Click on a program/project for more details on Al Jidara’s work.

Capacity Building for the Public Sector Reform (PSR) Team in the Government Performance Directorate
This purpose of this project is to continue and finalize the DFID funded Public Sector Reform (PSR) work that was performed by PWC(UK) with Al Jidara as their partner, after DFID ended its engagement in Jordan.

The technical assistance addresses capacity building efforts within the Governorate Performance Directorate (GPD) team (at the Prime Ministry) to ensure the GPD team has the needed skills and expertise to define the proper Key Performance Indicators (KPI) based on the National Agenda as well as the actual running of GPD operations and building the internal work processes with the GPD team.

Capacity Building for PSR Teams in the Public Sector Development Administration (PSDA)
The purpose of this project is to continue and finalize the DFID funded PSR work that was performed by PWC(UK) with Al Jidara as their partner, after DFID ended its engagement in Jordan.

The main objective of the work is to support the PSDA Minister, Secretary General and senior officials to exercise their PSR leadership and management roles effectively.

Public Sector Reform/ Restructuring of Prime Ministry
Restructuring of the Prime Ministry in order to meet its current ambitious vision for efficiency and focus on strategic decision making with policy focus.

Specific tasks undertaken included recruiting key staff for the newly setup Government Performance Directorate. Work also included restructuring the Council of Ministers secretariat and developing new sets of procedures and templates, and a guidebook to govern the submittal, evaluation and approval of policy documents submitted to the CoM.

Public Sector Reform for Service Delivery
Provided capacity building, training design, and implementation, which aimed at strengthening the public service’s capabilities in delivering services across the Kingdom. Specific areas of service delivery that were enhanced included beneficiary surveys, service costing analyses, medium term budgeting, output measurement approaches, and stakeholder communication programs, with a focus on the Ministry of Education.

AMIR 2.0 Program
Achievement of Market Friendly Initiatives and Results Program (AMIR 2.0).

AMIR 1.0 Program
Access to Microfinance & Improved Implementation of Policy Reform Program (AMIR 1.0)

ATASP Program
Aqaba Technical Assistance Project (ATASP)

Provision of technical assistance to the Industrial Modernisation Programme (IMP) for Jordan
Al Jidara has won the Industrial Modernisation Programme (IMP) under a consortium led by Transtec SA, to provide technical assistance for local Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) over a range of different assignments and mainly for the benefit of the Jordanian Upgrading and Modernization Programme (JUMP).

EJADA Program
Euro-Jordanian Action for the Development of Enterprise (EJADA).

Streamlining the processes of the One-Stop-Shop Directorate at the Jordan Investment Board
Al Jidara is currently carrying out a project which aims at assessing and analyzing the investment related processes used by the different government entities stationed at the One-Stop-Shop of JIB, and a next phase streamline those processes to simplify the registration and licensing of those processes for investors. The project also covers developing a plan for implementing the suggested improvements which specifies the implementation timeline and requirements and applying those recommendations in one of the investment sectors on a pilot basis.

Support for the Jordanian Upgrading and Modernization Program (JUMP) - Diagnostic Studies
Supported the Jordanian Upgrading and Modernization Program (JUMP) through the provision of full scale diagnostic studies of a specific cluster of five knitwear firms, providing them with benchmarks and designing for each company a detailed upgrading and modernization action plan to be used by JUMP as the basis for providing each firm with the technical assistance and financial support.

e-Initiative Monitoring and Evaluation - MoICT
Developed a monitoring and evaluation framework that will enable MoICT to develop a unified portfolio management approach to assess the impact of e-initiatives on the socio-economic development of citizens, oversee their work, manage and support them as a portfolio of projects.

Assessing the current organization and practices of the Jordan Investment Board
The main objective of the project was to develop an assessment of the current organizational structure and practices of the Jordan Investment Board and support the “best-practice benchmarking and organizational development plan for the Jordan Investment Board” consultancy.

Assessment of e-Government Readiness and Approach in Jordan
Assessed the readiness of the Government of Jordan for implementing an e-Government initiative and subsequently designed a comprehensive implementation plan for launching e-Government in Jordan.

Professional Services for Startups - EJADA
Currently working on coordinating a project to deliver a wide range of professional services to assist start-ups/entrepreneurs affiliated to newly established Jordanian incubators, specifically those at the Royal Scientific Society and Jordan University Technical assistance was extended to the incubatees through a group of professional consultants in the areas of:

• Business Planning.
• Feasibility Studies.
• Marketing Strategy.
• Market Research.
• Marketing Services Support (website, corporate identity development, marketing communications etc.).
• Financial Strategy/Planning
• Management accounting cash flow, budgeting, costing and pricing.

