Senior Programme Advisor

Senior Programme Advisor

Location :
Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA

Application Deadline :
‎31-Dec-‎22 (Midnight New York, USA)

Time left :
18d 8h 54m

Type of Contract :
Individual Contract

Post Level :
International Consultant

Languages Required :
Arabic English

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
‎15-Jan-‎2023

Duration of Initial Contract :
The anticipated duration is ‎3.5 months with possibility for extension

Expected Duration of Assignment :
The anticipated duration is ‎3.5 months with possibility for extension

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender,
nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups
and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All
applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of
harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected
candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background
checks.

Background

• BACKGROUND
  Saudi Arabia has achieved remarkable progress in human development over the
  past three decades including, for example, literacy at above ‎95%, increased
  life expectancy, and access to energy, even in remote rural communities. The
  Kingdom is a high-income country and is one of the most industrialized Gulf
  Countries with a highly educated population. Its economy is mainly based on
  oil as the world's biggest exporter holding ‎16% of global proven petroleum
  reserves. It is also the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula with a
  population of approximately ‎35 million, ‎1/‎3 of whom are expat migrant workers.
  According to the UNDP Human Development Report, Saudi Arabia's Human
  Development Index (HDI) value for ‎2020 was ‎0.854-- which put the country in
  the very high human development category--positioning it at ‎40 out of ‎189
  countries and territories. Between ‎1990 and ‎2019, Saudi Arabia's HDI value
  increased from ‎0.697 to ‎0.854, an increase of ‎22.5 %.

Those achievements aside, Saudi Arabia faces significant development
challenges. Before ‎2016, the Government's drive for economic diversification
delivered modest results. The share of the private sector in the country's
economy only increased by ‎10 % from ‎2000 to ‎2015 mostly coming from the non-
oil sector. The oil price crash in ‎2016 exposed the volatility of its oil-
based economy prompting the Government to put in place austerity measures as
well as the introduction of a ‎5 % value-added tax in January ‎2018 later
increased to ‎15% in July ‎2020 at the height of the COVID-‎19 pandemic.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework ‎2022-‎2026
(UNSDCF) agreed between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the
United Nations Country Team (UNCT) serves as an integrated SDG-based strategy
for achieving the ‎2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia's (KSA) Vision ‎2030.

UNDP is well-positioned to demonstrate its comparative advantage in Saudi
Arabia since UNDP has been present and active in the Kingdom since ‎1976. UNDP
is a respected and trusted advisor to dozens of partners and is seen as a
window to the multilateral landscape and benchmarking to which the Kingdom
aspires. Through a more coherent and engaged UNCT and expanded partnerships
with UN agencies (e.g., UNICEF on disability and inclusion, and gender, UN-
Habitat on development housing and urbanization, FAO on food security and food
waste, and UNFPA on statistics and the national census), UNDP will advance its
integrator role and broaden UN engagement in Saudi Arabia beyond its current
engagement which is mostly with Government.

The UNDP Country Programme ‎2023-‎2027 (CP) is fully aligned with the four
Strategic Priority Areas and corresponding Outcomes of the UNSDCF (CF), namely
People, Planet, Prosperity, and Peace, Partnerships, and Other Cross-Cutting
Issues, all of which emanate from the Vision ‎2030. With activities under each
of the four CF Outcomes, UNDP represents the significant majority of UN system
programming in the country. This critical mass and diversity of engagements
across numerous entities afford UNDP the opportunity to build synergies that
are transformational and that address the siloed approaches that can be
pervasive in the large bureaucratic ecosystem. The CP seeks to support
opportunities for economic, environmental, social, and institutional change.

