Chief Technical Advisor – Drought Resilience and Climate Change

1.Position Information

• Organization: UNDP Saudi Arabia, through Stars Orbit Consultants and Management Development (SOC).
• VA No. VA25-16
• Position Title: Chief Technical Advisor – Drought Resilience and Climate Change
• Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Office-Based)
• Recruitment Type: International Expert
• Duration: 12 months
• Vacancy Date of Issue: 9 April 2025
• Vacancy Closure Date: 8 May 2025
• 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.

2. Project Title:

Strengthening institutional and technical capacities of National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification

3. Project Description:

In 2021, UNDP initiated a multi-year project aimed at bolstering the technical, institutional, and human resource capacities of the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification. This initiative supports the ambitious Saudi Arabia and Middle East Green initiative, which aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030. The establishment of the NCVC aims to provide an institution to oversee the management and investment of grazing lands, forests, national parks, and to preserve the plant genetic resources and vegetative cover outside the protected areas in the Kingdom in all its environments, as well as combating desertification. The project's goal is to leverage UNDP expertise at a global and regional level, to enhance NCVC's institutional, technical, and technological capabilities, enabling it to fulfil its mandate more effectively and efficiently. Enhanced capacity at the NCVC will be achieved through advancements in information technology and digital capabilities, fostering international cooperation and strengthening networks, promoting forest and dryland conservation practices, advancing research to monitor and control land degradation, and supporting the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements. This will ensure the long-term sustainability of NCVC's activities at both the policy level and within local communities.

To achieve this goal, the project will focus on the realisation of the following outputs:

• Output 1: Strengthening International Engagement and Presence
• Output 2: Advancing Innovation, Technology and Human Resources Capabilities in eco-system restoration projects/initiatives
• Output 3: Facilitating Digital Enablement, Innovation and Data Excellence
• Output 4: Enhancement Technical Skills and Capacity Development of National Parks, GEO Parks, Forests and Rangelands
• Output 5: Support NCVC's role in implementing the UNCCD COP16 Legacy Program through research, capacity building and international workshops.

3.Scope of Work

The Chief Technical Advisor will be responsible for the following:

a. Strategic Guidance and Leadership

• Provide high-level strategic guidance to align the project with the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification (NCVC)'s overarching goals.
• Drive the development of strategic plans and policies, focusing on drought and climate resilience, ecosystem conservation and enhancing sustainable management of protected areas;
• Lead and guide the project team, fostering a cohesive approach to achieving project goals.
• Strategically coordinate and execute project activities to align with defined outputs.

b. Technical Expertise and Advisory

• Offer expert advice on technical aspects related to drought resilience, ecosystem management, climate change planning, and environmental restoration.
• Lead the capacity-building processes to support NCVC in developing road maps and strategies for implementing UNCCD processes;
• Lead the advocacy process in line with global environmental policies and UNDP's climate change strategies.
• Guide the development of partnerships and networks with global and regional entities, fostering international cooperation.
• Advise on policy, legislative, and institutional needs analysis, focusing on biodiversity, forestry, and rangeland conservation.
• Supervise the quality control of all substantive technical reports and research, focusing on drought resilience and ecosystem conservation, and ensure adherence to international best practices.
• Develop technical specifications for consultants and experts, managing their contributions effectively.

c. Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

• Coordinate closely with the UNDP Head of Pillar and UNDP Project Manager for seamless project implementation at both institutional and national levels.
• Adhere strictly to UNDP's policies and procedures for project monitoring and reporting, upholding the highest standards of accountability.
• Lead the preparation and support for key stakeholders, ensuring their active involvement and commitment.
• Facilitate Project Board, review, and evaluation meetings, driving the implementation of board decisions and recommendations.
• Strategically advise on and actively engage in partnership building with various regional and international institutions and agencies.
• Maintain and strengthen strategic project relationships through active liaison with stakeholders across multiple sectors.
• Coordinate with the national project coordinator for media-related activities, enhancing project visibility and impact.
• Identify and pursue strategic alliances, unlocking opportunities to further the NCVC's mandate and objectives.
• Assist in formulating policies and strategies related to vegetation cover, desertification, and sustainable environmental practices.
• Promote the integration of project outcomes into national and international policies, advocating for sustainable practices and conservation.

D. Partnership Development

F. Policy Development and Advocacy

4. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The Chief Technical Advisor will be responsible for delivering the following:

Strategic Guidance and Leadership

• Provide high-level strategic guidance to align the project with the overarching goals of the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification (NCVC).
• Development of a comprehensive strategic plan aligning with NCVC's overarching goals.
• Periodic strategic guidance reports highlighting progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Execution framework for project activities, aligned with defined outputs and goals.

