Expert Consultant – Institutional Performance and Public Administration Reform

Result of Service

The objective of the consultancy is to provide senior expert input to the conference on institutional performance in public administration, with a specific focus on how institutional arrangements and incentives shape the behaviour and performance of civil servants and the implementation of reform. The consultant will conduct research and prepare and present an analytical paper on a specific topic related to public administration (to be determined in consultation with the supervisor of this consultancy), facilitate and contribute to discussions with senior leaders, support the preparation of the conference agenda and thematic group questions, and support the preparation of the final conference report.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

1 month

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) supports Arab countries in strengthening public governance, modernizing public administration, and enhancing institutional capacities to advance sustainable development and improve public service delivery. Within this framework, ESCWA has received a technical assistance request from the Jordanian Academy of Government Administration to support the participation of international experts in the First Conference for Senior Government Leaders, scheduled to take place in Amman, Jordan, from 10 to 12 December 2026.

Overall objective of the conference: To establish an annual leadership forum that strengthens whole-of-government action and translates national priorities into implementable, monitored and accountable decisions and solutions.

Specific objectives:

1. Aligning leadership vision for implementation: building a shared understanding among Secretaries-General of the priorities of the second executive programme (2026–2029) and its implementation requirements, drawing on international experience in moving from managing continuity to achieving impact.
2. Addressing shared obstacles and strengthening integration: identifying organizational, procedural, legislative and financial obstacles that exceed the mandate of a single institution, and agreeing on clear coordination, ownership and accountability arrangements to address them.
3. Building institutional leadership that enables performance: strengthening the role of Secretaries-General in delegation, encouraging well-judged initiative, deploying staff competencies, digital transformation and results-based spending.
4. Embedding learning and follow-up across annual cycles: developing the six selected projects and establishing an annual follow-up cycle whose results are presented at the next conference, with the support of the Academy.

Expected outputs of the conference:

• A consolidated leadership brief with cross-sectoral priorities and strategic recommendations, presented at the closing session;
• A leadership agenda for the coming year with three to five shared priorities, each with a lead entity;
• A list of required decisions, classified by competent authority and by need for coordination or approval;
• An improved version and follow-up plan for each of the six projects, with a map of intersections, opportunities and risks;
• Aggregate results of a short leadership survey, serving as a baseline for subsequent editions;
• A list of leadership capacity-development and technical-support needs for follow-up by the Academy.

In response to this request, ESCWA seeks to engage 3 expert[YA1.1]s speakers with demonstrated academic and practical experience in public policy, public administration reform, institutional capacity development, and strategic leadership to contribute to the conference through a specialized presentation and interactive discussion.

Tasks - duties and responsibilities: Under the overall guidance of the ESCWA focal point and in close coordination with the Academy's conference team, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Task 1: Support the preparation of the agenda and thematic group questions

• Review the draft conference framework and programme and provide written comments on its structure, sequencing, session formats and expected outputs;
• Prepare guiding questions for keynote speakers, dialogue panels and session moderators, linked to the theme of each session;
• Prepare guiding questions for the thematic working groups and project clinics, to help participants prepare in advance of the conference;
• Contribute to the design of the short leadership survey administered on the first day, and to the framing of its aggregate results for discussion on the third day.

Task 2: Prepare and deliver the paper on institutional performance in public administration

• Prepare an evidence-based technical paper on institutional performance in public administration and adapt it for presentation to a senior-leadership audience, highlighting its main propositions, evidence and policy implications;
• Prepare presentation materials in Arabic (slides and a short summary note of key messages for participants);
• Deliver the presentation in dedicated conference sessions, to be scheduled in agreement with ESCWA and the Academy, and respond to questions and comments;
• Link the analysis to the conference themes.

Task 3: Engage and facilitate discussions

• Participate actively in the substantive process leading to and during the conference over three days (10–12 December 2026) in Amman;
• Lead the thematic discussions and present the technical paper at the conference Facilitate or co-facilitate selected dialogue sessions and thematic group discussions, in line with the Chatham House Rule;
• Contribute expert input to leadership dialogues, the government decision lab (simulation) and project clinics, as agreed with the Academy;
• Contribute to the daily synthesis of key findings with the facilitation and drafting team.

Task 4: Support the preparation of the final report

• Provide written inputs on the different sessions presented or facilitated by the consultant, including key messages, emerging issues and policy recommendations;
• Contribute to the consolidated leadership brief and the list of required decisions presented at the closing session;
• Review and provide comments on the draft final conference report prepared by the Academy and ESCWA, with particular attention to the analytical coherence of the findings and recommendations.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced degree (PhD) in political science, public administration, public policy, development studies or a closely related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 10 years of demonstrated professional experience in public policy, public administration, institutional reform, governance, or public-sector capacity development is required. Proven experience in executive education, leadership development, or capacity-building initiatives targeting government officials and public-sector institutions is required. Strong knowledge of international and regional approaches to public administration reform, institutional effectiveness, and policy implementation is required. Experience working with government institutions, international organizations, or academic institutions on public-sector reform and capacity development is required. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex governance and public policy issues to senior-level audiences through presentations, policy dialogues, or conferences is required. Knowledge of public administration challenges and reform priorities in the Arab region is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at ESCWA. For this position fluency in Arabic is required. Knowledge of English is desirable. Note: "Fluency" equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand).

Additional Information

Not available.

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.