Coordination Officer

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Jordan is comprised of 17 resident Agencies, Funds, and Programmes, namely: FAO, ILO, IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOPS, UNRWA, UN Women, WFP, WHO, as well as the World Bank, UNDSS and the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO); It also includes five non resident Agencies, IAEA, IFAD, OHCHR (with SHRA in RCO), UN Environment and UNIC. ESCWA, UNV, and IFC also participate in UNCT meetings for coordination purposes.

Since 2018, a Senior Human Rights Adviser (SHRA) is deployed to the Office of the Resident Coordinator (RCO) under the framework of the UN Development Group Human Rights Mainstreaming Mechanism upon request of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Jordan. The Senior Human Rights Adviser 1. works with the UNCT to integrate human rights into their programmes and activities, to develop strategies and programmes aimed at building and strengthening national capacities and institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, and to promote human rights as a common UN value and to uphold international norms and standards through advocacy and awareness-raising; 2. supports the RC and UNCT and national partners in their engagement with international human rights mechanisms; and 3. provides technical advice and conducts human rights capacity-building for a range of governmental and non-governmental actors.

The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) for Jordan. The UNRCO aims to maximise, in a coordinated fashion, the work of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) so that the system can provide a collective, coherent and integrated response to national priorities and needs, within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other national and international commitments.


There are 29 United Nations (UN) entities contributing to humanitarian and development priorities in Jordan, of which 19 have country presence (FAO, ILO, IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOPS, UNRWA, UN Women, WFP, WHO, UNDSS, and UNV). The other 10 entities support from regional and headquarters locations (ESCWA, UNEP, UNDRR, IFAD, OHCHR, UNIC, UNICRI, UNCTAD, ITU, and ITC). Seven entities have regional or headquarters offices in Jordan (UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, DCO, OCHA, the Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen and UNRWA). The UN in Jordan employs approximately 2,800 personnel, with about 900 being international staff. In addition, there are around 7,000 area staff of UNRWA.

Recently, the UNCT and the Government developed the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2023-2027. The UNSDCF represents the commitment of the Kingdom of Jordan and the United Nations to working together to realize the country’s development potential and accelerate its path towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Focusing on four main priorities, i.e. inclusive green growth and decent jobs; basic services and self-reliance; climate action and sustainable resource management; and accountable institutions, the UNSDCF is fully aligned with the Government’s national strategies and plans and to the Economic, Political and Public Sector Modernization reforms. The UNSDCF constitutes an opportunity to reinvigorate the partnership between the UN and the Government at all levels, and to enhance coherence across all UN operations.

The UNV Volunteer will support the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), the UNRCO, and the UNCT to strengthen the UN development footprint in the country to realize the SDGs and national priorities, by providing coordination support.

Under the direct supervision of UNRCO Head of Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist the UN RC/UNRCO Head of Office (HoO) on general coordination functions, including preparation of internal meetings and external engagement; prepare related briefing notes, thought pieces, key messages in collaboration with other UN entities; and follow-up on agreed action/decisions.
• Monitor, analyze and report on context developments in the country and in the region; draft reports/briefings/analyses/contextual updates, as required; and update the RC/HoO accordingly.
• Assist in the coordination of international development cooperation, including by con-ducting research, supporting strategic planning, preparing engagement pieces, and liaising with relevant stakeholders.
• Support UNCT engagement with the Government of Jordan, including the Cabinet and Parliament by preparing briefing notes, key messages, and providing advice to the RC/UNCT.
• Support or organize studies on sustainable development matters and related issues; organize follow-up work, including interagency technical meetings to support policy development work and decision-making on important issues.
• Provide technical and coordination support for the conceptualization, development and implementation of joint programmes/strategies/initiatives/joined-up work.
• Participate in initiatives and workstreams, to strengthen sustainable development and the SDGs across different areas.
• Support interagency planning exercises, joint programming, analytical processes, interagency meetings and initiatives and provide technical and logistical support, as re-quired.
• Serve as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keep abreast of latest developments, liaise with other development partners, donors, etc., ensure appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provide information and advice to the RC/HoO on a range of related issues. Identify lessons-learned and good practices as concerns joint programmes/initiatives and share them with the team.
• Provide technical and coordination support for the preparation of international and national events (e.g. summits, conferences), initiatives; liaise with international partners, Government entities, civil society and other stakeholders, as required.
• Undertake and provide support to high-level, technical assistance and other field missions, e.g., participate in field trips to evaluate joint initiatives/programmes, coordinate mission agendas with headquarters, ensure timely communications with Government counterparts and other relevant partners, coordinate with other UN entities, as appropriate.
• Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g., draft updates, background papers, policy papers, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.
• Organize and participate in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on sustainable development related issues.
• Assist in identifying key results and in effectively communicating them internally and externally.
• Establish and maintain contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, media, etc.
• Performs other duties as required.