Consultant on the Discussion Paper Toward an Arab Regional Perspective

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional commission established in 1973 to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. ESCWA's mission is to support the member states in achieving sustainable development through regional cooperation and integration. The organization operates in various countries across the Arab region and focuses on issues such as economic development, social justice, and environmental sustainability. ESCWA employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by the Arab states.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be tasked with developing a comprehensive discussion paper titled 'Toward an Arab Regional Perspective on Sustainable Development Beyond 2030'. This paper is intended to serve as a foundational document for a regional consultation that ESCWA will conduct in preparation for the 2027 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit. The consultant will work closely with the Leader of the 2030 Agenda and SDG Coordination Cluster, engaging in regular communication through emails, phone calls, and virtual meetings. The expectation is that the consultant will produce a well-researched paper, approximately 30-35 pages in length, which will be submitted electronically in MS Word format. The paper must be written in either English or Arabic and will be refined based on feedback from the regional consultation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a thorough desk review of relevant literature, focusing on recent documentation regarding the successes and challenges of the 2030 Agenda and the SDG framework, including reports submitted by Arab countries in their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).
• Draft an initial version of the discussion paper for ESCWA's preliminary review, ensuring it aligns with the objectives of the upcoming consultation.
• Actively participate in the ESCWA consultation with VNR focal points, contributing to discussions and facilitating dialogue as necessary.
• Synthesize the outcomes of the consultation and incorporate feedback into a final version of the discussion paper, which will require approval from ESCWA.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in public policy, economics, social development, or a related field. It is essential that all applicants submit a copy of their educational qualifications, as incomplete applications will not be considered. Additionally, candidates should have at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in public policy formulation, implementation, and analysis, specifically within the Arab region.

Educational Background:
A Master's university degree in public policy, economics, social development, or a related field is mandatory for this consultancy position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of sustainable development and the socio-economic challenges faced by the Arab region.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of public policy, particularly in formulation, implementation, and analysis. This extensive experience should ideally be within the context of the Arab region, allowing the consultant to bring relevant insights and expertise to the discussion paper.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required for this consultancy role. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations, while Arabic is one of the six official languages and a working language of ESCWA. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Additionally, knowledge of French is considered beneficial but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of four months, and the work will be conducted remotely. 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. Furthermore, the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.