The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, including Jordan since 1976, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Green Pathways & Inclusive Growth Portfolio integrates the solutions for environment protection, climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction, economic green growth, innovation and gender mainstreaming throughout all of its programs and projects.

This project “Catalyzing a transformative model for circularity through 9R`s in Aqaba” will be implemented in Aqaba). The City of Aqaba, with a population of approx. 218,000 inhabitants, lacks a proper solid waste management system, whereby the current dumpsite has no environmental controls, leaving the soil, air, and inhabitants of the surrounding area exposed to pollution and health risks, which creates environmental and health hazards. The current dumpsite, located on land owned by Aqaba Development Company (ADC), is located approximately 12 km south-southeast of Aqaba city (covering an area of around 120 thousand m²) and receives approximately 65,000 tonnes per year of municipal solid waste, collected by private companies. According to the rapid assessment conducted by UNDP, not more than 2% of total generated waste is recycled, mainly by the informal sector.

There is a lack of systematic waste sorting and recycling in Jordan and in Aqaba as well. With the growing population and the lack of holistic approach of implementing the 9Rs approach of waste management, waste volumes are set to increase. Some of the main issues related to waste management systems and operations include the lack of effective waste collection infrastructures, especially with respect to source separation, waste treatment facilities, proper equipment and capacity building. As a result, a significant amount of valuable resources remain unused, with great economic and environmental costs for the country. Based on the above facts and status in Jordan as well as in Aqaba, the project is formulated as a response to the big need to shift towards a lifecycle-oriented circular economy, which aims to incorporate all residual waste in a closed-loop system as to bring the waste output close to zero. By adopting the principles of circular economy, waste and pollution are eliminated, while circulating products and materials and leading towards regenerating nature.
Scope of Work 

The Field Assistant is to support the” 9Rs” project through (but not limited to) the following up on all field work, coordination and reviewing deliverables of the individual consultants and companies/contractors, liaising with the project stakeholders, monitoring and reporting on all activities relevant to the project, provide inputs for implementation plans and budgeting as per project document and workplans, as well as assisting the Projects Coordination Manager in general management of projects, office reporting, procurement process, and TORs development.

Under the direct supervision of the Projects Coordination Manager, the Field Assistant is expected to perform the following duties:

1. General Support in Project Management:

• Support project through efficiently using UNDP’s online interface (Intranet, OneDrive, UNALL, Quantum, Quantum+…etc.) and submitting requests, issuing reports and comparing/validating records
• Support in development and follow up on procurement plans and activities and projects logistics.
• Support reporting and M&E according to UNDP projects’ reporting mechanisms.
• Support in preparing for project audits.
• Support in coordinating logistics for meetings/events and travel and any other relevant task.
• Support in country-level coordination, to facilitate coherent on the ground coordination and collaboration.
• Write correspondence with stakeholders and vendors and internal memos (i.e. note to file).
• Support in budget planning and annual workplans (AWPs) development.
• Apply budget controls and review expenses compared to project documents, AWPs and available resources.

1. Technical Support to the Project Manager:

• Prepare structured progress reporting reports.
• Participate in meetings and coordinate activities.
• Forecast and refine/review reports.
• Support in monitoring compliance of the implementation of the activities in reference to plans, with flagging up potential risks and issues to the project team.
• Support developing the work plan and be familiar with, as part of the project team.
• Support the project manager and communications officer in ensuring the visibility of the UNDP, the donor and its partners.
• Working closely with CBOs, municipalities, governorates, and partners.
• Provide effective evidence-based research, analyses, and administrative support for programmatic-related programme activities.
• Compile, summarize and present basic information/data on specific projects and related topics or issues.
• Review documents for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval.
• Support the Project focal point for administrative and office coordination of project implementation activities e.g., travel arrangements, training/study tours, and procurement of equipment.
• Support the administrative role in the field in consultation with the project team.
• Support the liaison role in the field; by acting as a contact point for all concerned parties personnel; facilitating meetings and cooperation among the community, and organizations; collaborating and communicating with necessary constituents and the local community;
• Coordinate official visits with main stakeholders including the municipality, government and community-based organizations in the governorate, and arrange the logistical arrangement.
• Support the Project team in identifying potential partners in communities, including female and male youth activists, CBOs amongst others, and understand the needs and capacities as a basis to understand and inform the selection of interventions.
• In consultation with the Projects’ Coordination Manager, support the development of the methodologies to engage stakeholders and community members to help inform the design of activities and interventions that should be done through participatory approaches.
• Together with the Project team, organize participatory community meetings to decide on the interventions.
• Together with the Project team, coordinate and engage with the ASEZA; monitor on a daily basis the implementation of the activities in the field, and flag risks and issues to the project team; monitor and follow up with beneficiaries and update the management in a timely manner.
• Participate and oversee in the trainings for the operations/ Project’s stakeholders, and in awareness and circular economy promotion.
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Ensure active participation in learning and knowledge sharing in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming.
• Follow up on environmental, social and economic studies progress, facilitate communication and follow up with relevant parties for the development of training, standards, and work arrangement.
• Follow up on machinery handover and on-job training with suppliers and coordinate the technical and construction works on site with relevant stakeholders.
• Promote UNDP good practices in workplace and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Supervisor: 00164267 – Project Coordination Manager.

Annex to the organigram showing the position of this function within the office and unit structure is included.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements