Economic Research Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) was established to support member States in designing, implementing, and evaluating development strategies through evidence-based economic analysis. ESCWA plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable growth, economic diversification, fiscal resilience, productivity, employment, and social development across the region. The organization operates in various countries within the Western Asia region, providing technical assistance and facilitating dialogue among member States to address economic and social challenges. ESCWA is committed to promoting inclusive and sustainable development, with a focus on the needs of the most vulnerable populations. The organization employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to advancing the economic and social well-being of the region.

Job Overview:
The Economic Research Assistant position is designed for an individual contractor who will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of a national development plan. This role involves the collection and analysis of macroeconomic, sectoral, and socioeconomic data, as well as the application of econometric and statistical techniques to develop plausible counterfactual scenarios. The contractor will assess progress toward development objectives, contributing to ESCWA's mission of supporting member States in their development strategies. The position requires a strong analytical background and the ability to work with complex datasets to inform policy recommendations. The contractor will be expected to collaborate with ESCWA's broader analytical work and outputs, ensuring that evaluations are rigorous and account for external shocks and changing economic conditions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The individual contractor will undertake a variety of tasks, including: reviewing plan documents and related policy material; identifying relevant indicators, targets, and evaluation questions; collecting, compiling, cleaning, and harmonizing macroeconomic, sectoral, and socioeconomic datasets from national and international sources; developing databases and documentation suitable for quantitative analysis; designing an evaluation framework and analytical methodology; applying econometric techniques, including time series and panel data analysis; supporting ESCWA’s broader analytical work and outputs as needed; assessing performance across key macroeconomic and sectoral indicators; conducting robustness checks and sensitivity analysis; and preparing reports, technical notes, presentations, and policy recommendations. This comprehensive set of responsibilities ensures that the contractor contributes effectively to the evaluation of national development plans and supports ESCWA's mission.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Economics, Econometrics, Statistics, Development Economics, Data Science, or a related field. All applicants are required to submit a copy of their educational degree, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Additionally, a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience in macroeconomic analysis, applied economics, econometrics, development planning, economic modeling, or policy evaluation is required. Demonstrated experience working with macroeconomic and socioeconomic data is essential, along with proficiency in analytical software such as Stata, R, Python, EViews, or similar tools. Experience in the Arab region and in preparing analytical reports for governments, international organizations, or research institutions is desirable. A strong knowledge of econometric methods, including time-series and panel-data analysis, is also preferred.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Economics, Econometrics, Statistics, Development Economics, or Data Science. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of macroeconomic analysis and the application of econometric techniques necessary for the evaluation of national development plans. Candidates must provide proof of their educational qualifications as part of the application process.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of professional experience in areas related to macroeconomic analysis, applied economics, econometrics, development planning, economic modeling, or policy evaluation. This experience should include working with macroeconomic and socioeconomic data, as well as familiarity with analytical software tools. Experience in the Arab region is considered an asset, as is experience in preparing analytical reports for various stakeholders, including governments and international organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in both Arabic and English is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and ESCWA. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Additionally, knowledge of French is beneficial but not mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate their language proficiency in their applications, as effective communication is essential for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is recruited on a local basis, meaning that the incumbent must have the legal right to live and work in Lebanon. The expected duration of the contract is 2.5 months. 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, ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process.