Consultant- Moderator

Moderate session 2 of the Arab Forum for Equality on social protection.

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UNESCWA - Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Thursday 10 Apr 2025 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Moderate session 2 of the Arab Forum for Equality on social protection.

You have:

  • A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in political science and/or social studies and/or development studies and/or media and/or related areas is required.
  • A minimum of 10 years experience in the media sector is required.
  • Excellent communication and moderation abilities to engage with diverse stakeholders, including global and Arab leaders and experts is required.
  • Familiarity with addressing issues of inequality and exclusion, particularly within the Arab region is required.
  • Previous experience in presenting at high-level forums is required.
  • Fluency in English and in Arabic is required.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The consultant is requested to moderate session 2 of the Arab Forum for Equality: “Social protection in times of wars, occupation and conflict”. Session 2 engages regional experts, many of whom are likely to be from Governments in the Arab region, on the role of social protection during wars, occupation, and conflict. The moderator will be given questions in advance to ask to the participants, but it is expected that the moderator will achieve a rich deliberation on the different ways that social protection can reduce inequality in all its forms during periods of instability.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

5 Days

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: In recent years, the Arab region has witnessed multiple and overlapping crises. Conflict as well as economic, environmental, humanitarian and political crises have constrained economic growth, inhibited social development, exacerbated existing inequalities, and created new inequalities. Many of these crises reinforce one another and are both a cause and consequence of inequality; they exacerbate and create inequalities by disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable, and they also trigger crises by driving social dissatisfaction or unsustainable development. This requires a new policy paradigm – one that reflects the urgency and depth of the challenges and ensures that policymakers are not trapped in an endless process of short-term policymaking, unable to deliver on sustainable long-term development. Economic, climate and other challenges do not equally impact different population groups, including women, persons with disabilities, older persons and young persons. Those unequal consequences deepen the divide within and among countries and exacerbate existing inequalities. Social protection, which encompasses social insurance, social assistance and labour market programmes, plays a crucial role in supporting low-income households during challenging times and preventing middle-income households from sliding into poverty. It is essential not only for providing protection during an individual’s lifespan but also for addressing community-wide shocks. Social protection contributes to economic development and redistribution, and over the medium to long term, reduces inequality and fosters social cohesion. However, inequalities in social protection coverage and financing exacerbate existing challenges. Depending on their design and implementation, social protection programmes can reinforce inequality and the exclusion of certain groups of people. In this context, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and its partners, including the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies at New York University, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, the Institute for Middle East Studies at George Washington University, and Social Protection for Women in the MENA Region (Hiya-MENA) will hold the Fourth Arab Forum for Equality (AFE) under the patronage of the Algerian Government. The Forum will focus on the theme of inequality and social protection, bringing together political leaders, ministers, the private sector, experts, and civil society organizations from the Arab region and globally. The Forum aims to continue the discussions generated during the First Arab Forum for Equality, held in Lebanon under the theme “Building the future…a job for everyone”, the Second Arab Forum for Equality, held in Jordan under the theme “One voice…equality in food security”, and the Third Forum for Equality, held in Egypt under the theme “Addressing inequalities in times of multiple crises”. Duties and Responsibilities: The consultant is requested to: - Engage with the speakers of the session ahead of the forum. - Develop a basic understanding of inclusive social protection systems, - Moderate session 2 of the Arab Forum for Equality.

Qualifications/special skills

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in political science and/or social studies and/or development studies and/or media and/or related areas is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 10 years experience in the media sector is required. Excellent communication and moderation abilities to engage with diverse stakeholders, including global and Arab leaders and experts is required. Familiarity with addressing issues of inequality and exclusion, particularly within the Arab region is required. Previous experience in presenting at high-level forums is required.

Languages

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 and in Arabic is required. 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 Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE 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.

Potential interview questions

Can you discuss your experience in moderating discussions at high-level forums? This question assesses your relevant experience and ability to lead discussions effectively. Provide examples of forums you have moderated and highlight your approach to engaging participants.
What strategies do you use to ensure diverse stakeholder engagement during discussions? The interviewer is looking for your methods to include a variety of voices in conversations. Pro members can see the explanation.
How have you addressed issues of inequality in your previous work? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a challenge you faced when moderating a session and how you overcame it. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prepare for a session with speakers from diverse backgrounds? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What is your understanding of social protection and its relevance in conflict situations? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how social protection can reduce inequality? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What role do you believe social protection plays in fostering social cohesion? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org