Senior Economist

Result of ServiceUpdate Financial Inclusiveness report Work LocationRemotely Expected duration6 weeks Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground Building on the original Global Report on Financial Inclusion produced in 2023 this consultancy aims to update and expand the findings using the most recent data and insights related to financial inclusiveness globally and in Arab countries. The work will leverage ESCWA’s Financial Inclusiveness Index (FII) and support the transition toward a dynamic online version of the report, providing continuously accessible, interactive content and visualizations for policymakers and stakeholders under the Arab Development Portal Project. This update will maintain the conceptual foundation of the previous edition, with an emphasis on: • Assessing progress and challenges using updated data and case studies. • Highlighting lessons learned and evolving trends. • Strengthening the usability of insights through a web-based dynamic report hosted on the ISPAR platform. The revised report will continue to emphasize the gender dimension, rural/urban disparities, and differentiated policy pathways by income group and country characteristics. Work Assignment Under the general supervision of the Cluster Leader of Decision-Support and Data Science Division, and the direct supervision and guidance of the task leader, the consultant will: • Update the existing report with latest available data from ESCWA's Financial Inclusiveness Index and other relevant sources; • Use ESCWA’s Financial Inclusiveness Index and ISPAR platform’s analytical tool (including simulation, correlation, and optimization) to refine the analysis; • Identify and analyze key trends and changes since the original report, particularly post-COVID developments; • Create content for a dynamic online report that will allow users to interact with data and findings; • Liaise with ESCWA’s web and data visualization teams to ensure inputs are fit for digital publication; • Develop materials for digital presentation including selected key figures, dynamic commentary, and supporting content; • Participate in one international workshop to discuss and refine the outputs (in-person or virtual). Qualifications/special skillsA PHD degree in Economics or related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Minimum 10 years' professional experience in policy research and recommendations is required Previous experience with digital content creation and data visualization is desirable Familiarity with interactive report platforms and content management systems is desirable Strong analytical and writing skills with proven publications is desirable. Experience with data visualization tools and interactive dashboard creation is desirable Understanding of web-based report formats and user experience principles is desirable Ability to create content that adapts to dynamic data updates 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 in English is required and fluency in 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 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.