Background:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster and hardship, in more than 40 countries worldwide, we partner to put bold solutions into action, helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities now and for the future. Mercy Corps has worked in Jordan since 2003 to implement a variety of programs funded by global public institutions, as well as private donors, to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable populations, build cohesive and civically engaged communities, and increase inclusive economic opportunities. Mercy Corps’ current portfolio in Jordan focuses on three domains: resilient individuals, strong communities and governance, and environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Mercy Corps integrates cross-cutting themes of youth, gender equality and empowerment, governance, natural resource management, and technology.
Purpose / Project Description:
Tawazon - Promoting the Voice and Leadership of Women Activity is a five-year USAID funded program that will create transformational changes in gender relations at the family, community, and national levels to enhance gender equality and advance women’s leadership in Jordan. This will be achieved through 1) strengthening the enabling environment and institutional capacity and addressing structural barriers for women to fully exercise their rights, express their agency, and freely lead and participate in society without restrictions; 2) partnering with local stakeholders to counter prevailing prohibitive social norms that perpetuate gender inequality, undermine women’s agency to exercise their rights, and prevent transformative change in gender relations; and 3) advancing the inclusive and transparent leadership and decision-making participation of girls and women.
Consultancy Background and Rationale:
Over the past years, to enhance the enforcement of gender-equitable laws, Tawazon conducted a comprehensive mapping of existing legislation to identify areas where improvements and effective interventions are most needed. Tawazon has initiated this work to support JNCW’s mandate to advance the status of women in Jordan. This legislative review, guided by women's empowerment legal expert, pinpointed legislative priorities across economic empowerment, political empowerment, and social protection sectors. As a result of this review, more than 150 discriminatory legal items were identified, and eight key legal priorities were selected to maximize the impact of national efforts, time, and resources in bringing about positive change in Jordan. The work on developing the National Legislative Agenda, based on this legislative review, has commenced by JNCW and it is planned to be launched in December 2024. Additionally, to effectively advocate and mobilize resources around these priorities, civil society organizations (CSOs) have been engaged. During FY24, an advocacy training manual was developed and selected candidates from these CSOs have been trained on using this manual, enabling them to launch advocacy campaigns supporting the recommendations of the legislative review report. Tawazon has also provided financial resources to five civil society organizations to plan and implement advocacy campaigns to support the LA priorities and five more are expected to receive grants for the same purpose in FY25. Moreover, Tawazon will support JNCW in developing a communication plan to educate the public about the key priorities and support efforts to advocate for legislative reforms. This comprehensive approach will significantly advance women's empowerment in Jordan by laying the foundations for sustainable actions towards strengthening the legal framework.
Consultancy Objectives
Since the first version of the legislative review report was developed and submitted to JNCW, several legislative developments have taken place. New by-laws were issued as well as amendments by the Council of Ministers. This necessitates a revision of the legislative review report to ensure it captures these changes to better inform the Legislative Agenda. Therefore, this consultancy objectives are as follows:
- To review and update the “Legislative Review Report” to inform the finalization of the Legislative Agenda.
- To advise on Tawazon’s and JNCW’s advocacy activities and research towards endorsement of the LA’s priorities.
Consultant Activities:
- Review and revise the “Legislative Review Report” in light of recent legislative updates.
- Facilitate meetings focusing on the recommendations of the “Legislative Review Report” and enforcement legal needs in close coordination with JNCW.
- Support JNCW in the finalization of the Legislative Agenda.
- Advise on the design and content of the promotional materials to be produced to spread awareness and communicate the priorities of the Legislative Agenda.
- Prepare a summary of the Legislative Review Report.
- Provide guidance to the advocacy campaigns to be designed and implemented by Tawazon sub-grantees.
- Provide guidance to the research projects to be designed and implemented by Tawazon sub-grantees.
Consultant Deliverables:
1. Revised “Legislative Review Report” including most recent legislative updates as well as any relevant input gathered by the consultant. Prepare an executive summary and promotional material content.
2. Input provided to JNCW to inform the finalization of the Legislative Agenda.
3. Guidance provided to JNCW and Tawazon’s sub-grantees’ advocacy activities including content of messages, approach, opportunities, and appropriate timeframe.
4. Assessment of institutional challenges leading to inconsistent application of selected egalitarian legislation. The assessment should recommend interventions for capacity enhancement of selected institutions.
5. Input provided to the scope of work of research grant RfA and review subgrantees research methodologies and reports and provide feedback.
6. Identify linkages to the National Social Behavior Change Strategy and propose content and target audience.
7. Final assignment report
Timeframe / Schedule
The assignment is expected to start on 1 December 2024 until 30 May 2025.
The Consultant will report to Tawazon's Institutional and Leadership Development Lead.
Education and Experience
● Master’s degree in law, public policy, gender, women’s studies, or other related fields.
● At least 10 years of experience in policy and legal reform in Jordan.
● Previous experience supporting the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) on advancing women’s legal rights.
● Experience working with Jordanian Government entities, donor agencies, and local and international organizations.
● Experience in facilitating activities aiming at meaningful engagement of youth, women, PWDs and other vulnerable groups.
Technical Expertise
● Understanding of women’s legal and social impediments to voice and agency in Jordan.
● Prior experience in carrying out regulatory assessments of Jordan’s legal framework and identification of gaps in relation to women empowerment.
● Strong work ethics and the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
● Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to interact with individuals at all levels.
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Google Suite, particularly Google Docs, Sheets, and Forms.
Additional Requirements
• Experience with USAID or other donor funded projects is highly preferred.
• Strong command of Arabic language, both verbally and in writing.
• Good command of English.
Selection Process
The selection process will involve evaluating candidates based on their qualifications and experience, which should be submitted as a CV and a portfolio demonstrating previous relevant work. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.
How to Apply: Mercy Corps Jordan is seeking a qualified consultant to work on the Provision of technical assistance for the Jordanian National Commission for Women to Assist the JNCW in updating the “Legislative Review Report” and finalizing the Legislative Agenda under the USAID Tawazon Promoting the Voice and Leadership of Women Program. If you are interested, please send the requirements to the Mercy Corps – human resources department at "[Click to show email]”. The last date for submission is on the 18th of November 2024 indicating the title of the consultancy "Consultant: Legislative Review Report and finalizing the Legislative Agenda" in the subject line.
Required Documents
• CV of applicant.
• Samples of relevant previous work.
• Technical application outlines the consultant’s approach to the execution of the assignment’s tasks.
• Financial offer and daily rate.
Evaluation Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated according to the elements below and weights. Only applicants that receive a score of 40% and above on elements from one to three will be qualified to present their proposal in-person to the selection committee.
1. Relevant previous experience 50%
2. Interview 30%
3. Financial offer 20%
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we can better leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion are journeys, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.