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

VA No. VA24-82

Position Title: Energy Statistics Expert
Consultancy Type: International Expert

Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Duration: 3 months

Vacancy Date of Issue: 6 June 2024

Vacancy Closure Date: 12 June 2024

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

Saudi Arabia has realized and sustained, for the last four decades, remarkable progress along the socio- economic development path. As a result of this, the Kingdom has been able to move to a high-income country. The GDP, for instance, increased from SAR 156 billion in 1969 to SAR 4,160 billion in 2022, putting the economy among the top 20 global economies in terms of size. Based on the annual ranking of the Human Development Index (HDI) of the Human Development Report, Saudi Arabia has steadily moved from the medium human development category in the 1990s to the very high human development category in 2021 at 0.875 value of HDI. The Saudi Vision 2030 represents an ambitious resolve with long-term goals and expectations founded on the strengths and capabilities of the Kingdom. It covers the three themes of a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. A thorough review of the three themes and their underlying issues of national concern would reveal a holistic approach to development that encompasses the three dimensions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): the social, the economic and the environmental. Saudi Arabia recognizes that achieving the SDGs requires rigorous, real-time, and continuous monitoring for which quality statistics is a must. The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has gone through a major revision of its corporate strategy and vision in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030 and the SDGs. The revised strategy revolves around five pillars:

• Usage of statistics and information
• Production of statistics and information
• Application of advanced technologies in collecting and analyzing datasets
• Communications and awareness towards statistical knowledge
• Governance of statistical sector

In this context and under the framework of the Institutional Support to Statistics project, UNDP provides technical support to the GASTAT to strengthen the institutional and human capacities of the national statistical system (NSS) to support evidence-based development planning and policymaking, and to implement the National Strategy for Statistical Development (NSSD) successfully and modernize the national statistical system.

Scope of Work

In order to support the General Authority of Statistics (GASTAT) and National statistical system (NSS) in monitoring and reporting the sustainable development goals (SDGs), producing official statistics and data with quality and in the context of the technical cooperation framework with the GASTAT – Institutional Support to Statistics Project – the UNDP is seeking Energy Statistics Expert to provide technical support and guidance to the Energy Statistics team under the Environment Agriculture and Energy Statistics Department. This department of the GASTAT is engaged in the development of methodology, data collection, capacity development, coordination in the fields of Renewable energy statistics, Energy Prices statistics and Energy Efficiency statistics, energy economics, and monitoring and reporting SDGs indicators. The Energy Statistics Expert will provide technical assistance related to Saudi Arabia’s energy related publications. The expected outcome should be based on international standards and best practices as well as comprehensive to fill data gap.

Technical support:

• To assess the current status of GASTAT’S statistical products related to energy and benchmark with the world’s best practices and provide a detailed gap-analysis and areas for improvements report.

• To provide an overall plan to bridge the gaps based on the gap-analysis reports and a detailed plan/roadmap to complete Renewable energy statistics, Energy Prices statistics and Energy Efficiency statistics publications as needed.

• To design and develop a clear guidelines and procedures for energy statistical publications that should detail gathering, calculating, and reporting all applicable energy publications for Saudi Arabia

• To develop all input and output templates, surveys and datasheets for energy calculations and publication according to the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM).

• To prepare related indicators and reports for Renewable energy statistics, Energy Prices statistics and Energy Efficiency statistics Bulletins and statistics publications in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including all relevant elements in accordance with the International Practices Guide.

• Support the Energy Statistics team in challenges related to energy data analyses, verification and calculation, as well as making a comparison to determine the Kingdom’s ranking with the rest of the countries.

• In support of data sets preparation upon request and efficiently respond to queries/requests.

• To identify additional data sources

• Undertake other relevant duties required to achieve the overall assignment’s objectives.

• To Verify outputs by implementing best practices along with performing quality assurance and quality control on surveys, data received, and methodologies used.

• To Prepare output models for Energy Bulletins tables

• To Review Energy Bulletins and verify the performance of the best practices to achieve all mission objectives.

  Capacity Development

  • In addition to delivering the above-mentioned technical support, the Energy Statistics Expert will advise the GASTAT employees and related stakeholders on principles and best practice in modernize the Saudi Arabia’s of Energy statistics.
  • Strengthen GASTAT’s internal capabilities in the field of Energy statistics through improving its statistical database and engaging it with international organizations and statistical offices.
  • Develop national team capacity to conduct a comparative study of similar surveys in developed countries and to manage/analyse surveys’ data and results.
  • Knowledge transfer through coaching and on-the-job-training/workshops for the Energy Team as needed to maintain Energy database and statistics.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or PhD) in Energy field, environmental sustainability, economics, statistics, or other relevant fields.

Min. years of relevant Work experience:

• At least 15 years of experience in providing consultancy services on Energy statistics.
• Sound quantitative analytical skill in Energy statistics & economics and statistical analysis
• Professional experience in providing technical advice on national statistics.
• Ability to provide statistical technical advice on different sectors/theme.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team and to work under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish strong cooperative relationships with senior government officials.
• Ability to work on any of the statistical packages to analyse data.
• Good understanding and practice ofcapacity development.
• Coaching skills.

Competencies

• Previous experience in providing advisory support on Energy statistics development with accredit organizations and/or National statistical offices.
• Previous experience in providing advisory support for government agencies in KSA/GCC
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards.
• Display cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Language:

Excellent Arabic or English