Institutional Governance and Systems Reform

Edmaaj partnered with the USAID Makanati program to design and implement a nationwide Corporate Diplomacy (CD) capacity-building initiative for Jordan’s private sector. Rooted in Witold Henisz’s internationally recognized CD model, the program aimed to help companies build trust, reduce business risks, and foster inclusive local development by constructively engaging with communities, government entities, and civil society—while ensuring profitability and long-term sustainability. The training focused on six core CD pillars:

• Due Diligence – Mapping stakeholders and assessing their needs
• Integration – Embedding stakeholder perspectives into core operations
• Personal Engagement – Establishing open and direct relationships
• Continuous Learning – Responding to feedback and evolving contexts
• Openness – Practicing transparency and accountability
• Mindset Shift – Institutionalizing stakeholder engagement within corporate culture

Edmaaj developed a tailored 40-hour training curriculum contextualized to Jordan, integrating global and local case studies—including the Amman Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, analyzed by Edmaaj Founder and CEO Mai Eleimat during her master’s at Oxford’s Saïd Business School using Henisz’s CD model—and practical tools for stakeholder mapping, dialogue facilitation, and strategy design.

Using this curriculum, Edmaaj trained 116 companies across the manufacturing, satellite garment, tourism, media, and creative industries in Amman, Irbid, Zarqa, and Aqaba. The program also produced an Arabic-language Corporate Diplomacy Manual and a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy template to support company-level adoption. Finally, Edmaaj led structured coaching and mentorship sessions, helping companies apply CD principles in practice, with several initiating formal strategies for inclusive and sustainable business operations.

In 2021, Edmaaj developed a Membership Engagement Strategy for Birdlife partners in Lebanon and Palestine for Birdlife International. Birdlife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organisations striving to conserve birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity.

Edmaaj was tasked with designing a comprehensive strategy to enhance the engagement of partner CSOs’ staff, board members, and officers. The strategy aimed to promote sustained growth and deepen member participation. Edmaaj’s work began with stakeholder consultations, including key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs), to understand existing practices and member needs.

The resulting strategy included tailored engagement activities, mechanisms for monitoring member satisfaction, and detailed implementation guidance. Edmaaj submitted a full report alongside the strategy, and supported Birdlife International in the initial implementation and progress monitoring. The approach aligned with Birdlife’s broader goals of strengthening institutional capacity and promoting inclusive environmental stewardship across its regional network.

In 2024, Edmaaj conducted an Organisational Capacity Assessment (OCA) for Baytna, a Syrian-led NGO working to strengthen civil society. The assignment focused on evaluating and enhancing Baytna’s internal systems, policies, and procedures across five core areas: Financial Management and Internal Control Systems, Administration and Procurement, Human Resources, Programme Management, and Organisational Sustainability.

Edmaaj reviewed and revised Baytna’s operational frameworks, including policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs), and templates, to ensure alignment with international standards and donor compliance requirements. The assessment also aimed to reduce inefficiencies and improve management practices. Data collection methods included desk review, staff interviews, and online surveys. Recommendations from the OCA guided Baytna in strengthening institutional performance, donor credibility, and long-term resilience.

Edmaaj conducted a comprehensive training programme for government spokespersons in collaboration with the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) to strengthen official communication capacities and promote consistent, transparent messaging across public institutions. The initiative began with a capacity assessment and situational analysis to identify communication gaps and training needs among government spokespersons.

Based on these findings, Edmaaj developed tailored training modules emphasizing experiential learning, practical communication tools, and techniques for media engagement. Training sessions focused on improving clarity, coherence, and responsiveness in public messaging. To ensure sustainable results, Edmaaj facilitated the establishment of a government spokespersons’ network aimed at promoting institutional coordination and unified communication strategies. The intervention contributed to enhancing transparency, credibility, and efficiency in official communications across Jordanian public institutions.

Edmaaj supported Jordan’s national Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) compliance efforts by conducting a comprehensive risk assessment of the non-profit sector. The project aimed to strengthen adherence to international AML/CTF standards—particularly FATF recommendations—while promoting a proportionate regulatory approach that fostered constructive dialogue between government institutions and civil society organizations (CSOs).

