Build the regional inter-linked GCC’s Social Accounting Matrice and the reference scenario for the regional trade simulator

Organizational Context

The United Nations Secretariat, specifically the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), is partnering with the Ministry of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia. This collaboration aims to enhance technical capacity for trade policy analysis and develop advanced trade modeling tools, including a regional trade simulator for GCC countries.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to develop a harmonized GCC regional inter-linked Macro and Micro Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) and a comprehensive database. This will serve as the baseline scenario for a regional trade simulator, supporting strategic decision-making for integration scenarios among GCC countries and with the rest of the world. The simulator will enable timely, data-driven evaluation of trade policies and external economic shocks, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification goals and strengthening regional trade policy analysis capabilities.

Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for suggesting a harmonized structure for the regional inter-linked SAMs, ensuring alignment with Saudi Arabia's national SAM features. This includes building the regional Macro and Micro SAM using existing national SAMs and additional collected data, reflecting Saudi Arabia's trade instruments. The consultant will employ appropriate estimation and balancing techniques, such as RAS and Maximum Entropy, to construct the Micro SAM. Finally, the consultant will build a complete database to calibrate the regional trade simulator for the period 2024-2035.

Work Experience

Five years of expertise in using and developing global and regional CGE models is required. Strong knowledge of national accounts and developing social accounting matrices is necessary. Expertise in applying updating and balancing techniques is also required. Experience with GCC countries is desirable.

Skills

Developing SAMs, Regional CGE models, National accounts, Social accounting matrices, Estimation and balancing techniques (RAS, Maximum Entropy), Trade policy analysis, Data analysis, Regional trade simulation.

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