Result of Service1- Acceptably publishable quality and well referenced NDDRs 3.0 for 12/13 participating member states. 2- Develop the preliminary draft of the Arab Digital Development Report (ADDR 3.0) Work LocationRemote Expected duration5 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground Towards the end of the previous decade, ESCWA launched a programme entitled the Arab States Action Programme on Advancing Digital Cooperation and Development (ASAP-ADCD), based on the urgent need to strengthen the links between ICTs and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), to identify existing gaps and develop a set of measures aimed at achieving these goals. Building on this vision, the National Digital Development Review (NDDR) project was established, to assess (a) the progress made towards harnessing digital technologies for sustainable development, as well as the (b) challenges faced and (c) opportunities identified. The project represents a process that became a cornerstone for understanding national digital realities and guiding future regional actions. Towards this purpose, ESCWA designed a Guiding Template aimed at assisting national focal points and experts in preparing comprehensive reviews and collecting relevant data on digital development. The Guiding Template was structured in line with the ESCWA conceptual framework for digital development, which integrates the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development within the WSIS action lines. This framework is organized into five clusters: 1. The national, regional, and international strategic frameworks. 2. Policies related to infrastructure, governance, and legal environment. 3. Policies related to digital economy, employment and trade. 4. Policies related to digital transformation and social inclusion. 5. Policies related to culture and media. The process began with an official invitation from ESCWA to member countries to conduct the first round of National Digital Development Reviews (NDDRs) for individual Arab countries in 2018–2019. The outcomes of these reviews informed the preparation of the Arab Digital Development Report 2019 – Towards Empowerment and Inclusion for All (ADDR 1.0), which represented a regional synthesis and assessment of digital development across the Arab region. A second round of the NDDR process took place during 2021–2022, resulting in the preparation of NDDRs for 12 participating Arab countries. The collection and analysis of data during this period informed the development of the Arab Digital Development Report 2022 – Towards Empowerment and Inclusion for All (ADDR 2.0). The ADDR serves as the baseline for the Arab Digital Agenda (ADA), and both the report and the agenda follow the same five-cluster structure of the ESCWA conceptual framework. In response to lessons learned from earlier rounds, ESCWA reviewed the process in 2020 and 2025 and released updated editions of the Guiding Template, developed in consultation with national focal points to address the challenges experienced during the first national reviews. Within the context of ADCD-ASAP programme; and based on the interest and recommendations of ESCWA member countries (EMCs), the third round/edition of the National Digital Development Reviews (NDDR 3.0) is currently ongoing and planned to be produced during 2025. ESCWA is currently working with member countries participating throughout the process. It is envisaged that NDDR 3.0 would feed into the ADDR 3.0 and in ADA 2.0. It would naturally be considered as the second biennial baseline for the envisaged regional implementation of the Arab Digital Agenda 2023-2033 and its associated blueprint for policymakers. Also, NDDR 3.0 would identify the gaps and the strengths at national level, that would be the basis to develop a National Digital Development Agenda (NDDA). Duties and Responsibilities the expert will be entrusted with the following tasks: a) Thoroughly review, proofread, enrich and upgrade the content, language and formatting of the NDDRs3.0, harmonizing them in accordance with the updated guiding template of 2025, to make them consistent and comparable, to the extent possible. b) Highlight spots of major errors/confusion in the formulations to the ESCWA concerned national focal points through ESCWA substantive focal point for NDDRs, seeking consensus on how to amend these spots and try to find the best solution thereby upscaling the readability NDDRs3.0 subject to this consultancy. c) Make sure to validate and clearly reference, where required, within the text and end-noted at the end of the report, the data and information presented in the NDDRs.3.1 and annexes. d) Maintain a comprehensive list of bibliography. e) Attend, as an observer, a number of meetings and deliberations of the next second round of NDDRs, in coordination with the supervisors and substantive focal point for this consultancy. f) Compile findings from NDDRs3.0 to feed into the ADDR 3.0 g) Undertake initial desk-research work and prepare the literature review for the envisaged Inception Document and Draft One of ADDR_3.0 Qualifications/special skillsA master's degree, related to ICTs, international development, or political science is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 8 years of experience, proven research and prior writings in the areas of the information society, ICT policies and strategies, and other related fields of research is required. Practical experience in the development of ESCWA WSIS follow-up track, and related publications is required. Acquaintance with ESCWA work pertaining to the development of the Digital Development Reviews is required. Working experience with the public sector in the region is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in 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. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.