Serving as the lead consultant to the AML/CTF Unit at the Central Bank of Jordan, Edmaaj implemented the assignment in partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), Expertise France (EPIC), and Al-Hayat Center. The consultancy included stakeholder consultations, desk reviews, and capacity-building workshops with government officials and CSO representatives.

Activities focused on facilitating a participatory risk assessment process to identify vulnerabilities and inform balanced regulatory frameworks. Edmaaj also delivered technical consultations, supported the risk-mapping exercise, and conducted training sessions to align national practices with international compliance standards while safeguarding civic space.

Edmaaj served as the long-term consultant and national coordinator at Jordan’s Open Government Unit, housed within the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), supporting the implementation of the country’s Open Government Partnership (OGP) commitments. The consultancy aimed to advance government transparency, accountability, and public participation through the design, coordination, and oversight of national OGP action plans.

Edmaaj led the development of Jordan’s fourth national OGP action plan and supported the monitoring of reform initiatives across 11 government ministries. Activities included stakeholder assessments, multi-stakeholder coordination, and integration of civil society priorities into policy frameworks. The assignment also involved conducting key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and dialogue sessions with government officials and CSOs to inform national planning. Edmaaj facilitated advocacy and open government workshops and applied OECD-DAC criteria to guide monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes throughout the consultancy.

Edmaaj supported the Government of Jordan and the World Bank Group under the Inclusive, Transparent, and Climate Responsive Program for Results (PforR) to enhance national grievance redress mechanisms and strengthen citizen engagement. The assignment focused on improving the effectiveness, accessibility, and transparency of the “At Your Service” platform—a nationwide grievance mechanism that allows citizens to submit complaints and feedback.

Edmaaj conducted a comprehensive diagnostic review of the existing grievance system, including analysis of policy documents and operational procedures. Primary data collection involved key informant interviews (KIIs) and surveys with stakeholders across government agencies. Based on these findings, Edmaaj developed actionable recommendations and an implementation plan to improve the system’s integration, responsiveness, and alignment with citizen needs. The consultancy also included validation sessions with key stakeholders and capacity-building support to guide the application of the proposed improvements.

Edmaaj supported the evaluation and enhancement of public service delivery systems in Jordan through the development of a Citizen Voice Mechanism (CVM) as part of the World Bank Group’s People-Centered Digital Governance Enhancement Programme. The project aimed to modernise civil service systems, improve digital public infrastructure, and strengthen citizen feedback mechanisms to promote inclusive and accountable governance.

Edmaaj conducted a diagnostic review of national public service frameworks and grievance redress mechanisms, referencing international best practices. Data collection included key informant interviews (KIIs), stakeholder meetings, and institutional gap analysis. Based on these findings, Edmaaj developed a Service Standard and Citizen Voice Manual, operational action plans, and monitoring frameworks. The team also contributed to the proposed design of the Service and Public Administration Commission (SPAC). Recommendations were validated through stakeholder consultations and aligned with national governance priorities to support effective implementation.

Edmaaj conducted a study on community-oriented policing in Jordan for the Global Center on Cooperative Security (GCCS), as part of a broader initiative supported by the German Federal Foreign Office. The study aimed to enhance the effectiveness of community policing practices implemented by the Public Security Directorate (PSD). It focused on assessing existing frameworks, identifying gaps, and proposing strategies to strengthen community engagement and improve public safety.

The methodology included an extensive desk review of national and international reports on community policing, along with field-level qualitative research. Edmaaj conducted key informant interviews (KIIs) with PSD officials, civil society organisations (CSOs), and community leaders, and facilitated focus group discussions (FGDs) to gather diverse perspectives. The findings were synthesised into a comprehensive policy-oriented report outlining targeted recommendations for enhancing PSD's community policing strategies and aligning practices with international standards and local needs.

In 2020, Edmaaj developed and delivered a training program on Financial Management and Budget Planning for BirdLife International. The initiative aimed to strengthen the financial governance capacities of civil society organisation (CSO) partners operating in North and South Africa.

The training focused on equipping participants with essential financial management tools, methodologies, and best practices. Sessions included practical exercises on budgeting, financial reporting, and resource allocation to support the sustainability of CSO operations.

This assignment responded to organisational development needs identified by BirdLife International and contributed to building the long-term institutional resilience of their partner organisations across Africa.