Gender Equality and Inclusion

Over a two-year engagement, Edmaaj team led the institutionalization of the newly established Women Empowerment Directorate (WED) within Jordan’s Ministry of Social Development (MoSD). The initiative aimed to formally embed the WED into the Ministry’s organizational structure to advance gender mainstreaming across all MoSD policies, programs, and service delivery systems. It also focused on empowering women within the Ministry and improving services for female beneficiaries nationwide.

The first phase focused on institutional analysis and design. Edmaaj conducted a comprehensive desk review of national frameworks and international best practices, alongside key informant interviews (KIIs) with MoSD department heads and focus group discussions (FGDs) with senior female staff. Based on the findings, Edmaaj developed the WED’s full organizational structure—defining its mandate, reporting lines, alignment with the Ministry’s strategy, required staffing, and individual job descriptions. A strategic work plan was also created, including a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and a tailored capacity development plan, ensuring clarity of purpose and measurable outcomes.

In the second phase, Edmaaj supported the Ministry in appointing core staff to the central WED and facilitated the ToR deployment of focal points across 42 directorates throughout Jordan. This included technical guidance, tools, and ongoing mentorship to ensure operational readiness and strategic alignment.

The third phase involved a capacity needs assessment using a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey targeting staff in both central and regional offices. Based on the results, Edmaaj designed and delivered a series of targeted capacity-building programs, supported by a Gender Skills Manual and customized training materials. The training addressed key areas such as gender equality and inclusion foundations, applying gender-sensitive approaches in development projects, M&E with gender-disaggregated indicators, applied research, and stakeholder engagement. In total, 75 MoSD employees benefited from the training.

The final phase focused on operational support and strategic coaching. Edmaaj provided advisory services to the WED during its first 18 months of implementation, including the development of a Gender-Integrated Performance Dashboard to track high-level KPIs and stakeholder mapping. The team also conducted a Ministry-wide stakeholder assessment to support the adoption of a safeguarding policy. To further strengthen leadership and implementation capacity, Edmaaj designed coaching and mentoring guide cards and provided one-on-one and group mentoring sessions aligned with the WED’s action plan for 2024.

This comprehensive, multi-phase engagement positioned the WED as a functional and strategic unit within MoSD—empowered to lead gender mainstreaming across the Ministry and deliver more equitable and responsive social services throughout Jordan.

Edmaaj supported the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) in updating the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the National Coalition responsible for advancing Jordan’s National Action Plan (JONAP) on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. The assignment aimed to evaluate the coalition’s structure, define membership criteria, and develop an action plan to strengthen coordination and accountability across government, security, and civil society stakeholders.

The process applied a participatory approach, engaging members of the JONAP Coordinating Committee, including the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Empowerment of Women at the Prime Ministry, the High-Level Steering Committee, and the broader National Coalition comprising government institutions, security agencies, and civil society organizations (CSOs).

Edmaaj conducted a desk review of relevant frameworks, facilitated stakeholder interviews and consultation meetings, and developed revised membership criteria and corrective planning tools. The updated ToR and strategic recommendations were submitted to the Coordinating Committee to support more effective implementation and governance of JONAP’s peace and security commitments.

Edmaaj conducted a Participatory Gender Audit (PGA) of Jordan Exports (JE) under the USAID Economic Reform Activity (ERA) to assess the organization’s gender mainstreaming efforts and strengthen its institutional capacity for promoting gender equality. The audit identified good practices, highlighted critical gaps, and provided targeted recommendations to improve internal systems, workplace culture, and service delivery.

Using the ILO’s PGA methodology, Edmaaj carried out a desk review of organizational documents, an anonymous e-survey targeting all JE staff, and key informant interviews with selected JE employees and external partners. The team also facilitated participatory workshops with JE staff to validate findings, discuss challenges, and co-develop solutions. Tools were tailored to fit JE’s structure, and all feedback was collected confidentially.

Edmaaj ensured full engagement throughout the process by adapting all tools to the organization's context and sharing clear schedules in advance. Data from all sources were analyzed and used to identify trends, institutional strengths, and areas for improvement.

The assignment concluded with the delivery of a comprehensive final report and a three-year Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Action Plan. These deliverables included priority actions, performance indicators, and implementation tools to guide JE in embedding gender equality across departments and functions.

Edmaaj conducted a Participatory Gender Audit (PGA) for Jordan’s Ministry of Local Administration (MoLA), with support from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). Using the ILO’s internationally recognized PGA methodology, the audit aimed to strengthen gender equality within the Ministry’s institutional structures, strategies, and service delivery.

The process included an in-depth review of MoLA’s policies, HR systems, and programs, alongside staff surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs) with senior leadership, site visits, and gender-sensitive facility checklists. Interactive workshops engaged decision-makers to reflect on organizational culture and performance.

A key project component was the capacity-building of a MoLA audit team through a 12-day training program covering gender equality principles, audit procedures, data analysis, and reporting. The audit concluded with a comprehensive report, endorsed by the Minister, that included an actionable gender mainstreaming plan and a formal Gender Equality Policy for the Ministry.

