Consultant for Public Debt Sustainability Analysis

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), which was established in 197

• ESCWA aims to promote economic and social development in the Arab region through regional cooperation and integration. The organization focuses on various issues including sustainable development, economic growth, and social justice. ESCWA operates in multiple countries across the Arab region, working with member states to address their unique challenges and support their development goals. The organization employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to enhancing the well-being of people in the region.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant for Public Debt Sustainability Analysis is designed to generate high-quality, policy-relevant analytical outputs and tools that will strengthen evidence-based analysis on public debt sustainability, macroeconomic trends, and innovative financing in the Arab region. The consultant will engage in data analysis, econometric modeling, and substantive research, contributing to the development of knowledge products and technical contributions to capacity-building workshops. The ultimate goal is to enhance countries' preparedness to leverage innovative financing instruments and inform debt and fiscal policy decisions that support sustainable development objectives. The consultant will work closely with a team of economists and will be expected to produce analytical insights that are relevant to the challenges faced by member states, particularly in the context of rising food and fuel prices, climate action financing, and the impacts of global economic pressures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks aimed at supporting the analysis of public debt sustainability and innovative financing instruments. Key duties include: assessing and analyzing trends and developments in the Arab region to inform policy analysis; compiling and maintaining databases on public debt and macroeconomic indicators; analyzing the interlinkages between climate and environmental indicators and macroeconomic developments; supporting analytical work on innovative financing instruments by mapping data for relevant Key Performance Indicators; tracking and synthesizing information on innovative financing instruments in the region; preparing analytical and statistical products on public debt sustainability; contributing to the preparation of materials for training workshops; and assisting in organizing national workshops and preparing necessary materials, including outcome reports.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in economics, public finance, international finance, or a related area. A minimum of 3 years of professional research work experience in econometric modeling related to macroeconomic and fiscal policy is required. Demonstrated knowledge of Python is essential, and at least 1 year of experience in conducting research using EViews or R for economic modeling on debt sustainability analysis in the Arab region is desirable. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in fields such as economics, public finance, international finance, or a closely related area. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of public debt sustainability and macroeconomic analysis.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of professional research work experience specifically in econometric modeling within the context of macroeconomic and fiscal policy. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to analyze complex economic data and contribute to policy-relevant research. Additionally, familiarity with innovative financing instruments and their application in the Arab region is beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations and ESCWA. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of 6 months. 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. The organization emphasizes that it does not require information regarding applicants' bank accounts.