Overview
Development Gateway: An IREX Venture (DG) is an international non-profit organization with team members based in more than 10 countries worldwide. For over 20 years, DG has researched data ecosystems, built digital tools to support those data ecosystems, and advised on data strategy and digital transformation to strengthen decision-making, transparency, and service delivery. DG has expertise in deploying digital tools in agriculture, health, aid management, data & data strategy, extractives, information management systems, open contracting & procurement, and beyond. We support a variety of partners in over seventy countries around the globe to better collect, analyze, visualize, and use data by building digital tools, creating strong incentive structures and processes, and providing training and support.
Program Information
DG is a sub-awardee of IREX’s USAID-funded Early Grade Education Activity (EGEA) in Jordan, a 5-year project strengthening pre-service teacher preparation and delivering in-service training to improve learning in Kindergarten - Grade 3 in the Kingdom of Jordan. DG’s role is focused on enhancing data use among various systems and data sources in Jordan’s education sector. DG will enhance user-centered digital solutions to support local actors in mapping the data landscape and improving data systems’ utility and interoperability. DG will also work with various actors in Jordan to support digitization of institutional data systems, including quality assurance processes and assessment where needs are identified.
Scope of Work
The Stakeholder Engagement Lead (Consultant) is responsible for engaging frequently with key stakeholders in Jordan’s Ministry of Education, including but not limited to those in Queen Rania Center, the Examination and Testing Department, Planning and Statistics Department, etc. The consultant will collaborate with other ministries, agencies, USAID implementing partners, and ASAS partners to ensure effective data use and sustainability of data systems under the program.
This part-time role would work closely alongside the Education Data Advisor, also based in Amman, Jordan, and would represent Development Gateway in meetings internally and externally. IREX offices are available for use and are located at Abd Ar-Rahim Al-Hajj Muhammad St. 68 in Amman, Jordan.
This role would involve supporting the DG Program Manager and technical team with promoting strengthened data use in the education sector in Jordan.
In this role, the consultant will lead in government engagement, working with different stakeholders across ministries, agencies, and implementing partners, as well as the larger EGEA consortium to support the use of data. In particular, this role would involve identifying those who are key decision-makers.
The consultant will also play a key role in supporting the Program Manager and relevant government counterparts in data standards, governance, and other approaches to improve the sustainable management and interoperability of data/systems under the program.
The role requires familiarity and personal knowledge of the Ministry of Education, and a deep knowledge of the education sector’s structure, information needs and decision-making processes. Ideally this candidate is also familiar with data challenges.
Responsibilities
Stakeholder Relationship Management (75%)
● Builds upon existing relationships and forms new relationships with national and subnational government ministries, civil society organizations, and/or private sector partners to be able to leverage current governance to promote engagement in the program.
● Coordinates with key client stakeholders to ensure project buy-in, especially through necessary logistics and in-person meetings.
● Provides input to broader EGEA team by sharing political priorities and cultural context
● Facilitate the development of a feedback mechanism with stakeholders
● Meets with stakeholders as required to gather additional information
Report Writing (25%)
● Contributes to written reports as needed, particularly relating to questions on governance and the political ecosystem
● Provides strategic advice and direction to the team to ensure alignment with program goals and support informed decision-making based on gathered data and stakeholder feedback.
Required Qualifications
● 8+ years experience working within the education sector. At least 5 of those years must have been in Jordan
● 8+ years working in complex stakeholder environments, with a strong preference for experience working with national ministries;
● Experience supporting people and institutions to make better use of data, or developing effective processes to remove decision-making bottlenecks and promote impact;
● History of working with diverse, remote team members in a global environment;
● Bachelor’s degree required;
● Fluent in English and Arabic. Strong writing skills, prioritizing clarity and accessibility.
Preferred Qualifications
● Master’s degree in education and/or policy, ideally in Jordan
● Experience designing and/or conducting qualitative research and assessments and trainings
● Experience representing Jordan among multinational contexts
● Knowledge or basic understanding of OpenEMIS and/or Ministry of Education data systems
Position Details:
This position is based in Amman, Jordan.
The initial term of this consultancy will be 1 year, with an average time commitment expectation of approximately 40 hours per month (part-time). The contract may be renewed for an additional year after completion of one year of satisfactory performance.
The expected daily rate range is $250-$400, depending on relevant experience.