Consultancy on International Migration, Economic Transformation and Policy Frameworks

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 foster cooperation among member states, providing them with a platform for dialogue and a forum for discussing regional issues. The organization aims to support member countries in achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing their economic and social resilience. ESCWA operates in multiple countries across the Arab region, focusing on various development issues, including economic diversification, social justice, and regional integration.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position involves preparing an analytical paper that explores the intricate relationship between international migration, economic transformation, and policy frameworks within the Arab region. The consultant will be tasked with assessing how international migration impacts labor markets, productivity, and economic transformation, while also examining the circulation of skills, knowledge, and capital. The paper aims to provide insights into emerging trends in migration patterns, particularly in light of challenges such as climate change, conflict, and economic crises. The consultant will work under the guidance of ESCWA to develop a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics and propose actionable policy recommendations to enhance the positive contributions of migration to economic development.

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

• Developing a conceptual and methodological framework that outlines the channels through which international migration affects both origin and destination economies, focusing on labor markets, incomes, productivity, and the circulation of skills and knowledge.
• Analyzing various datasets to identify trends related to worker movements, remittances, investments, and economic diversification. This includes conducting an empirical assessment of migration flows and stocks across the Arab region, with a focus on both intra-Arab and extra-regional movements, and evaluating their implications for labor markets and economic outcomes.
• Investigating how external factors such as climate change, conflict, and economic crises are reshaping migration patterns and their subsequent effects on economic transformation and resilience.
• Formulating a policy framework that facilitates the movement and circulation of people, skills, and knowledge, which encompasses aspects such as talent mobility, recognition of qualifications, portable social protection, labor-market information systems, diaspora engagement, and return migration.
• Preparing and finalizing the analytical paper, ensuring it incorporates quantitative evidence, regional and international experiences, and policy recommendations, while also addressing feedback received from ESCWA.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD in economics or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 15 years of professional experience in research focused on regional development issues, particularly migration, is required. Candidates should have a proven track record of publications on international migration in peer-reviewed journals or reputable publications associated with international organizations. Experience in leading high-level initiatives within international organizations is considered desirable, as is the ability to demonstrate quantitative analysis and interpretation skills.

Educational Background:
A PhD in economics or a closely related field is mandatory for this position. Candidates must provide a copy of their educational degree as part of their application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for review.

Experience:
The position requires a substantial level of experience, specifically a minimum of 15 years in the field of research related to regional development and migration issues. This extensive experience should include a strong background in conducting research, analyzing data, and publishing findings in reputable forums.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is another working language of the UN. Additionally, Arabic is recognized as a working language of UNESCWA, and while fluency in Arabic is not mandatory, it is advantageous. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding, while knowledge is defined as 'confident' in at least two of these areas.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 4 months, with specific deliverables due at various stages throughout this period. The position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. 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.