Individual Contractor for Innovative Financing Instruments

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 and works with member states to address pressing challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. The organization employs a diverse team of professionals and collaborates with various stakeholders to implement its mission effectively.

Job Overview:
The position of Individual Contractor for Innovative Financing Instruments is designed to enhance preparedness for accessing and structuring innovative financing options in response to pressing economic challenges faced by countries in the Arab region. The contractor will contribute to data analysis, substantive research, and the development of debt databases and analytical tools. The role is crucial in supporting member states to better understand and utilize innovative financing instruments such as debt swaps and sustainability-linked bonds. The contractor will work closely with a team of economists, providing inputs and feedback to ensure the successful delivery of outputs that align with the organization's objectives. This position is expected to last for six months, during which the contractor will engage in various research and analytical tasks to support public finance initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The main duties and responsibilities of the Individual Contractor include:

• Regularly updating the debt database by compiling, cleaning, and processing data from various international sources to support analysis and reporting processes.
• Conducting research, compiling, analyzing, summarizing, and presenting information related to public finance issues, including debt data and macroeconomic indicators in the Arab region.
• Performing qualitative and quantitative research on market trends and best practices in structuring and issuing innovative financing instruments.
• Systematically retrieving and highlighting information on public finance in the Arab region from diverse sources and preparing necessary inputs.
• Preparing statistical tables and graphs, assisting in the preparation of presentations and substantive materials on public finance.
• Contributing to drafting materials related to training workshops on innovative financing instruments.
• Assisting in organizing national and regional workshops and preparing necessary materials.
• Attending meetings and workshops as required and preparing meeting notes.
• Translating documents from English and French to Arabic and vice versa upon request. 1
• Performing other related tasks and duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include a master's degree in economics, public finance, international finance, or a related area. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of the application process. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Additionally, a minimum of one year of professional work experience in conducting research and analysis on public finance and public debt management issues is required. Candidates should also possess knowledge of statistical analysis software, specifically Stata or R, which is essential for the role. Familiarity with public finance issues in the context of the Arab region is desirable, enhancing the candidate's ability to contribute effectively to the organization's objectives.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a master's degree in economics, public finance, international finance, or a related field. This educational background is critical as it provides the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge required for conducting research and analysis in public finance and debt management. The requirement for a master's degree ensures that candidates have a solid foundation in economic principles and financial analysis, which are essential for the tasks associated with this position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of one year of professional work experience in research and analysis related to public finance and public debt management. This experience is vital as it equips candidates with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of public finance issues. Candidates should demonstrate their ability to conduct thorough research, analyze data, and produce relevant reports that inform decision-making processes within the context of the Arab region's economic challenges.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in all four areas of language use: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of French is desirable, as it is also a working language of the United Nations. Additionally, Arabic is a working language of ESCWA, and the ability to translate between English, French, and Arabic is beneficial for the role. Candidates should be confident in their language skills to effectively communicate and produce materials in these languages.

Additional Notes:
Recruitment for this position is conducted on a local basis, meaning that candidates must have the legal right to live and work in Lebanon, specifically in Beirut. The position is not associated with any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants for applications, interviews, or training. Furthermore, the organization emphasizes that it does not require information regarding applicants' bank accounts, ensuring a transparent and ethical recruitment process.