Statement of Competency

Applicants can only attach 1 document to their application. This should include a cover letter, and must also include a 2-page statement addressing their claims against the required competencies. In doing this you should select 5 to 6 competencies which you are strong at from the competencies listed in this announcement, have a heading for each competency and explain in 2 -3 paragraphs to the selection committee how your skills and experience show that you meet this. Applicants who do not attach this statement will not be considered for interview.

Introduction

In Jordan, mental wellbeing remains a highly stigmatized and under-resourced topic. The ‘invisibility’ of the topic makes it difficult to quantify the impact it has on health, economic productivity and the quality of life. In Jordan’s garment sector, where migrant workers comprise over 75 per cent of the labour force, understanding the role of mental wellbeing in the workplace, with a specific focus on women migrant workers within the garment factories becomes key.

Barriers to accessing effective mental wellbeing services at the factory level, but also the national level remain more severe among migrant workers. Firstly, the behavioural aspects of migrant workers linked to mental health are inextricably linked to the social, religious, and cultural stigma attached to mental health in the region. Secondly, resource and capacity constraints remain prevailing and exacerbate the gap in mental health service provision for migrant workers; there are no existing services that directly target migrant worker population in Jordan, despite its substantial proportion of Jordan’s total population, including in the garment sector workforce. Existing service providers, both public and private, lack the capacity to deal with the challenges faced by migrant workers where ideally a medical professional from the country of origin, or at minimum a translator is necessary.

Over the past 10 years, Better Work Jordan has been working with the national tripartite constituents to improve working conditions and promote decent work in the garment sector. The mandatory status of the programme for all garment factories exporting to the US has helped BWJ create industry-wide impact. Since then, factories have made significant improvements in terms of working conditions and compliance with labour standards. Therefore, this project works towards improving workers’ mental wellbeing, especially among women and migrant workers, in the garment sector in Jordan through a comprehensive intervention strategy at the individual, organizational and national levels. The project does so first through supporting workers to become more resilient and willing to seek psychological support when necessary, including by raising awareness on mental wellbeing and providing training on topics affecting workers’ mental wellbeing. The project also aims to improve access to necessary psychological support inside factories and through the referral system through developing a holistic understanding of workers’ wellbeing among key stakeholders, including factory management, the union, the government institutions and support providing organizations.

Reporting lines

The National Project Coordinator will report to the Better Work Jordan Programme Manager. The National Project Coordinator will also receive technical guidance from BWJ Programme Officer, and will work closely with all members of the Better Work Jordan team and Better Work Global. The overall technical backstopping is done by Better Work Global and the ILO Regional Officer for Arab States (ROAS).

Description of Duties

1. Coordinate the project timely implementation, monitoring and evaluation in cooperation with Programme Manager and Programme Officer, including provision of technical and administrative supervision to the project team and consultants in line with the ILO policy, rules and regulations and according to the final project document and workplan.
2. Review and analyze Jordan’s development plans and priorities in relation to migration, mental health and wellbeing and other relevant information: identify potential technical cooperation project areas and provide written analysis on the findings.
3. Identify problems, propose solutions and action and follow-up with relevant departments at headquarters and regional office, executing agencies, government offices, constituents and other organizations to identify synergies, expedite implementation and meet targets.
4. Maintain close cooperation and coordination with Government, employers' and workers' organizations as well as relevant stakeholder including other UN organizations and NGOs in the planning and implementation of activities under the project;
5. Establish and develop knowledge management system covering technical activities under the project including other economic and social issues of relevance to the project.
6. Represent the project in various fora, under the Guidance of the Programme Manager.
7. Develop and maintain strong links with ILO specialists within Better Work Global, other colleagues in the field and ROAS on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
8. Periodically report to donors, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of all project’s components according to the project’s document and work plan. Prepare required technical progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to the ILO and the donor.
9. Finalise communications to increase project’s visibility at the national and international levels. This includes the responsibility to liaise with the UN country team, and other key stakeholders to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related technical projects. Under direct guidance of BWG and ROAS communication specialist, maintain relations with mass media and concerned media groups in order to increase the impact of the project in society as a whole.
10. Coordinate and participate in the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings. Serve as a resource person to the project’s partners and during conferences, seminars and workshops, training sessions and meetings. Support training activities and identify or adapt training materials to the national context for capacity building and knowledge sharing
11. Contribute information (news, project updates) to the various ILO knowledge sharing platforms (ILO website, ILO ROAS website, BWJ website). Participate in the development of project research and publications.
12. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

University degree in psychology, social sciences, or related field. Knowledge of development issues particularly in Jordan.

Experience

At least three years of experience in project management, supervision, administration and implementation of grant/cooperative agreement requirements (including meeting deadlines, achieving targets, managing project staff or consultants, and overseeing the preparation and submission of required reports to the project donor). Experience in leading a project related to mental wellbeing is an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Arabic. Command of language(s) spoken by migrant workers (e.g. Bangla, Indian and Sri Lankan) is an asset.

Competencies

• Good knowledge of social, economic development, including labor and employment, trends as well as challenges related to mental wellbeing and psychosocial support in Jordan.
• Non-judgmental and supportive attitude toward workers who suffer or at risk of mental health issues.
• Maintains working relationships with all project stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain systems within project operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical cooperation projects of international organizations or/and US-funded projects.
• Ability to understand and effectively work with Government, workers and employers organizations, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
• Ability to conduct action-oriented research and write analytical technical report in English and Arabic including technical progress report to the donor.
• Ability to conduct policy discussion and high-level political processes.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to successfully advocate for and mobilize action to promote mental wellbeing in the workplace.
• Clear commitment to mainstream gender into project activities.
• Ability to lead and work in a team and good interpersonal relations.
• Ability to train and guide personnel.
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computers, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.

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Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.