Consultant to Develop an updated version of ATSI

Result of Service

The ultimate result of services is to allow ESCWA to undertake adhoc assessments of trade reforms and external shocks using a tailored and updated ATSI version.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

4 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) aims to support Arab States with knowledge, experience-sharing and toolkits to facilitate trade negotiations and economic transformation and diversification in a new global trade landscape. Since the conclusion of the Uruguay round and the creation of the WTO, global trade had grown by higher rates than GDP. Most of developing countries had benefited from this trend; however, the effect in terms of employment generation and poverty reduction has been disappointing, particularly in the Arab region. One of the reasons behind this result is the nature of integration of Arab countries in the global economy. The economies of most Arab countries are typically dependent on a few commodities, with limited linkages to the rest of the economy and value addition. While commodity trade growth may increase productivity and output in the formal sector of the economy, the employment and poverty impacts are likely to be weak, given limited linkages with the local economy and the narrow range of opportunities for innovation and value addition upgrading. Economic integration widens the range of traded goods, enhances the local impact of trade and has a positive impact on employment, particularly among young people, who are the most likely to take up the challenges if equipped with adequate skills. In the context of a new global crisis marked by confrontation and disruption, most of Arab countries are either re-assessing the importance of regional markets for outward looking growth strategies while others are looking for optimal trade policies in terms of geographical focus on product coverage. Since many years, ESCWA was requested by most of its member states to assist them in better negotiating trade agreements, either within the region or with external partners. The objective is to help them benefit from regional integration schemes, both in the form of south-south and south-north trade integration. Assistance will be based on assessments of how strengthened regional economic strategies can contribute to economic and social development, and of ways to mainstream regional integration and trade reforms in national development strategies. ESCWA is thus seeking the support of a senior economist to perform the above-mentioned assessments linked with developing a new version of ATSI (Arab Trade Simulation Interface). Duties and responsibilities The specific tasks and responsibilities of the senior economist will include: 1. Aggregating the latest GTAP’s database for the base year 2023 to the list of sectors and countries provided by ESCWA’s project coordinator. 2. Calibrate the global dynamic CGE model using the new global database developed in task 1 and the latest trends in exogeneous variables for all countries and regions included in the model. The database for the baseline scenario will be prepared and provided by ESCWA. 3. Test the robustness of the model to the change of its key parameters (trade, consumption and production elasticities). . 4. Assist ESCWA’s team in preparing the required files for uploading the model to the GAMS-MIRO’s platform.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master's degree in applied economics with a clear focus on global CGE modeling is required. a PhD is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 10 years of extensive experience in trade analysis using modeling techniques in general and global CGE models in particular is required. Extensive experience in using and developing (global) CGE models for trade analysis is required. Experience in building social accounting matrices and integrating them into a global framework is required. Strong expertise in database management, especially with GTAP and MacMap; in mathematical programming and solving models using GAMS is required. Extensive work experience in one or more countries in the Arab region 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 and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is an advantage. 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.