Background:

A leading Government Institution was established in November 2019 to coordinate, support, and drive the implementation of reforms under the Reform Matrix. Additionally, A leading Government Institution provides necessary technical assistance and capacity building to government ministries and entities to support and expedite the implementation of reforms.

A leading Government Institution oversees the implementation of the Reform Matrix; ensures reforms are designed in consultation with stakeholders; reports to the Government of Jordan (GoJ) and development partners on progress; and coordinates between GoJ entities and development partners to ensure implementation and alignment of donor programs with national priorities. Furthermore, A leading Government Institution is mandated to support the development and implementation of effective stakeholder engagement and outreach, hence, together with government entities, A leading Government Institution will continue to produce and disseminate information and communication materials to inform all target groups, including the private sector and the public, of the progress of implementation and impact of reforms.

The Reform Matrix consists of twelve pillars:

Pillar 1: Fiscal Policy

Pillar 2: Public Sector Efficiency and Governance

Pillar 3: Business Enabling Environment

Pillar 4: Investment and Trade Promotion

Pillar 5: Access to Finance and Capital Market

Pillar 6: Labor Markets and Skills Development

Pillar 7: Social Safety Nets

Pillar 8: Transportation Sector

Pillar 9: Energy Sector

Pillar 10: Water Sector

Pillar 11: Agriculture Sector 

Pillar 12: Tourism Sector. 

The Reform Support Fund is lodged and managed by the A leading Government Institution . It will finance just-in-time technical assistance in support of line ministries involved in designing, implementing, and monitoring the Reform Matrix.

Project Context:

Within the framework of the Economic Reform Program, the Leading Government Institution is currently implementing reforms aiming to improve accountability to foster climate-responsive investments and growth and help Jordan capitalize on emerging opportunities for sustainable economic recovery. These reforms are also fully aligned with broader national priorities for Green Economic Recovery, and National Determined Contributions NDCs implementation in Jordan.

During the update of the Economic Reform Program, climate change and environmental aspects were mainstreamed across its pillars, under Pillar 4 “Investment and Trade Promotion” two reform areas 4.5 Climate Responsive Investments 4.6 Framework For NDC Goals are supporting (1) Climate-responsive investment both in terms of public and private contexts, (2) Climate responsiveness including mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, (3) Accountability focusing on elements of the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework and accessing carbon markets (4) the development of  Climate Finance Governance System 2030 and Low carbon long term strategy (5) The establishment of Climate Center of excellence lies under 4.3 Quality Infrastructure.

Climate change was also mainstreamed across the sectoral pillars of the matrix showing more explicit actions toward mitigation and adaptation actions to align the reform areas with Jordan’s NDCs.

Leading Government Institution is the nodal agency for coordinating efforts across line ministries for implementing national climate and environment goals across all economic sectors and line ministries. In accordance with the cross-sectoral and interagency nature of these climate-focused reforms, Leading Government Institutions will work in collaboration with other Government Institutions to achieve the national climate goals reflected in the Economic Reform Program, Leading Government Institutions will also leverage the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) (launched under the Climate Change Bylaw 2019), which includes representatives key stakeholders in the implementation of these reforms.

Main Function:

The Leading Government Institution is looking for a Junior Climate Change Specialist to provide direct Technical Assistance and Advisory support to achieve the objectives of the Economic Reform Program.

The Junior Climate Change Specialist will be part of the Climate Change Directorate under the Leading Government Institution and will report directly to the Senior Climate Change Specialist. The specialist will support the achievement of the expected outcomes in the Reform matrix, as well as mainstreaming climate-responsive public investments towards Jordan’s NDC 2030 goals; identifying climate-responsive private and non-government financing towards Jordan’s NDC 2030 goals; and establishing and operationalizing climate finance governance system for achieving Jordan’s NDC 2030 goals.

The employee will be based at the Climate change directorate within the Leading government entity and the working hours, and regulations correspond to the official working hours and regulations of the Leading Government Institution.

Responsibilities:

The Junior Climate Change Specialist will be responsible for the following key tasks:

• Prepare, under the guidance of the Senior Climate Change Specialist, drafts of policies, strategies, action plans, national programs, and projects aiming at achieving the results of the objectives of the Economic Reform Program.
• Support coordinating of all existing and planned initiatives and activities under the Climate Change Directorate including all related to NDC development and implementation
• Support the preparation of periodic reports to inform the government, citizens, and the Conference of Parties (COP) on the status of mitigation and adaptation measures in the country.
• Supervise all activities related to the identification of climate response projects, and coordinate with all ministries and agencies responsible to provide information to ensure their availability at the MRV system.
• Support the preparation of work plans and programs related to the directorate’s activities as well as events and meetings between agencies and line ministries.

Deliverables and Reporting:

• Monthly progress reports on achieved assignments.

Qualifications:

• Preferably Master’s in Environment, Sustainability, Economics, or a discipline related to climate change.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in climate change or related sectors (preparation of climate change/environment-related legal provisions or research; policy advice; formulation of strategies and programs related to climate change; climate change governance)
• understanding of sectoral mitigation and adaptation actions and policies, including those relevant to Jordan: energy, transport, agriculture, water, buildings, and industrial sectors.
• Understanding of relevant national context, including the relevant legal and regulatory framework, and institutional and organizational setting related to issues relevant to climate change.
• Understanding climate change policy or data analysis, including mitigation and adaptation.
• Familiar with relevant Paris Agreement/COP decisions and guidance on reporting, transparency, and compliance.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in Arabic and English.

Main KPIs:

Capacity Utilization:

• The extent to which the employee knows and demonstrates how and why to do all phases of assigned work, given the employee's length of time in his/her current position.
• The extent to which the employee looks at ways to support the government to access climate funds since the needs are high but the government encounters problems with this.

Quantity Of Work:

• The extent to which the consultant is supporting and following up with the related agencies for data collection.
• The ability to finalize Reports and assignments for related commitments.