Senior Advisor for International Cooperation

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

VA No. VA24-63

Position Title: Senior Advisor for International Cooperation
Consultancy Type: International or National Consultancy

Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Duration: 1 Year

Vacancy Date of Issue: 24 April 2024

Vacancy Closure Date: 1 May 2024

Expected Starting Date: 15 May 2024

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 Title

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

Project Description

In supportof the realization of the ambitious Saudi Arabia and Middle East Green initiative under the Saudi Vision 2030, the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification (NCVC) has been tasked with combating desertification, rehabilitating forest vegetation cover, protecting local endangered plant species and managing national parks. This project is designed to support NCVC in increasing necessary institutional, technical, and technological capacities to realize its mandate more effectively and efficiently. The enhanced NCVC capacity will be achieved through transforming information technology and digital capabilities, establishing cooperation and strengthening its network internationally; and promoting forest conservation practices, and increasing environmental awareness to ensure the long-term sustainability of NCVC activities at the policy level and on the ground. The project will support the achievement of the ambitious Saudi Green Initiative by designing a model of a tree nursery and seed bank with a road map for establishing a large-scale nursery facility to meet the Kingdom’s afforestation goals, along with aligning policy and standards of tree planting and creating a mechanism to coordinate the afforestation work among different actors. These objectives will be achieved through a whole- of-society approach, in close partnership with the private sector, academia, youth, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of the activities across the project lifecycle and beyond. This project will build upon the long-standing Standard Basic Framework Agreement (SBBA) which was agreed upon between the Kingdom and the UNDP in 1975.

The project expected outputs are:

Output 1: Strengthening international cooperation and network.

Output 2: Promoting conservation practices and strengthening environmental awareness via advocacy and outreach.

Output 3: Model tree nursery design and ecosystem conservation.

Output 4: Transformation of information technology and digital infrastructure

Output 5: Strengthening institutional and technical capacity.

Scope of Work

The Senior Advisor for International Cooperation will play a key role in providing strategic guidance and fostering collaboration to enhance international cooperation and COP16 preparation for the NCVC. The scope of work will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Strategic Planning and Partnership Development:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the NCVC’s current international cooperation and partnerships landscape.
• Identify key stakeholders, potential partners, and international entities with expertise and best practices relevant to the NCVC’s mandates.
• Design a roadmap for engagement, outlining targeted activities for learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.
• Assist in the identification of commitments and mobilization of resources, for expanding the action agenda amongst various stakeholders and geographic areas, towards the achievement of existing global targets related to land restoration and drought resilience.
• Lead the action agenda on the nexus of “land restoration – food security – drought resilience”, for concrete results in COP 16’s commitments related to food security and sustainability agendas, including long-term targets on land and soils for sustainable agri-food systems.
• Facilitate alignment of the action agenda with the COP Decisions.
• Assist in the design of the post-COP action agenda to facilitate the implementation of the COP commitments, including guidance to the presidency of COP 16.

International Networking and Engagement:

• Establish and maintain relationships with global and regional entities, organizations, and experts working in the field of ecosystems conservation, forest planning and monitoring, and national park management.
• Represent the NCVC in international conferences, workshops, and forums to showcase its work, build partnerships, and explore funding opportunities.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration through field visits, study tours, and exchange programs with international entities and partners.
• Coordinate with the UN Biodiversity Geospatial Hub and the UNDP Global Policy Center on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification to leverage their expertise and resources for the NCVC’s initiatives.
• Mobilize participation of specific groups, including small island development states, dryland countries, regional groups and major groups of the society; to help make their voices heard and their expectations reflected in the action agenda of the COP

Partnership Engagement and Collaboration:

• Assist in the design of events, as well as in the identification and mobilization of partnerships, for wide and active participation of stakeholders in the COP 16 Green Zone, targeting bold results and commitments towards the COP objectives.
• Collaborate with identified international entities to develop joint initiatives, projects, and programs that align with the NCVC’s mandates.
• Facilitate the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches in ecosystem conservation, sustainable forestry, and national park management.
• Support the NCVC in establishing formal partnerships and cooperation agreements with international organizations, research institutions, and relevant stakeholders.
• Identify funding opportunities and assist in the development of project proposals and grant applications for international cooperation and partnerships.

