Socioeconomic Strategic Consultant

1. Inception Note and Workplan • Within the first week of the assignment, prepare an inception note and workplan outlining the proposed methodology, priority areas of support, coordination approach, and timeline of activities aligned with RC and UNCT priorities. 2. Socioeconomic Analysis and operational implications • Support the consolidation and synthesis of updated socioeconomic and operational inputs from relevant UN entities related to evolving fiscal, economic, and regional developments affecting Iraq’s development context and implementation of the UNSDCF (2025–2029). • Prepare concise update notes and synthesis materials highlighting emerging developments, operational implications, and key considerations for UNCT engagement, planning, and follow-up discussions linked to the immediate priority areas identified in the joint ESCWA–UNCT analytical paper. 3. Scenario-Informed Support • Support the preparation and documentation of up to two inter-agency coordination discussions related to emerging socioeconomic and regional developments and their potential implications for UNCT planning and implementation considerations. • Prepare concise summary notes consolidating key observations, emerging risks, operational considerations, and proposed follow-up points arising from these discussions, in coordination with relevant UN entities. 4. Follow-up Related to Immediate Priority Areas Identified in the Joint UNESCWA–UNCT Analytical Paper • Support analytical follow-up related to selected immediate priority areas identified in the paper “Stabilizing Liquidity and Restoring Fiscal Sustainability in Iraq,” particularly those linked to the immediate stabilization horizon identified in the paper. • Support the consolidation of relevant UNCT inputs, emerging considerations, and discussions related to immediate stabilization priorities, including issues linked to continuity of essential services, impacts on vulnerable populations, public financial management considerations, and broader socioeconomic resilience. • Prepare concise summaries, briefing materials, and synthesis notes to support UNCT follow-up discussions and RC-led/RCO-supported engagement related to the paper’s immediate priority recommendations. 5. Final Summary Report Submit a final report summarizing key analytical findings, support provided, major trends and risks identified, and recommendations for continued UNCT follow-up and planning considerations.

Hybrid, Remote / Baghdad

Background: Iraq is navigating a rapidly evolving regional and economic context, increasing pressures to economic resilience, service delivery, social cohesion, and institutional reform. Against this backdrop, the UNCT is implementing the New Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2025–2029), aligned with National Priorities and structured around four pillars: inclusive social development, economic transformation, environmental sustainability, and governance. As outlined in the Partnership and Resource Mobilization Strategy, Iraq’s development model remains vulnerable to oil dependency, fiscal volatility, and external shocks. In response to requests for coordinated analytical and policy support related to emerging fiscal liquidity pressures and broader socioeconomic risks, the Resident Coordinator (RC), with the RC Office (RCO) support, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the UNCT, led the development of a joint analytical paper entitled “Stabilizing Liquidity and Restoring Fiscal Sustainability in Iraq.” The paper identified immediate and medium-term priorities related to liquidity stabilization, public financial management, revenue mobilization, continuity of essential services, and socioeconomic resilience. The analytical work generated follow-up requirements in support of joined-up UNCT engagements related to the immediate priority recommendations, including consolidation of analytical inputs, scenario-informed planning, synthesis of emerging socioeconomic trends and risks. In this context, the UNCT seeks a short-term consultant to support analytical consolidation, strategic planning support, and preparation of briefing and synthesis materials in coordination with relevant UN entities, particularly UNESCWA. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Head of Integrated Office, Senior Coordination and Development Officer and Strategic Planning Advisor, and under the overall leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the consultant will: • Support the consolidation and synthesis of existing socioeconomic analyses, drawing on inputs from UN entities and partners to highlight potential implications for Iraq’s development trajectory, fiscal context, service delivery systems, and social cohesion. • Facilitate structured scenario discussions and planning exercises, coordinating inputs from technical teams to outline possible future trajectories and their potential implications for development outcomes and the implementation of the UNSDCF (2025–2029) implementation. This will include compiling inputs from Results Groups and UN entities, identifying emerging risks and operational constraints, and supporting the development of options for prioritisation and sequencing in light of the evolving socioeconomic and operational dynamics. • Support follow-up coordination related to immediate priority areas identified in the joint UNESCWA–UNCT analytical paper “Stabilizing Liquidity and Restoring Fiscal Sustainability in Iraq,” including issues related to liquidity stabilization, continuity of essential services, public financial management considerations, socioeconomic resilience, and impacts on vulnerable populations. • Prepare concise synthesis and briefing materials (e.g., briefing notes, summaries, presentations) for the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT, based on contributions from technical teams, to inform UNCT discussions, strategic positioning, and engagement with partners. • Under the overall supervision of the RCO Head of Integrated Office, Senior Coordination and Development Officer and Strategic Advisor, support RC-led coordinated engagement with government counterparts and development partners, by organizing inputs, preparing background materials, and contributing to consistent and aligned messaging.

A masters degree in development studies, public or business administration, economics, social sciences, or related field is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation, governance, context analysis, multi-stakeholder partnership in fragile and complex environments is required. Demonstrated experience in supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and integrating SDGs into national or UN planning frameworks (e.g., CCA, UNSDCF) is required. Strong track record in conducting strategic analyses, as well as experience in risk-informed programming, anticipatory analysis, and crisis response in fragile or politically complex environments is required. Proven ability to translate complex analysis into actionable recommendations is required. Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement and partnerships with international development organizations, finance institutions, coordination mechanisms, and governments is required.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. 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.

Not available.