Economist Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional arm of the United Nations established to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. ESCWA was founded in 1973 and has since been working to support member states in achieving sustainable development goals through various initiatives and projects. The organization operates in multiple countries across the Arab region, focusing on enhancing regional cooperation and integration, providing technical assistance, and conducting research and analysis to inform policy-making. ESCWA employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by the region, with a mission to foster inclusive and sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The position of Economist Consultant is crucial for the development of a harmonized GCC regional inter-linked Macro and Micro Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) and a comprehensive database for the years 2024-203

• This role is part of a collaborative effort between ESCWA and the Ministry of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia, aimed at enhancing the country's trade policy analysis capabilities. The consultant will be responsible for utilizing updated national SAMs for the six GCC countries to propose a harmonized structure that aligns closely with Saudi Arabia's national SAM. The consultant will also build the regional inter-linked Macro and Micro SAM, ensuring it reflects the trade instruments utilized by Saudi Arabia. This position requires a strong analytical background and the ability to work with complex data sets to support the calibration of a regional trade simulator, which is essential for evaluating trade policies and external economic shocks in a timely and systematic manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Analyzing the updated national SAMs for the six GCC countries developed by ESCWA and proposing a harmonized structure for the regional inter-linked SAMs.
• Ensuring that the regional inter-linked SAM aligns with the specific features of Saudi Arabia's national SAM.
• Constructing the regional inter-linked Macro and Micro SAM using national SAMs and additional data collected by the consultant.
• Reflecting the maximum trade instruments applied by Saudi Arabia in the Micro SAM.
• Employing estimation and balancing techniques such as RAS and Maximum Entropy to achieve accurate results.
• Developing a comprehensive database to calibrate the regional trade simulator for the period 2024-2035, which will serve as a critical tool for trade policy analysis.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in applied economics with a focus on developing Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs) and regional Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models. A PhD is desirable but not mandatory. All applicants are required to submit a copy of their educational degree, as incomplete applications will not be considered. Additionally, candidates must have at least five years of experience in using and developing global and regional CGE models, along with strong knowledge of national accounts and the development of social accounting matrices. Expertise in applying updating and balancing techniques is essential, and familiarity with the GCC countries is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a Master's degree in applied economics, specifically with a focus on developing Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs) and regional Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models. A PhD in a related field is preferred, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and understanding of complex economic modeling. Candidates must provide proof of their educational qualifications, as this is a critical component of the application process.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the field of economics, specifically in using and developing global and regional CGE models. This experience should include a strong background in national accounts and the development of social accounting matrices. Candidates should also have a proven track record of applying various estimation and balancing techniques, which are essential for the successful completion of the tasks associated with this role. Familiarity with the economic landscape of the GCC countries is highly desirable, as it will enhance the consultant's ability to contribute effectively to the project.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory for this position, as these are the primary working languages of ESCWA. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in all four areas of language use: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of French is considered an asset, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations secretariat. Candidates with a good command of French will have an advantage in this role, although it is not a strict requirement.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and is expected to last for a duration of three 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 any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization also does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.