Consultant, Supporting first phase of Developing the 2nd edition of the Arab Digital Agenda ADA2.0

Result of Service

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

• Inception note and detailed workplan for version 1 of ADA 2.0 development;
• Review and provide feedback on the progressively evolving editions of the ADDR as regional baselines;
• Successive Iterations/Drafts of version 1 of ADA 2.0, including the Provisional Progress Report and the Provisional Proposed Architecture to member countries.
• Executive summary in English;
• PowerPoint presentations and briefing materials;
• Consolidated bibliography and references database. The completed document shall:
• Be submitted in editable MS Word format (*.docx);
• Include automatically generated table of contents, list of tables, and figures;
• Be thoroughly proofread and referenced;
• Respect ESCWA publication and anti-plagiarism requirements. The content of all outputs shall remain the sole property of ESCWA.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) launched the Advancing Digital Cooperation and Development – Arab States Action Programme (ADCD-ASAP) in 2020 to support Arab countries in harnessing digital technologies for sustainable development and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The programme aims, among others, to strengthen regional and national digital policy frameworks, promote digital cooperation, and support evidence-based digital development strategies across the Arab region.

Within this framework, and under the auspices of the Arab Telecom and Information Technology Council of Ministers (ATICM), and its resolution in December 2020, ESCWA and the League of Arab States (LAS) jointly established a joint project to Develop, Deploy and Constantly Upgrade the Arab ICT Strategy for the region, in the form of an Arab Digital Agenda as strategic living instrument for 10 years. The ADA is not an outcome, it is a journey of constant growth that is meant to cope with any future developments in the technology and related policies; to induce action at different fronts in all facets of technology, through it mechanism and through partnerships with UN bodies and Arab bodies; and to advance progress at member states level that can be measured and monitored.

Accordingly, ESCWA and LAS worked with Member States, to co-develop, the Arab Digital Agenda/ICT Strategy (ADA 1.0 / ADAICTS), which serves as a regional strategic vision, compass and action-framework guiding Arab digital development efforts and supporting national digital development agendas, in all digital development areas.

The process of co-developing by ESCWA and Member States of the first edition of the ADA took place during 2021-2022, through successive iterations and engagements, with Member States (through the ADA’s Core Research and Technical Cooperation Mechanism (CRTCM), the ADA’s Joint Technical Committee (JTC), the LAS Arab Working Group on Arab ICT Strategy, the LAS Arab Permanent Committee on ICTs, the LAS Arab Executive Bureau all the way up to the Council of Minsters; leading to the adoption of the final version of the 1st edition of the Arab Digital Agenda 2023-2033, by the ATICM on 23 January 2023 and by Arab ECOSOC in 9 February 2023, and by heads of States in 19 May 2023; with the promise of supporting its deployment and the expectation of constant update of the agenda and constant monitoring of member states progress in achieving its goals and targets using the agreed-upon instruments. The first milestone for all of the above will be towards the end of 2027.

Overall Timeframes, Milestone and Nature of ADA 2.0 Building on the above, and under the umbrella of the ATICM, ESCWA and LAS are launching the process of co-developing with Member States the Second Edition of the Arab Digital Agenda (ADA 2.0); which is planned to be co-produced during the period of 2026-2027, with a target goal of adopting the second edition of the Arab Digital Agenda in its final form during the ATICM meeting of December 2027/January 2028.

Accordingly, and based on the established work modalities, the first version of ADA 2.0 will need to be presented to the ATICM meeting scheduled for December 2026/January 2027.

Towards this end, ESCWA is managing, during the second half of 2026, the first phase of ADA 2.0 sub-project to prepare for submitting the first version of the ADA2.0 to the respective LAS Arab Working Group on Arab ICT Strategy that is scheduled to be convened during November/December 2026, and subsequently to the LAS Arab Permanent Committee on ICTs, the LAS Arab Executive Bureau all the way up to the Council of Ministers during December 2026/January 2027.

The envisaged ADA2.0 - as a comprehensive regional strategic framework and policy blueprint for digital development in the Arab region over the coming decade, aligned with international and regional digital cooperation priorities - is scheduled for the end of 2027 is planned to have two perspectives:

1-First, looking backward As part of its monitoring role, ADA2.0 will result a report on the progress of member countries in achieving the goals and targets of the ADA during the period between December 2022 and December 2027, namely the “Provisional Progress Report”,, marking the progress in the elapsing five years on the basic scope of ADA1.0, and will be finalized by the end of December 2027.

As such, the work during 2026 along this perspective is specifically planned to result in a provisional version of this progress report (in four years only).

During 2027, it will be updated in terms of value to reflect the five years; and more importantly, it will also be radically expanded in terms of scope during 2027, as per the second perspective below, producing the first baseline for the expanded scope.

Hence, work on this perspective during the second half of 2026 is expected to produce around one third of the final report planned for end of 2027. The rest will be during 2027 benefiting from feedback from the Ministerial Council meeting of December 2026/January 2027.

