Policy Research Specialist

Background:

Nathan is a leading provider of analytic and economic consultancy services worldwide. In the past decade, we have implemented more than 120 projects in more than 50 countries leveraging our global presence in Washington DC, London, and India. From improved transparency and deeper stakeholder engagement to more effective policies and more resilient businesses, we deliver results that impact economic growth, human development, and poverty reduction. We are passionate about applying our deep analytical expertise and advanced proprietary tools to generate economic solutions tailored to our clients’ unique challenges. Nathan focuses on a range of economic development subject matter areas including Trade & Logistics; Economic Policy & Governance; Private Sector Development; Women’s Economic Empowerment; and Financial Solutions.

Makanati | USAID Women’s Empowerment Activity aims to increase women’s access to waged employment and leadership opportunities in Jordan. This will be achieved through three interlinked and equally important performance objectives:

1. Improve women’s access to jobs in the private sector and leadership opportunities in the private and public sectors
2. Improve supported perceptions, practices, and advocacy; and
3. Stimulate and enforce more equitable, safe, and accessible working environments.

Achieving these objectives requires interventions that transform sociocultural norms that hinder women’s workplace entrance and advancement and promote and sustain women’s economic empowerment (WEE), and policies and practices that enhance the enabling environment for increased female labor force participation. The complexity and interconnectedness of the performance objectives necessitates considering both top-down (e.g., policy and regulatory reform) and bottom-up (e.g., mentoring) levers across market subsystems (workplace, individual, community, and government.

This framework recognizes the bidirectional relationship between economic change and social change: economic change can stimulate changes in social norms, and changes in social norms can produce economic change.

Position Summary:

The Policy Research specialist will be responsible for conducting research and running analyses under the Government and Policy Component to identify key entry points to address policy impediments to women’s participation in the labor force and specifically in the private sector. The Policy Research Specialist will also liaison and maintain technical relationships with partner organizations from both the private and public sectors, support the management of grants under this component, and design and co-supervise relevant events and conferences.

Job Description:

Research:

• Respond to requests for research from the Activity’s technical staff, particularly as it pertains to policies relevant to women, youth, and vulnerable groups in the private sector workforce and policies that promote women’s economic empowerment-related and broader workforce equity, diversity, and inclusion. Research can include:
  • Conducting secondary research from published reports and data
  • Supporting the development and implementation of survey instruments to collect primary data from respondents
  • Organizing and conducting key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and consultative workshops with stakeholders and Makanati partners, including at the community, private sector, and government levels to inform research
  • Analyzing primary and secondary data
  • Providing technical reviews of research on addressing policy impediments to women’s participation in the labor force. Research can be internally produced by Makanati staff and consultants or externally produced by Makanati and policy lab partners
• Prepare policy papers, studies and reports based on the data analysis in English and/or Arabic
• Present on policy papers, studies, and reports

Grants:

• Support the Sr. Component Lead and Grants Manager in the technical follow up and support, grant monitoring, and reporting on grants under this component

Events:

• Design events, workshops, and conferences around technical policy priorities. This can also include preparing or facilitating relevant technical papers and presentations – and writing workshop/conference reports.
• Collaborate with Makanati’s Workforce Policy Lab Unit Specialist as needed in implementing events.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in, law, economics, social science, or any related field
• Minimum of -7 years of professional experience
• Detail oriented
• Strong analytical skills
• Demonstrated experience in conducting secondary research on women, youth and vulnerable in the workforce; experience conducting primary research preferred
• Strategic understanding of, and commitment to, relationship building with Makanati’s government and private sector policy makers and influencers
• Experience of technical writing, reporting and preparations associated with conference planning preferred.
• Fluency in Arabic and excellent English required
• Strong writing skills in both Arabic and English required

Nathan is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Nathan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. EOE Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Nathan requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated. If you receive a conditional offer of employment from Nathan, you will be required to prove that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or receive approval from Nathan for a waiver due to a valid religious or medical reason prior to your start date. Applicants should not disclose their vaccination status or need for a waiver before receiving a conditional offer of employment.