Senior Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) was established in 1973 with the mission to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. ESCWA aims to foster regional cooperation and integration among its member states, which currently include 18 countries. The organization focuses on various areas such as sustainable development, economic growth, and social justice, and employs a diverse team of experts to address the unique challenges faced by the region. ESCWA operates across multiple countries in the Arab region, providing technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity-building initiatives to support member states in achieving their development goals.

Job Overview:
The Senior Consultant position is designed to engage an expert who will undertake an analytical study and facilitate a regional workshop aimed at strengthening functional relations among Arab States to support recovery and reconstruction in conflict-affected contexts. The consultant will adopt a mixed-methods, systems-oriented, and conflict-sensitive methodology, grounded in regional experience and aligned with ESCWA’s human-centered approach. The role involves conducting a comprehensive review of conflict, climate, and development trends across the Arab region, engaging with various stakeholders, and applying an Integrated Technological Planning Framework to analyze priority resilience domains. The consultant will also be responsible for ensuring that the consultancy is strategic, ethical, and action-oriented, positioning technology as a bridge from fragility to stability in the Arab region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a range of duties including: conducting a desk review of relevant ESCWA and regional analytical work on Arab regional cooperation, recovery, and reconstruction; developing an analytical framework for strengthening functional relations among Arab States; preparing a policy-oriented analytical study identifying priority functional cooperation pathways; designing and conducting economic simulations and scenario analyses to estimate potential economic benefits; carrying out structured consultations with relevant stakeholders; designing and facilitating a regional workshop to validate findings; and preparing and submitting all required reports and deliverables in line with ESCWA quality standards and timelines. The consultant will also ensure that all phases of the consultancy are conducted in a conflict-sensitive manner and that proposed cooperation 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 required. Additionally, experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and regional workshops, particularly with government counterparts and regional organizations, is essential. Familiarity with Arab regional institutions, development challenges, and political economy dynamics 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. All candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of the application process. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed, emphasizing the importance of providing complete documentation.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as regional integration, economic development, recovery and reconstruction, or related fields. This experience should include demonstrated expertise in preparing high-quality policy-oriented analytical studies and conducting economic or policy analysis, including quantitative assessments or scenario-based simulations. Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and regional workshops is also required, highlighting the need for strong interpersonal and communication skills.

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: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding, while knowledge is defined as a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and expected to last for 9 months. There are no additional notes regarding contract duration, seniority level, or compensation provided in the job description. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training, and does not require information on applicants’ bank accounts.