However, the cooperative sector in Jordan is a vital component of national economy, contributing to income generation, job creation and poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas.

According to Jordan Cooperative Corporation (JCC), there are 1,591 cooperatives registered operate across a wide spectrum of activities, including agricultural production, food processing and craft making. The overall membership base of cooperatives in Jordan comprising 142,000 members supporting at least 500,000 family members, among these cooperatives approximately 32 were established by BRP aiming at organizing livestock herders to facilitate conveying support to local communities and to enhance the sustainability of the rangeland management.

In Jordan Badia, the rural communities regard the services of natural ecosystems as it forms a major component of their livelihoods’ assets, and its sustainable use is of real concern to them. In this regard, linking natural rangelands’ conservation programme with the local socio-economic development processes in the Jordan Badia is the best course of action to motivate and sustainably use the natural resources. However, linking the conservation and restoration programs at local level with the policy-making process at central level would contribute to advocate for sustainable use of the Badia natural rangelands, accordingly, introducing the Badia natural values to people of Amman city through effective platforms and interpretation means will bring significant economic benefits to the local products of Al Badia and create a public advocacy for its natural values.

The lessons learned from the wool and dairy projects funded by the Ministry of Environment through the Badia Restoration Programme and implemented by UNDP reveal that cooperatives of rural areas, particularly those of the Badia regions face serious challenges in marketing their products, the challenges can be attributed to numerous constraints as follows:

• The distance between rural area and market centers and the lack of proper transportation
• Limited access to markets in geographies, where cooperatives or associations operate
• Marketing efforts are individual, making it highly inefficient
• Lack of dedicated outlets that can be utilized by cooperatives or associations to market their products

Accordingly, The Ministry of Agriculture, UNDP, Ministry of Environment/Badia Restoration Programme and the Jordan Cooperative Corporation agreed to explore opportunities to establish a permanent platform in Amman to promote the natural and socio-economic values and exhibit the local products of Jordan Badia and its adjacent rural areas. Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture donated 8 donums parcel of land located in a strategic commercial zone in Amman for the proposed project.

The UNDP Jordan CO seeks to employ full-time Field Officer to coordinate the project’s site-based activities under the supervision of the project manager and UNDP and in collaboration with the local partners.

Key Results and Impact

The Field Officer will perform his/her tasks on a full-time daily basis for one year (with possibility of extension) at the project management unit (PMU) located within the Ministry of Environment premises with periodic missions to the project sites. The Field Officer will perform his/her duties under the supervision of the project manager and will ensure smooth implementation of the project in accordance with the project document and UNDP procedures. The Field Officer will support in preparation of an annual work plan on the basis of the project document, under the general supervision of the project manager and UNDP and in close consultation and coordination with the Badia Restoration Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Field Officer will be directly responsible for successfully completing the below set of tasks within allotted, agreed-upon time frames:

• Coordinate monitor and be responsible to the project manager and UNDP for implementation of the Work Plan.
• Contribute to the development of the project’s annual workplans and the correspondent budget.
• Participate fully in the process of quarterly and annual planning of project activities.
• Facilitate the day to day implementation of the project activities in close coordination with the project management unit (PMU).
• Provide the project manager with regular reports from the field noting particularly the progress and achievements made, acknowledging difficulties and proposing possible solutions for consideration and guidance by project steering committee.
• Respond to request for reports on Project administration and performance from any key stakeholders, through the project manager.
• Support organize workshops and meetings.
• Assist to prepare and submit progress and financial reports to UNDP in accordance with the reporting schedule.
• Provide technical input to project activities where appropriate.
• Ensure effective ongoing project monitoring program and development of a process whereby the project assesses best practices as it gains experience.
• Foster good working relationships with the Project’s key partners at the local level.
• Assist in establishing a trusting relationship with all concerned groups including relevant ministries and local NGOs.
• Ensure consistency and integration among the various program elements and related activities provided or funded by various sources.
• Provide support to the local Implementing Partners.
• Assist in integrating the project annual workplan into the   partner’s annual plans to ensure integration.
• Ensure appropriate stakeholder participation in the project implementation through coordination with all concerned institutions.
• Assist in documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices derived from the project activities.
• Assist in preparing communication/publicity materials e.g. posters, brochures, newsletter, Etc.;
• Perform field missions to support any related activities in BADIA region.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by UNDP Environment Portfolio

CORE COMPETENCIES

Leadership: Proactively seeks and recognizes contributions of others

•           Actively engages teams and encourages dialogue within and across teams.

•           Determines appropriate resources, methods, partners, information and solutions.

Communication and Relationship Management: Expresses information and views with adaptive reasoning and appreciation for complexity and variation

• Proactively expresses insights and/or questions in order to contribute to clarity, accuracy, and focus in one’s work.
• Speaks on behalf of team with professionalism and integrity consistent with UN values.

Innovation: Adapts deliverables to meet client needs:

• Interprets policies and guidance within context and applies with judgment.
• Anticipates obstacles and applies practical solutions.
• Continually seeks improvement and agility in service delivery. 

People Management: Appropriately involves team in different stages of work and decision-making

• Seeks and values other’s initiatives and expertise.
• Supervises teams with consistent direction and drives team engagement.

Delivery: Takes responsibility for addressing critical situations and delivering core value

• Demonstrates commitment to clients and quality.
• Works to agreed goals dealing with challenges constructively.
• Responsible for project implementation and/or team deliverable.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in delivering services and supervising teams.

TECHNICAL & FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Excellent technical and analytical writing skills.
• Strong facilitation and moderation, communication and inter-personal skills.
• Excellent networking and partnering competencies and negotiating skills.
• Ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.
• Good manager of people and resources to obtain best results and be accountable.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and facilitation skills.
• Good analytical and planning skills (including financial); ability to set forecasts and refine/review them in the light of experience and further analysis.
• Decisiveness, independence, good judgment, ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent networking and partnering competencies and negotiating skills

OTHERS

• Previous experience with UNDP or other UN organizations would be a strong advantage.
• Knowledge of UNDP project management systems and procedures would be a strong advantage.

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Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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