Peer Reviewer of the report on Safeguarding social spending in the Arab States

Result of Service

The ultimate result of the service is to improve key messages and findings of the report.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

10 Days

Duties and Responsibilities

Background Arab countries have introduced important revenue and expenditure reforms, however, recent conflicts have reduced regional GDP by an estimated 3.5 per cent, disrupted trade and investment, increased energy and food-price volatility, and weakened investor confidence across the region. The wider economic shock from the conflict could push 18 to 23.4 million additional children into poverty by the end of 2026. Several countries have adopted fiscal measures to absorb these shocks, protect vulnerable groups and support recovery. Social spending is critical in this regard. Average social expenditure in the Arab region for essential services such as education, health and social protection stands at 10.6 per cent of GDP, compared with a global average of 17.3 per cent of GDP in 2022. Governments need to improve the prioritization, adequacy, financing and delivery of social expenditure while assessing its equity, efficiency and effectiveness in reaching children, older persons, women and people in conflict-affected situations. Maintaining, or even increasing essential investments in children during economic downturns supports future productivity, human capital formation and long-term growth. This is especially important for energy-importing and middle-income countries facing constrained fiscal space and growing pressure on essential services. ESCWA and UNICEF are producing a report on “Safeguarding social spending in the Arab States: Resilience of public finance systems amid geopolitical shocks and crises” to support governments in building resilient public financial management systems for social sector budgeting during geopolitical shocks and crises. Prepared ahead of the Arab Public Finance and Budgeting Forum, the report’s insights and findings will serve to frame and inform the Forum’s deliberations. Duties and Responsibilities The main duties and responsibilities of the peer reviewer are the following: • Undertake a critical review of the report; • Provide written feedback (1–2 pages) covering different aspects of the draft report and its key messages, and undertake supplementary research, as needed; • Prepare a concise summary of the report, highlighting its main findings and key messages, along with policy recommendations to strengthen the report and inform the discussions to be held during the Arab Public Finance and Budgeting Forum.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master's degree or equivalent in economics, finance, or a related field is required. A PhD is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 7 years of experience in the field of public finance/macroeconomics, development economics or related field is required. Publications in peer reviewed journal in related field is desirable. Experience of Arab region development context 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. 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.