Analysis of Economic and Commercial Policies
Researched and analyzed Jordan's economic and commercial policies in the context of the Stanford Research Institute’s Commercial Policy Matrix.

Analysis of SMEs Growth Constraints
Identified critical issues constraining the growth of the small and medium size (SMEs) businesses in Jordan.

Municipal Licensing Business Process Reengineering
Provided technical assistance to measurably reduce compliance and administration costs for selected business processes at two pilot municipalities in Jordan. The effort entailed mapping out existing municipal licensing and permitting processes covering professional licenses, construction related permits, and health certificates; recommending reengineering solutions; and implementing the reengineered business processes. The effort also included conducting a baseline study and assessing impact of the recommended manual simplification of processes. Moreover, the effort entailed assessing the e-Readiness of the two municipalities as well as recommending pilot processes for electronic enabling.

Organization of a Trade Policy Unit at MoIT
Identified the trade and investment economic data that a “trade policy unit” at the Jordanian Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) should collect for effective trade policy analysis. Also identified existing sources of the trade and investment data that are collected by the government, the methods used to collect, analyze and present the data, and provided a critical review of its quality and sufficiency for trade economic analysis.

Organizational Development Support for JTB
Undertaken as part of a broader assignment of assessing and strengthening the Jordan Tourism Board's (JTB) institutional framework, management capacity and operations, ultimately enabling it to effectively promote Jordan’s tourism sector both regionally and internationally; qualified personnel were selected and recruited to help enhance the organizational performance and efficiency of the JTB. Specific tasks undertaken included the review and further development of job descriptions for certain managerial positions; drafting of job advertisements to appear in newspapers; and development of evaluation criteria for each post. Based on this, candidates were evaluated, short-listed and interviewed. A proposed list of interview questions was also compiled in accordance with the evaluation criteria and positions.

Development of JTB's Institutional and Managerial Frameworks
Undertaken as part of a broader assignment of assessing and strengthening the Jordan Tourism Board's (JTB) institutional framework, management capacity and operations, ultimately enabling it to effectively promote Jordan’s tourism sector both regionally and internationally. An objective analysis of JTB’s financial and administrative procedures was conducted and recommendations were put forward for their improvement to assist JTB in effectively, efficiently and economically fulfilling its organizational goals.

Development of JTB's Administrative Policies and Procedures
Evaluated Jordan Tourism Board's (JTB) staff and recommended proper job positions in accordance with the new organizational structure. Developed a new personnel regulation for the JTB that aimed at governing its administrative policies and procedures and ensured compliance with best practice. The new regulation and salary scale was then presented to the JTB Board of Directors. In an open discussion, best practices were also suggested to the Board with regard to dealing with overstaffing or de-staffing.

Centers of Excellence (COE) Criteria Redevelopment
Surveyed organizations that participated in the first round of the King Abdullah Award for Government Performance and Transparency and used the results to upgrade the Centers of Excellence Criteria.

Investment Promotion Strategy for Jordan’s Tourism Sector
Worked on developing a strategy for tourism-related investment promotion, based upon an analysis of Jordan’s competitive strengths and weaknesses. Following a definition of the desired outcomes of the strategy and an analysis of the market drivers in the local tourism sector, targeted investment opportunities were identified in three main areas (resort hotels, gulf market attractions, and historic/cultural/natural attractions). The principal focus of the strategy in each area was on product development.

MoIT “Centers of Excellence” Program Assessment
Assisted senior Ministry of Industry and Trade staff in assessing the human resources skill base, human resources development systems and procedures, and staffing needs for each department within the Ministry in light of its strategic plan and various recent changes in the economy and the government. The results of this preliminary assessment clarified the Ministry’s current staffing and proposed human resources requirements and their implications on reengineering and modernizing the Ministry.

Diagnostic Study on the “Centers of Excellence” within JIB
Worked with the “Centers of Excellence” Program Process Team Members within the Jordan Investment Board (JIB) to carry out a benchmarking assessment in the process criterion, while providing training for the team process counterpart.

Reviewed results of a COE survey tool, that has been distributed within the JIB and accordingly scored the JIB in the area of processes, with a full assessment of strengths, weaknesses, decisions and opportunities in this area.

Diagnostic Study on the “Centers of Excellence” within JEDCO
Worked with the “Centers of Excellence” Program Process Team Members within the Jordan Export Development and Commercial Centers Corporation (JEDCO) to carry out a benchmarking assessment of the CoE process criterion, while providing training for the team process counterpart.

Reviewed results of a COE survey tool, which was distributed within JEDCO to evaluate the organization’s processes, and fully assessed JEDCO’s strengths, weaknesses, decisions and opportunities in this area.

