Result of Service

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following results:

1) Complete and submit first contribution on analyzing specific groups left behind to ESCWA for review and comments.
2) Complete and submit second contribution on analyzing existing policies relating to forgotten groups to ESCWA for review and comments; 3) Complete and submit third contribution on needed policies relating to forgotten groups to ESCWA for review and comments.
4) Submit the first compiled draft of SDR5 to ESCWA for review prior to discussion at EGM.
5) Present sections of the first draft of the report at the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on SDR5.
6) Review and address as necessary feedback and comments emanating from the meeting and improve on the final version of the SDR5 report.
7) Submit the final compiled draft of SDR5 to ESCWA for review and comments.
8) Submit the final version of SDR5 to ESCWA for final review and clearance; and
9) Substantively review a compendium of successful cases in combating inequality and promoting social justice from around the world with a view to create a compendium of cases as resources for the region.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Social Justice and Leaving no one behind (LNOB) are based on, and driven by, the principles of human rights and the charter of the United Nations. Addressing inequalities is central to realizing the SDGs and LNOB is not only a promise that lies at the heart of the 2030 Agenda but is the guiding principle that steers all action towards its fulfillment. To champion the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achieve the SDGs, the LNOB imperative should be placed at the core of countries’ strategic frameworks, policy guidance and national plans of action .

Therefore, ESCWA intends to develop a report with the overarching objective of proposing targeted policy recommendations for lifting left behind groups and ensuring that the root causes that are resulting in leaving them behind are adequately addressed through revising existing policies and/or formulating new policies that tackle their plight. To do so, this publication will delineate who is being left behind, and analyze the root causes of how, and why they are being left behind, based on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, equity, and deprivation. Specifically, it will present a comprehensive analysis and mapping of the main groups who are considered to be left behind or the furthest behind in the Arab region using the five-factor framework. To undertake this analysis, each factor will be measured by the progress made in a number of related development and SDG indicators.

The consultant will be responsible of the following Duties and Responsibilities:

– Contribute to major sections of the Social Development Report No. 5 (SDR5): Unpacking the Promise of “Leaving No One Behind” in the Arab Region, including background papers analyzing groups left behind; Existing Policies Toward Forgotten Groups; Needed Policies Toward Forgotten Groups, to be included in the final SDR5 report.
– Analyze and write summaries of datasets and surveys on excluded groups in the Arab region.
– Participate in the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on SDR5; deliver presentations on findings as needed.
– Review and address as necessary feedback and comments and improve on the final version of the SDR5 report.
– Substantively review a compilation of successful cases in combating inequality and promoting social justice from around the world with a view to create a compendium of cases as resources for the region.
– Assist in a variety of substantive tasks related to the work of the Social Justice Team and as directed by supervisor and support the work of the Social Justice Team in general.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master’s degree or equivalent in a social science related field such as sociology, economics, development studies, political sciences, or public administration, or any other related field is required.

All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
A minimum of seven years of progressively relevant experience at the regional level in policy research and analyzing various socio-economic issues, such as social development, socio-economic inequalities, social policies, and poverty is required.
A proven ability to work under pressure and deliver on short deadlines is required.
Proficiency in dataset and survey analysis is required.

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 Arabic and English are 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.

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.