Research Assistant/Policy and Finance

Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of the service is to contribute to the implementation of activities that enhance preparedness to access and structure innovative financing instruments, supported by data analysis, substantive research, and the development of debt databases, analytical tools, and policy-relevant outputs. Work LocationUN-House ESCWA Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground Several countries are exploring innovative financing options to respond to various challenges, including the “triple crisis” of rising food prices, increasing fuel prices, and financing climate actions while debt service burdens are high. The COVID -19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, global inflationary pressures, and the associated policy responses have exacerbated these challenges on a global scale. Countries around the world are working to limit their borrowing costs and catalyze private finance through innovative financing instruments, such as debt swaps, green bonds, sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs). While there are successful examples of issuance of such innovative instruments, authorities in most countries lack technical capacity to structure these instruments to convince investors to accommodate them. Member States require a better understanding of these instruments, so they are prepared to access them, which enhances fiscal space toward addressing the many challenges faced by the countries. General Objective The objective of this assignment is to support data analysis and substantive research, including the production and update of debt databases and drafting analytical reports, contributing to activities that enhance country preparedness to access and structure innovative financing instruments. The Individual Contractor will work with a team of economists and will take inputs and feedback to finalise the delivery of outputs. Duties and Responsibilities The main duties and responsibilities of the individual contractor are the following: • Maintain regular updates to the debt database by compiling, cleaning, and processing data from various international sources in a streamlined and well-structured database to support analysis and reporting processes. • Research, compile, analyze, summarize, and present information and data updates related to public finance issues including debt data, macroeconomic indicators, social expenditure, and innovative financing instruments in the Arab region. • Conduct qualitative and quantitative research on market trends, innovations, and best practices in structuring and issuing innovative financing instrument, such as debt swaps and sustainability-linked and other thematic bonds, including for preparing country case studies. • Systematically follow through and retrieve, highlight information on public finance in the Arab region from a wide variety of information sources, prepare inputs on the subject as required. • Prepare statistical tables and graphs and assist in the preparation of presentations and substantive material on public finance. • Contribute to drafting materials (presentations, background notes and research) related to training workshops on innovative financing instruments. • Assist in organizing national and regional workshops and preparing necessary material. • Attend meetings and workshops as required and prepare meeting notes. • Translate from English and French to Arabic and vice versa upon request. • Perform other related tasks and duties assigned. Qualifications/special skillsA master’s degree in economics, public finance, international finance 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 one year of professional work experience conducting research and analysis on public finance and public debt management issues is required. Knowledge of statistical analysis software using Stata or R is required. Knowledge of these issues in the context of the Arab region is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency of English language is required and Knowledge of French Language 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 InformationRecruitment for this position is on a local basis. The incumbent is required to have the legal right to live and work in the specified working location. 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.