Local Governance Expert, USAID Jordan - Amman Urban Resilience Activity (AURA)

A JOB OPPORTUNITY AT
GOPA Group US A JOB THAT INSPIRES YOU
GOPA Group US is seeking a highly qualified Local Governance Expert (LGE) candidate to provide technical leadership in strengthening local governance frameworks, fostering institutional capacity building, and promoting inclusive governance practices for the anticipated 5-year USAID-funded Amman Urban Resilience Activity (AURA). This full-time position, based in Amman, Jordan, is contingent upon GOPA Group US securing the project award and USAID’s approval of key personnel. The LGE will collaborate closely with the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), national stakeholders, civil society organizations, and private sector partners to enhance local governance systems that align with the project’s focus on urban resilience, climate action, and decarbonization.

Nota Bene: USAID has clarified that Key Personnel under AURA do not have to be exclusive to any consortium’s proposal, allowing qualified individuals to be included on multiple bids. 

ResponsibilitiesGovernance and Policy Development:

• Lead efforts to strengthen local governance frameworks, ensuring they are aligned with GAM’s urban resilience and decarbonization priorities.
• Provide technical assistance in developing policies, regulations, and governance reforms that advance climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate the development of inclusive and participatory governance structures, integrating the voices of marginalized communities, women, and youth into decision-making processes.
• Support GAM and partner institutions in harmonizing local policies with national climate action frameworks, including Jordan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the Green City Action Plan.

Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening:

• Design and implement capacity-building programs to enhance GAM’s ability to manage and sustain urban climate projects.
• Provide training and mentorship to local officials, civil society actors, and community leaders on participatory governance, urban planning, and climate finance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen public accountability mechanisms and enhance municipal service delivery.
• Develop knowledge-sharing platforms and institutional learning networks to ensure the sustainability of governance reforms and continuous improvement of public services.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

• Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with GAM, national ministries, civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector actors, and international donors.
• Lead multi-stakeholder dialogue processes, ensuring alignment between project goals and stakeholder interests.
• Facilitate public-private partnerships (PPPs) that support sustainable urban development, climate finance mobilization, and infrastructure investments.
• Represent AURA at high-level events, stakeholder forums, and donor coordination platforms to promote the project’s governance objectives.

Program Implementation and MEL Integration:

• Collaborate with the project’s technical team to ensure seamless integration of governance interventions across all program components.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on governance activities, contributing to the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system.
• Support the development of work plans, performance metrics, and reports to track governance-related outcomes and ensure compliance with USAID requirements.
• Ensure that all governance activities align with gender equality, youth inclusion, and social safeguards.

A BACKGROUND THAT CONVINCES US
QualificationsEducation:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, governance, international development, urban planning, environmental management, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• 6+ years of progressive experience in local governance, public policy, or urban development, with a focus on institutional reform, policy advocacy, and public service delivery.
• Proven experience working with municipal authorities and national governments, preferably in Jordan or the Middle East.
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships with local government, civil society, private sector actors, and donor organizations.
• Familiarity with climate resilience, urban planning, and decarbonization frameworks, including experience with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or related policies.
• Experience with USAID-funded programs or other international donor-funded projects, with knowledge of compliance and reporting standards (ADS).

Skills and Competencies:

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to lead multi-stakeholder dialogues and build consensus across diverse groups.
• Strong understanding of urban governance principles, participatory governance models, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
• Proficiency in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems and tools for tracking governance-related outcomes.
• Fluency in English is required; Arabic proficiency is highly desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in complex environments, managing evolving priorities and competing stakeholder interests.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to mentor and coach local partners and public officials.

About Amman Urban Resilience Activity (AURA)GOPA Group US is competing to implement the anticipated $25-50 million USAID-funded Amman Urban Resilience Activity (AURA), a multi-sector initiative to enhance local governance, urban resilience, and decarbonization within the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM). AURA addresses climate vulnerabilities, promotes data-driven urban planning, and mobilizes innovative financing to align GAM with local and national climate goals. Through public-private partnerships and community engagement, the project aims to foster sustainable development, improve quality of life, and advance both adaptation and mitigation efforts.

At its core, AURA will strengthen GAM’s capacity to implement climate solutions, tackling challenges such as extreme weather, energy inefficiency, and public service delivery gaps, while promoting equity, inclusivity, and gender-sensitive governance. With a focus on resilient infrastructure, climate finance, and sustainable urban systems, AURA seeks to transform Amman into a prosperous, climate-resilient city.

This project offers career-defining opportunities for professionals to lead impactful urban development initiatives at the intersection of governance, climate action, and urban planning. As Amman confronts climate change and rapid urbanization, AURA’s efforts will be pivotal in delivering sustainable solutions, improving public services, and building resilient infrastructure for the future.