“Support to Poverty Analysis and Monitoring at MOPIC and DOS: Thinking Differently about Poverty and the Poor” Phase II

Poverty was identified as a problem in Jordan since the 1990s and poverty eradication is a key national priority and an objective of the National Agenda of Jordan. Latest poverty calculations indicate a national poverty rate of 13.3% in 2008, which is lower than that of 2002/2003 that stood at 14.2%. Though the national poverty rate indicates a reduction in poverty levels, regional disparities still exist in both urban and rural areas and Jordan still faces internal and external challenges which threaten to reverse this achievement, including, interalia, the low natural resource base, public budget constraints and the need to phase out several subsidies over the past few years and the potential effects of the global financial crisis on the economy and employment. According to the National Agenda, poverty alleviation efforts suffered from many deficiencies such as uncoordinated programmes that are unevenly distributed geographically; lack of a clear social policy and highly burdensome direct assistance through the National Aid Fund (NAF) on public finances. It included a set of interventions under the Social Welfare theme to address these shortcomings. The National Executive Programme 2007-2009 undertook the translation of the National Agenda priorities into practical action plans that are included in the national budget. The National Executive Programme (NEP) 2009-2013 addresses poverty eradication efforts under the social welfare theme, which includes as well healthcare and local development.

However, the above efforts need to be placed within an overall framework and be supported with comprehensive coordination mechanisms that enable formulation of coordinated policies for poverty eradication at the national, sectoral and local levels. Key to achieving this is to provide the needed data and analysis and generate the knowledge base necessary for policy-making. The responsibility for poverty data and knowledge production lies primarily within the Department of Statistics, the MOPIC’s Policies and Studies Department and the MOPIC’s Monitoring and Evaluation Department, whose roles in this process are defined in their mandates as briefed below.

The DOS’ mission is to make available statistical data that meets the various and changing needs of its users, to produce and publish timely data with high quality and in a manner that facilitates access to the data and its use in the comprehensive development process. This includes generation of poverty related data and statistics based on surveys conducted by the DOS. Currently this is dealt with through conducing the Household Expenditure and Income Survey (every 2 years and most recently done in 2006, 2008, and 2010) based on which poverty lines are computed.

Poverty policies and interventions rely on multiple sources of data and knowledge including: the data and statistics provided by the Department of Statistics; the analysis, studies and poverty lines provided by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation Policies and Strategies Department and the knowledge generated through monitoring the implementation of policies and the lessons learnt which is led by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation Programs and Projects Department and the Impact Assessment Unit. The main guide for this knowledge generation process is the manner in which poverty is defined nationally. There is recent consensus in Jordan that poverty cannot be defined based on income alone and that multi-dimensional definitions of poverty would be more appropriate to tackle the problem at its roots. DOS expressed the concern that the income poverty line may not be sufficient to define and measure poverty and is interested in applying alternative methodologies for measuring poverty. This was confirmed by the request to integrate the Millennium Development Goals in the National Executive Programme as a framework for priority interventions.

Background

Youth Employment Generation in Mafraq, Ma’an and Madaba (www.undp-youthjo.com)

The events in the region demonstrate that Arab Youth is a driving force for transformational change and has a strong strategic role in the economic and social development in the region.

22% of the Jordanian population is aged between 15-24 years old. The unemployment rate among young people reached levels–up to 27% in 2008 and 2009, where employment rates for women are particularly high (especially educated women). Therefore matching the outputs of the higher education system to the Labour market is recognized as a major challenge in Jordan.

As a response, the Jordan National Agenda 2006-2015 addresses the structural employment problems in the country, calling for policies and programmes to amplify job creation with focus on Youth employment. The Jordan government fixed as an objective the reduction of the overall unemployment rate in Jordan to 6.8% by 2017.

Therefore the “Youth Employment Generation Programme in Arab Transition Countries– Jordan Component” project was designed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and signed in April 2012 in coordination with the Embassy of Japan. It aims at supporting the Jordan government in the implementation of the National Agenda and at responding to the unemployment challenge faced by Youth in Jordan. The project will be implemented in full cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation and Youth organizations.

The project will contribute to empower Jordan Youth, promote employment and decent work, reduce socio-economic inequalities and foster gender equality. It will in particular target three Governorates with high poverty and unemployment rates: Mafraq (poverty rate of 31.9%), Ma’an (poverty rate of 24.2%) and Madaba (poverty rate of 14.9%).

An implementation plan of the project will be designed. An inception conference chaired by UNDP will be hold in June 2012 and will gather participants from the Embassy of Japan, Ministries, Youth organizations, International Organizations, private companies from the three Governorates and members of the Civil Society. It will enable to identify priorities, capacity gaps and technical assistance requirements for the implementation of the project.

Opportunities for internships for Youth will be increased in the three Governorates. 75 young people (women and men) aged between 18-26 years old will be given the opportunity to complete an eight months internship in the private or in the public sector. At least 50 per cent of the interns will be young women. Prior to the internships the selected young people will attend workshops on basic employability skills.

A mapping of existing Youth employment policies and programmes will be conducted and will enable to identify gaps and needs in the legal and regulatory employment framework. It will outline the necessary activities that can be undertaken to overcome these gaps, notably in the Tourism, Trade and Information and Communication Technologies sector. A special attention will be given in the identification of training and employment opportunities. The International Labour Organization (ILO) will bring its support all along this activity.