Edmaaj conducted a Gender Equality and Inclusion Self-Assessment (GEISA) for Plan International Jordan (PIJO) to support organizational learning and strengthen internal and external gender equality and inclusion practices. The assessment focused on three key areas: staff and office culture, programmatic and influencing work, and marketing and communications. The objective was to help PIJO reflect on its performance and build capacity to advance gender equality across all levels of its operations.

Using a highly participatory and reflective methodology, Edmaaj led the GEISA process by conducting a comprehensive desk review, delivering targeted training sessions, and designing and administering structured self-assessment questionnaires. The team also carried out key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with staff to gather qualitative insights and validate findings.

Edmaaj analyzed the data to assess the organization's strengths and identify areas for improvement. The findings were presented in a detailed final report with clear, actionable recommendations to guide PIJO in strengthening its gender equality and inclusion efforts.

Edmaaj supported the Business and Professional Women Association (BPWA) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to define and draft Jordan’s National Action Plan for the Closing the Gender Gap Accelerator (CGGA) 2022, an ambitious national initiative aimed at increasing women’s economic participation. The accelerator is a public-private partnership model that engages government institutions, private sector leaders, and civil society to identify economic gender gaps and commit to targeted actions over a three-year plan.

Jordan was among the first ten countries globally—and the second in the MENA region—to adopt the WEF’s CGGA model. The initiative was officially launched with the Jordanian Government, represented by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, and supported by the Crown Prince Foundation along with private sector partners including BAE, Hikma, and Oasis 500.

Edmaaj’s assignment involved conducting a baseline assessment to identify priority gender gaps in the economy. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, the team facilitated consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors, civil society, and international partners. Based on these findings, Edmaaj developed a comprehensive National Action Plan, detailing specific interventions, performance indicators, timelines, and the roles of responsible institutions.

To strengthen implementation and accountability, Edmaaj also developed a Governance Charter for the CGGA Steering Committee. The charter clearly defined its mandate, institutional responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms to ensure sustained national ownership and cross-sectoral collaboration throughout the plan’s implementation.

Edmaaj conducted a two-phased Participatory Gender Audit (PGA) for the Jordan Municipal Support Project (JMSP), implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Administration (MoLA). The audit focused on the Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) and aimed to strengthen the Ministry’s capacity to institutionalize gender-sensitive practices across its policies, programs, and operations.

The audit promoted organizational learning on gender mainstreaming and assessed how effectively gender equality principles were embedded within MoLA’s structures and strategies. Edmaaj conducted a comprehensive review of internal policies and documents, developed a tailored gender policy for the SWMU, and ensured that gender considerations were integrated into all aspects of the unit’s planning and implementation processes.

Edmaaj also facilitated capacity-building workshops and refresher sessions for SWMU staff, focusing on PGA tools, gender mainstreaming strategies, and practical implementation approaches. The audit contributed to aligning MoLA’s operations with national and international gender equality commitments and building a foundation for long-term institutional change.

Edmaaj produced a study titled “Enhancing the Economic Perspectives of Refugees in Jordan” for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), examining the economic contributions of refugees and the challenges they face in achieving sustainable livelihoods. The study aimed to shift the narrative from burden to opportunity by highlighting the skills, knowledge, and capital that refugees bring to Jordan’s economy.

The research combined an extensive desk review with primary qualitative data collection. Edmaaj conducted key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with civil society leaders, economic experts, and Syrian refugees to capture a range of perspectives on refugee economic integration. The analysis identified key trends, barriers, and opportunities for enhancing refugees' participation in the labor market and local development.

The final study offered evidence-based findings and recommendations to support inclusive economic policies and programs that benefit both refugee and host communities.

Edmaaj produced an in-depth article titled “The Impacts and Challenges of Migration and Refugees on Jordan” for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF). The article examined the multifaceted effects of refugee migration on Jordan’s economic, social, political, and environmental systems, aiming to inform public discourse and provide actionable recommendations for national policy and refugee integration strategies.

The research combined a comprehensive desk review of national and international literature with primary qualitative data collection. Edmaaj conducted key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with subject-matter experts, civil society leaders, and frontline practitioners to gather context-specific insights. A stakeholder roundtable, involving government officials, NGO representatives, and community leaders, was held to validate findings and enrich the analysis with diverse perspectives.

The final article synthesized the evidence and stakeholder input into a clear, accessible format and presented policy-oriented recommendations to support inclusive refugee response planning and sustainable governance in Jordan.

Edmaaj conducted a Participatory Gender Audit (PGA) for the Equal Opportunity Unit (EOU) at the Cities and Villages Development Bank (CVDB) as part of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) support to Jordanian public institutions. The audit aimed to assess CVDB’s institutional performance on gender sensitivity and to establish a sustainable mechanism for integrating gender considerations into policies, procedures, and project implementation.

The audit focused on four key dimensions: political will, technical capacity, accountability, and organizational culture. Edmaaj employed a range of data collection tools, including document analysis, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs). The findings were used to develop a comprehensive policy and procedures compliance report that identified good practices and key areas for improvement.

Edmaaj also provided training to the EOU team to build their capacity in conducting future gender audits, helping institutionalize the process within CVDB and ensuring long-term alignment with gender equity goals.