Project Officer – National only

1. JOB DESCRIPTION/ ASSIGNMENT

The project officer (PO) is responsible for day to day operational and technical implementation of the project. He/she will support the Project Manager (PM) in the reporting process. He/she is responsible for mobilizing the necessary resources to implement the project activities and for identifying and mobilizing short term expertise and service providers. The PO is also responsible for launching, managing following all procurement and grant procedures: preparing documentation, conduct due diligence an administrative checks, provide support and capacity building to sub grantees regarding the implementation of grant contracts and obligations, organize and animate trainings on grant management for grantees. Finally, the PO will be responsible for identifying synergies across the project’s components (including with Un Women’s actions) and to plan actions to operate these synergies.

The PO’s main responsibilities are the following (but not limited to):

Project operational implementation:

• Responsible of the operational management of the activities entrusted to Expertise France under the supervision of the Project Manager (PM)
• Responsible for undertaking steering and monitoring exercises as requested by EF policies ( monthly reporting, project review, capitalization..) under the supervision of the PM
• Identification and mobilization of necessary resources for the project (local and/or international expertise, suppliers etc…) including follow-up and closure of contracts.
• Facilitate coordination with project internal (NIMD, WFD and CFI) and external (UN Women) partners to identify synergies or joint actions.
• He/she will support the PM in the planning, implementation and capitalization of activities and its budgeting.
• Support the organization of projects events and meetings (steering committees, conference, seminar, workshops)
• Support the MEAL officer in reception and compilation of reports and data from grant beneficiaries and prepare the first draft of contractual reports
• Coordinate and implement communication and visibility activities according to the communication and visibility plan of the project and EU requirements in this regard.

Administrative and financial tasks:

• Follow up and management of the grant contracts with implementing partners (NIMD, WFD and CFI) and local beneficiaries (reception and analysis of reports, information collection and analysis, support to implementing partners in understating contractual obligations etc…)
• Ensures that grant beneficiaries have a good understanding of and comply with EF grant rules and procedures.
• Provide capacity building to grant beneficiaries to manage their grant.
• Mobilization of short-term expertise (contracts, mission, payments etc…)
• Launch and coordinate all procurement and grant procedures (identification of the needs, compliance with EF internal rules and procedures, compliance checks etc.

2. REQUIRED PROFILE

Education / qualification:

• University degree in International Relations, International cooperation, Political/Social sciences, or any relevant topic.
• Excellent command of English and Arabic (written and spoken). Knowledge of French would be an asset.

Professional experience

• At least 5 years of general experience in the sector of development cooperation.
• Minimum 5 years proven experience in operation of international donor’s programs/projects fostering democratic participation, democratic reforms or any relevant topic for this project.
• Good working knowledge of European Commission procedures required.

Additional skills required:

• Capacity to handle pressure and adapt to changing situations and contexts.

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Expertise France is the French international technical assistance agency, created from the merger of the six main French public implementing agencies on 1 January 2015, in order to enhance capacities to mobilize technical expertise, making it possible to address the growing needs of emerging and developing countries more effectively. Under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and the Ministry of Economy, Expertise France aims at participating in French cooperation and development aid through a wide range of interventions in areas such as sustainable development, economic development, public finances, governance and human rights, social protection and employment, health, and issues of stability, safety and security.

Expertise France is accredited by the European Commission for delegated management (the ‘six pillars’ audit), which means it can be awarded indirect management of projects and guarantees EF’s capacity to successfully implement activities and projects with which it is entrusted, and ensure efficient distribution of administrative and financial management tasks.

Expertise France s currently implementing a project funded by the European Union Delegation to Jordan to support democratic reforms and processes in Jordan. This action seeks to consolidate the progress achieved by the EU Support to Jordan Democratic Institutions and Development (EU-JDID) programme and builds on opportunities arising from the reforms proposed by the Jordanian “Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System” regarding constitutional reform and changes in political parties’ law and electoral law.

The overall objective of this programme is to promote a more participatory, inclusive and accountable democratic process.

The specific objective(s) of this programme are:

1. To ensure young men and women meaningful participation in democratic life
2. To support political parties in creating an enabling environment for increased participation of and responsiveness to diverse groups
3. To support the House of Representatives in exercising its core parliamentary functions with greater professionalism, effectiveness, inclusivity and accountability

The expected results of this project are:

Under SO1:

• Young community leaders (men and women) are supported to drive change that is relevant to their communities
• Politically active youth within parties are empowered to become influential decision-makers within their political parties
• Women and youth MPs are supported to exercise their mandates fully
• Cross-cutting media outputs: Civic and political participation is promoted through media outlets

Under SO2:

• Enhanced capacity and know-How of political parties to develop professional and programme-based institutions
• Enhanced capacity of institutions (MoPPA and IEC) to effectively oversee political parties’ registration and finance
• Political parties engage in pre and post-election dialogue with other political actors

Under SO3:

• The HoR Secretariat is assisted to meet the needs of MPs and parliamentary blocs
• The HoR is supported to carry out more robust and inclusive financial and budget oversight
• The HoR is supported to carry out more robust and inclusive policy and legislative oversight
• The HoR is assisted to strengthen its outreach particularly towards women and youth
• Cross-cutting output: Media outlets participate to the democratic process

The project will be managed by Expertise France who will sign a delegation agreement with the EUD. For the implementation of its action, EF will rely on the support of the following implementing partners through grant contracts:

• The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty democracy (NIMD): implementation of actions to contribute to achieving SO1 and SO2
• Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD): implementation of actions to contribute to achieving SO3
• Canal France International (CFI): implementation of actions to achieve cross cutting outputs with media.