Result of Service

The Consultant will deliver three outputs supporting the organization and review of evidence, the preparation of factual research inputs for the market competition chapter, and the documentation and editorial review of the final report. First Month Activities

Review the draft sector chapters and comments received from the host country. Organize the comments and supporting evidence, identify relevant sources, flag factual or citation issues, and record matters requiring follow-up based on the guidance provided by the Project Manager.
Output 1, due at the end of Month 1: A comments-and-evidence matrix linking comments to supporting sources and identifying factual or citation issues and matters requiring follow-up. Second Month Activities
Based on the outlines, analytical questions and guidance provided by the Project Manager, organize source material relevant to prices, trade, supply chains, market structure and barriers to competition across the selected sectors. Prepare factual summaries, background inputs, and draft tables and figures, and identify evidence gaps or questions requiring analysis by the Project Manager and project team.
Output 2, due at the end of Month 2: A research support package for the market competition chapter comprising organized source material, factual summaries and background inputs, draft tables and figures, and a list of evidence gaps or questions requiring analysis by the Project Manager and project team. Third Month Activities
Support the review of the final report by organizing comments, checking citations and selected figures, reviewing editorial and internal consistency, maintaining a comments-and-response log, and recording unresolved issues requiring a decision by the Project Manager. Consolidate stakeholder meeting and interview minutes prepared during the assignment.
Output 3, due at the end of Month 3: A contribution to the review of the final report, including a consolidated comments-and-response log, checked citations and selected figures, an editorial and consistency checklist, stakeholder meeting and interview minutes, and unresolved issues identified for the Project Manager’s decision.

Work Location

UN-House ESCWA

Expected duration

3 months

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background Promoting fair and competitive markets supports economic efficiency, private-sector development and consumer welfare. Across the Arab region, economic diversification, digitalization and changes in global supply chains are reshaping market conditions. These developments increase the need for reliable data and applied research to help governments assess competition challenges and develop evidence-based policy responses. ESCWA supports member States in strengthening competition frameworks, improving market performance and building analytical and institutional capacities. Within the Economic Governance, Development Planning and Regulatory Modernization workstream, the Competition Policy portfolio combines regional policy dialogue, country-level technical assistance, market studies, capacity-building and knowledge products, in collaboration with national authorities and regional and international partners. Competition-based market studies are an important part of this work. They examine market structure, supply chains, business practices and regulatory conditions to identify constraints affecting competition. Within this portfolio, ESCWA is supporting the Sultanate of Oman through an extrabudgetary (XB) project on the building materials sector and its implications for competition. The study examines the sector across production, imports and distribution, including market concentration, supply and demand conditions, and institutional and regulatory arrangements. It aims to inform recommendations for improving competition and market functioning. ESCWA seeks to engage a National Research Consultant to provide research, documentation and editorial support in the area of competition policy for the completion of the Oman building materials study. The Consultant will organize source material and stakeholder comments, prepare factual summaries and background inputs, check figures and citations, and maintain review records for the project team. The Consultant will also contribute to related team activities and other XB projects under the Economic Governance, Development Planning and Regulatory Modernization workstream, as required. 2. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager and Economic Affairs Officer, the Consultant will provide research, documentation and editorial support in the area of competition policy for the Oman building materials study. Based on the outlines, analytical questions and guidance provided by the Project Manager, the Consultant will organize source material and stakeholder comments, prepare factual summaries and background inputs, develop draft tables and figures, check figures and citations, and maintain comments, responses and review records. The Consultant will participate in project-related stakeholder meetings and interviews and prepare minutes to support the review process. The Consultant will also contribute to other activities and XB projects under the Economic Governance, Development Planning and Regulatory Modernization workstream, as required The methodology, analytical interpretation, competition assessment, conclusions, recommendations, confidentiality decisions, and final approval of the dashboard and report will remain the responsibility of the Project Manager and project team.

Qualifications/special skills

A Bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, law, business administration or another relevant field is required. A Master's degree in a relevant field is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of one year of professional experience in desk research, evidence organization, reference checking, meeting documentation and support to analytical reports is required. Experience supporting research or analytical work in competition policy, market studies or a related public-policy field is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at ESCWA. For this position fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: "Fluency" equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand).

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.

National Research Consultant for Market Research and Analysis