The work on this perspective will be supported by the ongoing third round of the National Digital Development Reviews (NDDRs 3.0), which will be reflected in the the Arab Digital Development Report (ADDR 3.0) that will accompany the ADA2.0 as it accompaniment flagship by the end of 2027.

2-Second, looking forward As part of its future orientation, strategizing and constant update role, ADA2.0 will: a. adapt to be in synch with the latest global mandates inscribed in the latest UNGA Resolution 80/173 of December 2025, and the preceding Global Digital Compact 2024.

b. introduce an updated architecture for the basic scope of ADA 1.0 - defined by the 85 Goals, the 69 Targets and the 85 indicators (defined in the first edition of the ADA) c. expand the scope of the original ADA framework to address frontier, emerging and strategic policy areas shaping digital development globally and regionally. ADA2.0 will specifically witness an expanded scope that contains new thematic dimensions and indicators related to:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI);
• Emerging technologies;
• Peaceful uses of outer space and geospatial technologies;
• Environmental sustainability and green digital transformation;
• Digital postal services and postal sector transformation. d. introduce a new architecture defining the goals and targets of the expanded scope in terms of additional Goals, Targets and indicators (in addition to the existing basic scope defined by the existing five-cluster ESCWA conceptual framework for digital development, which stands as the DNA of the whole process). These updates and expansions are based on the updated Guiding Manuals (GM 2.5)/(GM 3.0), as the common methodological framework underpinning the NDDRs, ADDR and ADA processes; and the Digital Development- Measurement and Monitoring Model (DD-MMM 1.5)/(DD-MMM 2.0), as the common framework for measurement, monitoring and assessment of digital development progress. The associated ESCWA newly produced addendums, developed by ESCWA in consultation with member countries and regional stakeholders during 2025-2026, are currently guiding the process of digital development reviews at national and regional levels during 2026-2027 and are considered an integral part of the envisaged ADA2.0. Hence, the work during 2026 along this perspective is specifically planned to result in a provisional version of the proposed new architecture to member countries, namely the “Provisional Proposed Architecture”, regarding the following aspects that will need to be worked on during 2027:  the new architecture of the expanded scope and the newly introduced addendums, in terms of Goals, Targets and Indicators;  the positioning of the new architecture of the addendums, vis-à-vis the existing architecture of the basic scope.  the sustainability of the Digital Development indicators observatories at the national level.  the periodicity of the next milestones for monitoring progress.  advancing partnerships and alliances between ADA and the partners of various thematic subprogrammes. Hence, work on this perspective during the second half of 2026 is expected to produce around one third of the final version of ADA 2.0 planned for end of 2027. The rest will be during 2027 benefiting from feedback from the Ministerial Council meeting of December 2026/January 2027. Purpose and Objectives of this assignment In summary, the consultancy subject to this assignment aims to support ESCWA and LAS in producing the first version of ADA 2.0, within the following contexts:
• The NDDRs 3.0, ADDR 3.0 and ADA 2.0 processes constitute three interlinked components of a single regional policy cycle. o NDDRs 3.0 provides the national evidence base, o ADDR 3.0 provides the regional analytical synthesis, and o ADA 2.0 translates these findings into a regional strategic framework and implementation roadmap for digital development and digital cooperation in the Arab region.
• This process is further anchored in United Nations General Assembly resolution 80/173 on the WSIS+20 review, which reaffirms the role of the United Nations regional commissions as regional mechanisms for implementation and follow-up of WSIS outcomes and calls for scaling up policy guidance, technical assistance, capacity-building and partnerships in support of digital development.
• ADA 2.0 constitutes the regional strategic policy framework through which Arab countries will operationalize regional commitments related to WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, the Pact for the Future, Arab Vision 2045 and the Arab Digital Agenda 2023–2033, while contributing to the implementation of Arab Vision 2045 through digital development, digital cooperation and digital transformation pathways. The main objective of this consultancy is to support ESCWA and LAS in the preparation, drafting, and refinement of the first version of ADA 2.0, building on:
• ADA 1.0 outcomes and lessons learned;
• Findings emerging from NDDRs 3.0 and ADDR 3.0;
• Capacity Building programme for National Focal Points intended for July 2026
• The additional five addendums of the expanded scope of the Conceptual Model
• The updated Guiding Manual (GM 2.5 / GM 3.0), as the common methodological framework underpinning the NDDRs, ADDR and ADA processes; and the Digital Development - Measurement and Monitoring Model (DD-MMM 1.5 / 2.0), as the common framework for measurement, monitoring and assessment of digital development progress; and their associated addendums;