UNDP Saudi Arabia is seeking a Senior Program Advisor to ensure that an
integrated and cross-sectoral focus permeates all programs and projects with a
holistic and people-centered lens and make sure that cross-cutting themes such
as youth, gender, and environmental sustainability, and the achievement of the
SDGs and national development priorities in addition to strategic innovation
are embedded in all programs. s/he is expected to facilitate the engagement
with UN entities and partners on potential area-based programming at the local
level as proposed in the country program.
The Senior Advisor also liaises closely with the Country Office and assists
the Country Office in all relevant activities of the outputs identified in the
UNDP-approved Country program -‎2023-‎2027 such as Strategic urban Innovation,
Urban Resilience, and Sustainable urban transformation, Community development,
Environment and Energy, Public Sector excellence, Localization of SDG,
Regional Development Plans, Public-Private Partnerships.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES
The objective of the assignment is within the Framework of the UNDP KSA
Country office. The assignment intends to provide a high-level policy advisory
service on UNDP Saudi Arabia Programme, focusing on urban planning.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:
Under the overall guidance of UNDP Saudi Arabia's Deputy Resident
Representative, the senior program advisor will perform the following tasks:
* Develop programme design proposal to achieve cohesion across Thematic Country Program Pillars via new programmatic approaches as part of the new CPD ‎2023-‎2027
* Review existing programs and align Results-Resources Frameworks to KSA vision ‎2030 and UNDP Country Programme, including with focus on SDG localization and gender indicators
* Review country programmes' risk logs and prepare a proposal for risk management oversight in support to CPD2023-‎27 implementation
* Develop a harmonization framework between CPD ‎2023-‎27 and UNSDCF ‎2022-‎2026 and provide inputs to the development of the ‎2023 KSA Voluntary National Report (VNR) in coordination with UNCT/RCO
* Initiate and lead at least three critical dialogues with partners, other UN Agencies and stakeholders to ensure UNDP's role as an integrator of SGDs across different sectors
* Draft a plan for Sustainable finance hub in KSA to be submitted to the new assigned RR.
Duration of Assignment:
The anticipated duration of the assignment is ‎3.5 months.
Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel, if any:
The assignment will be based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at the United Nations
Development Programme, United Nations Country Office.
*
If unforeseen travel outside the consultant 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.

Institutional arrangement:**
The expert will be reporting to UNDP Saudi Arabia Deputy Resident
Representative. A detailed work plan for the expert 's duties and
responsibilities will be formulated during the assignment. The expert will be
collaborating and liaising with the assigned task force to meet the deadlines
set by UNDP Saudi Arabia Resident Representative.

Competencies

Impact of Results:
The key expected result of the SPA is to impact the overall success of UNDP
Saudi Arabia in reaching its goals by improving the quality programming of the
Partnership.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
* Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN 's values and ethical standards
* Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
* Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, and nationality sensitivity and adaptability
Functional Competencies:
* Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit, and positive, working relationships
* Highly savvy in program design and implementation with strong knowledge- base in the Urban field or National transformation processes.
* Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, develop and oversee complex program implementation.
Management and leadership
* Excellent communication, organizational and management skills
* Focuses on the impact and results of the client
* Demonstrate conflict resolution skills
* Consistently approaches work with energy and positive-constructive attitude
* Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
* Effectively manages teams and creates an enabling work environment
Effective coacher and mediator

Required Skills and Experience

• QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS
  Education:


• Master 's degree in economics, Sustainable Development or related fields
  Experience:


• Minimum of ‎10 years ' experience in sustainable development, and urban planning and development with a strong focus on programming institutional capacity building.


• Proven experience in handling high-level coordination among professionals and senior management.


• Strong understanding of change management.


• Experiences in programming and project management


• relevant in-depth Multi-Disciplinary Background in the Saudi context is an asset.
  
  Languages:


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


• 
  Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments
  All proposals must be expressed in a lump sum amount. This amount must be
  "all-inclusive". Please note that the term "all-inclusive" implies that all
  costs (professional fees, living allowances, communications, consumables,
  etc.) that could possibly be incurred are already factored into the final
  amounts submitted in the Proposal.
  Payments shall be made to the expert upon successful completion and
  certification by UNDP that services have been satisfactorily performed, based
  upon the actual number of working days.
  Payment shall be made as a deliverables-based lump sum payment, to be paid in
  installments.

