Chemonics International Hiring for ASEZA Business Enabling Environment Policy Advisor at Aqaba, Jordan Full Time

BACKGROUND 

The Jordan Economic Reform Activity Task Order 1 (ERA TO1) is a 5-year $54 million program funded by USAID, which aims to support the Government of Jordan (GOJ) to prioritize and implement economic reforms. Through coordination with the GOJ, the Jordanian and international private sector, other donors, and Jordanian civil society, ERA TO 1 will (1) advance economic reforms, (2) strengthen the business enabling environment, (3) increase exports and local, regional, and international investments, and (4) respond to emerging priorities. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION   

The ASEZA Business Enabling Environment Reform Advisor will support ERA TO1’s objective to assist advancing the economic reform agenda at ASEZA to stimulate the local business enabling environment and incentivize private sector growth in order to improve the overall business enabling environment in ASEZ. This will be functioned by primarily providing technical assistance to ASEZA & Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) to implement priority reforms to the investors journey at ASEZ. To unlock the potential of the private sector and the investments that will further spur their growth.  S/he will support the implementation of the planned reforms, coordinate between relevant stakeholders, and resolve any obstacles that might arise throughout the process.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES 

Coordination

• Oversee the implementation of ASEZA’s economic reform action plan in collaboration with ERA Business Enabling Environment team, policy advisors and subject matter experts. 
• Coordinate with ASEZA’s departments that are entitled to implement the reform action plan such as investors services department, land, and property department.
• Coordinate with ERA’s Investment promotion, institutional development and other components to implement ASEZA’s economic reform action plan.  
• Promote the ASEZA economic reform action plan to ASEZA’s Commissioner’s office and the relevant departments responsible for its implementation.
• Ensure proper coordination and communications with public and private sector organizations in areas related to the ASEZA’s reform action plan, in order to ensure proper implementation of the designed reforms.
• Ensure collaboration and coordination, sharing of information, needs, and progress across all functions and components of ERA to implement as one team including but not limited to GESI, MEL, Communications, and all team leaders.

Policy and Legal Drafting

• Contribute and present legal analysis of relevant legislation such as ASEZA’s laws, regulations, and instructions to identify any legal gaps, redundancy or any areas that need to be addressed in support of ERA’s targeted reform,
• Gather legal feedback and insights from stakeholders to ensure their perspectives are considered in ASEZA reform process.
• Review and update existing regulations, policies, and laws governing economic activities within ASEZA.
• Contribute to the Preparation and review of legal drafts of required ASEZA’s legislation that support the implementation of ASEZA’s regulatory reforms designed by ERA in collaboration with the other stakeholders, and coordinate with relevant legal departments in ASEZA to ensure that such legal tools support the reforms addressed by ERA.
• Determine and report priority reforms and develop approaches to reform; support implementation of demand-driven business reforms in ASEZA. 
• Perform any needed research, studies, and papers related to ASEZA’s reform action plan.

Other Contributions

• Design and manage specific interventions needed to execute the identified ASEZA reforms, including the methodology that will be implemented, the needed resources, the timeframe, key performance indicators and deliverables.
• Participate in developing the component strategy, annual work plan, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, according to the set indicators, and coordinate any administrative or logistical issues during the implementation with related team members.
• Contribute to and/or lead as assigned brief reports, presentations, and analysis for stakeholders.
• Contribute to and/or lead as assigned periodic planning documents, progress, and impact reports for USAID and other partners.
• Operate with integrity and assurance of confidentiality, commitment to excellence, compliance with all USAID rules and regulations, contractual requirements, and Chemonics policies, systems, and values.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Component Leader, the Deputy Chief of Party, and the Chief of Party.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in law, business, economics, international trade, industrial engineering, or another relevant field is required.
• A minimum of six years of experience in law, business, economics and/or government is required with management experience preferred.
• Good understanding of Jordan’s business and investment environment, investor journey and investment challenges and barriers.
• Demonstrable experience of engaging with investors, policymakers, and key stakeholders at a senior level. Demonstrable experience developing advocacy strategies with policymakers and regulators, trade association or public affairs consultancy.
• Previous experience in policy analysis, formulating policy positions and conducting research, preferably including projects relevant to responsible investment.
• Outstanding communications and analytical skills demonstrated through professional experience, with professional English writing standard and editing skills.
• Comfort presenting to groups, speaking in public and facilitating workshops and an ability to adapt communication style to different audiences.
• Arabic and English language required.
• Self-starter with ability to work autonomously. Candidates should be comfortable with remote working systems and practices and working alone or as part of a small office.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to get on well as part of a team and work in small teams.
• A proactive, “can-do” attitude and collaborative approach to working with others.
• Excellent project management skills, having a Project Management certificate such as PMP is a plus.

Reporting

• The ASEZA Business Enabling Environment Policy Advisor will report to the Business Enabling Environment Team Lead.

Location of Assignment 

• The ASEZA Business Enabling Environment Policy Advisor will be based in ASEZA’s office in Aqaba, Jordan with frequent travels to Amman, Jordan. 

Interested and qualified candidates to submit their application no later than Tuesday, October 17, 2023.