International Consultant - Spatial Strategy Advisor, Saudi Arabia
Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Country: Saudi Arabia
City: Riyadh
Office: UNDP Riyadh
Closing date: Sunday, 15 January 2023
International Consultant - Spatial Strategy Advisor
Procurement Process : IC - Individual contractor
Office : UNDP Saudi Arabia - SAUDI ARABIA
Deadline : 15-Jan-23
Posted on : 27-Dec-22
Development Area : CONSULTANTS
Reference Number : 97378
Link to Atlas Project : 00137998 - Support to the RCMC
Documents : IC GTC IC Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability P11 ToR
Overview : The interested offeror must submit the application via the following link: https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=110810
Terms of reference for Individual Contractor
Post Title: International Consultant - Spatial Strategy Advisor
Anticipated Starting Date: ASAP
Anticipated Duration: 75 working Days
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Project: Support to Makkah Strategic and Spatial Direction Project
National or International consultancy: International Consultant
A.Project Title
Support to Makkah Strategic and Spatial Direction Project
B.Project Description
Over the last four decades, Saudi Arabia has achieved and sustained remarkable progress along the socio-economic development pathway at all fronts, as it spanned all sectors of the economy. As a result of this, the Kingdom has been able to move from an underdeveloped status to a very high human development country with all the means of a promising and sustainable future. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), for instance, increased from SAR 156 billion in 1969 to SAR 942 billion in 2011 and SAR 2,575 billion in 2017, putting the economy among the top 20 global economies in terms of size.
Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s long-term development blueprint, is built on three pillars 1) A vibrant society; 2) A thriving economy, and 3) An ambitious nation. Based on these three pillars, Vision 2030 aims to transform the economy of Saudi Arabia into a more diversified and sustainable economy by promoting new sectors. A key goal of Vision 2030 towards this end is to provide quality services to 30 million annual visitors performing Umrah by 2030. The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites (RCMC) was established by Royal Order to improve the quality of life for Makkah’s residents and the experience of its pilgrims.
In 2021, the RCMC developed a Makkah Conceptual Masterplan (MCM) that aims to meet the requirements of the future urban, social, economic, and environmental vision for the city. Parallel to the MCM, the RCMC has completed a series of projects that round out the MCM, including, but not limited to, a Structure Plan for the Holy Sites, architectural guidelines for the city, and an Integrated Transport Strategy. The RCMC is currently in the process of reviewing and updating the MCM with a particular focus on the following key areas:
Conducting a high-level validation of the MCM to identify and address gaps and potential areas for enhancement
Developing an economic model for the MCM that aims to validate and update all assumptions and develop a perspective across each sector
Validating and integrating the other relevant projects into the MCM
The RCMC’s vision for Makkah is a polycentric, liveable, cultural, resilient, and sustainable city for 2040. The strategic aim of the Support to RCMC project is to provide technical support and advisory services to RCMC to manage the formulation of the Makkah Conceptual Masterplan. Through this project, UNDP will provide support to the RCMC to ensure efficient and effective delivery of the Makkah Strategic and Spatial Direction, and to strengthen its capacity, particularly in ensuring the future development of the city is aligned with national and local strategic ambitions and in establishing a clear understanding of the economic and financial impact of the MCM on the Kingdom’s economy.
C.Scope of Work
The Expert is expected to form the following assignments:
Provision of Strategic Policy Advice to the assigned RCMC project manager on Strategic Urban Planning
Technical soundness of Strategy consultant’s deliverables and Quality Assurance for deliverables related to the study
Any other tasks requested related to MSSD
Provide key technical expertise in Strategic Urban Planning in supporting MSSD under the guidance of the UNDP Urban Development team
Ensure, Technical soundness and Quality assurance for activities such as City Frameworks, Master Plans, Urban Policies, Integration and policy coherence of the City Plans, Socio-economic assessments and others
Work closely with key project partners, ensuring optimum participation and engagement with multiple consulting firms and community groups for MSSD
Facilitate capacity building and training support, strategy planning and conduct consultation as needed on MSSD on Strategic Urban Planning
Set priorities among key tasks to ensure the successful delivery of the MSSD
Closely collaborate with other contracted professional consultants appointed on the different components
Contribute to the process of Identification, documentation and incorporation of lessons learned from Urban Development activities
Advise on high-level Benchmarking for Strategic urban Plans
Produce one concept note, review or propose KPIs for Strategic urban Plans
Propose ways to mainstream SDG indicators in city strategies
Provide comments and recommendations that bring in a regional or/and international perspective, including case studies and inputs
Negotiate with the consultants on board for better policy coherence and integration between the dimensions of the MSPSD, taking into consideration approved and finalized strategies and studies.