Developing a Strategic Plan for JGATE
Developed a strategic plan for the Jordan Garments, Accessories & Textiles Exporter’s Association (JGATE).

Jordan Vision 2020 Investment Data Collection Effort (June 2004)
Analyzed and assessed data on direct investments in Jordan, and compiled the data in a report that sorted out investments in three areas in the country: National Customs Area, Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), and the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ’s).

Investor Roadmap Update and Implementation
Updated the investor roadmap to incorporate several of the qualitative improvements to the previous Investor Roadmap diagnostic and implementation methodology, including all of the regulatory interactions previously addressed and also several important areas that are particularly significant for Jordan today. This report clarified for investors and regulators all of the steps, costs, timeframes and documents required to startup and operate a firm. It also highlighted the problems facing investors arising from administrative constraints and made concrete recommendations to guide change, in light of several meetings and focus groups with local investors and government officials.

Design, Development & Implementation of an MIS System
Provided technical assistance to the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Investor Services and MIS Directorates to support their effort to develop an electronic Enterprise Registration and Permitting System.

Trade & Investment Needs Assessment
Initiated trade and investment information needs assessment, in light of the requirements of a proposed Jordan Authority for Economic Development (JAED) and the Economic Studies Directorate at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Cost Analysis
Analyzed recurrent cost financing of the municipal water and sewerage sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the developed options for water and sewerage tariff reform.

Sector Policy Reform Assessment
Assessed the effectiveness and impact of policy reforms supporting the USAID- Jordan Sector Policy Rerform Program.

World Trade Organization (WTO) Accession
Assisted the Government of Jordan in fulfilling the various accession requirements to join the WTO and to ensure compliance.

GEM 2004 Expert Interviews and Questionnaires
Conducted 36 interviews with national experts of entrepreneurs, government officials, academicians, consultants, politicians, and bankers to include Jordan, for the first time, in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report. In an effort to put Jordan on a global comparative scale, interviews were transcribed, statistically coded, and logically checked.

Structural Adjustment Facility Program
Provided assistance towards the preparation of the Government of Jordan’s Structural Adjustment Facility Program that was backed by the EC and IMF, and worked to consolidate the fiscal process.This included the documentation, review and assessment of all national reforms in the areas of tax revenue (direct and indirect), tax administration and public pensions/ the social security system; in addition to drafting of Financing Proposal, Technical and Administrative Provisions of the Program, the Logical Framework, and a matrix of conditionalities.

BMZ Evaluation of Jordanian- German Technical Cooperation
Analyzed and assessed the Jordanian- German development cooperation in order to develop a vision and a strategy for the future design of the bilateral cooperation program.

Evaluation of Economic Cooperation between the EC and MEDA
Evaluated the economic cooperation programs between the European Commission and the MEDA countries in order to help enhance the effectiveness of the EC as a development and economic partner.

Database Compilation, Population & Investment Realization
Surveyed the applications of all investors who applied to benefit from the incentives of the Investment Promotion Corporation (now known as the Jordan Investment Board), populated the developed database software, and recommended action plans based on an analysis of the investment realization rates for the various industrial and services sectors and sub-sectors.

Central Bank of Jordan HR & Financial Systems
In country project management for the provision and implementation of a complete Orcacle 11i Human Resource and Financial Systems at the Central Bank of Jordan.

Wireless Sector Market Liberalization Study
Examined Jordan’s wireless sector market liberalization as well as the deployment, development and licensing of advanced wireless technology.

Free Trade Agreement Issue Analysis
Conducted an analysis of the economic impact of the Jordan- US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Jordanian business sectors. The study identified the business sectors, in goods and services, in which Jordan would have an advantage in exports to the US versus other countries in the Middle East region, as well as those countries with whom the US has an FTA. The effects of different tariff loads, rules of origin and other market access agreements/ mechanisms for market access to the US were also analyzed, such as GSP, QIZs and WTO. Finally, the impact of the FTA on the bilateral trade in services between Jordan and the US was outlined.

Freeport Feasibility Study
Conducted a location benchmarking, feasibility study and implementation plan for the establishment of a Freeport/ Special Economic Zone (FSEZ) regime in Aqaba, Jordan. The study consisted of: analysis of the comparative advantage, market definition, and investor demand; provision of policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework; Site evaluation, land use / physical planning; financial and economic analysis; and FSEZ development strategy and implementation plan.

Khadoury Technology Development Center
Identified and targeted potential developers / operators in the Middle East for the development of a Technology Development Center / IT park in the West Bank.

B2B Application Service Provider Assistance
Raised seed monies for a Business-to-Business Application Service Provider (ASP), supported by an exchange that provides “owners” of large capital programs the tools to plan, budget, procure and build their construction projects more efficiently and cost- effectively. IT development was contracted for equity and remaining seed monies are in the final stages of being raised from both Middle East funds and Middle East and USA Venture Capital companies.

