Consultant, Evidence-Based Policy Briefs for the Arab Region

Result of Service

The objective of the consultancy is to produce clear, rigorous and actionable policy briefs on topics assigned by ESCWA. Each brief should help its intended audience understand a specific policy challenge, assess available policy options and identify practical directions for action. The assignment covers the full preparation cycle for each brief, including scoping, research, expert consultations where needed, drafting, source verification and revisions through final acceptance.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

3 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: ESCWA’s Decision-Support and Data Science Division supports evidence-informed policymaking through data, advanced analytics and digital decision-support tools. Its work connects technical analysis with the policy priorities of Member States. To strengthen the policy relevance and accessibility of its work, ESCWA is seeking consultants to research and write a series of policy briefs. These briefs will explain selected policy challenges, synthesize relevant evidence and expert perspectives, and present practical recommendations for policymakers in the Arab region. Each consultant will be responsible for producing three to four policy briefs during a three-month engagement, with approximately one completed brief delivered every three weeks.

Duties and responsibilities: Under the guidance of the designated substantive supervisor, the consultant will undertake the following tasks for each assigned policy brief.

1. Scoping and planning
   
   • Agree on the policy question, intended audience, scope, structure and expected contribution of the brief.
   • Prepare a concise outline and identify the principal sources, analytical inputs and consultations required.
   • Establish intermediate deadlines for research, draft submission, review and finalization within the agreed production cycle.
2. Research and evidence collection
   
   • Review relevant publications, policy documents, datasets and analytical material – including through the use of ESCWA’s internal AI-enabled research tools.
   • Assess the quality and relevance of available evidence and identify gaps requiring further investigation.
   • Coordinate with ESCWA colleagues and consult external specialists, as appropriate and in agreement with the supervisor.
   • Document sources and consultation inputs sufficiently to support verification of the brief’s findings.
3. Analysis and drafting
   
   • Develop a complete draft that explains the policy problem, synthesizes the evidence and assesses relevant policy options.
   • Translate technical findings into accessible policy messages without overstating the evidence.
   • Formulate recommendations that reflect the regional or country context and relevant implementation constraints.
   • Propose tables, figures or examples where they would strengthen the argument or improve understanding.
4. Quality assurance and finalization
   
   • Check factual statements, references, consistency and the connection between evidence and recommendations.
   • Submit drafts according to the agreed schedule and discuss substantive feedback with the supervisor.
   • Incorporate consolidated substantive and editorial comments and complete the revisions required for acceptance.
   • Submit the final brief in an editable format, together with references and any supporting material used to prepare tables or figures.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree in public policy, economics, journalism, communications, international relations or a related field is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in policy research, analytical writing, journalism, editorial work or knowledge-product development is required. Experience independently developing evidence-based policy or analytical publications from initial research through final draft is required. Ability to translate complex material into clear, accurate and accessible writing is required. Experience gathering and synthesizing inputs from specialists or stakeholders is required. Strong research, source-verification and substantive editing skills is required. Ability to manage deadlines and incorporate feedback is required. Experience working on development issues or with governments and international organizations 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 and French is desirable. 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.

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.