Result of Service

The consultant will produce 3 deliverables in a timely manner:

Deliverable 1: By 15 September 2026 -- completion of an annotated outline setting out the conceptual framework, key research questions, proposed empirical methodology, data sources and structure of the paper.
Deliverable 2: By 30 October 2026 -- completion of the first full draft of the paper, including the conceptual analysis, quantitative and empirical results, assessment of key constraints, policy implications and preliminary recommendations.
Deliverable 3: By 30 November 2026 -- finalization of the full paper by refining results, taking into account review comments, and including complete data and methodological documentation.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

4 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The Arab region possesses significant natural, financial, human and physical resources and considerable opportunities arising from regional markets, trade, investment, energy, technology, knowledge and labour mobility. Greater access to these resources and markets can expand productive capacity, improve resource allocation, facilitate investment and technology diffusion, and support diversification, productivity and economic resilience. However, macroeconomic instability, fragmented markets, weak productive capabilities, conflict and geopolitical uncertainty can limit these opportunities. Appropriate macroeconomic, trade, investment, industrial, financial and institutional policies are therefore critical for translating regional economic integration into sustainable economic transformation and shared prosperity. To address this gap, ESCWA proposes an analytical paper on Macroeconomic Performance and Policy Frameworks in the Arab Region. The paper will examine how access to markets and productive resources interacts with macroeconomic and structural conditions across Arab countries and identify policy priorities for strengthening productivity, diversification, resilience and sustainable economic transformation. Duties and Responsibilities The objective of the consultancy is to prepare an analytical paper on Macroeconomic Performance and Policy Frameworks in the Arab Region. The paper will assess the relationships between access to markets and productive resources and key macroeconomic and structural outcomes, identify factors that constrain these relationships, and develop a policy framework for strengthening economic performance across the Arab region. Under the overall guidance of ESCWA, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Develop a conceptual and methodological framework examining how access to markets, capital, labour, energy, technology and knowledge can influence macroeconomic and structural performance across Arab countries.
Examine datasets, identify trends, and undertake an empirical assessment of their relationship with productivity, investment, diversification, private-sector development, employment, incomes, resilience and economic convergence in the Arab region.
Assess principal macroecnomic and structural constraints, including macroeconomic instability, debt and fiscal vulnerabilities, fragmented markets, weak productive capabilities, institutional differences, conflict and geopolitical uncertainty.
Develop a policy framework covering relevant macroeconomic, trade, investment, industrial, financial, labour, technological and institutional policies to support productivity, economic transformation and resilience.
Prepare and finalize the analytical paper, incorporating quantitative evidence, regional and international experiences, policy recommendations and comments received from ESCWA..

Qualifications/special skills

A PhD in economics or related field is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 15 years of professional work experience in the field of research on regional development issues is required. Publications on macroeconomic issues of Arab region in peer reviewed journals or reputed international publications in this field is required. Undertaking high-level initiatives from international organizations is desirable. Demonstration of quantitative analysis and interpretation is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariate; and Arabic is a working language of UNESCWA. For this position, fluency in English is required. 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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Consultancy on Macroeconomic Performance and Policy Frameworks in the Arab Region