Consultant for Sustainable Development Discussion Paper

About the role

The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) seeks an experienced consultant to prepare a discussion paper titled “Toward an Arab Regional Perspective on Sustainable Development Beyond 2030”. The paper will serve as a basis for a regional consultation ahead of the 2027 SDG Summit and must be delivered in English or Arabic as a 30‑35 page MS Word document.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of literature, including VNR reports and recent analyses of the 2030 Agenda and SDG outcomes in Arab countries.
• Draft the initial version of the discussion paper, incorporating concrete examples from the Arab region or globally.
• Participate in ESCWA’s consultation with VNR focal points, deliver interventions and facilitate discussions.
• Synthesize feedback from the consultation and produce a final version of the paper for ESCWA approval.
• Provide regular progress updates and submit phased deliverables according to the agreed timeline.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in public policy, economics, social development or a related field.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in public policy formulation, implementation or analysis within the Arab region.
• Fluent in English and Arabic (speaking, reading, writing, understanding).

Required skills

• Strong research and analytical abilities.
• Excellent academic writing and report‑writing skills.
• Experience conducting stakeholder consultations and synthesizing diverse inputs.