Senior Consultant on Regional Cooperation Recovery

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) was established in 1973 and is one of the five 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 17 member states and focuses on various areas including sustainable development, economic integration, and social justice. The organization employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by the Arab region.

Job Overview:
The Senior Consultant on Regional Cooperation Recovery will play a crucial role in addressing the ongoing challenges faced by the Arab region, particularly in the context of protracted conflicts and economic fragility. The consultant will adopt a mixed-methods, systems-oriented, and conflict-sensitive methodology to conduct an in-depth analysis of conflict, climate, and development trends across the Arab region. This position will involve engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and private-sector innovators, to gather insights and perspectives that will inform the consultancy's findings. The consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive analytical framework that conceptualizes functional relations among Arab States as sector-based, results-oriented cooperation mechanisms. The ultimate goal is to support recovery and reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected contexts by identifying feasible cooperation pathways that leverage regional assets and capacities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including conducting a thorough desk review of relevant ESCWA and regional analytical work on Arab regional cooperation, recovery, and reconstruction. They will develop an analytical framework for strengthening functional relations among Arab States, prepare a policy-oriented analytical study identifying priority functional cooperation pathways, and design and conduct economic simulations to estimate the potential economic benefits of selected cooperation pathways. Additionally, the consultant will carry out structured consultations with stakeholders to validate the analysis, design and facilitate a regional workshop to support consensus-building, and prepare all required reports and deliverables in accordance with ESCWA quality standards and timelines. Throughout the consultancy, the consultant will ensure that all proposed mechanisms support national ownership and regional solidarity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree or equivalent in economics, public policy, development studies, international relations, information systems, engineering, or a related field. A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in regional integration, economic development, recovery and reconstruction, or related areas is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience in preparing high-quality policy-oriented analytical studies, preferably on regional cooperation or development in the Arab region. Proven experience in conducting economic or policy analysis, including quantitative assessments or scenario-based simulations, is also necessary. Furthermore, experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and regional workshops, particularly with government counterparts and regional organizations, is required. Familiarity with Arab regional institutions and development challenges is desirable.

Educational Background:
A master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as economics, public policy, development studies, international relations, information systems, or engineering is required. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of the application process, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as regional integration, economic development, recovery and reconstruction, or related fields. Candidates should have a proven track record of preparing high-quality analytical studies and conducting economic or policy analysis, including quantitative assessments or simulations. Experience in facilitating consultations and workshops with diverse stakeholders is also essential.

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 a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand), while knowledge is defined as a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 9 months and will be conducted remotely. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. It is important to note that the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.