Economist

Result of Service The objective of this consultancy is to conduct research in areas related to employment creation, labor markets, and the impact of the fourth industrial revolution on the labor markets.

Work Location Beirut

Expected duration The duration of the contract is for 12 months, starting from the signature date of the contract.

Duties and Responsibilities The world is currently experiencing the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With this transition, the velocity of change and the sheer number of innovations are unprecedented. This revolution will inevitably eliminate many current lines of work yet has the capacity to bring in new lines of employment. The agility of this revolution makes the jobs of the future difficult to predict using traditional techniques. Given this background, this project will tackle three main issues:

o The lack of timely information to monitor the dynamism of the labor market needs; o The mismatch between human capital accumulation and labor market demand; o Labor market policies and regulations are mostly outdated and unprepared for the impact of automation on jobs in most ESCWA countries.

Almost all countries in the region are still heavily reliant on costly household/establishment survey data which is not carried out periodically. To assess job market policies, skill sets for newly created job categories that are and will continue to come about from the Fourth Industrial Revolution must be surveyed in a more innovative way. Without a new monitoring technique, information on the impact of technological change on available skill sets cannot be properly assessed. One finding that we can build on conventional survey (household establishment) results is that workers with higher educational attainment are expected to benefit the most from jobs in the formal sector if high-quality education is made available and better job market matching schemes are put in place. Looking at the ESCWA region, educational attainment over the past three decades, during which the region excelled in primary and secondary education (mid-skills), suggests that the population does not necessarily have adequate skills for newly created jobs. Also, in the absence of up-to-date and active labor market policies, the mismatch between market demand (especially in the formal sector) and education is translated into higher informal sector activities in most ESCWA countries.

This project is expected to provide a forum for ESCWA countries to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) while factoring in the number of jobs needed between now and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda. The key aim is to support ESCWA States for the upcoming change in jobs and skills due to technological advancements taking place while considering the national characteristics. Ultimately, we will help member states harness job opportunities emerging from the advent of newer technologies, while taming challenges to attain outcomes stated in SDG-8---support member states sustain economic growth (8.1), reach high levels of economic productivity (8.2), promote productive activities (8.3), attain full productive employment and decent work for all (8.5) and reduce the number of youth not in employment, education or training (8.6).

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in economics, or social science, statistics, or related fields is required. Experience: - A minimum of 4 year of experience in conducting economic research including labor market analysis using econometrics, Knowledge of Machine learning is required; experience in household surveys, Firm level survey, and Big data analysis is desirable. - Knowledge in Python and STATA is required. - Proven experience in economic data analysis, presentation, drafting and visualization is desirable. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Arabic is also a working language of ESCWA. For the post advertised, fluency in written and spoken both English is required. Arabic is a plus.

Additional Information This position is located within the Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development Cluster of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. The duty station of this position is Beirut. The Consultant should be present in the duty station.

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.