Org. Setting and Reporting

The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA unescwa.org) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 21 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. This position is in Cluster 3: ‘Shared Economic Prosperity’ of ESCWA. Cluster 3 acts as a pioneer and multi-stakeholder regional platform for deliberation, consensus-building, peer learning, and policy solutions on inclusive fiscal policy, public finance management, illicit financial flows and trade development, to achieve a basic standard of living for all people in the Arab region through sustained and integrated economic development. Cluster 3 also supports member States in complying with the commitments made in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. Under the Development Account (13th Tranche), ESCWA, in collaboration with DESA, UNCTAD, and UN Regional Commissions, is implementing the project “Towards Integrated National Financing Frameworks.” The project aims to forge the second generation of Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs), and provide targeted support to pilot countries, exploiting various financing channels to facilitate the efficient mobilization and alignment of financial resources from various channels, including public, private, domestic, international, and innovative sources. Beyond its country-centric focus, the project is structured to facilitate knowledge exchange on both regional and global platforms. The project seeks to promote peer learning among countries at the regional level, fostering collaboration and the dissemination of best practices. Additionally, the project endeavors to facilitate knowledge transfer on a global scale by promoting the global INFF guidance, establishing a pivotal connection between global policy processes and their tangible implementation at both national and regional levels. Within this context, ESCWA is embarking on a series of initiatives to fortify financing frameworks and advancing sustainable development in the Arab region with the aim of assisting policymakers and national stakeholders by providing a suite of dynamic and interactive financing tools tailored to national contexts. These tools would pave the way to forge integrated national financing strategies, facilitating the transition to SDG-centric financing, and promote effective implementation of national sustainable development strategies, plans, and macroeconomic frameworks. The Research Assistant will report to the Economic Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Research Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Researches, extracts and compiles technical and high-frequency data, and undertakes quantitative and empirical assessments on specific programmes/projects and related topics and issues. 2. Supports the preparation of Integrated National Financing Frameworks and related toolkits. 3. Contributes to the quantification of financing resources required to pursue the SDGs and national sustainable development priorities in the Arab region, including assessment of financing gaps. 4. Leverages various Machine Learning Techniques to project prime financing channels at the national level for Arab countries and national progress in attaining the sustainable development goals. 5. Supports the development of toolkits, including macro-shock-dynamic national financing simulator and SDG financing simulator, gap estimator and solver. 6. Assists in conducting statistical analysis related to financing for development channels. 7. Assists in monitoring developments/issues on subjects or areas assigned by collecting, selecting, analysing and compiling materials from multiple sources, e.g., relevant databases, the library and the Internet. 8. Prepares a variety of reports, presentations, tables, lists, graphs, charts and/or diagrams for information and review by senior officers. 9. Prepares abstracts/bibliographic descriptions for inclusion in documents, articles, books and publications. 10. Takes notes and drafts executive summaries of meetings. 11. Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff. 12. Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. 13. Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. 14. Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to research, interpret and analyse a wide variety of data. Knowledge of the functions and organization of the work unit, and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures. Demonstrates use of initiative and ability to make appropriate linkages in work requirements. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

Five (5) years of experience in collecting and researching data across various areas of social and economic development or related area is required. At least two (2) years of experience in data analytics is desirable. At least two (2) years of experience in financing for development is desirable. At least two (2) years of practical experience in econometrics specifically in running macro-econometrics models (including Vector Autoregression Models, Structural Vector Autoregression Model, Vector Error Correction Model), Generalized Method of Moments estimation (GMM), Non-linear Auto-regressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) 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 is required; and knowledge of Arabic 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.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is available for one year from the date of appointment/assignment. Extension of the appointment/assignment is subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, extension of the mandate, continued need for services, and satisfactory performance. • At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. • This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. • Candidates are fully responsible for all arrangements and costs for attending all assessments and interviews. All candidates shall receive the same notice period for attending the assessments and interviews. • The candidate is fully responsible for all costs and arrangements related to travel and relocation (including visas and permits) to the duty station and for continued employment at ESCWA. • Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any task or function in the organization. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions during their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.