Assistance in Privatization Efforts
Assisted the Jordan Investment Corporation (JIC) in its privatization effort of the Ma’in Spa Complex.

Private Sector Development Training
Provided training during a month long Economic Management Training Program, with the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank in cooperation with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the Arab Planning Institute. The objective was to transfer knowledge and best practices from regional and international experience in economic management to Arab policy makers for the purpose of enhanced economic policy formulation and implementation. The subject was Private Sector Development: Conditions for successful public enterprise and privatization and implementation of privatization programs.

Industrial Estates and Free Zones’ Study Tour
Arranged and facilitated a study tour of Jordanian investment and development agencies for the USAID-funded “Promoting Industrial Zones and Investment Mobilization (PRIZIM)” Project and the Palestinian Industrial Estates and Free Zones Authority (PIEFZA).

Trade Enhancement Program (TEP)
Developed a project document for the identification of a TEP, which aimed to upgrade Egypt’s institutional and organizational capacity to prepare and enact suitable trade legislation and implementation measures; and support Egypt’s capability to manage and implement trade liberalization provisions under both the Association Agreement with the EU, the WTO, and other regional agreements.

Municipal Support Program - Palestine
Provided technical assistance and engineering services for the implementation of an EU-funded Municipal Support Program, which aimed at enhancing planning and technical capacity in targeted Municipalities, in order to implement and manage future municipal projects under international financing institutions' monitoring systems.

Executive Management Training Program
Designed and delivered training workshops to Jordanian senior business executives to help them upgrade their skills in a number of areas, thereby contributing positively to the general performance and development of their companies. The main areas of training were: explaining the requirements for competing in the international markets; essentials and competencies of leadership; strategy development; decision-making; delegation of responsibilities and empowerment; the role of continuous innovation and technology for growth; and change management.

Report on the Role of Women in Economic Development
Represented Jordan at the EU “Regional Forum on the Role of Women in Economic Development: Equal Opportunities between Women and Men within the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership”. Prepared and presented a national report about Jordan, addressing and proposing solutions to four main themes: better access for females to the labor market, better access to education and vocational training, better access to financial facilities and the creation and promotion of women’s businesses. Findings were evaluated following a series of workshops, discussed and exchanged with other Mediterranean and European national experts. Conclusions were drafted and presented at the Euro-Mediterranean ministerial conference held under the Belgian Presidency of the EU.

Development of Privatization Programs (Yemen)
Developed tourism privatization programs and marketing strategies for the tourism sector in the Republic of Yemen. 26 out of 39 public enterprises included in the Terms of Reference were successfully privatized within six months of the start date of the assignment.

Tourism & Real Estate Investment Services
Assisted BDO Hospitality Consulting in tourism and real estate consulting services in Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza and Yemen.

Market and Financial Feasibility Research (Amman)
Conducted market and technical research and a feasibility study for a five-star hotel and mall (ITT Sheraton) in Amman, Jordan.

Market and Financial Feasibility Research (Amman)
Compiled market and technical research, a feasibility study and business & market strategy planning for a 3 star suites hotel in Amman, Jordan.

Market and Financial Feasibility Research (Petra)
Developed market and technical research and feasibility study for a four-star tourist resort in Nawaflet Zaman in Petra, Jordan.

Market and Financial Feasibility Research (Aqaba)
Conducted market and financial feasibility research on the Pointe Resort on the Red Sea at Aqaba, Jordan.

Water and Waste water Tariff Restructuring
Analyzed recurrent cost financing of the municipal water and sewerage sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the developed options for water and sewerage tariff reform.

Policy Assessment
Assessment of the effectiveness and impact of policy reforms supporting the USAID- Jordan Sector Policy Reform Program.

Preparation and Methodology Documentation
Development of country specific intelligence guides to be used for scoping and outward missions by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority's (ASEZA) Business Development and Marketing Officers (BDMOs) in their efforts to implement the ASEZA Marketing Plan in the targeted sectors and markets.

Promotion of Sustainable Economic Growth
Identified policy reforms aimed at liberalizing restrictive trade and investment practices in Jordan.

Economic Policy Reforms Knowledge Survey
In order to enhance the effectiveness of the implementation of policy reform, a survey was conducted to determine the existing level of awareness among over 120 private sector firms, concerning economic policy reforms that have been made and the status of implementation of each reform.

Feasibility of Establishing a Credit Bureau
Researched and surveyed lending constraints to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and the feasibility of establishing a Credit Bureau in conjunction with actuarial services for insurance companies.

Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ ) Labor Study
Reviewed the effectiveness and impact of Jordanian investment incentive schemes. This review specifically targeted labor demand at QIZs as the major indicator of assessment.

Mid- Program Impact Assessment
Measured the impact of the AMIR Program/ USAID to date on the people, economy and Government of Jordan.

Drafting of the Competition Law
Assisted the Jordanian Ministry of Industry and Trade in redrafting the national Competition Law.

Translation of promotional material
Provided English to Arabic translation of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority’s (ASEZA) promotional material, which is to be used throughout the implementation of ASEZA’s proactive marketing plan across the Arab World. The promotional material includes ASEZA Web Site, Business Guide, ASEZ at a Glance video clip, and “Destination Aqaba” brochure.

Development of an IT Industry Study
Developed an IT Industry/REACH Initiative study in Jordan in light of the country’s competitive and comparative advantage. The study was conducted to present the current structure of Jordan’s IT industry; evaluate Jordan’s competitive and comparative advantage; detail a strategy and action plan for launching the IT industry and additionally present an analysis of the current and future fiscal and economic contributions, costs, and benefits of the action plan for the industry.

Securities Depository Software Customization
Designed a database for creating entry relationship diagrams and designed bilingual forms for the Securities Depository in Jordan.

Assessment of Securities Depository Functionality
Assessed the functionality of the Securities Depository, determined its needs, and implemented them as follows: installed, enhanced, and upgraded the Share Registry System and the Central Securities Depository System for the Jordan Securities Commission. Customized and expanded the software to meet the needs of the Jordanian securities market. Also, converted the Depository System to Oracle, and made the Registry system available in both SQL and Oracle

Investment Targeting Strategy
Assisted the Investment Promotion Corporation of Jordan (now known as the Jordan Investment Board) to better target potential investors within the region. The study updated an investor targeting strategy by providing a better understanding of the investment environment, investment trends and investor profiles in potential regional markets and for certain sectors. It also assessed the need for promotional missions to promote Jordan as an investment destination in targeted markets and outlined their required logistics.

The Jordan-EU Association Agreement
As part of the “Europe Comes to Jordan” awareness campaign, a seminar was held to introduce the Jordan- EU Association Agreement, its implications and conditions to Jordanian businesses- largely to managers of SMEs, members of business associations, members of chambers of industry and commerce and some governmental institutions.

Jordanian Industrial Estates Market Demand Study
Assessed the demand and supply situation of the Jordanian Industrial Estates in order to propose a development strategy for the Jordanian Industrial Estates Corporation (JIEC) in terms of locations and supply of future planned Industrial Estate facilities.

Development of Strategies for JIB and MoIT
Worked together with the Jordan Investment Board (JIB) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) among other relevant bodies to assist the efficient, effective and speedy reform of Jordan’s international marketing strategies for the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sectors. This entailed the production of strategic marketing plans for these two sectors, including the production of guidebooks related to such sectoral marketing activities.

Preparation of Implementation Stage
Undertook various tasks for the preparation of Aqaba for the Implementation stage of a Special Economic Zone, which included business registration and licensing procedures, job descriptions surveys and best-fit models. Also, provided and managed administrative support staff to the Aqaba Technical Assistance Support Project office.

Assistance and Capacity Building
Provided capacity building, training, investment targeting and promotion, sectoral studies, standardization and documentation of procedures, e-Government, privatization, tax system development, for the three year implementation of the USAID- funded Aqaba Technical Assistance Support Project; aimed at enhancing the capacity of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) to effectively manage the Aqaba Special Economic Zone.

Demand Assessment for an Industrial Park
Conducted a comprehensive market research effort to estimate demand for an industrial estate with a Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ) status in Aqaba, Jordan, and developed physical design guidelines based on the projected demand.

Development of an Investment Tracking System
Designed, developed, and implemented an investment tracking system for the Investment Promotion Corporation.

Corporate Strategy Planning
Provided technical assistance to manage conference logistics, develop the scheduling matrix, and support the development of a strategic plan for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Corporate Strategic Planning Workshop.

Analysis of Jordan’s Key Regional Competitors
The ultimate objective of this assignment was to contribute to the creation of a new investor targeting strategy for the Jordan Investment Board (JIB), by determining which sectors were appropriate potential targets for investment promotion.

Development of Pharmaceutical & Medical Marketing Strategies
Produced marketing strategies- under the larger goal of enhancing Jordan’s capacity to identify appropriate target sectors of industry and services internationally, to promote Jordan to leading companies in these sectors, to win significantly increased annual investments into Jordan and to professionally facilitate such investments. The pharmaceutical and medical sectors were selected based on comprehensive research of appropriate opportunity areas, in light of Jordan’s competitive position and of the capabilities of Jordan’s key investment promotion entity, which is the Jordan Investment Board (JIB).

