Policy Research, Editorial and Knowledge Products Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Decision-Support and Data Science Division (DSDSD) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). ESCWA was established to promote economic and social development in the Arab region, and it plays a crucial role in providing a platform for dialogue and cooperation among member states. The organization focuses on various areas including sustainable development, economic integration, and social justice. ESCWA operates in multiple countries across the Arab region and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to advancing the UN's goals in the region. The DSDSD division specifically aims to leverage data-driven insights and advanced analytics to support decision-making processes and enhance the effectiveness of policies across member states. The division is part of ESCWA's broader modernization and innovation efforts, which align with the UN 2.0 agenda, emphasizing the importance of strategic foresight and proactive policymaking.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a pivotal role in supporting the Computational Economics Team by transforming analytical and computational work into high-quality knowledge products that are accessible and useful for policymakers and practitioners. This position requires the consultant to engage in systematic collection of experiences and feedback from Member States through various research methods, including interviews and surveys. The consultant will also contribute to the development of new editorial formats and knowledge products, ensuring that the outputs are relevant and tailored to the needs of the audience. The role demands a proactive approach in identifying opportunities for knowledge dissemination and requires the consultant to work independently while collaborating with the team to enhance the visibility and impact of their work. The consultant will be expected to draft, edit, and synthesize materials under the guidance of the team, with an increasing level of independent product development as they gain familiarity with the team's objectives and methodologies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a range of duties, including: conducting desk research and collecting evidence on economic, social, and public policy issues; preparing and conducting interviews and surveys to gather qualitative data from stakeholders; organizing and synthesizing evidence for various knowledge outputs; drafting clear and concise policy and analytical content; preparing country stories, case studies, and other written products; editing materials for clarity and accuracy; supporting literature reviews and fact-checking for analytical publications; contributing to the development of editorial series and digital content; and proactively identifying new editorial formats and knowledge products based on the team's analytical work. The consultant will also be expected to engage with relevant professional communities to enhance the accessibility and usefulness of the products developed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Policy, Economics, International Relations, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in policy research, journalism, analytical writing, or editorial work is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience in independently researching complex topics and developing high-quality policy or analytical products. Additionally, experience in designing and conducting qualitative evidence-gathering activities with senior stakeholders is essential. Strong writing skills and the ability to translate technical material into compelling content for diverse audiences are also required. Candidates should have a proven ability to propose editorial angles and knowledge products based on analytical work.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant field such as Journalism, Communications, Public Policy, Economics, or International Relations is mandatory. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of their application, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience. Candidates should have a strong background in policy research, journalism, analytical writing, or editorial work. Experience in independently researching complex topics and developing high-quality products from concept to final draft is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in conducting interviews and surveys with stakeholders, as well as supporting analytical publications through literature research and evidence synthesis.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, with a strong command of all four language skills: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of Arabic and French is desirable, as these are also working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates should demonstrate confidence in using Arabic and French in at least two of the four language skills.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the consultancy is 6 months, and the position is remote. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal banking information.