Result of Service

The consultant will produce 3 deliverables in a timely manner:

Deliverable 1: 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: Completion of the first full draft of the paper, including the conceptual analysis, empirical results, case studies, assessment of key constraints, policy implications and preliminary recommendations.
Deliverable 3: 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 occupies a strategic location linking Asia, Africa and Europe and possesses significant ports, transport corridors and logistics infrastructure. Yet these assets are unevenly developed and face gaps in cross-border infrastructure, multimodal transport, logistics performance, border procedures and institutional coordination. Improving transport and logistics systems can reduce transport costs and travel times, expand market access, facilitate investment and production networks, and strengthen supply-chain resilience. Realizing these opportunities requires efficient infrastructure, harmonized transport and border procedures, stronger institutional and technological capabilities, and effective links between transport corridors and productive activities. Against this background, ESCWA proposes an analytical paper on Market Access, Transport and Logistics Development in the Arab Region, assessing existing assets and flows, economic opportunities and constraints, and policy priorities for expanding regional market access and supporting economic transformation. Duties and Responsibilities The objective of the consultancy is to prepare an analytical paper on Market Access, Transport and Logistics Development in the Arab Region. The paper will assess the region's transport and logistics systems, examine their relationship with market access and economic performance, identify infrastructure and institutional gaps, and develop policy priorities for improving efficiency, accessibility and resilience. Under the overall guidance of ESCWA, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Assess the landscape and performance of transport and logistics hubs and multimodal corridors across the Arab region and their role in expanding market access.
Analyse how efficient transport and logistics systems can reduce trade and transport costs, expand market access, facilitate investment and value chains, and strengthen private-sector and employment opportunities.
Assess institutional, regulatory and operational frameworks, including transport and transit agreements, and customs and border cooperation.
Identify critical infrastructure and capability gaps, including missing links, underutilized corridors, border delays, high logistics costs, weak multimodal integration and exposure to geopolitical, climate and supply-chain disruptions.
Develop policy recommendations for strengthening transport and logistics systems, expanding market access, diversifying strategic routes and strengthening supply-chain resilience.

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 or infrastructure development in the 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 area ( speak, read, write, and understand).

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 Market Access, Transport and Logistics Development in the Arab Region