A. Position Information.

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

VA No. VA24-114

Position Title: Land Use & Land Cover Expert
Consultancy Type: International Expert

Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Location: Office-Based

Employment Modality: Part-Time

Duration: 12 months

Vacancy Date of Issue: 8 July 2024

Vacancy Closure Date: 15 July 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.

B. Project Title:

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

C. Project Description:

In support of 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 by 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 National Park 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.

C. Scope of Work

The Landuse & Land Cover Expert will play a key role in in the LCLU project development, and in ensuring design excellence, collaboration, and adherence to project objectives. The expert is expected to be experienced LCLU professional with strong management skills for an exciting opportunity to contribute to NCVC’s projects within a professional and motivated team.

Advanced Land Cover (LC) and Land Use (LU) Ontology:

• Demonstrate extensive skills in advanced LC and LU ontology.
• Work within ISO TC211 standards, including the Land Cover Meta-Language and 19144-3 LUMI (Land Use Meta-Language).
• Use practical adoption and application of LC and LU standards in natural resources mapping.

Technical Project Management:

• Could lead technical projects related to the combined use of satellite remote sensing data and geographic information systems for land cover mapping, ecological/environmental monitoring, agriculture, natural resources/habitat, and rangelands biomass assessment.
• Proficiency in conceptual formulation, practical design, supervision of programming phases, testing, and preparation of user documentation of ontology and mapping-related software.

Specialized Software knowledge in:

• Land Characterization Software (LCHS) system
• Object-based similarity assessment demo software
• Land Cover Classification System (LCCS v.3)
• Advanced Database Gateway (ADG v. 3)
• Mapping Device & Change Analysis Tool (MAD&CAT)
• Land Cover Classification System (LCCSv.1-2)
• Advanced Database Gateway (ADGv.1-2)
• Geographic Vector Interpretation System (GeoVIS)
• Mapping Accuracy Program (MAP)
• Africover Interpretation and Mapping System (AIMS)

D. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Advanced Land Cover (LC) and Land Use (LU) Ontology:

• Demonstrate expertise as an internationally recognized expert on advanced LC and LU ontology.
• Exhibit in-depth knowledge of ISO TC211 standards, including the Land Cover Meta-Language and 19144-3 LUMI (Land Use Meta-Language).
• Showcase expertise in the practical adoption and application of LC and LU standards in natural resources mapping.

Technical Project Management:

• Provide evidence of massive experience leading technical projects related to the combined use of satellite remote sensing data and geographic information systems for land cover mapping, ecological/environmental monitoring, agriculture, natural resources/habitat, and rangelands biomass assessment.
• Demonstrate proficiency in conceptual formulation, practical design, supervision of programming phases, testing, and preparation of user documentation of ontology and mapping-related software.

Note: The specific deliverables and timelines will be determined in consultation with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the project team, considering the project’s duration, objectives, evolving needs and priorities.

E. Institutional Arrangement

The Landuse & Land Cover Expert will work under the direct supervision of National Project Coordinator at NCVC and indirectly to the Project Manager and National Project Officer at UNDP.

F. Duration of the Work

• The expected duration of the work is part-time for 12 months.
• The project began in [December 2022] and will end on [December 2026]
• This position is a salary-based position
• The timeline for review and feedback on deliverables will be communicated by the National Project Coordinator at the NCVC.
• Any adjustments or extensions to the duration of the work will be mutually agreed upon with the Landuse & Land Cover Expert and the NCVC, considering the project’s progress and requirements.

G. Duty Station

• This assignment will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• 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.

H. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Master’s degree in environmental studies, or a related field.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in advanced L.C. and L.U. ontology, Having in-depth knowledge of ISO TC211 standards, including the Land Cover Meta-Language and 19144-3 LUMI (Land Use Meta-Language).

Required skills

• Strong management skills
• Excellent strategic planning and negotiation skills.
• 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 the Middle East region and understanding of its environmental challenges.
• Experience in working with national and international stakeholders.
• Project management skills and experience in coordinating and overseeing complex projects.
• Commercial experience of operating national parks enterprises on protected areas.

Required Language(s)

• Excellent proficiency in English (both written and spoken) is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.