The schedule of payment will be distributed upon satisfactory submission of
the deliverables listed in the table hereunder:

Payment

Phases

Anticipated complation date

Payment Percentage

1st payment

Upon submission and acceptance of percentage of Deliverables A and C:
* Develop programme design proposal to achieve cohesion across Thematic Country Program Pillars via new programmatic approaches as part of the new CPD ‎2023-‎2027. Completion rate of ‎100%
* Review country programmes ' risk logs and prepare a proposal for risk management oversight in support to CPD2023-‎27 implementation. Completion rate of ‎10%

End of January ‎2023

‎14%

Upon submission and acceptance of Deliverables B, C, D E
* Review existing programs and align Results-Resources Frameworks to KSA vision ‎2030 and UNDP Country Programme, including with focus on SDG localization and gender indicators Completion rate of ‎50%
* Review country programmes ' risk logs and prepare a proposal for risk management oversight in support to CPD2023-‎27 implementation. Completion rate of ‎40%
* Develop a harmonization framework between CPD ‎2023-‎27 and UNSDCF ‎2022-‎2026 and provide inputs to the development of the ‎2023 KSA Voluntary National Report (VNR) in coordination with UNCT/RCO Completion rate of ‎100%
* Initiate and lead at least three critical dialogues with partners, other UN Agencies and stakeholders to ensure UNDP 's role as an integrator of SGDs across different sectors Completion rate of ‎33%

End of February ‎2023

‎29%

2nd Payment

Upon submission and acceptance of Deliverables C and E
* Review country programmes ' risk logs and prepare a proposal for risk management oversight in support to CPD2023-‎27 implementation. Completion rate of ‎50
* Develop a harmonization framework between CPD ‎2023-‎27 and UNSDCF ‎2022-‎2026 and provide inputs to the development of the ‎2023 KSA Voluntary National Report (VNR) in coordination with UNCT/RCO. Completion rate of ‎33%

End of March ‎2023

‎29%

Last Payment

Upon submission and acceptance of Deliverables E and F
* Initiate and lead at least three critical dialogues with partners, other UN Agencies and stakeholders to ensure UNDP 's role as an integrator of SGDs across different sectors Completion rate of ‎34%
* Draft a plan for Sustainable finance hub in KSA to be submitted to the new assigned RR Completion rate of ‎100%

End of April ‎2023

‎29%

Recommended Presentation of Offer**

For purposes of generating Offers whose contents are uniformly presented and
to facilitate their comparative analysis, it is best to recommend the
preferred contents and presentation of the Offer to be submitted, as well as
the format/sequencing of their presentation. The following documents may be
requested:
*
Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
using the template provided by UNDP;
* Personal CV or P11 , indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (‎3) professional references;
* Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment. A methodology document is required for this case.
* Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per the template provided. The terms "all-inclusive" implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the Proposal. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under the Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial Proposal submitted to UNDP.
*
Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:
Step I: Screening and desk review:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.
Technical Criteria (CV review and Desk Review/Interview optional) - maximum
‎70 points. Only candidates who obtained at least ‎70% of points from the CV
desk review (who will score at least ‎49 points) will be considered for the
next evaluation stage, i.e., financial evaluation.
Applications will be first screened, and only candidates meeting the following
minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum ‎70 points)
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of ‎70% of the points would be considered
for the Financial Evaluation

Requirements

Criteria

Max ‎10 points

Education
*
Master 's degree in economics, Sustainable Development or related fields or
other related fields is required.

‎15

Relevant professional experience
*
Minimum of ‎10 years ' experience in sustainable development, and urban
planning with a strong focus on programming institutional capacity building
and e urban development strategic initiatives
* Proven experience in development projects design.

