International Consultant on Behavioral Insights for Social Protection

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional arm of the United Nations established in 197

• Its mission is to promote economic and social development in the Arab region through regional cooperation and integration. ESCWA works with member states to formulate policies and strategies that address the challenges faced by the region, including social protection, economic growth, and sustainable development. The organization employs a diverse team of professionals and operates in multiple countries across the Arab region, focusing on enhancing the living standards of the population and fostering inclusive development.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant on Behavioral Insights for Social Protection involves conducting research and analysis to improve social protection systems for informal workers in Egypt. The consultant will focus on understanding the behavioral dynamics that contribute to low participation rates among informal workers in social insurance schemes. The role requires the consultant to prepare a concise report that identifies barriers to participation, proposes user-centered solutions, and designs a capacity-building workshop for the ESCWA team. The consultant will leverage behavioral insights to enhance the effectiveness and inclusiveness of social protection policies, ensuring they are aligned with the needs and realities of informal workers. This position is crucial in addressing the gaps in social protection coverage and promoting sustainable engagement among informal workers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Preparing a concise report that addresses how behavioral insights can improve contribution payment systems for informal workers. This includes identifying barriers to participation, designing accessible payment mechanisms, and proposing communication strategies to enhance engagement.
• Conducting a capacity-building workshop for the ESCWA Social Protection Team, focusing on applying behavioral insights in policy design and overcoming decision fatigue among policymakers. The consultant will collaborate closely with ESCWA’s SP team and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the findings and recommendations are practical and actionable. The consultant is expected to provide insights into international best practices and how they can be adapted to the local context.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Social Sciences or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in behavioral science and social protection policy is required. Additionally, experience in training and workshop facilitation is essential. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of the application process, and incomplete applications will not be considered. The role demands strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex behavioral insights into practical recommendations for social protection systems.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in Social Sciences or a related area is mandatory for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to analyze behavioral dynamics and their impact on social protection systems.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in the fields of behavioral science and social protection policy. This experience should include a proven track record of conducting research, analyzing social protection systems, and facilitating training workshops. The consultant should have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by informal workers and the ability to propose innovative solutions based on behavioral insights.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable, as it is a working language of ESCWA. Fluency is defined as being able to speak, read, write, and understand the language at a high level, while knowledge of a language means being confident in at least two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and is expected to last for 1.5 months. The consultant will be engaged on a contractual basis, and there are no fees associated with the recruitment process. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that the hiring process is transparent and accessible to all qualified candidates.