1. Background

Decent work is a cornerstone for effective policies to green economies for achieving sustainable development. This implies that efforts to reduce adverse environmental impact must lead to socially just outcomes with employment opportunities for all, thus calling for a just transition to environmentally sustainable economies for all. Just transition involves maximizing the social and economic opportunities of climate and environmental action, including an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises, while minimizing and carefully managing challenges. It should be based on effective social dialogue, respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, and be in accordance with international labour standards.

The concept of just transition gained international attention as the Paris Agreement on climate change adopted in 2015 notes the imperatives of a just transition and the creation of decent jobs in national contexts and circumstances as essential aspects of responses to climate change. In the same year, ILO constituents adopted the Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all through consensus among representatives of governments, employers and workers. The Guidelines offer a unique policy framework and a practical tool to guide the transformation to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies considering the social and employment-related dimensions.

In Jordan, climate change is already affecting water availability, agricultural productivity, and industrial resilience — with significant implications for job security, particularly in labour-intensive sectors. At the same time, green economy opportunities are emerging that can drive sustainable enterprise development and employment growth, especially for youth, women, and vulnerable workers.

To leverage these opportunities, Jordan must embed Just Transition principles into its national climate planning processes, including its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) and the Economic Modernization Vision (EMV). This requires robust social dialogue, active participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations, and technical alignment between employment, environment, and economic planning frameworks.

This ToR responds to these priorities by supporting stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, and the integration of employment-related dimensions into the NDC 3.0. It also aims to re-activate institutional dialogue platforms and position the ILO’s tripartite partners to shape Jordan’s long-term green transition agenda through evidence-based, inclusive consultation processes.

1. Expected deliverables

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical and facilitation support to enhance stakeholder engagement processes and strengthen the inclusion of just transition dimensions in Jordan’s national climate and employment frameworks, particularly the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0).

Specifically, the consultant is expected to support national partners in reviewing and advising on the integration of just transition policy lin the draft NDC; support social dialogue with workers’ and employers’ organizations; prepare stakeholder input reports and policy recommendations; and reactivate or support sectoral dialogue platforms for ongoing engagement.

All activities will be implemented in close coordination with ILO Jordan and relevant national counterparts under the ILO just transition projects, ensuring alignment with Jordan’s NDC 3.0, Economic Modernization Vision (EMV 2033), and the ILO guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all.

Scope of Work

The consultancy is structured into three interrelated phases, reflecting the logical sequencing of activities required to support social dialogue and technical inputs into the revision of Jordan’s NDC and Just Transition planning. The consulting firm or consortium is expected to work closely with ILO, government bodies, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and other national stakeholders to ensure that all deliverables are context-specific, technically sound, and inclusive.

Phase 1 – NDC Review and Just Transition Policy Inputs (June–August 2025)

This phase supports the integration of just transition guiding principles and policy areas into Jordan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0),.

• Produce a policy brief that identifies gaps, opportunities, and actionable recommendations for aligning labour market priorities with climate goals.
• Provide technical support to the Ministry of Environment and ILO in drafting and reviewing sections of the NDC 3.0.
• Participate in coordination meetings and inter-ministerial roundtables to present findings and inform the revision process.

Phase 2 – Stakeholder Dialogue, Validation, and Institutional Anchoring (June–September 2025)

This phase fosters inclusive stakeholder engagement and ensures the validation and institutionalization of Just Transition measures.

• Organize and facilitate two national dialogue sessions involving key actors (government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, youth, and civil society) to discuss just transition priorities and the evolving NDC framework.
• Draft policy position papers from the perspective of different social partners to document diverse inputs into the NDC process.
• Provide advisory support for reconvening and facilitating the Green Jobs Steering Committee as a validation and coordination platform.
• Support the Ministry of Labour and ILO in institutionalizing multi-stakeholder consultation mechanisms, including feedback loops and consensus building for climate employment integration.