‎20

Work experience in similar geographical and socio-economic contexts
*
Proven experience in handling high-level coordination among professionals and
senior management.
* Strong understanding of change management theory and applied in the past. relevant in-depth multi-Disciplinary
* Background in the GCC and especially in Saudi context will be an asset.
* Experiences in programming and project management.

‎20

Methodology
*
Understanding of scope of work demonstrated through detailed and comprehensive
plan (‎5)
* Suitable design specification and methodology covering database, website design and layout, compatibility requirements and other relevant technical requirements as stated in TOR (‎10)

‎10

Language skills

(5pts - fluent in English and Arabic; ‎3 pts - fluent in English with working
knowledge of Arabic).

‎5

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of ‎49 points (‎70% of the total technical
points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Weight Per Technical Competence

‎5 (outstanding): ‎96% - ‎100%

The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated an OUTSTANDING capacity
for the analyzed competence.

‎4 (Very good): ‎86% - ‎95%

The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a VERY GOOD capacity for
the analyzed competence.

‎3 (Good): ‎76% - ‎85%

The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a GOOD capacity for the
analyzed competence.

‎2 (Satisfactory): ‎70% - ‎75%

The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a SATISFACTORY capacity
for the analyzed competence.

‎1 (Weak): Below ‎70%

The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a WEAK capacity for the
analyzed competence.

Step II: Financial Assessment:
Financial Proposal - Maximum ‎30 points
* Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II)
PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:
The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and
payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of
deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment
linked with deliverables. The financial Proposal should include all relevant
costs (consultancy fees, all envisaged travel costs, living allowances, etc.).

UNDP applies the " Best value for money approach" - the final selection
will be based on the combination of the applicants' qualifications and
financial proposal.
Financial proposal - Maximum ‎30 points
* Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II)
PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:
The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and
payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of
deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment
linked with deliverables. The financial proposal should include all relevant
cost (consultancy fees, all envisaged travel costs, living allowances, etc.).

Financial evaluation - Total ‎30% (‎30 points)
The following formula will be used to evaluate the financial proposal:
p = y ( µ/z), where
p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
µ = price of the lowest-priced proposal
z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Instructions for on-line submissions
Step ‎1: Please prepare all required documents electronically.
Step ‎2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF
however, Word format can also be accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs links
Step ‎3: After that, you will receive an auto-reply from the UNDP jobs if your
offer is received successfully.

Interested applicants are advised to carefully review this advertisement and
ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described.
Given the volume of applications that UNDP receives, only shortlisted
offerors will be notified.
UNDP reserves the right to reject any incomplete applications.
Please be informed that we don 't accept applications submitted via
email.
Interested Offerors are required to submit an application via UNDP Jobsite
system as the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP
Jobsite system. Please note that UNDP Jobsite system allows only one uploading
of application documents, so please make sure that you merge all your
documents into a single file. Your online application submission will be
acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive
an email acknowledgement within ‎24 hours of submission, your application may
not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application if
necessary. Please combine all your documents into one (‎1) single PDF document
as the system only allows you to upload a maximum of one document.
Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement
notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email
[email protected] with a copy to [email protected] While the
Procurement Unit would endeavour to provide information expeditiously, only
requests receiving at least ‎3 working days prior to the submission deadline
will be entertained. Any delay in providing such information will not be
considered as a reason for extending the submission deadline. The UNDP's
response (including an explanation of the query but without identifying the
source of inquiry) will be posted in the Individual Consultant (IC)
Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors
are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain updates related to this
Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender,
nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups
and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All
applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of
harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected
candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background
checks.

Interested applicants are advised to carefully review this advertisement and
ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described.
The interested offeror must read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement
Notice, which can be viewed at https://procurement-
notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=‎97295 for more detailed information
about terms of references, instructions for the offeror, and to download the
documents to be submitted in the offer online.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender,
nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups
and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All
applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of
harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected
candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background
checks**.