Result of Service

The objective of this position is to work on research areas related to the ESCWA Skills Monitor, Labor markets, and economic growth.

Work Location

UN HOUSE - UN ESCWA

Expected duration

4 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: The world is currently experiencing the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With this transition, the velocity of change and the sheer number of innovations are unprecedented. This revolution will inevitably eliminate many current lines of work yet has the capacity to bring in new lines of employment. The agility of this revolution makes the jobs of the future difficult to predict using traditional techniques. Given this background, this project will tackle three main issues: o The lack of timely information to monitor the dynamism of the labor market needs; o The mismatch between human capital accumulation and labor market demand; o Labor market policies and regulations are mostly outdated and unprepared for the impact of automation on jobs in most ESCWA countries. Almost all countries in the region are still heavily reliant on costly household/establishment survey data which is not carried out periodically. To assess job market policies, skill sets for newly created job categories that are and will continue to come about from the Fourth Industrial Revolution must be surveyed in a more innovative way. Without a new monitoring technique, information on the impact of technological change on available skill sets cannot be properly assessed. One finding that we can build on conventional survey (household establishment) results is that workers with higher educational attainment are expected to benefit the most from jobs in the formal sector if high-quality education is made available and better job market matching schemes are put in place. Looking at the ESCWA region, educational attainment over the past three decades, during which the region excelled in primary and secondary education (mid-skills), suggests that the population does not necessarily have adequate skills for newly created jobs. Also, in the absence of up-to-date and active labor market policies, the mismatch between market demand (especially in the formal sector) and education is translated into higher informal sector activities in most ESCWA countries. This project is expected to provide a forum for ESCWA countries to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) while factoring in the number of jobs needed between now and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda. The key aim is to support ESCWA States for the upcoming change in jobs TOR: and skills due to technological advancements taking place while considering the national characteristics. Ultimately, we will help member states harness job opportunities emerging from the advent of newer technologies, while taming challenges to attain outcomes stated in SDG- 8---support member states sustain economic growth (8.1), reach high levels of economic productivity (8.2), promote productive activities (8.3), attain full productive employment and decent work for all (8.5) and reduce the number of youth not in employment, education or training (8.6). Under the supervision of the Team Leader of Future of Work Project and the overall guidance of the cluster lead, the Individual contractor will assist in assessing the Future of Work. The Individual contractor will particularly help in country requests for features and analysis of data collected by the Skills Monitor, assess the job mismatch. Duties and Responsibilities: The Individual Contractor will mainly contribute to the following areas: 1. Substantive research in areas related to the 'Future of Work' Project. This includes reviewing existing literature as a background analysis. 2. Update Economic analysis on the skills Monitor results on a monthly basis, including analysis of the results. 3. Conduct data analysis using (i) data from the ESCWA Skills Monitor and (ii) data from different government hubs, including unemployment countries around the region (Country Profiles). 4. Provide Economic analysis for countries' technical assistance. 5. Conduct Skills Gap assessments. 6. Assist in technical assistance to Arab countries including in developing concept notes, training material, and country tailored policy research.

Qualifications/special skills

A bachelor’s degree in economics, social science, statistics, or a related area is required. A master’s degree is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 4 years of experience in economics, social science, statistics, or a related area is required. Knowledge in Machine learning, experience in household surveys, firm level survey, and Big Data analysis is desirable. Proven experience in economic data analysis, presentation, drafting and visualization 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 and Arabic is required; Knowledge of 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.

Additional Information

Recruitment for this position is on a local basis. The incumbent is required to have the legal right to live and work in the specified working location.

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.

Economist