Consultant on Culture and Creative Industries in the Arab Region

About the role

The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is seeking a consultant to prepare an analytical paper on the trade in culture between Arab States. The paper will cover the size of the trade, what hinders films, series, songs, games and books from selling across borders, who earns from it, and the measures that could expand it. The work is remote and expected to last two months.

Key responsibilities

• Assess the size and economic contribution of cultural and creative industries across the Arab States, including their share of global markets, employment, business activity and incomes, with particular attention to women and youth.
• Analyse regional cultural exchanges and market opportunities, comparing intra-regional exchanges with others and assessing the role of shared language, cultural affinities and geographical proximity.
• Identify institutional, regulatory and operational barriers to cross-border cultural activities, such as intellectual property rights, licensing, payments to creators, distribution arrangements and language constraints.
• Examine the role of digital platforms and artificial intelligence in cultural production, distribution and consumption, and their implications for enterprises, market access, IP rights and creators' incomes.
• Carry out empirical analysis and selected case studies to assess the economic benefits of stronger regional cultural exchanges, including entrepreneurship, investment, employment, tourism and related activities, and develop policy recommendations.

Required profile

• A PhD in economics or a related field; a copy of the degree must be submitted.
• At least 15 years of professional experience in economic research.
• Fluency in English; English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat, and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA.

Desirable experience

• Experience with international trade data and gravity estimates of trade between countries.
• Experience leading research teams across several Arab and Mediterranean countries.
• Experience working with United Nations entities or other international organizations.
• Published work on the cultural and creative industries of one or more ESCWA member States.