International Consultant on Behavioral Science Applied to Social Protection

Result of ServiceDeliverable expected by : (only indicative) 1. A concise report on how behavioral insights can support improvements in contribution payment mechanisms for informal workers, reduce dropout rates and encourage sustained engagement in the system 31 Aug 2025 (7 days) 2. Design and deliver a capacity-building workshop for the ESCWA team on applying behavioral insights to a) social protection and b) to addressing inertia by decision makers more generally 15 Sep 2025 (5 days) Work LocationRemote Expected duration1.5 Month Duties and Responsibilities1. Background The 2024 World Social Protection Report shows that only 34.7% of Egypt’s population is covered by at least one social protection benefit, leaving many, particularly the “missing middle”, unprotected. Among those left behind are millions of informal, irregular, and self-employed workers, commonly referred to as the “missing middle.” These individuals often fall between the cracks of existing systems: they are ineligible for poverty-targeted assistance, yet remain outside contributory social insurance schemes, leaving them exposed to economic shocks, income insecurity, and limited access to essential services and protections. Across the Arab region, governments have made important progress in expanding social protection, particularly through pensions, healthcare, and targeted cash transfer programmes. Nonetheless, structural limitations and fragmented delivery mechanisms continue to impede the achievement of universal and equitable coverage. A central challenge is not only the expansion of legal and administrative coverage, but also the design of systems that are aligned with the actual behaviours, preferences, and constraints of the populations they are intended to serve. Informal workers, in particular, face complex choices when considering whether to enroll in or contribute to social insurance schemes. These decisions are shaped by a range of behavioural factors, including limited trust in institutions, perceived low value of benefits, irregular income flows, prevailing social norms, and burdensome administrative procedures. Despite their importance, these behavioural dynamics are seldom integrated into the design and implementation of social protection policies. Many existing approaches operate under the assumption that individuals will participate once they become eligible. However, in practice, uptake remains low when systems are not intuitive, timely, or perceived as meaningful and beneficial by potential beneficiaries. In line with the UN 2.0 vision, which emphasizes innovation, strategic foresight, and behavioural science as key drivers of transformation, there is increasing recognition of the role that behavioural insights can play in enhancing the inclusiveness and effectiveness of social protection systems. Such insights offer a deeper understanding of why people disengage or remain outside the system, and how programmes can be made more user-centred, accessible, and responsive to the realities of informal workers. To advance this agenda, ESCWA will engage a consultant with expertise in behavioural science and social protection to carry out targeted research and analysis in the Egyptian context. The consultant will examine behavioural and institutional factors contributing to low participation among informal and non-standard workers, and will propose practical, by behavioural insights informed interventions to support more inclusive and adaptive social protection systems. 2.Tasks - duties and responsibilities The international consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks in strong collaboration and coordination with ESCWA’s SP team and relevant national stakeholders and other international experts: A. Prepare a concise report answering a set of guiding questions on how behavioral science can improve contribution payment systems for informal workers, reduce their dropout rates and encourage sustained engagement in the system, including: • Barriers and user experience: What behavioral obstacles (e.g., cognitive overload, low trust, irregular income) hinder regular contributions through formal channels? How can behavioral mapping (e.g., user journeys) help identify friction points and improve the experience? • Designing accessible payment mechanisms: How have countries adapted payment systems (e.g., mobile money, cash agents) to match informal workers’ habits? What low-cost or easy-to-implement behavioral tweaks could enhance usability, appeal, or convenience? • Framing and communication: What behavioral framing techniques could help shift perceptions of social insurance — from a distant investment to something that also provides immediate value? • Sustaining engagement: What techniques (e.g., commitment devices, reminders, social norm messaging, gamification, progress feedback) could help informal workers stay engaged and contribute regularly, even with irregular income? • Learning from international good practices: What international good practices exist, and how can they be translated into behaviorally informed, localized recommendations? Are there ways to test and compare the impact of different nudges or messages? B. Conduct a Capacity-Building Workshop for the ESCWA Social Protection Team to strengthen the team’s capacity to apply behavioral insights a) in the design, implementation, and communication of social protection policies and programmes and b) in overcoming decision fatigue and inertia of decision makers in terms of policy uptake (e.g. in the context policy issues for which decision makers have received solutions to choose from). Qualifications/special skillsA Master's degree in Social Sciences or related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in behavioral science, social protection policy is required. Experience in training and workshop facilitation is required. LanguagesEnglish 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 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 InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.