Result of Service
An IC-endorsed, fully operational plan for consultations and targeted analytical consultancies that credibly informs the UNSDCF (2027–2031) in KSA, grounded in the previous UNSDCF cycle and the UNCA, and demonstrably aligned to Saudi Vision 2030 and KSA sustainable development priorities. The plan is implemented through a two-stage consultation process, first internal UN consultations, then expanded consultations with Government and other relevant counterparts as identified by the IC, producing clear, usable inputs for UNSDCF drafting. Expected deliverables (indicative, to be confirmed in the inception workplan): 1. Inception package: inception workplan and timeline, priority mapping and evidence gap note, alignment matrix (Vision 2030 and national priorities), and draft two-stage consultation architecture with tools and templates. 2. Consultation plan and tools: Stage 1 internal UN consultation plan and outputs templates, Stage 2 external consultation plan with stakeholder mapping, participation criteria, engagement protocol, and documentation templates designed to translate inputs into UNSDCF drafting needs. 3. Consultancy pipeline: consolidated list of proposed consultancies with sequencing and dependencies, and draft Terms of Reference for each consultancy with clear deliverables, acceptance criteria, and alignment to Vision 2030 and KSA sustainable development priorities as relevant. 4. Synthesis and closeout package: periodic synthesis notes capturing consultation findings and implications, plus a final closeout package consolidating consultation summaries, the finalized consultancy pipeline, and practical recommendations to support the UNSDCF drafting phase.
Work Location
RIYADH
Expected duration
3 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Background The Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) coordinates the United Nations development system at country level. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) is preparing the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2027–2031. The UNSDCF consultation process will be anchored in national priorities, including Saudi Vision 2030 and the sustainable development priorities of KSA, and will be grounded in the previous UNSDCF cycle and the United Nations Country Analysis (UNCA). Support the RCO and UNCT to design and operationalize a structured plan for consultations and targeted analytical consultancies that will inform the UNSDCF (2027–2031) in KSA. The plan will (i) identify and sequence consultative engagements and analytical inputs based on the previous UNSDCF and UNCA, (ii) ensure clear alignment with Vision 2030 and KSA sustainable development priorities, and (iii) be implemented in two stages, first internal to the UN system, then expanded to Government and other relevant counterparts as identified by the Inter-Agency Coordination mechanism (IC). Scope of work and key tasks Under the overall guidance of the UN RCO, and in close coordination with the UNSDCF Task Force, UNSDCF Results Groups, and designated IC focal points, the consultant will: 1) Inception, review, and priority mapping • Review the previous UNSDCF, the latest UNCA, relevant evaluations, and available UNCT results data to identify priority thematic areas, cross-cutting considerations, and evidence gaps to be addressed through consultations and analytical consultancies. • Prepare an inception workplan with approach, governance, roles, deliverables, timeline, and quality assurance steps. • Develop a concise alignment matrix linking proposed consultation themes and analytical consultancies to Vision 2030 pillars and KSA sustainable development priorities, to ensure consistent framing across the process. 2) Consultation architecture and sequencing (two stages) • Design a two-stage consultation plan, including objectives, stakeholder groups, formats, sequencing, and documentation standards, with consultation questions structured to elicit actionable inputs relevant to Vision 2030 and KSA sustainable development priorities. • Stage 1 (internal UN): plan and support structured consultations with UNCT members, Results Groups, and relevant technical staff to validate priorities, refine evidence needs, and agree on consultation questions, methods, and documentation requirements. • Stage 2 (external): support the IC to expand consultations to Government and other relevant counterparts as identified by the IC, including defining participation criteria, engagement protocols, and a clear approach to capturing inputs that can be translated into UNSDCF strategic choices and results. 3) Consultancy pipeline and Terms of Reference • Develop a consolidated consultancy pipeline to inform the UNSDCF, including proposed consultancy topics, objectives, expected outputs, timelines, dependencies, and how each output will feed into UNSDCF development (problem analysis, results framework, partnerships, financing, M&E, and cross-cutting issues). • Draft high-quality Terms of Reference for each proposed consultancy, including scope, methodology, deliverables, timelines, required profile, and acceptance criteria, ensuring each consultancy is explicitly linked to Vision 2030 and KSA sustainable development priorities, where relevant. • Provide supporting inputs for contracting processes as requested, including evaluation criteria and deliverable-based milestones, consistent with applicable rules and procedures. 4) Evidence management, synthesis, and quality assurance • Establish templates and an evidence management approach for consultation notes and summaries to ensure traceability from consultation inputs and analytical deliverables to UNSDCF drafting needs, including consistent thematic tagging and clear “so what” implications. • Produce periodic synthesis notes summarizing emerging priorities, convergences, and trade-offs from consultations and analytical outputs, highlighting implications for UNSDCF strategic direction and alignment to national priorities. 5) Coordination and reporting • Maintain a consultation calendar, deliverable tracker, stakeholder lists, and decision log for IC endorsement points. • Provide regular progress updates to the RCO and IC, including risks, constraints, and mitigation actions.
Qualifications/special skills
A Masters or Higher degree in communication, marketing, social sciences, economics, public health, international relations, law or related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 3 years of relevant professional work experience in international development is required. High proficiency in academic writing in English is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required and knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.