Result of Service

The ultimate result of this consultancy is a complete Action Plan for the National Strategy on Older Persons in Jordan for the years 2024-2028.

Work Location

Jordan

Expected duration

3 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: According to the United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024, the number of older persons aged 60+ in Jordan is projected to increase from 798,168 in 2023 to 2.7 million in 2050 and 6.7 million in 2100. At the same time, the number of older persons aged 65+ is expected to rise from 494,438 in 2023 to 2 million in 2050 and 5.4 million in 2100. In relative terms, this means that the total elderly population of Jordan will increase from 7 per cent in 2023 to a staggering 16.6 and 31.4 percent in 2050, and 2100 respectively. In addition, the proportion of elderly aged 65+ will triple in the coming 3 decades to 12 percent and reach 25.5 percent by the end of the century. The increase in the numbers of elderly is the result of continuous fertility declines and increased longevity over the past decades. Between 1950 and 2023, life expectancy at birth in the Kingdom increased from 41 years to 77.8 years, and is projected to hit 82 years in 2050, and 88.6 in 2100. These important changes also indicate that Jordan will start its ageing transition around 2033 and complete it by 2056, even more rapidly than the region as a whole. The ageing transition can present a development opportunity, but it can also pose significant challenges for Jordan and other Arab middle-income countries which will have to meet the increasing health, social, economic and developmental needs of their elderly population. It also requires the development of age-responsive legislation and policy frameworks and an adequate fiscal space. Recognizing the importance of these demographic changes and their impact on the family and the society, the National Council for Family Affairs in Jordan (NCFA) prepared various studies and policy documents of relevance, including the first national older person’s strategy and its action plan (2009-2013), the national strategy for older persons, and its action plan 2018-2022; and the national population strategy 2021-2030. In 2023, ESCWA supported NFCA in preparing an analytical report to assess the implementation of the Jordanian Strategy for Older Persons and its Plan of Action (PoA) for the years 2018-2022 . The Report gauged the progress made since the adoption of the PoA in promoting and protecting older persons rights and showed that despite significant achievements on several indicators for older persons, others lagged behind. The report argued that the absence of an “Age-Responsive budget” methodology in policy budgeting processes, has led to deficits in monitoring and following-up on public spending directed at older persons, and weakened the efficiency and effectiveness of the implemented measures, specifically in the healthcare pillar. The Report also highlighted the need to mobilize more efforts to improve the quality of the services provided to older persons and address the increasing need for qualified home-based care services; and the number of day care centers; among other recommendations. Based on the findings the Assessment Report, the NCFA and ESCWA developed a new and improved National Strategy for Older Persons for 2024-2028. The preparation of the new strategy involved a rights-based; evidence-based; gender-sensitive and participatory approach that engaged representatives from governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, private sector and representatives from UN and other international organizations. The 2024-2028 strategy includes 8 priority areas or pillars that should be addressed to promote the rights and wellbeing of older persons in Jordan, and outlines the objectives and actions/interventions required under each pillar, namely: 1) social protection and income security; 2) healthcare; 3) social care; 4) participation and intergenerational solidarity; 5) prevention of violence, abuse and neglect; 6) the enabling environment; 7) the knowledge base; and 8) coordination and partnerships. Against this backdrop, ESCWA is recruiting a Consultant to support support the development of the Action Plan for the new National Strategy on Older Persons in Jordan (2024-2028). Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall guidance of the ESCWA and in coordination with the NCFA in Jordan, the consultant will: 1- Propose a timeline for the development of the NAP. 2- Elaborate the proposed outline. 3- Develop the methodology for preparing the NAP. 4- Carry out literature review on existing NAPs, including among others, national, regional and international action plans on older persons and ageing. 5- Identify a list of stakeholders based on agreed set of criteria approved by ESCWA and the NCFA, including but not limited to, relevant ministries and government institutions, non-governmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, experts and academia, service and care providers, private sector, media, etc.. 6- Carry out consultations and key informant interviews (KIIs) with the identified stakeholders to discuss related interventions/actions. 7- Develop a draft NAP, based on the interviews and consultations. In this draft, the consultant will elaborate on the related interventions for each pillar, and identify the relevant indicators (including, when possible, baselines and targets); as well as the responsible entities, the resources required and the timelines for implementation. 8- Submit the consolidated first draft of NAP for review by ESCWA and NCFA and integrate their comments. 9- Participate and present the draft of the NAP in a national consultation/validation workshop with relevant stakeholders organized by ESCWA and NCFA. 10- Submit the final version of the NAP, based on the comments and outcomes of the consultation workshop, including annexes, and supporting documents.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced University degree (master’s or equivalent) in social science, political science, demography, development studies, or a related field is required. A PhD is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 7 years of professional work experience in social policy and development issues is required, preferably in Jordan. An in-depth knowledge or experience in drafting policies, strategies, plans of actions and in designing programmes and projects is required . Experience in conducting interviews and writing a qualitative report on the findings is required. Particular experience in the area of ageing, care economy, and population issues is desirable. Knowledge of results-based planning is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in Arabic and English is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.