Strategic Foresight Specialist

Consultant Finance & Economy

Overview

Design the foresight framework and develop scenarios for AI and employment in the Arab region.

You have:

• A Masters degree in Futures Studies, Strategic Foresight, Public Policy, Economics, International Development, or related fields is required.
• A minimum of 20 years of professional work experience in strategic foresight, scenario planning, or futures analysis is required.
• Proven track record of applying foresight methodologies to complex global or regional challenges is required.
• Extensive experience coordinating multi-stakeholder research and synthesizing interdisciplinary inputs is required.
• Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills in English is required.
• Fluency in English is required and knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
• Previous experience with megatrend studies, scenario building, or labor market futures is strongly desirable.
• Prior experience working on Arab region projects or with UN entities is desirable.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

• A complete Foresight Methodology Framework for the study. • Full development of 3-4 scenarios for AI and Employment in the Arab region. • Contribution to multiple chapters of the report: o Chapter 1 (Methodology section) o Chapter 3 (Scenario narratives and analysis) o Chapter 4 (Policy Implications) o Chapter 5 (Immediate Actions) • Full draft text contributions for the above sections, in ESCWA publication format (approx. 25-30 pages total contribution). • Participation in coordination and review meetings. • Delivery of all final written outputs by agreed delivery dates. • All outputs submitted in Microsoft Word format, following ESCWA publication guidelines.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

4 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the designated ESCWA Project Manager, the consultant will: Design the overall foresight framework for the study, ensuring methodological rigor and alignment with leading global futures methodologies (Schwartz, Webb, etc.). Lead the development of 3-4 AI and Employment Scenarios for the Arab region, based on trend analysis, key uncertainties, and scenario-building techniques. Conduct horizon scanning of global and regional megatrends, weak signals, and technological drivers impacting employment. Coordinate interdisciplinary inputs from other consortium members (ILO employment experts, education/training expert, governance experts, etc.) to ensure scenario narratives are evidence-based and internally consistent. Synthesize labor market trends, AI adoption trajectories, sectoral shifts, and policy uncertainties into scenario frameworks. Contribute to the analysis of policy implications and recommendations based on scenario outcomes, particularly in Chapters 4 and 5 of the report. Draft core sections of the report related to foresight methodology, scenario narratives, and key strategic insights for policymakers. Participate in virtual and/or in-person coordination meetings and expert consultations convened by ESCWA. Provide technical guidance to the ESCWA team throughout the drafting process to ensure futures thinking is fully embedded in the report structure.

Qualifications/special skills

A Masters degree in in Futures Studies, Strategic Foresight, Public Policy, Economics, International Development, or related fields, is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 20 years of professional work experience in in strategic foresight, scenario planning, or futures analysis, including experience with governments, international organizations, or think tanks is required. Proven track record of applying foresight methodologies to complex global or regional challenges is required. Extensive experience coordinating multi-stakeholder research and synthesizing interdisciplinary inputs is required. Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills in English is required. Previous experience with megatrend studies, scenario building, or labor market futures is strongly desirable. Prior experience working on Arab region projects or with UN entities is desirable.

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 is required and knowledge of Arabic is desirable. 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.

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Potential interview questions

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