Inventory of Private Property for Enterprise Database
The development of an inventory of Private Properties for Enterprise constituted an important component within an Integrated Trade and Investment Information System, which was being created to cater for investors wishing to learn about such property. Aside from profiles on private industrial estates, the inventory included information on where the data was available from, frequency of its dissemination, update and publication.

Assessment of Potential Business Opportunities
Conducted desk research on the potential business opportunities for the Port of Aqaba and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, in light of the lifting of the (12-year old) economic sanctions on Iraq. Research included Jordan’s trade (with a special emphasis on trade with Iraq); Port of Aqaba activity; data on port charges (rates and tariffs for clearance, handling, logistics and freight forwarding to Iraq); Port specifications and features. Also conducted interviews with firm owners, doing and/or pursuing business with Iraq- enquiring after the nature of their activities, and their perspectives on the prospects and constraints facing expanded trade with Iraq.

Training Management & Coordination
Developed, implemented, and managed an appropriate human resource and institutional training program for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, to enable the Authority to fulfill its broad mandate to develop the Zone. This included training needs assessments for all ASEZA Commissions and constituent departments, with a total of over 1000 employees, and recommendations for all staff training.

Research & Policy Advocacy Unit Assistance
Ensured that this Unit - under the Investment Affairs Directorate at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) - is properly established, functional and that mechanisms for its update and maintenance were in place- through the provision of technical assistance on: unit management, coordination and implementation of data collection efforts, creation of systems for the Unit, means of disseminating information, the production of a quarterly Newsletter and setting-up a database for the production of statistical and automated reports. The Unit’s objective was to ensure that ASEZA has an updated information bank, which would serve as an intelligence center for planning promotional activities, maintaining and updating promotional material, generating policy position papers to be used as decision-making tools, and disseminating information to prospective investors, management and visitors. Concurrently, the unit will track the performance of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) through specific socio- economic indicators.

Development of Annual Report
Provided technical assistance for the publication of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone’s First Annual Report, in English and in Arabic. This included proposing the contents of the publication, compilation of all included material, drafting, editing, translation and proof reading, in addition to advisory services for the design and layout of the final product.

Quality Control/ ISO Support Services
The support rendered to the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, towards the goal of achieving its ISO Certification involved documentation, drafting, auditing and translation of Standard Operating Procedures. It also entailed the amendment of current procedures in light of legislative and other changes in progress, in addition to other technical translation advisory services.

Tax Administration Support
Provided advisory services to the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Commissioner for Revenue and Customs and to the Director of Taxation, whose responsibility is to ensure the efficient implementation and operation of the Income Tax Division within the Zone. This included reviewing and diagnostic of all existing tax processes in effect in the ASEZ; designing of effective and efficient forms for future use; devising a revised staffing structure for the Income Tax Division; preparing a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Income Tax Division and other relevant divisions within the Zone; in addition to several other tasks, including the development of a work plan for technical assistance to achieve actions identified in the course of the diagnostic.

Grants Management and Administration
Managed and administered the Aqaba Technical Support Project’s small grants program, which aimed at awarding US$500,000 to local NGOs.

Valuation of Warehousing Operations
Provided technical assistance to the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority in determining the real value of warehousing operations and exploring the appropriate means for compensation to be structured and implemented. This exercise was additionally used to assess the financial performance of warehousing operations at the time of the study and to enable the presentation of recommendations for alternative management structures.

Capacity Building for BMD Staff
Provision of technical assistance to build the capacity of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Business Development and Marketing Directorate (BDMD) staff, in order to attain best possible results in the implementation of the ASEZA’s current Marketing Plan, and subsequent ones, through enhancing their marketing and investment promotion skills, as well as developing BDMD officers’ modern management and communication skills.

Human Resources Audit of JIB, JEDCO, JIEC & FZC
Methodology and survey guidelines were prepared, setting out the framework for an in-depth HR audit of the Jordan Investment Board (JIB), the Jordan Export Development and Commercial Centers Corporation (JEDCO), Jordan Industrial Estates Corporation (JIEC) and the Free Zone Corporation(FZC), including the design of survey instruments, specification of data to be collected (including number and designation of authorized positions, number and designation of filled positions, grade and salary band for each position, actual breakdown of education and experience, etc., for each entity), in addition to the format for the presentation of data.

Organizational Review of JIEC
Redrafted the Jordan Industrial Estates corporation (JIEC) Organizational Chart and Job Descriptions, in accordance with its future missions and objectives, to take account of relationships with other investment entities that are to be created, and JIEC’s anticipated strategic and marketing role.

