The Saudi Vision 2030 emphasized the role of urban planning and management as fundamental for city prosperity. In fact, Saudi cities have grown significantly in recent decades to accommodate about 82% of the total population. Although this urban growth has been accompanied by the steady development of advanced infrastructure, it poses daunting challenges to service provision across the vast areas in 13 regions. Along with this, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)can provide a robust framework for local development policy. In this respect, local and regional governments can support the achievement of the SDGs.

A key result sought by the Project is strengthened institutional capacity and coordination of MOMRA Deputyship of town planning with relevant institutions working on urban planning mandates. That will depend primarily on communication and establishment of systems but also on fostering partnerships. The partnership with the different central, regional and local stakeholders will be one of the key outcomes of the Project, which will concomitantly enable MOMRA TO play its regulator role and phase out from provision. The Project will build on lessons learned and develop tools to scale up. The Project will also draw on UNDP and UN-HABITAT extensive networks to foster partnerships between countries and institutions.

This project has been designed to boost the capacity of the Government to achieve the objectives of the

National Spatial Strategy (NSS)along with their alignment with the Vision 2030. The project which will be

implemented by UNDP jointly with UN-Habitat envisages the support to the NSS implementation Office established inside the deputyship of town planning with specific focus on the following outcomes:

• Improved capacity for the Implementation of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2030.
• Improved access to urban data between line ministries in NSS2030 platform Improved localizing sustainable urban development at national, regional and local authorities.

In addition to these outputs, the project is designed to provide advisory services in novel areas of interest to the urban planning and management sector. The project, based on available budget, will provide technical assistance to various activities operated within the deputyship of Town Planning including the emerging urban planning issues within the deputyship mandate.

(SAUDIS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY)

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES: Objective within the Framework of the UNDP Project

For this UNDP program, a Senior Urban Researcher is needed in order to:

• Provide research assistance to the management of activities under the project including the review of reports and studies mentioned in the PD and manage tasks to potential local advisors.
• Participate in team workshops.
• Conduct context analysis and mapping exercises at the regional and City scale.
• Apply creative thinking and sound planning judgement to large scale urban planning.
• Complete basic development data analysis.
• Integrate sustainable development perspectives in all research tasks.
• Assist in performing relevant studies for the development corridors and growth centers which have been recommended by the Saudi National Urban Strategy.
• Work on multiple tasks under time pressures.

EXPECTED KEY DELIVERABLES:

• Draft extensive reports on urban planning at the regional, city and neighborhood levels.
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, etc.
• Assists the NSS Project leader on project reporting and ensures preparation of related documents/reports.

• The candidate shall have at least 5 years of progressive professional experience relevant to regional development planning and strategies. 
• Professional knowledge and experience in National Spatial Strategies, regional and city master plans operation as well as in regional policy formulation and conducting policy dialogue in the Gulf and Saudi Arabia.
• Experience in the work environment of a national spatial strategies' administration in an intergovernmental organization.
• Working experience in National and multi-sectoral agency such as planning agencies. 
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant work experience in the Gulf Region. 

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required

Behavior:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats people fairly without favoritism
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Education:  

• Advanced university degree (MSc.) Regional Development Planning or relevant discipline.

Experience:

• The candidate shall have at least 5 years of progressive professional experience relevant to regional development planning and strategies. 
• Professional knowledge and experience in National Spatial Strategies, regional and city master plans operation as well as in regional policy formulation and conducting policy dialogue in the Gulf and Saudi Arabia.
• Experience in the work environment of a national spatial strategies' administration in an intergovernmental organization.
• Working experience in National and multi-sectoral agency such as planning agencies. 
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant work experience in the Gulf Region.