1.Position Information

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

VA No. VA24-79

Position Title: Team Leader – Target Operating Model
Consultancy Type: National or International Expert

Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Duration: 12 Months

Vacancy Date of Issue: 29 May 2024

Vacancy Closure Date: 4 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.

2. Project Description

The project will provide a strategic framework for UNDP and UN-HABITAT to provide substantive technical assistance, advisory, and quality assurance services to the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing (MoMRAH) to deliver on the following six initiatives of the Spatial Planning and Visual Appeal Program that are the focus of this project:

• The Regional Plans, Local Plans and Urban Codes under MOMRAH’s jurisdiction are efficiently and effectively delivered following international best practices.
• A National Urban Policy is developed and implemented.
• Local planning departments are empowered and enabled through a new Operating Model for Planning Departments.
• The municipal system is improved and restructured, updating settlements boundaries, revising classification and categorization of Saudi human settlements, and optimizing service delivery towards efficiency and sustainability.
• The Saudi Planning framework is restructured, planning tools are redefined, updated and improved in line with the new classification and categorization.
• The existing MoMRAH Urban Design Studio is upscaled in a fully-fledged Urban Lab and capacitated to spearhead and device innovative tools and projects-based satellite Labs in support of MoMRAH mission.

3. Scope of Work

The Team Leader for the Target Operating Model will conceive an efficient operating model for planning departments. The Team Leader will be responsible for coordinating and aligning with the other initiatives within the Spatial Planning and Visual Appeal Program.

4.Duties and Responsibilities

A. Define the Target Operating Model (TOM) for urban planning:

• Initiate the development of the Target Operating Model framework (including detailed program plan, communication and engagement plan, and methodology of work).
• Conduct comprehensive participatory review and mapping of the current operating models for planning operations (as per the type of Amanas and category of municipality – diagnosis as per regulatory frameworks).
• Study and report: benchmarking of operating models for planning operations and gap analysis. Analyze and propose the target operating model (standardized according to Amanas and Municipality types and categories).
• Develop the framework for the proposed Target Operating Model for Urban Planning standardized as per the type and category of Amanas and municipalities.
• Prepare a manual on how to apply the standard Target Operating Model as per the Amana and municipality type.
• Launch the Target Operating Model for Urban Planning.

B. Upgrade planning operations for Amanas based on TOM:

• Conduct training for Amanas and municipalities on the manual.
• Pilot for 5 Amanas and selected municipalities to demonstrate and test the use of the manual.
• Launch the TOM manual to urban planning departments.
• Provide capacity support for the application of the TOM by Amanas on selected municipalities.

C. Develop the institutional capacity of planning operations department:

• Conduct participatory institutional capacity assessment (for typical categories of Amanas and Municipalities).
• Develop manual and tools on operational resilience, agile operations, design thinking, and inclusive processes for urban planning departments based on the pilot.
• Conduct a capacity building program for executing and operating TOM for urban planning departments.

D. Monitoring and Evaluation of the TOM roadmap for the Amanas:

• Report on international best practices in monitoring and evaluation of TOM implementation.
• Prepare a handbook on the monitoring and evaluation of TOM implementation for urban planning departments (indicators, targets, reporting, methods, impact).
• Pilot for 5 Amanas and selected municipalities to demonstrate and test the handbook
• Conduct training on the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on TOM implementation.

E. Coordinate with and align the work of the three UNDP initiatives by progressing into the Spatial Planning and Visual Appeal Program and providing quality assurance and monitoring of regional plans, masterplans, and urban codes.

F. Ensure alignment to Vision 2030 and relevant Vision Realization Programs, including the Quality-of-Life Program, other national initiatives, and global development frameworks (e.g., Sustainable Development Goals, New Urban Agenda).

5. Institutional Arrangement

The Team Leader will report technically to the Chief Technical Advisor and administratively to the National Project Officer.

6. Duty Station

The assignment will be office-based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The option of a hybrid work model can be arranged and agreed on with the Chief Technical Advisor and National Project Manager.

7. Schedule of Payment

Monthly salary upon the signing of the contract

8. Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IC

Education:

A master’s degree or equivalent in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Built Environment, Real Estate Development, Architecture, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, or any other closely related fields.

Experiences:

A master’s degree with a minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience or a bachelor’s degree with minimum of 18 years of relevant work experience.

Required Skills:

• Experience in research and understanding regulations, policies, strategies, guidelines, and precedents that guide urban planning.
• Extensive experience leading large-scale urban development projects.
• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Experience in developing regional plans and master plans.
• Strong analytical and writing skills and a track record in producing relevant reports and other materials.
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Creates confidence among stakeholders by delivering authoritative positions, compelling analysis, and contextual acumen.
• Experience with SDGs & Resilience.
• IT skills: AutoCAD, QGIS, SketchUp, Adobe (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), Presto, WordPress, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Desired skills

• Master planning experience and ability to understand the linkages between urban scales at the governance level.
• Technical experience in the multiple scales of city planning and its sectors, such as infrastructure, transport and mobility, sustainable development, urban regeneration, master planning, green cities, etc.
• Exposure to UNDP’s SDGs, MoMRAH’s activity and framework, and mechanisms in the municipal systems.
• Understanding of the municipal structures and operating models in Saudi Arabia.

Required Language:

Proficiency in the English language is required.