Expert in Behavioral Science

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UNESCWA - Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Friday 12 Aug 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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Result of Service The ultimate result of the service is to provide a Framework of Support, introducing the application of behavioral science in national policymaking and planning, and to present it through a high-level induction meeting to public officials in ESCWA member states. By the end of the inception meeting, member states will identify key areas of support. Based on this, a roadmap report stating the recommendations and next steps will be developed.

Work Location Online

Expected duration The duration is for 1.5 months starting upon signature of the contract. (Expected July 2022 until September 2022)

Duties and Responsibilities Behavioral insights offer a scientific and evidence-based understanding of actual human behavior. This provides an opportunity to build tailored policymaking tools, processes, and structures to better cope with drivers of human behavior as well as address the irrational factors that influence decision-making and lead to suboptimal choices. While behavioral insights are used in strategic planning, these insights are used relatively late in the value chain of policymaking, for example, to fine tune and improve implementation and compliance with rules and regulations in areas like health, education, pension, and inclusion, to name only a few.

Apart from targeting consumers and citizens, behavioral science can be used to improve decision-making among policymakers earlier on in the policymaking value chain, well before reaching implementation levels. Despite their technical expertise, institutional checks and use of data/evidence, policymakers are also subject to human cognitive biases that influence their ability to make judgments, take decisions and carry these into actions.

As such, ESCWA is implementing a project which aims at advancing national planning through introducing behavioral science and insights in the different stages of planning and in applying it in guiding regulatory and legal reforms.

The consultant will work in close cooperation with the Project Coordinator and the project team at ESCWA. The main duties and responsibilities of the consultant are the following:

- Develop a Framework of Support to ESCWA member states on the application of behavioral science in national policymaking, including development planning, regulatory and legal reforms, and legislation processes - Prepare a program for a two-hour high level induction meeting with stakeholders from member states to introduce the application of behavioral science into national policymaking and planning - Prepare material to be presented in the meeting based on the Framework of Support and on the Behavioral Insights and Strategic Planning Handbook and Course produced by ESCWA - Facilitate the two-hour induction high level meeting - Prepare a report with the outcomes and recommendations of the meeting, which will serve as a roadmap for support

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree in economics, behavioral science, or related field is required. Experience: Demonstrated experience in applications of behavioral insights is required. Knowledge of behavioral insights in the Arab region is desirable. Special focus on integration in national development planning is a plus. Language: Excellent command of English is required. Arabic is a plus.

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.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org