Consultancy on Parliamentary Development and Legal Reform

Result of ServiceThis work will support ESCWA’s efforts during Syria’s transitional phase by contributing to institutional development through the sharing of experiences, lessons learned, and by assisting with legal reforms as required. It aims to strengthen the capacity of Syria’s parliament by developing detailed briefs, conducting legislative reviews, and providing targeted technical inputs. Work LocationRemote Expected duration3 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground and Objective The Syrian conflict has profoundly impacted the country's socioeconomic fabric, resulting in institutional collapse and widespread displacement. As Syria enters a transitional phase following the fall of the regime, a critical window of opportunity has emerged to rebuild institutional and governance structures, promote social cohesion, and support economic recovery. As part of its mandate to promote human development and support democratic transition in the region, ESCWA implemented the NAFS programme since 2012. The programme has served as an inclusive platform for technical dialogue among Syrians from all backgrounds. It remained one of the key platforms to systematically assess the policy needs for a post-conflict Syria. In response to the evolving context, ESCWA continues to implement a range of projects and initiatives building on its long-standing efforts under NAFS to support Syria’s transitional phase. These include supporting institutions, with training, research, analysis, as well as other tailored activities carefully aligned with the needs and priorities identified by Syrians. The objective of this assignment is to support institutional development, with a particular focus on enhancing parliamentary functions. The consultant/s will engage in sharing best practices on these topics, facilitating knowledge exchange and ensuring alignment with the evolving needs and priorities of Syrian institutions. uties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of Syria Portfolio Coordinator/NAFS Programme manager, the consultant/s will be responsible for the following task: • Output 1: Participate in workshops, consultations, and thematic sessions related to parliamentary functions, contributing technical expertise and insights to inform discussions. Qualifications/special skillsA Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Law, Political Science, Economics, or a related field is required. An advanced degree in these fields is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 10 years of experience in parliamentary support, legislative reform, or legal advisory roles is required. In-depth understanding of the Syrian conflict and the structure and functioning of Syria’s institutions is desirable. Established records of publications or contributions to relevant academic or policy-oriented literature 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 Arabic is required. Note: \"Fluency\" equals a rating of \"fluent\" in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand). 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.