Process Management Criteria Development
Developed a Process Management Criteria for the Economic Development Directorate at the Royal Court in Jordan.

Backward Linkages Database Inventory
Provided a detailed and technically specific inventory of available information relating to investment and enterprise (foreign firms operating in Jordan, as well as domestic manufacturers and traded service providers with ten or more employees) in Jordan, which was used as one of the building blocks for a future backward linkages program.

Enhancing Public - Private Dialogue
Improved policy reform and its implementation through institutional strengthening, and developing and nurturing public-private dialogue.

Public Relations and Advocacy Communications
Assisted and trained five Jordanian Business Associations to strengthen their capability in implementing a practical model of an effective public relations and advocacy communications program.

Recruitment of Commercial Attaches for Jordanian Embassies
Assisted the Ministry of Industry and Trade in screening over 200 applications submitted by candidates in response to newspaper advertisements seeking Foreign Service officers to serve in a marketing and investment promotional capacity. A short list of these applicants was prepared and they were subsequently interviewed.

Business Associations Membership Survey
Conducted a qualitative survey to assess the level of satisfaction with the services rendered and those needed by members in different key business associations in Jordan. Public policy awareness and potential advocacy capabilities of these associations were also investigated to gauge associations and members' capacities.

Position Paper on Education and the Jordanian School System
Developed a policy position paper for the Young Entrepreneurs Association entitled "Education/ Human Resource Development, Business and the Jordanian School System”, which was used as an effective tool in leading a public policy advocacy program. The aim was to convince the stakeholders: public and private schools and the government to introduce the policies and resources necessary to modify school curricula to enhance creativity, innovation and critical thinking. Another aim was to build capacities of schoolteachers through professional training, introduction of the English language, Internet-use and computer teaching from first grade.

Education Advocacy Strategy and Training
In association with the Young Entrepreneurs Association, a concrete advocacy program was developed and implemented, which aimed at enhancing the ability of the private sector and the business community to influence polices and laws necessary to improve education and enhance critical human resource skills.

Social Security Law Inequality Policy Paper
Researched and assessed the social and financial impact of the social security inequality issue on families. Assessed the effect of changing those regulations and laws that govern the present situation. Recommendations were put forward regarding what regulations, laws and organizational arrangements were needed to empower women, their families and estates with equal economic rights.

Social Security Law Advocacy Program
Developed an advocacy program for a Jordanian Business Association, aimed at key decision and policy makers, groups, and organizations affected by the inequality of the social security law. Provided legal advice on the law and related regulations, and supported the effort of the Business and Professional Women’s Club in implementing the developed program.

Business Associations Members Tracking System
Designed, developed and implemented a member- tracking system tailored to each association’s needs and requirements and integrated within their current available systems.

Organizational and Planning Support to JIEC
An organizational review was conducted for the Jordan Industrial Estates Corporation (JIEC), followed by an assessment of the proposed merger between the JIEC and the Free Zones Corporation (FZC), with a view to facilitating the investment and enterprise development environment in Jordan.

Business Upgrading for a Jordanian Medical Company
Provided technical assistance to a Jordanian company that manufactures medical disposables to improve its existing manufacturing processes, its productivity and employee efficiency. The assignment also explored ways to help the company overcome problems of inconsistency in production quality.

Business Upgrading for a Steel Manufacturing Company
Provided technical assistance to a Jordanian steel manufacturing company to measure the company’s competitive position in the European market. This necessitated a complete review and assessment of the company’s products, business processes and markets; market research and analysis on the market the company is aiming to penetrate; presentation of realistic market options for the company to explore, with recommendations that served as guidelines for top management.

Market Specifics and Services Demand Survey- Northern Jordan
Designed and implemented field work survey activities in Northern Jordan to assist micro-finance institutions' subsidiaries in the development of demand driven loan products by defining the profile of micro enterprises, determining their credit needs and establishing baseline data for future surveys and development of new loan products.

Market Specifics and Services Demand Survey- East Amman
Assisted selected NGOs and commercial banks to develop a demand-driven product and identify borrowers. The survey defined the profile of micro-enterprises in East Amman.

Market Specifics Micro-finance Survey
Conducted a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the micro-finance services needed by present and potential entrepreneurs in Jordan. The survey detailed the demand and supply side issues of available credit facilities (formal) and current practices (informal). The survey was the first of its kind that specifically addressed the different issues related to micro- lending

Implementation of an MIS System for MFIs in Jordan
Ensured adherence of the beta version of “Banking Beyond 2K” software (developed for the use of micro-finance institutions (MFIs) for micro-finance banking and loan tracking) to the technical specifications for a standard Microfinance software product. Also, identified additional user requirements of the MFIs and defined and managed the implementation of the software.

