Consultancy on Economic Diversification and Resilience in the Arab Region
Organizational Context
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) seeks a consultant to prepare an analytical paper on Economic Diversification and Resilience in the Arab Region. This role operates remotely and contributes to ESCWA's mandate of promoting economic development and resilience across the region.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to produce a comprehensive analytical paper assessing economic diversification and resilience within Arab economies. The paper will examine diversification patterns, identify key constraints and opportunities, and propose policy recommendations to accelerate industrial development and enhance economic resilience. This work aims to inform policy priorities and support structural transformation across the region, contributing to sustainable and robust economic growth. The consultant will deliver an annotated outline, a first full draft, and a final paper, ensuring thorough analysis and data documentation.
Responsibilities
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including assessing the structure and evolution of economic diversification across Arab economies, analyzing products, sectors, exports, markets, and income sources, and reviewing existing industrial strategies. This involves examining data and trends at both country and regional levels. The consultant will identify critical constraints to diversification, such as market fragmentation, commodity dependence, weak productive and technological capabilities, limited private sector dynamism, financing issues, skills gaps, and institutional barriers. Furthermore, the consultant will discuss a framework for accelerating industrial development towards structural transformation, considering regional assets and the changing economic landscape, and will develop actionable policy recommendations.
Work Experience
A minimum of 15 years of professional work experience in research on regional development issues is required. Experience with publications on macroeconomic policy and economic diversification in peer-reviewed journals or international reports is also necessary. Undertaking high-level initiatives with international organizations is desirable.
Skills
Quantitative analysis and interpretation, research on regional development, macroeconomic policy analysis, economic diversification strategies, understanding of industrial development frameworks, policy development and recommendation.