Consultant – Governance and Public Administration

Result of Service

The objective of the consultancy is to provide technical and substantive support to the Governance and State-Building Section in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its programmes, projects and activities in the areas of governance and public administration. The consultant will undertake research and policy analysis, prepare analytical papers and technical inputs, contribute to the planning and implementation of activities, facilitate workshops and discussions with relevant stakeholders, and support the development of recommendations and action plans, in consultation with the supervisor.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

3 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) supports Arab countries in strengthening governance, modernizing public administration, and enhancing institutional capacities to advance sustainable development and improve public service delivery. In this context, ESCWA's Governance and State-Building Section implements technical cooperation, research and capacity-development activities to support public administration reform, institutional development, policy formulation and effective governance across the Arab region.

2. Tasks - duties and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the head of section, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Performs consulting assignments, by planning facilitating workshops, other interactive sessions, and supporting the development of action plans.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies or adhoc assignment on public governance and institutional transformation.
• Provides national and local-level analysis of socio-economic, political and institutional dynamics to identify strategic entry points for strengthening public governance and advancing institutional transformation.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive support to meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Participates in the preparation of official missions, including preparation of background documentation, and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, International law or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 year of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of five years of professional experience in project or programme management, public administration, public policy, international relations, international law, governance, political affairs, or a related field is required. Experience working with government institutions, international organizations, or academic institutions on public-sector reform is required. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex governance and public policy issues to senior-level audiences through presentations, policy dialogues, conferences, and other relevant professional engagements is required. Knowledge of institutional and public administration challenges and reform priorities in the Arab region is desirable. At least two years of experience in legal and institutional research, public policy analysis, governance and institutional reform, or international relations is desirable. Experience in conflict countries is desirable. Strong knowledge of international and regional approaches to public administration reform, institutional effectiveness, post conflict settings and recovery and policy implementation 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 Arabic and English is 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.

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.