Position Information

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

• VA No. VA25/144

• Position Title: Senior Strategic Advisor

• Contract Type (Full- or Part-Time): Part-time (40-50% level of effort)

• Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• National or International Consultancy: SaudiNational

• Duration: 12 Months

• Vacancy Date of Issue: 17 December 2025

• Vacancy Closure Date: 23 December 2025

• Expected Starting Date: 1 January 2026

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.

To review the full job description, please click on the following link:[*https://drive.google.com/file/d/1roBenHhQ6vAxiOwe6TZlixEoPJxZOhI_/view?usp=sharing*](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1roBenHhQ6vAxiOwe6TZlixEoPJxZOhI_/view?usp=sharing*](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1roBenHhQ6vAxiOwe6TZlixEoPJxZOhI_/view?usp=sharing*](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1roBenHhQ6vAxiOwe6TZlixEoPJxZOhI_/view?usp=sharing)))

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 Municipalities and Housing (MoMaH). The project supports national efforts to enhance spatial planning processes, restructure planning tools, strengthen municipal governance, upscale urban innovation mechanisms, draft the National Spatial Strategy, and deliver a comprehensive National Urban Policy aligned with Vision 2030. The project aims to deliver on the following initiatives of the Spatial Planning and Visual Appeal Program that are the focus of this project:

• The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) is revised, aiming to translate the spatial dimension of Vision 2030 and beyond into spatial development directions, and to serve as the national reference, guiding spatial development decisions, policies, and national medium- and long-term targets.

• The National Urban Policy (NUP) for KSA is developed and its implementation enabled, setting the overarching framework for cross-stakeholders’ contribution and alignment in support of sustainable, resilient and inclusive urbanization.

• 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.

• An Urban Lab is capacitated to spearhead and devise innovative tools and projects-based satellite Labs in support of MoMaH’s mission.

The updated NSS will align with complementary national initiatives, notably:

• The Spatial Planning Act (SPA) – defining the statutory planning hierarchy and instruments.

• The National Urban Policy (NUP) – outlining strategic priorities for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Given the scale, complexity, and strategic importance of the NSS, a Senior Strategic Advisor is required to provide high-level guidance, institutional alignment, and quality assurance across the drafting process. The role requires deep familiarity with the previous iterations of Saudi Arabia’s National Spatial Strategy, strong networks across planning-related ministries and agencies, and

extensive knowledge of the country’s spatial governance and institutional landscape.

Scope of Work

The Senior Strategic Advisor will provide strategic oversight, technical direction, and expert consultation to ensure the coherence, quality, and institutional alignment of the updated National Spatial Strategy (NSS). The Advisor will serve as a senior member of the drafting team, supporting decision-making, inter-ministerial coordination, and strategic synthesis. The Senior Strategic Advisor will collaborate closely with the Chief Technical Advisor (UNDP), Chief National Advisor (UNDP) and the NSS Drafting and Analysis teams. The Advisor will use their networks to advocate for the NSS and play an integral role in aligning its principles with MoMaH and other ministries and national, regional and local stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic Oversight of the NSS Drafting Process

Provide high-level technical advice on the conceptual structure, analytical framework, and methodological approach of the NSS revision:

• Review and guide the integration of spatial, economic, environmental, and demographic analyses into coherent strategic directions.

• Ensure alignment with Vision 2030 and other national level policy documents.

• Advise on strategic spatial concepts (e.g., settlement systems, national corridors, functional regions).

Output: Written technical guidance notes, written review comments, and contributions to the NSS conceptual framework.

Institutional Alignment and Stakeholder Coordination

Leverage prior experience and networks within Saudi ministries, authorities, and development agencies to strengthen institutional coherence:

• Advise the NSS team on effective coordination with MoMaH, DASC, MOTLS, MoE, MEWA, RCs, SDAIA, and regional planning bodies.

• Identify institutional gaps, governance challenges, and opportunities for cross-sectoral integration.

• Support the alignment between statutory planning instruments under the SPA and the spatial policy directions of the NSS.

Output: Regular meetings with senior stakeholders, institutional assessment notes, and recommendations on governance integration.

Quality Assurance of Analytical and Strategic Outputs

Review technical products (diagnostic reports, spatial models, thematic analyses) for strategic consistency:

Ensure that outputs meet international best practice and reflect Saudi Arabia’s institutional

context and strategic priorities.

Output: Formal quality review comments and consolidated recommendations for refinement.

Strategic Input into the National Spatial Framework

Support the articulation of the national spatial vision, spatial development pillars, and territorial priorities:

• Advise the drafting of spatial structure maps, regional typologies, economic cluster strategies, and settlement system hierarchy.

• Contribute to the formulation of spatial policies related to land use, connectivity, infrastructure corridors, environmental resilience, and regional equity.

• Provide senior-level input to ensure clarity, coherence, and feasibility of proposed policies. Output: Section inputs, strategic review of draft chapters, and contributions to spatial framework maps.

High-Level Engagement and Representation

Participate in Technical workshops, and bilateral consultations as a senior representative of the NSS team:

• Present findings, conceptual frameworks, and policy recommendations to high-level government audiences.

• Support the preparation of briefing materials for decision-makers.

Output: Technical presentations, briefing notes, and record of stakeholder engagements.

Institutional Arrangement

The Senior Strategic Advisor will report directly to the Chief Technical Advisor (UNDP) and the Chief National Advisor (UNDP), with day-to-day coordination with the NSS technical team and relevant MoMaH departments.

Duty Station

The assignment will be office-based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with possible field missions to regional authorities, Royal Commissions, and development agencies to collect data and validate economic findings.

Travel

Field missions to regional authorities, Royal Commissions, and development authorities entailed by this assignment will be coordinated with the IC in advance. Any necessary mission travel (domestic or international) must be approved in advance by UNDP, MoMaH and the IC, with the travel expenses covered by UNDP in line with UNDP’s travel policies.

Schedule of Payments

The payment term for this IC is a monthly salary upon the signing of the contract.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum Education Requirements

A Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Spatial Planning, Public Policy, Infrastructure Planning, or any closely related field

Minimum Years of Relevant Work Experience

• A minimum of 12 years associated with a master’s degree or 14 years associated with a bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible experience in national spatial planning or territorial policy.

• Direct experience in the development or implementation of the previous National Spatial Strategy versions in Saudi Arabia.

• Strong institutional knowledge of Saudi planning and governance structures.

• Proven track record of advisory roles in complex, multi-sectoral national planning processes.

Required skills

• High-level analytical and strategic thinking skills.

• Excellent drafting, synthesis, and policy formulation abilities.

• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with established networks in KSA’s planning ecosystem.

• Ability to provide senior-level guidance while working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Familiarity with UNDP and UN-Habitat's work and approach and knowledge of SDGs and NUA are desirable.

• Experience in collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams in the delivery of complex tasks.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in the English and Arabic languages is required

Professional Certificates:

An asset if acquired in relevant fields.

How to apply

1. CV must be submitted online in PDF either through

• SOC’s portal via the following link: https://jobs.my-soc.org/apply/20251217151913/1eaSQu4zvxELHofYKN7Tcdy9i

• Or submit your CV to jobs@starsorbit.org (Please write UNDP Saudi Arabia / Senior Strategic Advisor)

2. During submission, please use the English language only.

3. Indicate clear years of experience with each job (Month/Year)

4. If the candidate is currently employed by a government institution, he/she must be able to provide an unpaid leave of absence for the duration of the consultancy.

5. Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted.

6. By submitting your application, you have read the Terms of Reference for this position and agree that any false, wrong, or incomplete information might lead to your disqualification in this recruitment process.