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

VA No. VA24-83

Position Title: Foreign Direct Business Statistics Expert
Consultancy Type: International Expert

Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Duration: 2 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 realised 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 ongoing transformation of Saudi Arabia beneath the Vision 2030 plan is unlocking new possibilities at an extraordinary pace. The General Authority for Statistics of Saudi Arabia (GASTAT) is the authorized entity to measure many socio-economic indicators in the Kingdom, one of the most important indicators is the Foreign Direct Investment.

Building on UNDP added value, UNDP can provide holistic support in implementing the National Investment Strategy (NIS) along with its affiliated investment laws. The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has requested support from UNDP in different areas. To this effect, UNDP aims to support GASTAT to accomplish multiple outputs by providing high calibre experts and undertaking capacity- building initiatives in the areas of Foreign Direct Investment Statistics (FDIS).

Scope of Work

The FDI statistics expert will provide technical assistance related to FDI Quarterly statistics, and DDI, ODI preparation study.

1. Technical support:

• Review and evaluate the raw data obtained through foreign direct investment surveys for survey data.

• Supervising the preparation of the bulletin

• Review the calculation methodology and Questionnaire

• In addition to delivering the above-mentioned technical support, the Agriculture Statistics Expert will advise the GASTAT employees and related stakeholders on principles and best practice in modernize the Saudi Arabia’s of Agriculture Surveys.

• Strengthen GASTAT’s internal capabilities in the field of Agriculture 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/analyze surveys’ data and results.

• Knowledge transfer through coaching and on-the-job-training/workshops for the staff as needed to maintain Agriculture database and statistics.

  2. Capacity Development

• In addition to delivering the abovementioned technical support, the DI Statistics Expert will advise GASTAT on principles and best practice in relation to DI Statistics methodologies and frameworks.

Institutional Arrangement

• The duty station for the FDI Expert is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He/she will be embedded within the Director of Invesmtent Statistics.

• The expert will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment.

  Duration of the Work

• The expected duration of the assignment is expected to be up to 3 months with the possibility of extension.

Duty Station

• The assignment will be In Country Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He/ She will be embedded within the within the Survey Unit 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:

• The duty station of the Agriculture Statistics Expert is GASTAT at Riyadh – Saudi Arabia
• The Agriculture Statistics Expert will work in close collaboration with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), other consultants and the relevant GASTAT technical staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced degree, preferably a master’s level in statistics, or economics with an emphasis on DI

Relevant professional experience

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience with national statistics offices, international organization, or government in applying statistical theories and techniques.
• Ability to provide statistical technical advice on different sectors/theme.
• Ability to work on any of the statistical packages to analyse data.

Work experience in similar contexts

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards.
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Display cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability

Required Language:

English