Heya-015 Selection Sub-Committee (SSC) – Beneficiary Selectionnew

Project: Women in Innovation from HBB to Scalable Business – Heya

Commissioning Organization: Plan International

Locations: Irbid Governorate, Azraq Camp and Remotely

Expected Period: November 2026 – May 2027

1. Background

This Terms of Reference (ToR) is developed within the framework of the “Women in Innovation from HBB to Scalable Business – Heya” EU-funded project, implemented by RSS/iPARK in partnership with Plan International, RSCN, and DMDT in Jordan.

The action aims to address unemployment and limited economic opportunities among vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on women in underserved and rural areas. The project’s overall objective is to foster sustainable employment through entrepreneurship by equipping participants with technical, business, and life skills, and by supporting viable business initiatives. It combines capacity-building interventions – including basic and advanced entrepreneurship training, coaching, and mentoring – with business grants to enable participants to establish or expand income-generating activities.

Plan International is responsible for project activities in Irbid Governorate and Azraq Camp, targeting 900 participants for training, with 165 selected entrepreneurs receiving business grants. The project’s capacity-building component comprises:

• Foundational Entrepreneurship & Soft Skills Training (Basic Level) – targeting 900 women across 36 groups.
• Advanced Entrepreneurial Training (Boot Camp) – targeting 450 high-potential women across 15 groups.
• Hackathon – targeting 450 women as part of the Advanced stage, following the Boot Camp.
• Business Grants – awarded to 165 selected entrepreneurs based on predefined eligibility and performance criteria.

To ensure a transparent, fair, and merit-based selection of beneficiaries at each project stage, a Selection Sub-Committee (SSC) will be established under the oversight of the Selection and Coordination Committee (SCC). The SSC will be responsible for the actual screening, assessment, and selection of participants and grant recipients, using the tools and methodology approved by the SCC.

2. Purpose of the Sub-Committee

The Selection Sub-Committee (SSC) is established to carry out the operational selection of beneficiaries across all project stages. Operating within the framework validated by the SCC, the SSC is responsible for:

• Applying the approved eligibility criteria, scoring matrices, and evaluation tools to screen and assess applicants at each project stage.
• Conducting fair, transparent, and merit-based selection of participants for the Basic Training, the Advanced Stage (Boot Camp and Hackathon), and Business Grants.
• Documenting selection decisions and maintaining records of all assessments in line with Plan International’s accountability and reporting standards.
• Escalating any ambiguities, conflicts of interest, or edge cases to the SCC for guidance and resolution.

3. Composition

The SSC will be composed of three voting members, always an odd number to avoid tied decisions. Gender balance will be maintained with a preference for female representation: of the three voting members, two will be female and one will be male.

Membership will include:

• A representative from Plan International (Chairing role – observer, non-voting; not counted among the three voting members).
• Technical experts or sectoral specialists relevant to the applicant pool and business type (e.g., green technology, agriculture, industry); and/or
• A representative from the private sector or a community/youth representative, as appropriate.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

The SSC is responsible for the following:

Beneficiary Screening and Selection:

• Review and assess applications against the eligibility criteria and scoring matrices approved by the selection and coordination committee (SCC).
• Conduct individual or group assessments, interviews, or due diligence checks as required by the approved methodology.
• Score applicants objectively and consistently, using the standardized scoring tools provided.
• Where applications are divided between members (selection for the Advanced Stage, and ranking after the Advanced Stage), hold a calibration session before scoring: all three members independently score the same sample of applications (e.g. 10), compare results, and agree on how to apply the criteria. After scoring, hold a moderation meeting to review borderline cases around the cut-off point and to cross-check a random sample (e.g. 10%) of each member’s scores, so that rankings are comparable across members.
• Produce ranked shortlists and final selection lists for each project stage (selection for the Advanced Stage (Boot Camp and Hackathon), ranking after the Advanced Stage, and Business Grants).
• Provide the scoring records and any clarification requested by the Plan International focal point in relation to appeals or review requests.

Appeals and Review Process

Applicants who are not selected at any stage will be notified of the outcome and have the right to request a review of the decision. Review requests may be submitted in any form — in writing, over the phone, or through any other communication channel with Plan International (e.g., project team, hotline) — stating the reason for the request. Review requests will be reviewed by the Plan International focal point, who decides whether to keep the appeal open (and the follow-up action required) or to close it, and informs the applicant of the outcome. The SSC does not decide on appeals; it only provides the scoring records and clarifications requested.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain complete and accurate records of all assessments, scores, and selection decisions.
• Flag and document any cases requiring exceptional handling or escalation.

Compliance and Accountability:

• Ensure all selection activities adhere to the principles of transparency, fairness, non-discrimination, and accountability.
• Comply with Plan International’s Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and data protection requirements throughout the selection process.
• Declare any conflict of interest prior to reviewing specific applicants and recuse accordingly.

5. Scope of Work

The SSC will operate across the following selection phases, corresponding to the project’s activity cycle:

Selection Stage: From Basic stage to the Boot Camp (Advanced stage) Selection

Target Group: To evaluate 900 applications and select the best 450 applications

SSC Activity: Assess Basic Training graduates using the approved selection criteria and scoring matrix; select top 50% of the participants.

