Senior Consulting Manager

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

VA No. VA24-73

Position Title: Senior Consulting Manager
Consultancy Type: National Expert

Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Office-Based)

Duration: 12 Months

Vacancy Date of Issue: 13 May 2024

Vacancy Closure Date: 23 May 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.

A. Project Title:

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

B. Project Description:

In support of the realization of the ambitious Saudi Arabia and Middle East Green initiative under the Saudi Vision 2030, the National Centre 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:

1. Output 1: Strengthening international cooperation and network.
2. Output 2: Promoting conservation practices and strengthening environmental awareness via advocacy and outreach.
3. Output 3: Model tree nursery design and ecosystem conservation.
4. Output 4: Transformation of information technology and digital infrastructure.
5. Output 5: Strengthening institutional and technical capacity.

C. Scope of Work

The Senior Consulting Manager will be responsible for the following:

1.Management Consulting and Strategic Planning

• Develop investment strategies aligned with NCVC’s goals and risk profiles by conducting research, collecting, and analyzing data, and utilizing various analytical frameworks and tools.
• Define asset allocation strategies, select investment vehicles, and establish investment policies and guidelines.
• Identify and address challenges through strategic problem-solving, providing insights, and collaborating with stakeholders.
• Collaborate and consult with executive leadership, stakeholders, project leads, sponsors, and business partners to clarify and define portfolio, program, and project requirements.
• Develop strategic plans and initiatives by defining NCVC’s vision, mission, and goals, and aligning business strategy with market trends and industry best practices.
• Provide guidance on strategic decision-making, business models, and competitive positioning.
• Identify opportunities to improve business processes and operational efficiency. Conduct process assessments, mapping, and optimization to streamline workflows, reduce costs, and enhance productivity.
• Recommend process changes, develop implementation plans, and support NCVC in implementing process improvement initiatives.
• Assist NCVC in designing and implementing organizational structures that align with their strategic objectives.
• Assess organizational capabilities, roles, and responsibilities, and provide recommendations for organizational restructuring.
• Develop change management plans to support the adoption of new strategies and initiatives within NCVC.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and reports to communicate findings, recommendations, and project progress to clients and effectively convey complex concepts and solutions in a clear and concise manner.
• Collaborate with senior management to ensure their understanding and buy-in for proposed strategies and initiatives.

2. Project Management and Governance

• Establish and manage the PMO, including defining its structure, roles, and responsibilities. Develop and implement PMO policies, procedures, and governance frameworks to ensure consistent project management practices.
• Define and enforce project management methodologies, standards, and best practices.
• Select and implement project management frameworks (such as Agile or Waterfall).
• Create and develop project templates and provide guidance on project management tools and techniques.
• Establish project reporting mechanisms and develop project performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Track and analyze project data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare regular reports and dashboards for senior management to provide visibility into project status and resource utilization.
• Collaborate with department managers and project managers to ensure proper resource allocation and capacity planning.
• Develop resource management processes and tools to optimize resource utilization and balance workloads across projects.
• Monitor resource availability, identify skill gaps, and facilitate resource allocation decisions.
• Engage with stakeholders at various levels, including executive management, project sponsors, project teams, and contractors.
• Establish strong relationships with stakeholders and manage their expectations.
• Communicate project-related information, provide updates on project progress, and address any concerns or issues raised by stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the PMO and across project management practices.
• Identify areas for improvement, implement process enhancements, and promote knowledge sharing and lessons learned.
• Stay updated with industry trends and emerging project management methodologies and technologies to drive innovation within the PMO.

