Research and Project Assistance - Digital Development and Digital Cooperation (IC)

Expected outputs comprise: • IGM 6.0 and DCDF 3.0 work packages: the complete set of substantive, coordination and operational materials for preparation, delivery and follow-up — including the Tunisia national workshop and the regional EGM / High-Level Roundtable convened back to back with IGM 6.0 — with maintained contribution and follow-up trackers. • ADA 2.0, ADDR 3.0 and MMM/GM work packages: research and evidence inputs, consultation and comments matrices, consolidated drafting inputs and revised text, annexes, statistical tables and visual aids, validation and issue logs, and updated assessment elements, metadata and guidance. • Integrated delivery and follow-up tracker: a regularly updated workplan covering responsibilities, milestones, deadlines, clearances, versions, action points and interdependencies across the channels and product streams. • Progress and handover documentation: concise periodic progress updates and an organized final handover package of working files, source materials, outstanding actions and cleared versions. Furthermore, support to: NDDRs 3.0 for 12 countries; ADD-FPM 3.0; ESCWA inputs to WSIS+20 follow-up and GDC-related processes, including WSIS-GDC matrices, and participation in global and regional fora; JTC/CRTCM and AWG meetings and related follow-ups; preparations for the LAS Permanent Committee, Executive Bureau and ATICM meetings of December 2026 and January 2027; the DCD-OP, related portals and the Observatories; and general project level support functions across the above.

UN-ESCWA

2.5 Months

OBJECTIVES The services of an individual contractor are required to provide substantive, research, coordination, documentation and operational support under ADCD-ASAP, Phase 2, through: • two priority engagement channels: the sixth session of the Committee on Technology for Development (IGM 6.0); and the third Arab Digital Cooperation and Development Forum (DCDF 3.0), targeted for end January 2027, subject to host confirmation, with its three high-level segments — the second High-Level Partners Conference on the Arab Digital Agenda (HLPC.ADA 2.0) the fifth Arab High-Level Forum on WSIS and the 2030 Agenda (AHLF.WSIS 5.0) and the eighth Arab Internet Governance Forum (Arab IGF 8.0) — including their preparatory, delivery and follow-up processes; and • two interlinked product streams: the second Arab Digital Agenda (ADA 2.0); and the third Arab Digital Development Report (ADDR 3.0), underpinned by the National Digital Development Reviews (NDDRs 3.0), together with the Digital Development Measurement and Monitoring Model and its Guiding Manual (MMM/GM) and the Arab Digital Development Framework and Processes Manual (ADD-FPM 3.0). Furthermore, the services support ESCWA’s standing digital cooperation and development processes, platforms and mechanisms, as set out below. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the supervision of the ADCD-ASAP team, the IC will: • support the preparation, delivery and follow-up of IGM 6.0 and of DCDF 3.0 with its HLPC.ADA 2.0 AHLF.WSIS 5.0 and Arab IGF 8.0 components, including concept, background and official documentation, draft agendas, invitations, speaker and stakeholder coordination, briefing and presentation materials, talking points, summary records, outreach materials and follow-up actions. • support the Tunisia national workshop on the National Digital Development Review and the regional expert group meeting / High-Level Roundtable of Digital Development Leaders, convened back to back with IGM 6.0, including concept and information notes, agendas, invitations, participant coordination, documentation, session messages and follow-up. • coordinate inputs, timelines, clearances and operational arrangements with the ADCD-ASAP team, relevant ESCWA units, member countries, the League of Arab States and other regional and international partners. • support preparatory workshops, expert group meetings, consultations, coordination meetings and capacity-building activities linked to the channels and product streams, including participant coordination, documentation, concise minutes, action points and follow-up. In relation to the two interlinked product streams, the IC will: • ADA 2.0: support desk research, stakeholder consultations, consolidation of inputs, drafting and revision of substantive sections, evidence tables and annexes, and validation, editing and follow-up documentation. • ADDR 3.0 and NDDRs 3.0: support the compilation, validation and analysis of country and regional evidence; examine datasets and country submissions, identify gaps and inconsistencies and maintain validation and issue logs; prepare statistical tables, graphs and other visual aids; assist in drafting and reviewing technical inputs; and support expert review and consultation processes. • MMM/GM and ADD-FPM 3.0: support the revision, documentation and quality assurance of both instruments, including information elements, metadata, assessment instruments, guidance, country inputs and capacity-building materials. • ensure substantive and terminological coherence across the channels and product streams, including accurate cross-references and consistent use of agreed concepts, classifications and version labels; and proofread and edit outgoing documents for adherence to United Nations style and ESCWA formats and publishable readiness. • prepare communication, outreach and basic web-ready materials, and support ESCWA’s Digital Cooperation and Development online platform (DCD-OP) and related portals (ADA, CPF, NDDR-ADDR) by organizing, updating and quality-checking content and resources for publishing, in coordination with the relevant ESCWA units. Furthermore, the IC will support the following standing processes, mechanisms and support functions: • NDDRs 3.0 for 12 countries: support country inputs and their validation, national consultations, drafting and review, and follow-up with country counterparts. • Global and regional processes: support ESCWA inputs to WSIS+20 follow-up and Global Digital Compact (GDC)-related processes, including WSIS-GDC matrices, and to global and regional fora and mechanisms (e.g. the WSIS Forum, UNGIS, CSTD and IGF 2026), by consolidating inputs and drafting briefing and background notes. • Observatories: support the development, population and maintenance of the regional and national Digital Development and Digital Cooperation Observatories. • JTC/CRTCM and Arab Working Group meetings: contribute to the preparation and organization of the ESCWA–LAS ADA Joint Technical Committee and Core Research and Technical Cooperation Mechanisms (JTC/CRTCM) series, and co-organize the LAS Arab Working Group on ICT Strategy (AWG) series, in support of ADA 2.0, NDDRs 3.0 and MMM/GM, by drafting information notes, agendas, lists of invitees and reports, and supporting one-to-one country follow-ups. • LAS intergovernmental meetings: support preparations for the meetings of the LAS Permanent Committee and Executive Bureau, and of the Arab Telecommunications and Information Technology Council of Ministers (ATICM), of December 2026 and January 2027, including background documentation, agenda items, submissions on ADA 2.0 and ADDR 3.0, and follow-up. • General project level support: provide, under supervision, the full range of project-level support functions — correspondence and the production of large, complex documents, reports, tables, presentations and trackers; calendars, meeting scheduling, attendance and minutes; version control, deadline tracking and information flow with the relevant ESCWA units; and all arrangements for official events and meetings (e.g. room reservations, guest and participant lists, invitations, catering, seating arrangements, background documentation and special equipment), in coordination with internal and external stakeholders and partners as relevant. • perform other related tasks and duties as assigned.

A Bachelor's degree in information society, digital cooperation and digital development, economics, development studies, sustainable development or related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed At least two years of experience in research and analysis relating to the Arab region is required. Experience and knowledge of information society, digital cooperation and digital development, economics and sustainable development issues are desirable. Experience with an international organization in a developmental field is desirable.

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 and Arabic is required. 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.

Recruitment for this position is on a local basis. The incumbent is required to have the legal right to live and work in the specified working location.