Research and Analytical Support Consultant

Client of United Nation careers

Background

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), through its Cluster 6 on Governance and Conflict Prevention, works to advance just, peaceful and inclusive societies, particularly for people living under occupation or in conflict and post-conflict settings. The Cluster aims to improve governance and strengthen effective, efficient, and accountable public institutions, while enhancing the quality and accessibility of public service delivery. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16, which calls for the creation of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels, ESCWA recognizes that effective governance is a foundation for all other SDGs. Achieving national development goals depends on capable and trusted public institutions that can formulate policies, implement programs, and deliver services equitably. Civil servants, especially those in senior and leadership roles, play a decisive role in institutional performance and state resilience. Strengthening their motivation, competence, and integrity is therefore central to building a responsive and future-ready state. In this context, Lebanon s public administration, largely unchanged since the 1960s, faces deep structural and institutional challenges, including outdated mandates, fragmented functions, and limited capacity to deliver quality public services. In response, the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) is leading a bold reform initiative titled Reinventing Lebanon s Public Sector 2030. The initiative aims to modernize governance, streamline institutional mandates, strengthen accountability, and rebuild citizens trust in public institutions. The reform is being designed in three phases: Phase 1: Stakeholder engagement and vision-setting (ongoing) Phase 2: Design of a comprehensive reform blueprint (by end of 2025) Phase 3: Implementation (expected over the next 3 4 years) Within Phase 2, the UN Country Team (UNCT), led by the Resident Coordinator and supported by UNDP and ESCWA, is jointly providing technical assistance to OMSAR in key areas, including institutional assessment, global benchmarking, and the development of a Target Operating Model (TOM) for Lebanon s public sector.

Tasks - duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Consultants and in coordination with ESCWA through which coordination is carried out with UNDP and OMSAR, the Research and Analytical Support Consultant will contribute to both phases of the assignment as follows:

A. Benchmarking Phase

1. Assist in developing the benchmarking framework and criteria for identifying comparable reform cases by gathering and organizing data from relevant global and regional sources.
2. Support the identification and documentation of 5 7 international and regional case studies of public sector reform (including at least one Arab and one OECD example).
3. Collect, code, and analyze information on governance systems, institutional design, civil service reform, digital transformation, and reform sequencing based on desk research and available literature.
4. Synthesize findings into comparative tables, visuals, and analytical summaries to support the preparation of the Benchmarking and Innovation Report.
5. Assist in preparing presentations, briefing notes, and background materials for the validation workshop with OMSAR and UN partners, and record key discussion points and feedback.

B. Target Operating Model (TOM) Development

1. Support the preparation of background inputs for the conceptual TOM framework, building on benchmarking results and institutional assessment findings.
2. Assist in organizing and structuring data on mandates, coordination mechanisms, service delivery processes, and digital systems across public institutions.
3. Contribute to drafting visual and narrative elements for the 3 4 preliminary TOM options, including analytical charts, infographics, and supporting tables.
4. Document feedback and discussion outcomes from consultations with OMSAR and UNDP, the Reform Steering Committee, and other stakeholders.
5. Assist in finalizing and formatting the TOM Design Report, ensuring methodological consistency, data accuracy, and proper referencing across all components.
6. Support the organization of the multi-stakeholder validation meeting, including preparation of PowerPoint slides, summary notes, and follow-up documentation.