3.Project Portfolio Management

• Oversee NCVC’s project portfolio to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Evaluate and prioritize projects, conduct feasibility studies, and provide recommendations for resource allocation and project selection.
• Manage and plan project portfolio risks, issues, and changes. Adapt adequate mechanisms and processes within the specific project portfolio.
• Identify project portfolio objectives, policies, procedures, and performance standards.
• Document any business requirements for specific initiatives/projects.
• Organize and manage the activities of specific program/project areas.
• Monitor project portfolio budgets and prepare regular status reports.
• Evaluate project outcomes in terms of quality, consistency, accuracy, overall value, completion dates, and performance.
• Ensure the recording and maintenance of a project database containing all related information, data, documents, and reports.
• Monitor and manage portfolio risk by implementing risk mitigation techniques.
• Perform risk assessments, stress tests, and scenario analysis to identify potential risks and develop risk mitigation plans.
• Continuously monitor and adjust portfolios to ensure risk levels align with NCVC’s risk tolerance.
• Monitor the performance of investment portfolios and evaluate their performance against benchmarks and objectives.
• Communicate investment strategies, portfolio updates, and performance reports.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and align portfolio management practices with legal and regulatory requirements.

4.Training and Development

• Develop and deliver training programs to enhance project management capabilities within the organization.
• Conduct project management training sessions, workshops, and mentoring to improve the skills and knowledge of project managers and team members.
• Provide guidance and support to project managers on project management best practices and methodologies.
• Serve as one of the primary contact points for all project management matters at NCVC.
• Represent the Centre in relevant discussions, meetings, and events as necessary.
• Conduct research in the field of project management and ensure NCVC’s alignment with industry benchmarks.
• Offer training sessions and guidance to NCVC staff based on the specialist’s area of expertise.
• Perform any other related duties within the specialist’s area of expertise.
• Identify skill gaps within the NCVC team and tailor training sessions to address these areas.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in project management and introduce them to the team as appropriate.

D. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The Senior Consulting Manager will be responsible for delivering the following:

1.Management Consulting and Strategic Planning

• Investment strategies, plans, and risk profiles.
• Consulting frameworks, implementation plans, and organizational structure tools.
• Investment policies and guidelines.
• Executive presentations and reports.
• Problem identification strategies and solution techniques.
• Strategic plans and initiatives list and business strategy.
• Strategic decision-making forms and business models.
• Organizational capabilities, roles, and responsibilities lists.

2.Project Management and Governance

• PMO framework, PMO methodology, PMO charter, policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Project Management processes guide, procedures, templates, and forms.
• Project communication plan, stakeholders plan, roles and responsibilities, and escalation matrices.
• Project management tools and techniques.
• Project performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) forms.
• Status and progress reports and executive dashboards.
• Continuous improvement plan and lessons learned registers.

3.Project Portfolio Management

• Portfolio management processes and procedures.
• Portfolio master plan with strategic objectives list.
• Feasibility studies and resource allocation plans.
• Portfolio risks, issues, and changes registers.
• Portfolio objectives, policies, and performance standards forms.
• Portfolio status reports and dashboards.
• Portfolio risk management plan including mitigation plans.
• Communicate investment strategies, portfolio updates, and performance reports.

4.Training and Development

• Training program plans, manuals, handbooks, and guides that provide participants with comprehensive information and resources related to the training topic.

• Building capabilities materials may include written content, diagrams, charts, case studies, and exercises to facilitate learning and understanding.

• Training sessions and workshops presentations including visual aids, graphics, and multimedia elements.

• E-Learning modules, schedules, and feedback reports.

• Reference materials and resources that provide quick access to information or guidelines.

• Cheat sheets, checklists, templates, and reference guides.

  It’s important to note that the expected outputs and deliverables may be subject to adjustment and refinement during the project based on evolving needs and priorities.

E. Institutional Arrangement

The Senior Consulting Manager will work in NCVC under the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator with a reporting line to the UNDP Project Manager.

F. Duration of the Work

• The expected duration of the work is 12 months.
• The post is anticipated to start on [15 May 2024] and end on [15 May 2025].
• The completion of deliverables and milestones will be spread out throughout the duration of the project, with specific timelines provided in the deliverables table.
• The timeline for review and feedback on deliverables will be communicated by the Project Manager at the NCVC.
• Any adjustments or extensions to the duration of the work will be mutually agreed upon by the Senior Advisor and the NCVC, considering the project’s progress and requirements.

G. Duty Station

• This assignment will be based in NCVC Riyadh.
• UNDP will cover the around ticket 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.