D.Expected Deliverables
Deliverables/ Outputs
Estimated Duration to Complete
Review and Approvals Required
Review and technical report on 5. Updated strategic and socio-economic targets /Outline of key interventions to achieve targets-Reviewed and validated socio-economic impact analysis
21 days
UNDP Programme Analyst
Review report and technical report on Summary of the MCM’s level of compliance and alignment with national and local strategies and initiatives /Validation of integration of Makkah megaprojects and RCMC projects/
21 days
UNDP Programme Analyst
Review report on Budget estimates for implementing identified strategic interventions/High-level investment opportunities/ Leadership presentation
21 days
UNDP Programme Analyst
Final report - technical note on Makkah Strategic and spatial direction
12 Days
UNDP Programme Analyst
E.Institutional Arrangement
The Strategy Advisor will work under the overall guidance of the RCMC Makkah Concept Master Plan Project, Pillar 1 Programme Analyst and the UNDP Saudi Arabia Country Office and give updates at a weekly meeting to keep track of project activity and developments.
Specific meetings with the UNDP Saudi Arabia Office Management, Pillar One Programme Analyst, and RCMC assigned project lead for MCM and other key local, regional and national stakeholders in addition to the UNDP project staff and Consultants throughout the process are also required.
F.Duration of the Work
The expected duration of work is 75 working Days with the possibility of an extension.
The anticipated starting date of the assignment is 25th of January 2023. And the expected date of full completion of all tasks under this assignment is 30th of April of 2023.
G.Duty Station
The assignment will be based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The assignment will be hybrid (in-country and home-based). The duty station for the work in the country will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He/ She will be embedded within the Digital Economy Statistics Department within the Economic Statistics General Department at GASTAT.
If unforeseen travel outside the consultant’s home-based 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 than stated on this TOR on official missions where necessary
Working Arrangements:
All mission travels must be approved in advance and in writing by the Supervisor.
United Nations Development of Safe and Security - BSAFE course must be successfully completed prior to the commencement of travel.
The Consultant is responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when traveling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director.
The consultant is also required to comply with the UN security directives.
The consultant is responsible for obtaining any visas needed in connection with travel with the necessary support from UNDP.
The consultant will be responsible for submitting his/her own mission travel arrangements in line with UNDP travel policies.
The consultant is responsible for required health and life insurance related to work or travel.
The consultant is expected to have his/her own Laptop/Computer.
H.Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor
Min.Education requirements
Master’s in urban development or related fields
Min. years of relevant work experience
Minimum 15 years of related experience in Strategy plans
Previous experience in Saudi Arabia
Required skills
Understanding of stakeholder management for Strategy Buyin;
Extensive work experience in strategic Urban Planning
Work experience in international well, rated urban planning systems is highly preferred;
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Desired skills
Successful management of projects, including budgeting, timeframes and when necessary, sourcing appropriate expert advice;
Being a collaborative, creative and practical leader in supporting the team in providing practical design solutions to a range of development, planning and policy projects;
Effective communication in articulating design advice and representing UNDP;
Advocating for and maintaining a culture of design excellence;
Being an inspiring, supportive, and effective leader.
Required Language(s)
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills in English and knowledge of Arabic will be an asset.
Competencies:
People Management
Build an Enabling Workplace - Create a working environment where people are engaged and want to do their best; empower and enable team members to perform and have a positive workplace experience
Motivate and Direct - Align people and resources with organizational vision, Strategy, objectives
Show Managerial Courage - Not be afraid to take decisions and act when and as needed
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
