Result of Service
The consultant is to support the Computational Economics Team in transforming its analytical and computational work, country engagements and evidence into high-quality, accessible and useful knowledge products for policymakers, practitioners and other audiences. The consultant will also support the systematic collection of Member State experiences, feedback and user needs through interviews, surveys and other research methods, and contribute to the development of new editorial and knowledge-product formats.
The consultant will research, interview, synthesize, structure, draft and edit material under the substantive and methodological guidance of the Computational Economics Team. The assignment also requires initiative in identifying useful stories, formats and opportunities for knowledge products, with the level of independent product development expected to increase with experience and familiarity with the team's work.
Duties and Responsibilities
Background: This position is located in the Decision-Support and Data Science Division (DSDSD). The Division is part of ESCWA's broader modernization and innovation efforts, providing advanced analytics and decision-support services within ESCWA, other UN entities, and Member States. Aligned with the UN 2.0 agenda and grounded in strategic foresight, DSDSD leverages data-driven insights, emerging technologies, and scenario-based planning to anticipate trends and proactively inform policymaking and operations.
Its core functions include data integration and management; data quality assurance; advanced analytics and modeling; machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions; real-time dashboards and performance reporting; and data visualization and business intelligence; and the design and development of specialized digital decision-support tools. Through these capabilities, DSDSD empowers evidence-based decision-making, fosters organizational efficiency, and catalyzes strategic innovation across the region.
Duties and responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the consultant will be responsible for independently performing the following: 1. Policy Research, Interviews and Evidence Collection
Conduct desk research and collect relevant evidence on economic, social and public policy issues related to the work of the Computational Economics Team and ISPAR.
Prepare and conduct interviews, surveys and other qualitative evidence-gathering activities with Member States, practitioners and other stakeholders to document country experiences, collect user feedback, identify emerging needs and generate evidence for analytical and product-development purposes.
Organize, synthesize and document evidence collected through research and country engagement in formats that can be reused across country pages, reports, briefs, digital products and other knowledge outputs. 2. Policy and Analytical Writing
Draft clear, concise and evidence-based policy and analytical content that translates complex economic, statistical and computational material for policymakers, practitioners and non-specialist audiences.
Prepare country stories, case studies, short briefs, web content and other written products based on the team's analysis, country engagements and research.
Edit and strengthen draft material for clarity, structure, consistency, accuracy and accessibility while preserving the underlying analytical meaning. 3. Research and Drafting Support for Analytical Publications
Support literature and evidence reviews, background research, fact-checking, source verification and the preparation of structured inputs for reports, working papers, conference papers and other analytical publications.
Prepare and revise draft sections and supporting material under the substantive and methodological guidance of the Computational Economics Team, ensuring appropriate sourcing and adherence to ESCWA publication standards. 4. Editorial Strategy and Knowledge-Product Development
Contribute to the development of editorial series, digital content and knowledge products that make the team's work more accessible, engaging, useful and visible to relevant audiences.
Proactively identify and propose new editorial formats, stories, digital products and knowledge products based on the team's analytical work and interactions with Member States; independently develop agreed products from concept and research through to a high-quality draft; and recommend approaches for engaging relevant professional communities and improving the accessibility and usefulness of ISPAR and related products.
Qualifications/special skills
A Master's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public policy, Economics, International relations, or a related field is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in policy research, journalism, analytical writing, editorial work, knowledge products, or a closely related field is required.
Demonstrated experience independently researching complex topics and developing high-quality policy, analytical or editorial products from concept through final draft is required. Demonstrated experience designing and conducting interviews, surveys or other qualitative evidence-gathering activities with senior stakeholders, practitioners or public-sector counterparts is required. Strong ability to translate technical, economic, statistical or policy material into accurate and compelling content for different audiences is required.
Demonstrated ability to identify and propose editorial angles, knowledge products, digital formats or other approaches for disseminating analytical work is required Experience supporting analytical publications through literature research, evidence synthesis, fact-checking, structuring, drafting and substantive editing is required A strong portfolio or samples demonstrating excellent English-language writing across more than one format will be required. Experience working on development issues, with international organizations, governments or public-sector stakeholders is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English is required and knowledge of Arabic and French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.