Consultant for Updating Financial Inclusiveness Report

Job Posting Organization:
The organization responsible for this job posting is the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). ESCWA was established in 1973 and is one of the regional commissions of the United Nations. Its mission is to promote economic and social development in the Arab region through regional cooperation and integration. ESCWA operates in multiple countries across the Arab world, focusing on various issues including economic development, social justice, and environmental sustainability. The organization employs a diverse workforce and collaborates with various stakeholders to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The consultant position is focused on updating the Financial Inclusiveness report, which is a critical document that assesses financial inclusion across the Arab region and globally. The role involves leveraging the ESCWA’s Financial Inclusiveness Index (FII) to provide updated insights and data. The consultant will be responsible for creating a dynamic online version of the report that is accessible and interactive for policymakers and stakeholders. This update aims to maintain the conceptual foundation of the previous report while emphasizing the importance of gender dimensions, rural and urban disparities, and differentiated policy pathways based on income group and country characteristics. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Cluster Leader of Decision-Support and Data Science Division and will be expected to produce high-quality content that reflects the latest trends and developments in financial inclusiveness, particularly in the context of post-COVID recovery.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: updating the existing Financial Inclusiveness report with the latest data from ESCWA's Financial Inclusiveness Index and other relevant sources; utilizing analytical tools available on the ISPAR platform to refine the analysis; identifying and analyzing key trends and changes since the original report; creating content for a dynamic online report that allows users to interact with the data; collaborating with ESCWA’s web and data visualization teams to ensure the content is suitable for digital publication; developing materials for digital presentation, including key figures and dynamic commentary; and participating in an international workshop to discuss and refine the outputs of the report. The consultant will need to ensure that the report is user-friendly and effectively communicates the findings to a broad audience.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD degree in Economics or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in policy research and recommendations is required. Previous experience in digital content creation and data visualization is desirable, as is familiarity with interactive report platforms and content management systems. Strong analytical and writing skills, along with a proven track record of publications, are essential. The ability to create content that adapts to dynamic data updates is also a key qualification for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a PhD degree in Economics or a closely related area. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of their application. Incomplete applications will not be considered, emphasizing the importance of meeting this educational criterion.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of 10 years in policy research and recommendations. This extensive experience is crucial for the consultant to effectively update the Financial Inclusiveness report and provide valuable insights based on the latest data and trends. Previous experience with digital content creation and data visualization is also highly desirable, as it will aid in the development of the dynamic online report.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in French is desirable, while knowledge of Arabic is also beneficial since it is a working language of ESCWA. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of a language is defined as a rating of 'confident' in at least two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
There are no additional notes provided regarding contract duration, seniority level, or compensation details. However, it is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. This policy ensures that the recruitment process is fair and accessible to all candidates.