1. BACKGROUND

The Jordan Economic Reform Activity Task Order 1 (ERA) 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 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.  

1. Objective

The Economic Reform Activity Task Order 1 (ERA) seeks to unlock the full potential of commercial attaches in promoting Jordanian businesses in export markets. This project aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of current commercial attaches practices - with focus in United States (USA) and Gulf Cooperation Country (GCC) – to assess current challenges limiting commercial attaches’ effectiveness and propose innovative recommendations to amplify their role, with a specific emphasis on empowering women-owned businesses. The commercial attaches are appointed by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply (MoITS). From this assessment, the consultant will identify best practices to optimize their role and develop a framework – summarized in the form of a handbook - to be used as a resource guide for commercial attaches in their day-to-day work.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

This activity will contribute to the following:

• IR 5 – Ability of Jordan to Grow Exports Improved.
• SUB-IR 5.2 Capacity of Jordanian Entities to Promote Jordanian Exports Improved.
• Indicator 2: Percent of USG-assisted organizations with improved performance.
• IR 1: Capacity of Key Economic-Growth-Related GoJ Entities to Champion Inclusive Economic Reforms Strengthened.

Indicator 3: Number of governmental entities that implemented (new/upgraded) systems/tools/ processes/working methods to improve (specific area of service/functions)

• Sub-IR 1.1: Ability of GoJ entities to pursue, prioritize, and manage economic reform and decision-making processes strengthened.
• Sub-IR 1.3 – GoJ and partner entities institutional capacity and effectiveness strengthened.

Indicator 4: Number of capacity building activities for government employees completed.

III. DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

Task 1: Constraints Mapping and Analysis

1. Undertake a thorough analysis of the current functions and responsibilities of commercial attaches.
2. Identify and evaluate constraints impeding their efficacy in trade and export promotion.
3. Assess the impact and effectiveness of existing strategies and initiatives.

Task 2: Recommendations Development

1. Formulate comprehensive recommendations to optimize the role of commercial attaches.
2. Explore and propose innovative approaches to enhance their impact and engagement while utilizing best practices and benchmarking with other commercial attachee structures.
3. Develop gender-specific strategies to be implemented by commercial attaches that are tailored to foster the growth of women-owned businesses.

Task 3: Action Plan Development

1. Create a detailed handbook outlining the recurring tasks, responsibilities resources, and and realistic timelines for recurring activities for commercial attaches to use in their role.
2. Establish measurable performance metrics to effectively gauge the success of commercial attaches.

V. JOB QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in international business, marketing or related field, a master's degree is preferable.
2. 8-10 years of distinguished experience in international trade and promotion.
3. Proven expertise in developing strategies for trade facilitation.
4. Familiarity with best practices in export promotion and the role of commercial attaches
5. Ability to conduct strategic analysis and provide insight for optimization.
6. Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness.
7. Demonstrated familiarity with gender-specific business support initiatives preferred.
8. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite for data analysis, reporting and presentations

VI. REPORTING

The consultant will report directly to the export promotion team lead throughout the duration of the assignment.

VII. WORKING LOCATION

This assignment will be conducted in Amman and may require traveling, to be determined in coordination with the consultant and Ministry.