Call for applications for the UN ESCWA Fellowship Programme 2026 for Young Arab Professionals is open now!!
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is the regional arm of the United Nations Secretariat for the Arab region. ESCWA supports its member States through policy analysis, convening, and technical cooperation to advance sustainable development and regional cooperation. ESCWA contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by providing analytical work, intergovernmental support, and technical cooperation to its member States. Through its work programmes, ESCWA assists countries in addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges and promoting sustainable and inclusive development.
As a regional knowledge institution, ESCWA seeks to engage talented young professionals from the Arab region through a fellowship programme aimed at strengthening policy analysis, research capacity, and knowledge exchange. The fellowship programme aims to develop a new generation of professionals with strong analytical and policymaking skills to support the economic and social transformation of ESCWA member States. Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, State of Palestine, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
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ESCWA invites applications from qualified young Arab professionals in areas relevant to its programme of work, including:
- Macroeconomic policy;
- Trade policy and regional economic integration;
- Transport economics and infrastructure development;
- Economic Modeling;
- Economic and environmental statistics;
- Social policy and inclusive development;
- Public administration and governance;
- Natural resources management and climate policy;
- Data analysis;
- Other areas related to ESCWA’s strategic priorities.
The fellowship provides practical on-the-job experience to young professionals in early or mid-career stages in academia, the public sector, or international development. Fellows will gain exposure to the multicultural environment of the United Nations and contribute to the work programme of ESCWA.
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This call is open only to nationals of ESCWA member States.
Preference is given to candidates from least developed countries, namely Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia, the Sudan, and Yemen.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, Fellows will be responsible for the following duties:
Fellows will agree on a work programme with the receiving ESCWA division/office. The work programme will be defined jointly with the assigned supervisor and aligned with ESCWA programme priorities.
Assignments may include, but are not limited to:
- Collecting, evaluating, and analyzing economic and social development data
- Supporting research and analytical studies
- Contributing to technical reports, policy briefs, and briefing notes
- Assisting in the preparation of and participation in expert group meetings, workshops, and seminars
- Supporting other ESCWA programme activities and knowledge products
Fellows will also be expected to produce a substantive analytical output during the fellowship period.
Location:
OnlineBenefits
The following logistical arrangements will apply:
- Selected Fellows must be available to travel to the assigned duty station at ESCWA Headquarters in Beirut, upon security clearance. An online modality is feasible under exceptional circumstances.
- Fellows will receive a round-trip economy class air ticket from the capital of their home country to the duty station.
- Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of USD 4,000 to cover living expenses for a single individual.
- ESCWA will support fellows in obtaining residence cards in Lebanon when the assignment duration is six months or longer.
- ESCWA does not provide medical insurance coverage for fellows. Therefore, fellows will be required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage during the fellowship period.
- The fellowship programme is for seven months initially, starting on 1 June 2026, and may be extended, subject to programme needs and availability of funding
Eligibilities
The following conditions apply:
- Applicants must be 35 years of age or younger at the time of application.
- Be a national of ESCWA member States; preference is given to candidates from least developed countries in the region (Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia, the Sudan, and Yemen).
- Applicants must hold an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD). The fellowship is not intended for the pursuit of academic degrees, but applied research relevant to development challenges is encouraged.
- Fellows must demonstrate interest or work/research experience in the above-mentioned fields or related ESCWA priorities.
- Fellows will work on a predefined project contributing to the work programme of the hosting ESCWA division.
- Fellows may participate in national, regional or international meetings as part of their learning experience.
- Fellows will prepare a substantive analytical output such as a research paper, policy brief or analytical report during the fellowship.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following documents as PDF attachments:
- UN Administrative Profile (AP)* in PDF format, including a motivation statement (cover letter) within the AP (to be submitted as an attachment to email submission). *The UN AP (Administrative Profile) can be created by signing up for an account at: https://inspira.un.org
- Applicants should refer to the Annex of this document on How to Create an Administrative Profile English ESCWA.pdf, which contains detailed step-by-step instructions about how to create an AP within the Inspira system and generate a PDF of the document, which must be attached to your email submission.
- There is no Job Opening for this Fellowship within the Inspira system. The instructions referenced above detail how applicants can create a draft AP (not tied to any published Job Opening) within Inspira, and save the draft AP as a PDF for inclusion as an attachment to the applicant’s email submission.
- The motivation statement is created as part of the online AP creation process in Inspira, and will be visible towards the end of the AP PDF under the heading “Motivation Statement for this Application.”
- If, after reviewing the information above, you are still unable to generate the AP in the indicated PDF format, you may email [email protected] for technical support. Please plan your time and attempt to create the draft AP well in advance so that you have sufficient time to seek technical support, if needed.
- Research proposal (maximum 1,000 words) in a selected thematic area
- Copies of advanced-level academic degrees (Master’s and/or PhD)
- Copy of applicant’s passport (information page/s)
- Two letters of reference or recommendation
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 (16 Days Remaining)
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