Result of Service

An analytical paper on the trade in culture between the Arab States. The paper establishes how large that trade is, whether it reaches the level a shared language predicts, what stops a film, series, song, game or book from selling across a border, what the trade earns and who earns it. It closes with the measures that would raise that trade, and with the indicators ESCWA can use to follow cultural connections between member States over time.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

2 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The Arab region possesses rich and diverse cultural assets, including shared language, heritage, arts, literature, music, film and creative talent, which offer significant opportunities for economic growth, entrepreneurship, employment and cultural exchange. Cultural and creative industries are increasingly supported by digital platforms, new technologies and expanding markets, creating opportunities for creators and businesses to reach audiences across national boundaries. However, fragmented markets, regulatory differences, intellectual property arrangements, limited access to finance and barriers to cross-border distribution constrain their economic potential. Against this background, ESCWA proposes an analytical paper on Culture and Creative Industries in the Arab Region to assess the sector's economic contribution, opportunities for expanding regional markets, and policy priorities for strengthening creative enterprises, productive employment and cultural exchange. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall guidance of ESCWA, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Assess the size and economic contribution of cultural and creative industries across the Arab States, including their contribution to global markets, employment, business activity and incomes, with particular attention to women and youth.
Analyse regional cultural exchanges and market opportunities, comparing intra-regional cultural exchanges with other regions and assessing the role of shared language, cultural affinities and geographical proximity in expanding markets and economic opportunities.
Identify institutional, regulatory and operational barriers to cross-border cultural activities, including intellectual property rights, licensing, payments to creators, distribution arrangements and language-related constraints.
Examine the role of digital platforms and artificial intelligence in transforming cultural production, distribution and consumption, including their implications for creative enterprises, market access, intellectual property rights and creators' incomes.
Undertake empirical analysis and selected case studies to assess the potential economic benefits of stronger regional cultural exchanges, including opportunities for entrepreneurship, investment, employment, tourism and related economic activities, and develop policy recommendations to realize these opportunities.

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 in economics is required. Experience with international trade data and with gravity estimates of trade between countries is desirable. Experience leading research teams that work across several countries of the Arab region and the Mediterranean is desirable. Experience of work with United Nations entities or other international organizations is desirable. Published work on the cultural and creative industries of one or more ESCWA member States 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 Culture and Creative Industries in the Arab Region