Entrepreneurship Enabling Environment Consultant

Result of Service The ultimate result of service is to produce a high-quality participatory study on improving the Entrepreneurship Enabling Environment in the Arab Region, then design a practical roadmap for implementation, and develop a hands-on training program for Arab policymakers.

Work Location Amman, Jordan

Expected duration The assignment is expected to begin on 1 May 2022 until 30 November 2022. If conditions warrant an extension of the dates to complete the assignment, the assignment’s duration may be longer.

Duties and Responsibilities The UN-ESCWA Technology Centre seeks an Entrepreneurship Enabling Environment Consultant to design a benchmark for entrepreneurship's best-appropriate enabling environment in the Arab Region.

The Entrepreneurship Enabling Environment includes the regulations, laws, policies, trade agreements, administrative procedures, legislated rules, ecosystem partnerships, and public infrastructure that help the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the national and local levels. In addition to these formal criteria, social norms, business culture, the unwritten rules of society, and local expectations can be substantial aspects of the entrepreneurship enabling environment. Reforming the national entrepreneurship enabling environments in the Arab region will lead to faster growth, less unemployment, more gains from trade, greater formalization, decreased poverty, less corruption, and lower budget deficits.

Additionally, the Consultant will oversee the implementation of actions to improve the investment ecosystem, such as increased private sector lobbying and improved private-public dialogue.

The Entrepreneurship Enabling Environment Consultant will work under the supervision of the Executive Director of The ESCWA Technology Centre (ETC). In particular, the consultant will be tasked to do the following: - Facilitate a series of workshops to gather inputs from the regional working group representing several countries in the Arab region (e.g., Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria ...etc.) - Write an extensive report: "Benchmarking the Entrepreneurship Enabling Environment in the Arab Region," including a comprehensive regulatory framework to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem and enable the development of startups. - Design a Regional Roadmap that includes a detailed action plan to improve the existing startup business environment, including the following: o Measures to enhance the regional competitiveness. o Prioritization tools to identify crucial sectors with high potential for internationalization. o Improving access to finance for Arab SMEs. o Modality of cooperation between Arab Governments and SMEs enablers to support local startups. - Develop a hands-on regional training program to improve the entrepreneurship governmental regulations and enabling environment. - Present the outcomes of this work at the Arab SMEs Summit (End of October 2022, in Jordan) and get feedback for final improvement.

Qualifications/special skills Competency: Significant experience in working on similar consultation projects on international levels. Skills: - Strong communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to conduct consultations and interviews, summarize conversations, and articulate ideas in a clear and concise style. - Attention to detail and organised approach to development and workflow. - Excellent time management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritise work. - Excellent communicator and team player. Academic Qualifications: At least a master's degree in Economics, Business, International Development, or a closely related field is required. Experience: - A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience and prior experiences with the private and development sectors are preferred. - Strong knowledge of the Arabian socio-economic context. - Prior experience in providing technical guidance on Business Enabling Environment Roadmapping. - Prior experience in a similar role is preferred. - Prior working experience for UN agencies and/or international organizations is an asset. - Proven experience in drafting comprehensive reports and publications. Language: High level of professional fluency in English is mandatory, including proficiency with academic and business terminologies. Fluency in Arabic is an asset.

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.