Local Governance Specialist

Organization: UNDP Saudi Arabia, through Stars Orbit Consultants and Management Development (SOC).

VA No. VA24-56

Position Title: Local Governance Specialist

Type of Contract: International or National Consultancy

Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Duration: 12 Months (with possible extension depending on performance, continued need and budget availability)

Vacancy Date of Issue: 24 April 2024

Vacancy Closure Date: 2 May 2024

Expected Starting Date: As soon as possible

This vacancy is announced by UNDP Saudi Arabia through Stars Orbit Consultants and Management Development (SOC). SOC is a sub-contractor for UNDP Saudi Arabia, assisting the programme in implementing their activities through HR and contract management of consultants working in their support.

Project Description

The project will provide a strategic framework for UNDP and UN-HABITAT to provide substantive technical assistance, advisory, and quality assurance services to the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing (MoMRAH) to deliver on the following six initiatives of the Spatial Planning and Visual Appeal Program that are the focus of this project:

• The Regional Plans, Local Plans and Urban Codes under MOMRAH’s jurisdiction are efficiently and effectively delivered following international best practices.
• National Urban Policy.
• Local planning departments are empowered and enabled through a new Operating Model for Planning Departments.
• The municipal system is improved and restructured, updating settlements boundaries, revising classification and categorization of Saudi human settlements, and optimizing service delivery towards efficiency and sustainability.
• The Saudi Planning framework is restructured, planning tools are redefined, updated and improved in line with the new classification and categorization.
• The existing MoMRAH Urban Design Studio is upscaled in a fully-fledged Urban Lab and capacitated to spearhead and device innovative tools and projects-based satellite Labs in support of MoMRAH mission.

Scope of Work

The Local Governance Specialist will support the governance, municipal, and urban planning processes for the Operating Models of the planning departments in the Municipalities initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure alignment to Vision 2030 and relevant Vision Realization Programs, including the Quality-of-Life Program, other national initiatives, and global development frameworks (e.g. Sustainable Development Goals, New Urban Agenda);
• Review and assess the existing governance structures and mechanisms for the municipal urban planning departments;
• Assess the institutional and technical capacities of urban planning departments staffs;
• Establishing the link between the technical team, municipalities and Amanas and assist in its all related matters;
• Support the development of the framework for the Planning Departments in Amanas and Municipalities;
• Create the development policy briefs and guidelines on good administration and practice for agile operations;
• Conduct workshops and training for the Planning Department in Amanahs and Municipalities;
• Any other tasks requested by CTA.

Institutional Arrangement

The Local Governance Specialist will repot technically to the Chief Technical Advisor and administratively to the National Project Officer.

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes

Act with Determination: LEVEL 4: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co-creation

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Law, Public Policy or a related field

Min. years of relevant work experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with 3 years of experience in document control and the field of Urban Development, Urban Planning or Urban Design;
• Working in the Public Sector for Urban affairs.

Required Skills:

• A clear understanding of the Target Operating Model initiative and preferably familiarity with municipalities and Amanas Structures;
• Ability to Provide tools for effective and efficient administration and practices;
• IT skills: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Experience in Urban Studies would be advantageous;
• Experience with multiple Amanas will be an asset.

Language:

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills in English and Arabic language.

How to apply

1. CV must be submitted online in PDF through SOC’s portal via the following link: https://jobs.my-soc.org/apply/20240424010046/jV7cJ8OiYBn50GIeT96K13PUp
2. Use the English language only.
3. To review the full ToR, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1uYBVxBVYHx4qx5M2SsE92W_3iviZXB/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104884024946145696197&rtpof=true&sd=true
4. Indicate clear years of experience with each job (Month/Year)
5. If the candidate is currently employed by a government institution, he/she must be able to provide an unpaid leave of absence for the duration of the consultancy.
6. Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted.
7. By submitting your application, you have read the Terms of Reference for this position and agree that any false, wrong, or incomplete information might lead to your disqualification in this recruitment process.