Consultant for Socio-Economic Analysis

Job Posting Organization:
The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) in Lebanon, in collaboration with the United Nations, aims to address the socio-economic challenges faced by communities affected by conflict. The organization focuses on developing evidence-based interventions to support recovery and enhance livelihoods in post-conflict settings. The partnership seeks to leverage local knowledge and participatory approaches to inform strategic planning and programmatic responses.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in establishing a foundational understanding of the socio-economic landscape in Lebanon's conflict-affected areas. This position involves conducting a comprehensive analysis of informal labor markets, poverty, and livelihood shifts, with the goal of generating actionable recommendations for future interventions. The consultant will engage with vulnerable populations, including unemployed youth and female-headed households, to gather insights that will inform the Ministry's and UN's strategic planning efforts. The work will be conducted in a hybrid format, combining desk research with field studies, and is expected to last for two months.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant is expected to perform a variety of tasks to achieve the project's objectives, including:

• Conducting a desk review to analyze existing data on informal labor markets and livelihood shifts.
• Collaborating with MoSA and UN teams to select areas for the study.
• Conducting field studies that include in-depth interviews with vulnerable households and focus group discussions with key stakeholders such as youth, women, and local actors.
• Producing a 15-page policy brief that outlines key findings and recommendations for future programming. The target groups for this study include unemployed youth in marginalized areas, female-headed households, long-term social safety net beneficiaries, and residents of underserved rural or border villages. The methodology will emphasize low-cost, high-depth field-based learning, utilizing participatory and gender-sensitive tools, facilitated through MoSA’s Social Development Centers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Economics, Anthropology, Social Sciences, or a related field. A minimum of 7 years of practical experience in economics, social sciences, or related fields is required, with a focus on policy-making and the development of policy recommendations. Proven experience in field research, participatory methodologies, and socio-economic analysis is highly desirable. Strong writing and policy analysis skills are also essential, along with experience in stakeholder consultations and government engagement. Familiarity with government and international organizations is advantageous, as is in-depth knowledge of the Lebanese socio-economic context and vulnerable populations.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Economics, Anthropology, or Social Sciences is mandatory. Candidates must provide a copy of their educational qualifications as part of their application, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in fields such as economics, social sciences, or policy-making. Candidates should have a strong background in developing policy recommendations and economic analysis reports, as well as experience in conducting field research and utilizing participatory methodologies. Experience working with government and international organizations is also desirable, particularly in the context of socio-economic analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic and English is required for this position, with English and French being the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 2 months, and the position is hybrid, allowing for a combination of remote and on-site work. 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. Candidates should be aware that the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.