MFI Policy Constraint Review
Produced a policy paper identifying constraints that inhibited the growth of the microfinance industry in Jordan. The paper included a prioritized action plan designed to minimize the negative impact of these restraints.

Investment Promotion Sectoral Strategies
Worked with JIB to evaluate Jordan’s competitive position in three main sectors and developed a three-year inward investment promotion strategy for these sectors.

Jordan as a Hub for Entrepreneurship
Identified the mindset, environment, conditions, and responsibilities needed to be in place for Jordan to flourish as an entrepreneurial hub.

Baseline Assessment Municipal BPR Wadi Sir
Assessed the process of issuing and renewing professional licenses at the Wadiseer Municipality for the year 2003, and measured improvements in the Municipality’s performance following the implementation of the Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) effort.

Human Resource Position Descriptions and Competencies
Assisted the Customs Department in Jordan by closing the identified skill gaps in the HR and Training Directorates through human resource and training reform.

Developing Sectoral Marketing Strategies (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment)
Produced marketing strategies for foreign direct investment (FDI) promotion and facilitation to the pharmaceuticals and medical equipment sectors. Explained the dynamics, production, marketing, and processes involved in the selected sectors.

Investment promotion Sectoral Strategy: Methodology
Presented a detailed document of the methodology that is being used to develop the current series of investment promotion sectoral strategies for the JIB.

Investment Promotion Sectoral strategy: Garments
Assisted the Jordan Investment Board (JIB) in evaluating Jordan’s competitive position in the Garments sector and developed a three-year inward investment promotion sectoral strategy.

Develop a Quality and Performance Management System
Improved and built on the current Project Management Office (PMO) processes to comply with ISO 9000:2000 standards and worked within the context of Centers of Excellence (CoE) criteria and Project Management environment.

Develop Jordan Tourism Board’s Operational Effectiveness
Developed the Jordan Tourism Board’s personnel regulation and an employee evaluation system that set the base for JTBs administrative procedures and determined employees positioning within JTB’s new organizational structure.

Business Upgrading for a Medical Supplies Company
Assisted a medical supplies company in establishing a sales, marketing, export, distribution and market intelligence function.

Management of Executive Training Workshops

Development of a Web Directory for Textile Companies
Developed a Jordanian textile and web directory to facilitate business cooperation with companies working directly or indirectly within the clothing and textile sector in Jordan

Business Upgrading for a group of Engineering Companies
Conducted a comprehensive cluster assessment and benchmarking, positioning and upgrading assistance program to a selected group of engineering companies.

Development of a Marketing Communications Strategy for the Chamber of Industry in Zarqa.
Assisted the Chamber of Industry in Zerqa in developing a marketing and communications strategy, periodical newsletters and fliers, brochure, as well as a website.

Design and Development of Management Structure for a Pharmaceutical Company
Assisted a pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution company in developing and implementing a management structure with policies, procedures and job responsibilities.

HR Development for a Construction Steel Manufacturing Company
Assisted a construction steel manufacturing company in establishing an operational human resource function within the company, to include among other requirements the human resource development policy, job descriptions, manpower planning, salary schemes, motivation schemes, as well as monitoring and evaluations schemes and procedures.

Auditing Production Process for a Plastic Packaging Manufacturing Company
Assist a Plastic (PRT) packaging manufacturing company, through auditing the company’s production processes, in identifying the opportunities to increase productivity, as well as reducing production costs. And also help the company implement the recommendations of the audit.

Support for a Metal Packaging Company
Assist a metal Packaging company (cylindrical and conical steel drums primarily for bulk food and chemicals) in the implementation of six sigma concept and to measure the effect of applying this approach on the production, reduction in the number of defects, increase in customer satisfaction and growth in profits.

Productivity Audit & Enhancement for a Jordanian Manufacturing Company
The main objective of the project was to perform a thorough audit of the company’s production processes to identify opportunities to increase productivity and efficiency as well as reducing production cost. The project objective also included assisting the company in implementing the recommendations of the audit.

Assessing the current licensing process at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Currently conducting a diagnostic study into the existing licensing procedures for hotels and restaurants at Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, identifying bottlenecks and obstacles and recommending improvements in the system in line with the licensing aspects of the Investment Law to improve Jordan’s enabling environment for business at the sectoral level.

Sectoral Licensing Project-Project Conceptualization
Prepared a scoping study for a project which aims at reengineering the sectoral licensing processes in Jordan through the utilization of the business registration and licensing aspects of the new investment Law No. (68) for the year 2003 to improve Jordan’s enabling environment at the sectoral level.

SABEQ Program
Sustainable Achievement of Business Expansion and Quality (SABEQ) Program