Technical Expertise and Advisory

• Advisory reports providing insights on ecosystem management, climate change planning, and environmental restoration.
• Quality control reports ensuring adherence to best practices in technical outputs.
• Detailed reports on stakeholder engagement activities, including coordination with UNDP and NCVC
• Minutes and action points from Project Board, review, and evaluation meetings.
• Communication strategy for effective stakeholder engagement and information dissemination.

Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

Partnership Development

• Reports on partnership development activities, highlighting new alliances and strategic engagements.
• Documentation of engagement strategies with regional and international institutions and agencies.
• Media coordination reports, detailing activities and impacts for enhancing project visibility.
• Policy recommendations and strategy documents related to vegetation cover, desertification, and environmental practices.
• Report showcasing the integration of project outcomes into national and international policies.
• Regular progress reports documenting achievements, challenges, learnings, and recommendations for future actions.
• Comprehensive final report summarizing the project outcomes, impacts, and learnings.

Policy Development and Advocacy

General Deliverables

Note: The expected outputs and deliverables may be subject to adjustment and refinement during the project based on evolving needs and priorities.

5. Institutional Arrangement

The Chief Technical Advisor will work at NCVC under the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator and indirectly supervision of the National Project Officer at UNDP.

This advisor consultancy will be implemented under the total supervision of NCVC, which is according to the NCVC Act No. (8) By law, is responsible for the design, establishment, operation, and supervision of national parks, whether terrestrial or geologic parks, including but not limited to infrastructure, services, mapping, signposting, education services, and the imposition of fines for violations of national law or its regulations.

6. Duration of the Work

• The expected duration of the work is 12 months.
  • The post is anticipated to start on [1 June 2025] and end on [31 May 2026].
  • The completion of deliverables and milestones will be spread out throughout the duration of the project, with specific timelines provided in the deliverables table.
  • The timeline for review and feedback on deliverables will be communicated by the Project Manager at the NCVC.
  • Any adjustments or extensions to the duration of the work will be mutually agreed upon by the Senior Advisor and the NCVC, considering the project's progress and requirements.

7. Duty Station

• This assignment will be based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• UNDP will cover the round-trip ticket to/from the duty station.
• If unforeseen travel outside the consultant’s duty station city is requested by UNDP and not required by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be covered by UNDP in line with applicable rules and regulations and upon prior written agreement. In such cases, the consultant shall receive living allowances not exceeding the United Nations (UN) Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rate for such other location(s).

**Note:**A written approval from UNDP and relevant authorities will be required to facilitate the consultant's travel to any locations other than stated on this TOR on official missions where necessary.

8. Required Qualifications:

a. Min. Education requirements

Advanced degree (at least master’s or higher) in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Natural Resources, Sustainable Forest, Land Management, or a related field.

b. Min. years of relevant work experience

• Minimum 15 years of mixed experience in the areas of climate change mitigation, sustainable development, land restoration and environmental policy.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with UNDP, UN agencies or other relevant international organizations.

c. Required skills

• Leadership Abilities: Exhibits the ability to lead and inspire teams effectively, fostering an environment of cooperation and motivation.
• Governance and Public Administration: Strong knowledge and working experience in governance and public administration with particular focus on environmental governance and environmental mainstreaming;
• Strategic Thinking: Possesses the ability to assess complex situations, identify critical issues, and formulate effective strategies to achieve project goals.
• Climate Change Knowledge: Demonstrates deep understanding of climate change issues, including policy, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable land management. Good knowledge of the objectives of the Rio Conventions and latest development in their synergetic national implementation.
• Communication Skills: Shows the ability to communicate effectively and articulately in a range of forums, both written and verbal. Has the ability to negotiate and build consensus among different stakeholders.
• Professional Ethics: Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards. Shows professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.

d. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Knowledge of Local Context: Experience working with governmental entities in Saudi Arabia is highly desired.
• Partnership Building: Displays an aptitude for building strategic alliances with local, regional, and international stakeholders, including government officials and non-profit sector representatives.

e. Language(s)

• Proficiency in English is mandatory.
• Knowledge of Arabic would be a plus.

f. Professional Certificates

• Any certification in Environmental Management or Climate Change would be an advantage.

To review the full job description, please click on the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mQa_KAg6BoXHajnofbMVMWNMrS3MNRO7/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104884024946145696197&rtpof=true&sd=true