Policy Advocacy and Knowledge Sharing:

• Provide advice to COP 16 organization committees in general, and to NCVC in particular, for the successful organization of the action agenda of the COP16
• Provide strategic advice and support in the development and implementation of policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks related to vegetation cover and combating desertification.
• Coordinate with national and international stakeholders to advocate for sustainable ecosystem management, conservation practices, and policy reforms.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities on international best practices, standards, and innovative approaches in the field of vegetation cover and combating desertification.
• Contribute to the production of knowledge products, policy briefs, and research papers to enhance the NCVC’s visibility and thought leadership in the international arena.
• Provide any other advice and support in his/her area of expertise, as required.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Collect and analyze data, indicators, and performance metrics to track the effectiveness of collaboration efforts.
• Prepare regular progress reports, including lessons learned, success stories, and recommendations for further improvement.
• Support the NCVC in reporting requirements to funding agencies, stakeholders, and relevant international platforms.
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the progress and impact of international cooperation and partnership initiatives.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Strategic Planning and Partnership Development:

• Report on the comprehensive analysis of the NCVC’s current international cooperation and partnerships landscape.
• Strategic plan for international cooperation and partnerships, including a roadmap for engagement and targeted activities.
• List of key stakeholders, potential partners, and international entities with expertise and best practices relevant to the NCVC’s mandates.
• Deliver a comprehensive report outlining existing global commitments on land restoration and drought resilience, along with a list of potential funding sources and recommendations for engaging stakeholders.
• An action plan specifying concrete steps, initiatives, and best practices to achieve COP 16’s commitments on food security and sustainability, with a focus on land restoration and drought resilience.
• A summary document highlighting the key COP decisions relevant to land restoration, food security, and drought resilience, along with recommendations on aligning the action agenda with these decisions.
• A comprehensive post-COP action agenda document that outlines the key elements, strategies, and guidance for implementing the commitments made during COP 16, with a specific focus on facilitating the implementation of COP commitments.

International Networking and Engagement:

• Documentation of established relationships with global and regional entities, organizations, and experts.
• Reports on participation and representation of the NCVC in international conferences, workshops, and forums.
• Documentation of field visits, study tours, and exchange programs with international entities and partners.
• Develop an inclusive engagement plan that includes targeted strategies and actions to ensure the active participation of small island development states, dryland countries, regional groups, and major societal groups. This plan will help amplify their voices, reflect their expectations, and incorporate their perspectives into the action agenda of the COP.

Partnership Engagement and Collaboration:

• Reports on joint initiatives, projects, and programs developed in collaboration with international entities.
• Formal partnership agreements and cooperation agreements with international organizations and research institutions.
• Project proposals and grant applications for international cooperation and partnership initiatives.
• Provide support in designing impactful events within the COP 16 Green Zone, ensuring broad stakeholder participation. This includes identifying and mobilizing partnerships to foster collaboration, encourage bold commitments, and achieve the objectives of COP 16.

Policy Advocacy and Knowledge Sharing:

• Policy briefs, research papers, and knowledge products on international best practices and standards.
• Reports on advocacy efforts and collaboration with national and international stakeholders.
• Documentation of knowledge sharing and capacity-building activities conducted by the NCVC.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Monitoring and evaluation framework for assessing the progress and impact of international cooperation and partnership initiatives.
• Data collection and analysis reports on the effectiveness of collaboration efforts.
• Progress reports, success stories, and recommendations for further improvement.

Note: The specific deliverables and timelines will be determined in consultation with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and may be subject to adjustment and refinement during the project based on evolving needs and priorities.

Institutional Arrangement

The Senior Advisor for International Cooperation will work under the direct supervision of National Project Coordinator at NCVC and indirectly to the National Project Officer at UNDP.

Duration of the Work

• The expected duration of the work is part-time for 12 months.
• The project is anticipated to start on [15 May 2024] and end on [15 May 2025].
• 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 for International Cooperation and the NCVC, considering the project’s progress and requirements.

Duty Station

• This assignment will be part-time in both Riyadh NCVC and the advisor’s home country.
• UNDP will cover the return tickets 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 than stated on this TOR on official missions where necessary.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Master’s degree in international relations, International Development, Environmental Studies, Economic Development or a related field.

Professional qualifications

• Minimum of 20 years of progressive experience in international cooperation and partnerships, preferably in the field of environmental conservation and sustainable development.
• Senior expert with extensive international exposure to negotiations and managerial decisions in the areas of sustainable developed associated with natural resources, food security, biodiversity and climate change.
• Ample experience in organization of and participation at Conferences of the Parties of the UN Conventions.
• Previous experience in leadership positions of international organizations, preferably at the UN or other multilateral or intergovernmental organizations.

Required Skills:

• Strong knowledge and understanding of international cooperation frameworks and mechanisms.
• Proven experience in establishing and managing partnerships with international organizations, government agencies, and civil society.
• Excellent strategic planning and negotiation at international level.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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

• Familiarity with environmental challenges, including those pertinent to the Middle East region.
• Experience engaging with national and international stakeholders on biodiversity and ecological science projects.
• Knowledge of sustainable development goals and their application within the context of environmental tourism initiatives.
• Project management skills, including the coordination and oversight of complex projects.
• Experience in organising and convening national and international conferences on biodiversity and ecological science.

Language:

• Excellent proficiency in English (both written and spoken) is required.
• Proficiency in at least one other UN official language.