Consultant for the 2027 Inequality in the Arab region study

Result of ServiceThe consultant will provide an outline of the scope of work by end of November 2025. He/She will provide at least three future scenarios for the Arab region in 2045 by end of June 2026 based on consultations, will translate how these scenarios will affect inequality by end of August 2026, and will provide a full first draft of the report, with policy recommendations by end of October 2026. The consultant may be responsible for revisions to the scenarios according to ESCWA feedback until end 2026. Work LocationRemote Expected duration15 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: The Arab region has the highest inequality in the world, and it is growing. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) has launched a project entitled ‘Inequality in the Arab region’, to better understand the nature of the multidimensional and overlapping inequalities faced by people in the Arab region, to identify key drivers, and provide policy solutions to policymakers for addressing these inequalities. The project has three components: (1) a flagship study on a thematic aspect of multidimensional inequality; (2) a high-level forum held annually in June; and (3) practical initiatives on the country level in addressing a specific theme of multidimensional inequality. Since the inception of the regional project, ESCWA has hosted four editions of the publication and forum. The 2027 Intergenerational Inequality Report will mark a turning point in how the Arab region understands and prepares for the future of inequality. Building on UN-ESCWA’s multidimensional inequality framework and the Arab Vision 2045, the 2027 edition will adopt a strategic foresight lens to anticipate how inequality could evolve over the next two decades, and what can be done today to shape more equitable futures. The Arab region stands at a crossroads. Structural inequalities (economic, social, gendered, spatial, and generational) are intersecting with accelerating technological, environmental, and geopolitical transformations. Artificial intelligence, demographic transitions, climate stress, and shifting labour markets are altering opportunity landscapes and intergenerational mobility. A foresight component will enable UNESCWA to move beyond trend extrapolation to explore plausible, diverse, and disruptive futures of inequality in the Arab region. It will provide policymakers, researchers, and youth with an evidence-informed, imagination-driven foundation for long-term policy action. ESCWA seeks to engage a consultant to develop the 2027 Inequality in the Arab Region report, including developing future scenarios for the Arab region by 2045, using strategic foresight. The scenarios are expected to be holistic, and encompass future social, economic, and environmental visions. Objectives and modality: The Inequality in the Arab region study is expected to outline what inequality in the Arab region may look like in 2045, under each of the scenarios developed. And it is expected to backcast to identify policy solutions that can be implemented today to ensure a more equitable future. The foresight component will: • Identify key scenarios shaping the future and drivers of each scenario and the ramifications of each of them on inequality in 2045. • Consult with experts from the region and beyond as well as with experts from ESCWA to agree on the scenarios, the drivers and their ramifications. • Translate these scenarios into strategic insights and policy pathways that inform today’s decisions for a more equitable tomorrow. The consultant is expected to develop at least three future scenarios for the Arab region by 2045. The scenarios are expected to cover a whole-of-system approach and include economic, social and environmental outcomes, such that the scenarios may be used across the whole of ESCWA. The scenarios are also expected to be sufficiently detailed so that ESCWA may project the status of various frameworks, such as the multidimensional inequality framework, under each scenario. The consultant is also expected to build strategic foresight capacity within ESCWA, focusing on how to conduct strategic foresight and how to use it purposefully. It is expected that by the end of the project, ESCWA will have sufficient foresight capacity to be able to conduct future exercises independently. The consultant is expected to collaborate with ESCWA’s internal inequality team throughout the exercise, and to collaborate more widely across ESCWA for sector-specific expertise. ESCWA will be responsible for the final report. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in economics, social policy, public administration, or a related field is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Significant previous experience in conducting and using strategic foresight is required. Strong analytical and drafting skills is required. Previous experience in delivering technical trainings is required. LanguagesLanguages English 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 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.