Support for the Production of National Accounts in Syria

Result of Service4.Ultimate Results of Service and Delivery Dates All reports and deliverables prepared should be in Arabic and in electronic MS-Word (*.docx file) or an alternate compatible format. Attention is kindly drawn to the need to ensure that all outputs be thoroughly reviewed prior to submission and to indicate the sources of tables and diagrams. References to reports and other substantive material should be clearly indicated within the text and noted at the end. The content of the generated document shall be the sole property of ESCWA. Their contents cannot and must not be presented, discussed, or published without the express authorization of ESCWA. The consultant shall keep in mind that UNESCWA routinely checks all deliverables for plagiarism using readily available electronic tools. All previously published content, even if written by the selected consultant, must be clearly referenced where required within the text and end-noted where needed. The consultant shall not publish or announce or reveal the content of the report, partly or entirely, on social media or any other public channel, without ESCWA permission. Key Meetings and Coordination • Initial kick-off meeting with ESCWA and PSA in Week 1. • Mid-phase review meetings to share drafts and gather feedback. • Final presentation to PSA leadership and stakeholders (). • Ongoing check-ins with PSA national accounts focal point. Work LocationRemote Expected duration5 months Duties and Responsibilities1. Background and Objective As part of a phased initiative to rebuild Syria’s statistical and economic capacity, the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA), with technical support from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), is undertaking the re-establishment and modernization of its national accounts system in line with international standards. This assignment represents Part One of a broader project aimed at restoring core macroeconomic statistics. Severe human capital losses, damaged administrative records, institutional fragmentation, and disruption of traditional data flows present serious challenges. These challenges call for a pragmatic and adaptive approach to statistical rebuilding. The purpose of this phase is to provide tailored technical support to PSA in producing a preliminary data set of national accounts indicators, with special focus on Supply and Use Tables (SUTs), and core aggregates under the frameworks of SNA 1993 and SNA 2008, depending on data availability and institutional capacity. This will be done by designing appropriate methodologies and frameworks depending on available data and institutional capacity. The consultant will work collaboratively with PSA staff throughout the process to ensure institutional learning, capacity strengthening, and national ownership of results. Objectives of the Assignment • To assess the institutional and technical readiness of Syria’s PSA to produce national accounts. Including templates and forms for data collection • To develop tailored approaches (scenarios) for estimating key national accounts aggregates and SUTs. • To support the co-production of a preliminary set of national accounts for one reference year, in collaboration with the PSA team. • To build national capacity and promote ownership through regular, hands-on engagement with PSA technical staff. • Provide guidance handbook as documentation for the methodology and the approaches of national accounts compilation and calculations. 2. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will carry out the following tasks over the duration of the consultancy, grouped by four implementation components. At each stage, the consultant will work jointly with PSA staff in coordination with ESCWA focal point to ensure skills transfer and co-production of results. Component I – Diagnostic and Planning Deliverables: • Inception report including methodology, timeline, stakeholder engagement plan, and institutional learning plan. • Mapping of national accounts data availability either from administrative records, surveys, or any other alternative sources. To recommend using proxy indicators, non-traditional • Hold an inception meeting with PSA and ESCWA (1 day). • Develop a tailored workplan in collaboration with PSA staff. Component II – Methodological Framework • Deliver step-by-step methodological guidelines for PSA use. • Begin compiling time series of core macroeconomic aggregates (GDP, GNI, etc.) with PSA. Component III – Draft Estimates Deliverables: • Joint compilation of annual accounts based on selected scenario. • Develop sectoral breakdowns (production, expenditure). • Preliminary GDP estimates (production, expenditure, income approaches where possible) for a reference year. • In-house working sessions with PSA national accounts team for review, validation, and learning. • Technical paper on the estimation approach aligned with SNA 1993 and summarizing methodology, scenario used, assumptions, and recommendations.. Component IV – Finalization Deliverables: • Final National Accounts Dataset (Excel + PDF), with disaggregated GDP estimates and SUTs. • Final meeting/workshop with PSA (virtual or in-person) to present results and agree on a roadmap. • Co-validation and review session minutes. Qualifications/special skillsA Masters degree in economics, statistics, or related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 10 years of experience in national accounts compilation and SNA implementation is required. Demonstrates expertise in GDP estimation, SUT development, and informal sector analysis is required. Familiarity with DQAF and international statistical guidelines is desirable. Experience working in fragile or post-conflict settings is desirable. Proven ability to design capacity development strategies in low-capacity environments is desirable. Excellent communication, analytical, and mentoring skills are 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 Arabic and English are 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 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.