Research and Communications Associate - Inclusive Growth and Livelihoods

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

Inclusive growth continues to be an important thematic area for Jordan’s Country Programme aimed at addressing vulnerabilities at individual, community, local authority and National institutional levels by supporting initiatives that foster an inclusive enabling environment for sustainable livelihoods and job creation and build resilience especially among vulnerable youth and women and host communities in crisis-affected areas. The socio-economic impact of COVID-19 has continuously informed the work of the IGSL Pillar. During the last 12 months the programme has been advancing its focus in the areas of Social Entrepreneurship, Digital Economy and skills development, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Financial Inclusion, Informal economy sector and local economic development. The Pillar’s work encompasses focus studies and research that inform advocacy, policy and technical as well as IGSL flagship programmes. Areas of focus include Sustainable livelihoods and job creation including skills for the future and green jobs, focusing on vulnerable groups including Syrian and Iraqi refugees, MSEs support, Social Entrepreneurship, Women Economic Empowerment, and Financial Inclusion.

Under the direct supervision of Programme Analyst, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Supports in research activities generating insights on thematic priority areas of inclusive growth such as Youth and Women’s socio-economic empowerment, Local Economic Development, Green and Digital Economy, Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Inclusive Livelihood pathways and SDG Impact acceleration;
• Supports monitoring exercises and consolidation of programme related data and les-sons learned pertaining to the Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Livelihoods programs;
• Assists in developing success stories and conceptualising, best practices, presentation content and advocacy material to serve as communication tools with multi-stakeholders;

• Supports in raising awareness and driving the SDG 2030 Agenda in support of the UNDP strategic programme priorities SDGs and how the pillar’s projects contribute to targeted SDGs, human security, through success stories, articles, media, key messages, and dissemination materials.

• Accountability;

• Adaptability and Flexibility;
• Client Orientation;
• Commitment and Motivation;
• Commitment to Continuous Learning;
• Communication;
• Creativity;
• Ethics and Values;
• Knowledge Sharing;
• Planning and Organizing;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity;
• Self-Management;
• Technological Awareness;
• Working in Teams.

(up to three years) or demonstrated interest in International development, cooperation research, communications, outreach, digital economy, and entrepreneurship targeting vulnerable communities, youth, and women.

Location: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the Middle East. Bound by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, Red Sea to the south and the Palestinian National Authority to the west.

Weather: Jordan’s climate can be classified as semi-arid (Bsh) on the Koeppen-Geiger classification. It features a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters. The climate is influenced by Jordan's location between the subtropical aridity of the Arabian desert areas and the subtropical humidity of the eastern Mediterranean area. January is the coldest month, with temperatures from 5°C to 10°C, and August is the hottest month at 20°C to 35°C. Daily temperatures can be quite hot, especially in the summer; on some days it can be 40°C or more, especially when a hot, dry southerly wind blows. Such winds can sometimes be very strong and can cause sandstorms. About 70 percent of the average rainfall in the country falls between November and March; June through August are often rainless. Rainfall varies from season to season and from year to year. Precipitation is often concentrated in violent storms, causing erosion and local flooding, especially in the winter months.

Safety and Security: Jordan is a relatively stable country. The potentials for internal or external armed conflict are considered very unlikely in the current political environment. Peaceful demonstrations, and sometimes road blockages, do occur in Jordan, motivated by domestic factors such as unemployment, deprivation of resources and development or for regional issues such as solidarity with the Palestinian cause or with the Syrian crises. Most of these events are driven by civil society unions and Islamic parties. Domestic tribal civil unrest sometimes turns violent, especially outside main cities, due to tribal disputes or socio-economic reasons. In all occasions law enforcement agencies usually manage to contain the situation rapidly. Road traffic accidents are the primary threat against UN personnel in Jordan. Poor road conditions and bad driving behaviours are the main reasons for the high rate of traffic accidents. Amman is a category A duty station with security level 1.

Transportation and housing: Taxis as well as ride-hailing services (Uber and Careem) are abundant and affordable in Amman. Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Public minibuses are the most common form of public transport. They normally only leave when full, so waiting times of an hour or more are inevitable, especially in rural areas. The larger air-con buses offer a speedy and reliable service, departing according to a fixed schedule. Housing is readily available with rents for one- to two-bedroom apartments ranging between 500 and 800 JD (1 JD = 0.708 USD) depending on the location.

Health Services: Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Almost all doctors (and most pharmacists) speak English; many have studied abroad.

Language: The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken – especially in the cities. Many Jordanians have travelled or have been educated abroad so French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent.

Learn more about Jordan from the Ministry of Tourism’s website: https://www.mota.gov.jo/EN/Pages/Get_to_know_Jordan