Individual Contractor to Support work on Inequality

Result of ServiceSupport to the implementation of the inequality activities namely the Forum and the “Josour” initiative. Work LocationUN-House ESCWA Expected duration3 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Arab region faces severe inequality across multiple dimensions, with income disparity standing as the most pronounced globally. As of 2021, the top 10% of earners claimed 58% of total regional income—nearly double that of Europe. Yet beyond income, systemic disparities persist in gender, disability, rural status, and migration, with marginalized groups routinely excluded from healthcare, education, employment, and political participation. Gender inequality is perpetuated by violence, early marriage, and minimal representation in leadership roles, while people with disabilities and other disadvantaged demographics face deep-rooted social exclusion and limited access to essential services. Youth, in particular, bear the burden of socio-economic inequality. The Arab region holds the highest youth unemployment rate globally, with young women especially affected. Informal employment dominates the youth labor market, weakening stability and long-term potential. These conditions undermine social cohesion and have contributed to rising poverty: between 2000 and 2019, extreme poverty more than doubled. Without bold and inclusive policy interventions, inequality and poverty will continue to escalate—deepening social divides and increasing the risk of unrest among marginalized populations. In response to rising inequality, ESCWA has been implementing since 2022 series of initiatives and projects under the portfolio of inequality and inclusive development to tackle those challenges. These include a number of initiatives, such as a multi-year, multi-stakeholder, Arab Forum for Inequality that is based on a yearly thematic report on inequality in the Arab region in parallel to an inequality portal that documents policies to combat inequality. In addition, among these initiatives, the “Josour” initiative, launched by ESCWA in 2022, aims to bring together private sector leaders and business representatives to open avenues for youth and provides them with access to skills development venues and work placements facilitation. As part of the Josour initiative, an artificial intelligence e-platform was developed to link all beneficiaries and make a one-stop shop for all of them. Duties and Responsibilities: The individual contractor is requested to: Support the implementation of various activities under the inequality portfolio: • Perform a wide range of administrative functions to support the implementation of project; • Provides administrative support for the upcoming annual Arab Forum for Equality (2026); • Responds or drafts responses to routine correspondence and other communications; • Researches, compiles and organizes information and reference materials from various sources for reports, work plans, studies, briefings, meetings/conferences, etc.; • Generates a variety of standard statistical and other reports, work orders, etc., using various databases; • Proofreads documents and edits texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style, and for adherence to established standards for format; • Assists in the preparation of presentation materials using appropriate technology/software; • Perform other tasks as requested. Support the implementation of the activities related to the Josour initiative: • Support in the maintenance of the Josour platform (announcements, opportunities, support to users, etc…) • Support the development of potential partners mapping in Arab countries as needed; • Assist in the preparation of agendas, info notes, presentations, and background material related to Josour meetings and activities; • Coordinate with partners and relevant stakeholders on issues related to the Josour’s national chapters; • Translate documents from English to Arabic and vice versa upon request; • Perform other tasks as requested. Qualifications/special skillsA Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in one of the following fields Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Project Management, Social Policy, Social Development, or another relevant field, is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsive experience in general office support or related area is required. Experience working in similar development projects is desirable. Background/familiarity with e-platforms management is desirable. Previous UN Experience 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 and English is required. 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.