• Contributions from Arab countries, regional organizations, UN agencies, and technical experts. The consultant shall contribute to the development of successive iterations of version 1 of ADA 2.0, including its strategic framework, implementation approach, monitoring framework, and regional cooperation dimensions, with explicit attention to digital cooperation, digital governance, digital diplomacy, the formulation of regional positions in global digital processes, and multistakeholder engagement modalities. Duties and Responsibilities Under overall guidance and supervision of Chief of ESCWA ICT Policies Section, and Programme Lead of the ADA, and in close collaboration with the Programme Management Officer and ESCWA substantive focal point for this consultancy, the consultant will conduct the following tasks: Strategic and Substantive Work a) Review ADA 1.0, related ESCWA/LAS documentation, NDDRs 3.0 findings, ADDR 3.0 preliminary outputs, and relevant international and regional digital policy frameworks, including WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, the Pact for the Future, United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/173, Arab Vision 2045 and the Arab Digital Agenda 2023–2033. b) Review the updated Guiding Manual (GM 2.5 / GM 3.0), as the common methodological framework underpinning the NDDRs, ADDR and ADA processes; and the Digital Development- Measurement and Monitoring Model (DD-MMM 1.5 / 2.0), as the common framework for measurement, monitoring and assessment of digital development progress; and the related addendums. c) Support the development of baselines, comparative analysis, and synthesis of findings emerging from NDDRs 3.0 and ADDR 3.0 during the early phases of the assignment, to inform the strategic priorities, indicators, implementation approach, and monitoring framework of ADA 2.0. d) Coordinate and undertake the substantive formulation and structuring of version 1 of ADA 2.0, including the development and refinement of its successive iterations, strategic priorities, objectives, and implementation components. e) Integrate and mainstream emerging and cross-sectoral priorities within version 1 of ADA 2.0 to ensure its relevance and responsiveness to evolving regional and global digital development trends, including those related to the addendums:
• Artificial Intelligence;
• Emerging technologies;
• Peaceful use of outer space and geospatial technologies;
• Environmental sustainability and green digital transformation;
• Role of postal sector in digital development/Digital postal services. f) Ensure alignment between version 1 of ADA 2.0, NDDRs 3.0, and ADDR 3.0 findings, and the progressively evolving regional baselines, including corresponding goals, targets, indicators, and actions. g) Contribute to the refinement of strategic priorities, implementation pillars, action plans, indicators, monitoring frameworks, and regional cooperation mechanisms. h) Ensure that ADA 2.0 monitoring framework builds upon the Digital Development - Measurement and Monitoring Model (DD-MMM 2.0), including baselines values, indicators definitions, measurement approaches and reporting modalities while maintaining consistency with relevant NDDRs 3.0 and ADDR 3.0 indicators and findings. i) Review and update strategic content related to digital governance, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, financing mechanisms, institutional coordination, digital cooperation and digital diplomacy. Research j) Undertake desk research, policy analysis, benchmarking exercises, and literature reviews related to regional and international digital agendas and technology governance. k) Maintain a comprehensive bibliography and reference database. l) Coordinate closely with the ESCWA consultant and the team working on the development of the ADDR3.0 and GM3.0 to ensure alignment and consistency of findings, indicators, baselines and regional digital development narratives, as well as with designated national consultants, national focal points, LAS Arab Working Groups, and relevant regional mechanisms, including the Digital Cooperation and Development Forum (DCDF), the Arab Internet Governance Forum (Arab IGF), the Arab High-Level Forum on WSIS and the 2030 Agenda (Arab WSIS Forum), as well as relevant regional and international organizations, as needed. m) Compile and harmonize contributions received from Arab countries and participating organizations. n) Participate in and contribute substantively to technical meetings, workshops, consultations, expert group meetings, policy deliberations and multi-stakeholder engagement processes related to version 1 of ADA 2.0. o) Support regional consultations, policy dialogue processes, expert meetings and consensus-building activities related to digital development, digital cooperation and emerging digital policy issues. p) Analyze and integrate outcomes emerging from relevant regional and global digital governance, digital cooperation, and digital development processes, including their implications for ADA 2.0 priorities, regional cooperation mechanisms, and implementation pathways. q) Support joint technical coordination among ADA 2.0, ADDR 3.0 and NDDRs 3.0 workstreams to align the emerging regional baseline with ADA goals, targets, indicators and actions. Drafting and Consultation Process r) Prepare and revise successive iterations of version 1 of ADA 2.0 based on ESCWA, LAS, and stakeholders feedback. s) Contribute to the development of presentation materials, executive summaries, and briefing notes. t) Ensure that version 1 of ADA 2.0 incorporates gender equality, youth empowerment, inclusion of persons with disabilities, and inclusive digital development principles in line with ESCWA publication standards. u) Ensure that all outputs are evidence-based, properly referenced, and aligned with ESCWA editorial and publication standards.

Qualifications/special skills

Master's degree in ICT, digital development, public policy, international development, or related fields is required.

All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 15 years of professional experience in ICT for development, digital transformation, digital policies and strategies, Internet governance, or related areas is required. Experience in digital governance, digital cooperation, Internet governance, AI governance and multilateral digital policy processes is required. Proven experience in drafting regional digital agendas, ICT strategies, or digital development reports is required. Extensive knowledge of digital development issues in the Arab region is required. Demonstrated experience working with international and regional organizations is required. Familiarity with ESCWA digital development work, including ADA, NDDRs, and ADDR processes, 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 written and spoken Arabic and English 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 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.