Tasks, Deliverables and Time Schedule

The following tasks are expected from the consultancy firm / consortium:

1. NDC Review and Policy Integration (Timeline – Phase 1 (June–August 2025)

Measurable Outputs / Deliverables:

1.1. Policy Brief: Integrating Just Transition into Jordan’s NDC 3.0 – Challenges and Recommendations (Word + PDF)

1.2. Technical Note: Recommendations submitted to Ministry of Environment for NDC integration (Word)

2. Social Dialogue and Stakeholder Positioning (Timeline – Phase 2 (June–September 2025)

Measurable Outputs / Deliverables:

2.1. Two National Dialogue Sessions held with social partners (Agenda + Attendance + Summary Notes)

2.2. Policy Position Papers: Workers’, Employers’, and Civil Society perspectives on JT and NDC (PDF + Word)

2.3. Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement Plan (Excel + Narrative Report)

3. Institutional Strengthening and Validation Support (Timeline – Phase 2 (July –September 2025)

Measurable Outputs / Deliverables:

3.1. Technical Support Note on reconvening Green Jobs Steering Committee (Word)

3.2. Workshop Materials for Green Jobs SC Validation Meeting (Agenda + PPT)

3.3. Summary of Stakeholder Feedback on NDC-JT Integration (Word + PDF)

1. Contract Duration and Modality

The assignment is expected to commence in June 2025 and conclude by October 2025 where all deliverables will be reviewed for a final round, in alignment with the implementation timelines of the activities bundled under this Terms of Reference and the overall schedule for the revision of Jordan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0).

The preferred contracting modality is through a Consulting Firm or Consortium with demonstrated experience in multi-stakeholder policy analysis, stakeholder dialogues, policy advocacy, and national strategy development especially in areas related to climate change, labour market policy, and governance processes.

The selected entity is expected to be primarily based in Jordan, ensuring the capacity to engage in in-person meetings, technical consultations, and public dialogue sessions with government counterparts, social partners, and development partners. Remote support may be utilized for technical drafting, coordination, and follow-up activities, but key engagements will require local presence.

1. Coordination and Review Process

The selected Consortium or Consulting firm will work under the direct supervision of the Just Transition Programme Officer at the ILO Jordan Country Office, who will serve as the primary focal point for day to day coordination and technical guidance. Further technical assistance and backstopping may be provided by the Regional Just Transition Specialist when needed and required.

All deliverables will be subject to a multi-layered review and validation process, which may include:

• Internal Review: All technical products (e.g., NDC analysis, policy briefs, position papers) will first be reviewed by ILO Jordan for coherence with Just Transition frameworks, NDC priorities, and national employment strategies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Depending on the deliverable, the consultant may be requested to present drafts to relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Labour, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and relevant development partners.
• Dialogue Sessions and Validation Workshops: The consultant will support the facilitation of two national dialogue sessions and may be requested to support or present at validation meetings convened by ILO or its government partners.
• Bi-Weekly Progress Coordination: The consultant will be expected to participate in bi-weekly coordination meetings with ILO Jordan to review progress, discuss challenges, and align upcoming deliverables.

All coordination efforts will be aligned with broader stakeholder engagement processes under the Just Transition and NDC development frameworks, and coordinated closely with the project Steering Committee and key line ministries.

1. Payment Schedule

Deliverables:

Phase 1 – NDC Review and Policy Integration – (Expected completion -August 2025) (30%)

1.1. Policy Brief: Integrating Just Transition into Jordan’s NDC 3.0 – Challenges and Recommendations (Word + PDF)

1.2. Technical Note: Recommendations submitted to Ministry of Environment for NDC integration (Word + PDF)

Documents required for payment processing: Invoice, Final versions of 1.1 and 1.2 & Internal feedback summary

Phase 2 – Social Dialogue and Stakeholder Positioning (Expected completion – September 2025) (35%)

2.1. Two National Dialogue Sessions held with social partners (Agenda + Attendance + Summary Notes)

2.2. Policy Position Papers: Workers’, Employers’, and Civil Society perspectives on JT and NDC (PDF + Word)

2.3. Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement Plan (Excel + Narrative Report)

Documents required for payment processing: Invoice, Final versions of 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, Attendance sheets & Workshop summary reports

Phase 3 – Institutional Strengthening and Validation Support – (Expected completion -September 2025) (35%)

3.1. Technical Support Note on reconvening Green Jobs Steering Committee (Word)

3.2. Workshop Materials for Green Jobs SC Validation Meeting (Agenda + PPT)

3.3. Summary of Stakeholder Feedback on NDC-JT Integration (Word + PDF)

Documents required for payment processing: Invoice, Final versions of 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 & Validation workshop summary.