Workload per member (3 members): 300 applications per member (900 ÷ 3)

Location: Remotely

Selection Stage: After the Advanced stage (Boot Camp and Hackathon)

Target Group: To evaluate 450 applications and rank them top to bottom

SSC Activity: Score 450 applications to create a prioritization list for the grant stage.

Workload per member (3 members): 150 applications per member (450 ÷ 3)

Location: Remotely

Selection Stage: Business Grant Selection

Target Group: To evaluate at least 250 grant applications and select the top 165 entrepreneurs (grant recipients)

SSC Activity: Evaluate grant applications using the approved scoring matrix, pitching and due diligence framework; produce ranked shortlists.

Workload per member (3 members): All applications (at least 250), each reviewed by all 3 members (not divided)

Location: Irbid and Azraq Camp

Applications in the first two stages (selection for the Advanced Stage, and ranking after it) are divided equally between the three SSC members; grant applications are not divided and are reviewed by all three members. Scores of divided applications are calibrated and moderated as described in Section 4. Additional SSC meetings may be convened to address re-assessments or clarifications requested by the Plan International focal point arising during any selection phase.

6. Decision-Making Process

The decision-making process below applies to the Business Grant Selection, where all three members score every application and the decision is based on the sum of their scores. In the first two stages, applications are divided between members and scored individually; selection follows the ranked scores after calibration and moderation (Section 4), without a committee vote.

• Each application is scored independently by all three members using the approved scoring matrix.
• The final decision for each application is based on the sum of the scores awarded by the three members. Applications are ranked by total score, and the top-ranked applications are selected up to the number of grants available.
• If applications have equal total scores at the cut-off point, the matter shall be escalated to the SCC for decision.
• Members must declare any conflict of interest prior to reviewing specific applicants and must recuse themselves from related scoring and decisions.
• Individual scoring sheets, the consolidated total scores and the final ranked list (together with minutes of any joint sessions) will be documented, signed by the members, and submitted to Plan International.

7. Selection Schedule

Members will carry out their individual scoring independently within each selection phase. The SSC will convene jointly for calibration and moderation sessions, grant selection decisions, and appeals or clarifications, as required. The indicative schedule is as follows:

Phase: Advanced Stage Selection (Boot Camp)

Indicative date November 2026

Estimated timeline: November – December 2026

Phase: Advanced Stage Ranking (after Boot Camp and Hackathon)

Indicative date: January 2027

Estimated timeline: January 2027

Phase: Business Grant Selection

Indicative date: March 2027

Estimated timeline: March – April 2027

8. Qualifications for SSC Members

All SSC members are external to Plan International and should meet the following criteria:

Core (Mandatory):

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in a relevant field (e.g., entrepreneurship, business development, green technology, agriculture, industry, or labour market).
• Demonstrated experience in assessment, evaluation, or selection processes (grants, business plans, or project applications).
• Strong understanding of women's economic empowerment, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and/or labour market dynamics in Jordan.
• Ability to assess applications objectively and contribute professionally to a merit-based, transparent selection process.
• No commercial, financial, or personal relationship with any applicant under consideration in the selection round. Members must sign a conflict-of-interest declaration prior to each selection stage, disclosing any relationship with applicants, and must recuse themselves from scoring or discussing any application where such a relationship exists.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of challenges faced by the target population (women in rural areas, refugees, caregivers, women with disabilities).
• Experience working with Plan International or other INGOs in Jordan is an asset.

Personal Competencies:

• High level of integrity, impartiality, and professional ethics.
• Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and manage conflict of interest situations appropriately.

10. Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest

• All SSC members must maintain strict confidentiality regarding applicant information, selection outcomes, and all deliberations of the committee.
• Members must declare any conflict of interest – including personal, professional, or financial relationships with applicants – before each selection session and must recuse themselves from related decisions.

11. Ethical and Safeguarding Statements

Plan International is committed to ensuring the rights, dignity, and safety of all participants throughout the selection process. All SSC members will be required to read, understand, and sign Plan International’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy prior to participating in any selection activity. The SSC will conduct all activities in accordance with Plan International’s Ethical MERL Framework, GDPR principles, and the project’s data protection protocols.

12. Duration

The SSC will be active from November 2026 through April 2027, covering all selection phases of the project. The committee will remain available for subsequent rounds of selection if applicable, or if appeals, complaints, or clarifications require its input.

13.Evaluation Criteria

• Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
• CV and cover letter (Relevant professional experience)-25%
• Assessment, evaluation or selection experience- 10%
• Understanding of women’s economic empowerment and the labour market in Jordan- 15%
• Knowledge of the target population in Irbid and Azraq Camp, plus INGO or donor-funded experience- 15%
• Financial proposal (cost) - 30%
• Gender responsive- 5%

Plan International defines a gender-responsive business as one that meets criteria for integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment principles in its policies and practices, and which is aligned to international norms and standards. This could be: a. Women-owned business:

1. legal entity in any field that is more than 51% owned, managed and controlled by one or more women.
2. Women-led business: A legal entity in any field that has a minimum of 50% women representation in management with senior-level, strategic decision-making capabilities.

Gender-responsive business: Legal entity that actively promotes gender equality and empowerment of women and young women through their policies and labor practices