Youth employment generation policies will be identified through the provision of advisory services and in close consultation with the Ministries and Civil Society from the three Governorates.

A national conference on Youth employment will be held at the end of the project and will enable to give concrete recommendations and present possible actions by the government and the Private sector.

Feature

Youth Employment Generation in Mafraq, Ma’an and Madaba (www.undp-youthjo.com)

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The main objectives of this project are to assist the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, the Department of Statistics, and their social sector partners to develop the definitions, the measurement and information tools, the analytical and technical capacity, and the coordination mechanisms that will be needed to respond to the challenges of the next decade created by the rising “social risks” of vulnerability and exclusion that are likely to confront the Kingdom. Phase II initiatives are designed to provide direct support to the National Agenda 2006 – 2015 poverty alleviation initiatives 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Key Expected Results

Poverty Pockets Survey is analysed and results are followed-up
Focus is shifted from monetized poverty to “social risk” of vulnerability and exclusion.
- Conduct a Feasibility study to move to more differentiated poverty lines to support differentiated policy responses
- Use vulnerability risk-reduction and social inclusion approaches to poverty analysis
- Formulate a Poverty Reduction Strategy
Social Sector Planning is supported and implementation is monitored
- Introduce Statistical literacy package to policy-makers
- Monitor Policy Impact
- Develop Social Analytical Matrix (SAM)
Poverty is alleviated through more effective use of resources and improved social service delivery
- Introduce Policy instruments to reduce vulnerability and prevent social exclusion
- Improve coordination to raise efficiency and close gaps
- Improve Services to People with Disabilities (PWD), and mainstream PWD

Key Achievements todate

A poverty pockets survey was conducted and followed by analysis of the results, the poverty pockets survey was undertaken to define the characteristics of poverty pockets and coming up with result oriented interventions. This survey was the first of its kind in the kingdom which produced analytical social data at the selected 15 districts/sub district level spread over 7 governorates of the Kingdom, which gathered evidence on household’s access to decent jobs, quality health care and education, reliance on community solidarity, social cohesion and public services.
The results of the survey were analysed and an analytical report was prepared to describe the findings of the survey to assess poverty characteristics in Jordan Poverty Pockets, study their socio-economic characteristics, understand reasons behind those areas being poverty pockets, and explore means to improve living conditions, government services, and income sources in those areas. Also the report will contribute to formulation of social policy and the new poverty reduction strategy.
During 2011, the project document of the second phase of the joint project on “Support to Poverty Analysis and Monitoring at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation: Thinking Differently about the Poor and Poverty” was developed (UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF). The main objectives of this project are to assist MoPIC, DOS and their social sector partners to develop the definitions, the measurement and information tools, the analytical and technical capacity, and the coordination mechanisms that will be needed to respond to the challenges of the next decade created by the rising “social risks” of vulnerability and exclusion that are likely to confront the Kingdom. Phase II initiatives are designed to provide direct support to the National Agenda 2006 – 2015 poverty alleviation initiatives. Implementation of the project started in the 4th quarter of 2011.
UNDP is currently providing support to Ministry of Social Development and MoPIC in developing Jordan’s Poverty Reduction Strategy 2012-2015 by providing high technical expertise. The new PRS will be aligned with the National Agenda, the Executive Development Program and the MDGs after carefully reviewing the first PRS priorities and initiative’s.
UNDP provided technical assistance to MoPIC to construct a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for Jordan which will enable the government in organizing information about the economic and social structure of Jordan over a period of time and provide statistical basis for the creation of a plausible model capable of presenting a static/dynamic image of the economy such as computable general equilibrium (CGE). Furthermore, it will provide a concrete basis for moving away from segmental standalone planning or modeling approach to integrated, economy-wide planning and modeling approach that capture all segments and sectors of the national economy. The Executive Development Programme (EDP), Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF), and any future development vision for Jordan SAM can provide quantitative answers to various socio-economic development planning issues and pertinent problems.
23 Policy Option Papers (POPs) were prepared by different national and international consultants and in cooperation with other UN Agencies like ESCWA, UNFPA, UNESCO and UNICEF. A workshop has been organized to discuss the POPs options and come out with the best recommendations to prepare the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) for Jordan.
LSI report has been drafted and will be published by end of 2012.
An input-output consultant has been recruited to prepare the tables for the second phase of the input-outputs tables.
A consultant to conduct the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) has also been on-board to review the current HEIS and come up with a more up-to-date one.
A consultant has been recruited to Map and review the existing government/national institutions monitoring systems which can provide information for the newly established Executive Development Programme related government Monitoring System (MIS).

Project at a Glance

Status: Ongoing
Start Date: Oct, 2011
End Date: Dec, 2014
Executing Agency: The Department of Statistics and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation
Contributing Partners: UNFPA and UNICEF
Budget: Gov (MOPIC): 100,000, UNFPA: USD 70,000, UNICEF: USD 10,000, UNDP: USD400,000
Beneficiaries: Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Department of Statistics, Ministry of Social Development, National Aid Fund, Coordination Commission for Social Solidarity and Zaka Fund
Location: Amman
Delivery in
Previous Years: USD 44,835

Project Team

Project Manager: Mohammad Batayneh
Project Assistant:

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