1. Required Expertise and Team Composition

Given the focus of this assignment on NDC analysis, stakeholder engagement, institutional coordination, and policy positioning within the Just Transition framework, a multidisciplinary team with strong national and international experience is essential. The consulting firm or consortium must propose a technically competent team with demonstrated experience in climate policy, labour market governance, and participatory policy development. The following profiles represent the minimum team composition required:

Lead Consultant / Team Leader (Just Transition and Climate Policy Advisor)

1. Minimum 10 years of experience in employment policy, climate governance, or sustainable development.
2. Proven track record of supporting governments in integrating labour market and social dimensions into climate policies (e.g., NDCs, national strategies).
3. Experience leading multi-stakeholder dialogues and managing high-level institutional coordination.
4. Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in public policy, economics, environmental studies, or related fields.
5. Strong writing, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Social Dialogue and Institutional Engagement Specialist

1. At least 7 years of experience working with workers’ and employers’ organizations and/or government bodies on participatory policy processes.
2. Facilitation and Dialogue Support (Arabic-speaking expert for convening meetings and capturing feedback)
3. Demonstrated experience in designing and facilitating consultations, roundtables, or dialogue sessions on socio-economic or climate-related topics.
4. Familiarity with the role of social partners in national employment or environmental planning processes.
5. Arabic language proficiency is a requirement.

Other Team Roles (as needed based on proposal design)

1. Capable of identifying policy gaps, developing recommendations, and supporting government-led planning processes.
2. Prior experience working on Jordan’s NDCs or in the Arab States region is a strong asset.
3. Communications/Design Specialist (for final formatting and visual presentation of deliverables)

Please note that proposals that demonstrate a strong local presence and contextual understanding of Jordan’s institutional landscape will be prioritized. National experts should be meaningfully engaged in both analytical and facilitation roles wherever possible.

How to Apply:

1. Submission Requirements

Interested consulting firms or consortia are invited to submit a full proposal including the following components:

A. Technical Proposal

1. Company Profile

• A concise company overview highlighting relevant expertise, sectors of specialization, and previous experience in similar assignments.
• Demonstrated experience in climate policy analysis, Just Transition mainstreaming, social dialogue, or NDC-related advisory services.
• Summary of engagements with international organizations (e.g., ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, World Bank) or national institutions on related assignments.

2. Proposed Approach and Methodology

• A clear narrative outlining how the firm will undertake the assignment, including methods for engaging national stakeholders and facilitating inclusive consultations.
• Proposed analytical tools, frameworks, or templates for NDC analysis, stakeholder engagement, and policy paper development.
• Risk identification and mitigation strategies, and quality assurance mechanisms.

3. Work Plan and Timeline

• Work plan aligned with the scope of work and proposed deliverables across the assignment’s duration.
• A visual Gantt chart or table showing activity sequencing, interdependencies, and key milestones.

4. Team Composition and CVs

• Overview of proposed team members, their specific roles in the assignment, and distribution of responsibilities.
• Full CVs of all key experts with experience in NDC planning, employment-climate policy integration, institutional capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.
• Preference will be given to teams with Arabic language capacity and local presence in Jordan.

5. Relevant Experience and Work Samples

• At least two examples of comparable assignments delivered in the past 5 years.
• References from past clients (with contact details).

B. Financial Proposal

• A detailed budget breakdown by deliverable as per the ToR.
• Budget must include:

1. Professional fees (by expert/day rate and number of days)
2. Travel and accommodation expenses (if applicable)
3. Miscellaneous or administrative costs

• The total cost must be quoted in United States Dollars (USD) and fully inclusive of all taxes, fees, and incidental expenses.

C. Additional Requirements

• Confirmation of acceptance of ILO contractual terms and payment conditions (to be provided with the official call for proposals).
• All documents must be submitted electronically in editable formats (e.g., Word, Excel, PDF).
• Proposals must be submitted in English. Summaries or support materials in Arabic are welcome but not required.

D. Submission Method and Deadline

Eligible consulting firms/consortia must submit their proposals via email to lundm@ilo.org and dukhgan@ilo.org with a subject line: “Application for Just Transition NDC & Stakeholder Engagement Support Jordan”. Applications must be submitted no later than June 9th, 2025, and the application must include:

• Technical proposal (as outlined above)
• Financial proposal in USD (as outlined above)
• Work plan and timeline (as outlined above)
• CVs of key experts (as outlined above)
• Evidence of relevant past experience (as outlined above)

Late submissions or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please note that the financial proposal must be submitted in United States Dollars (USD). Offers received in other currencies will be converted to USD using the ILO exchange rate at the time of bid closure.

The financial proposal must include all costs associated with delivering the required services outlined in this ToR, including but not limited to:

1. Expert fees
2. Travel and transportation expenses
3. Communication, logistics, or miscellaneous administrative costs