Technical Consultant Specialized in the Saudi Highway Code At UN Development Programme

1. Position Information

  • Organization: UNDP Saudi Arabia, through Stars Orbit Consultants and Management Development (SOC).
  • VA No. VA26/155
  • Office/Unit/Project: Monitoring and Compliance Sector Roads General Authority (RGA)
  • Position Title: Technical Consultant Specialized in the Saudi Highway Code
  • Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — RGA Headquarters (hybrid: office-based with remote/home-based work as agreed)
  • Contract Type (Full or Part-Time): Part-Time
  • Duration: 12 Months
  • National or International Consultant: Saudi National
  • Vacancy Date of Issue: 1 September 2026
  • Vacancy Closure Date: 14 September 2026
  • Expected Starting Date: To be determined upon signature of the contract

Advertisement Context – Broader Development Relevance

Safe and reliable road infrastructure is essential for maintaining access to communities and public services and for facilitating the movement of emergency and humanitarian assistance when needed. By strengthening the monitoring and application of national road safety, quality, and sustainability standards, this UNDP-supported assignment contributes to stronger institutional capacity and a safer and more dependable national road network.

To review the job description, please click on the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PRV_f0zo-0149reT_Z0n4O8b8IZYHJXv/view

2. Project Title

Technical Consultant Specialized in the Saudi Highway Code

3. Project Description

The Saudi Highway Code is the Kingdom’s principal technical and regulatory reference governing the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the national road network. The Roads General Authority (RGA), through its Monitoring and Compliance Sector, is mandated to monitor and enforce compliance of implementing entities with the Code and to ensure that road infrastructure across the Kingdom meets the required standards of quality, safety, and sustainability.

As the Code continues to evolve alongside the growth of the national road network and Saudi Vision 2030 infrastructure targets, the Sector requires dedicated, specialized technical support to interpret the Code’s provisions, analyse compliance data, strengthen monitoring tools, and advise senior management on regulatory and technical matters. This consultancy will provide that support, working closely with the General Departments concerned, the Standards and Policies Department, and the Sector’s leadership.

The Technical Consultant will provide advisory support to the Monitoring and Compliance Sector on all matters related to the Saudi Highway Code, in order to ensure compliance with the Code’s requirements, improve the quality, safety, and sustainability of road projects, and measure the compliance of implementing entities with the Highway Code.

4. Scope of Work

Tasks and Responsibilities

a. Technical Review and Interpretation of the Code

• Review and interpret the provisions of the Saudi Highway Code and provide advice on monitoring compliance with its standards and specifications.

• Participate in analysing technical challenges and issues related to applying and complying with the Code, and propose appropriate solutions.

• Evaluate corrective action plans submitted by non-compliant entities and confirm that the proposed engineering solutions are sustainable and consistent with the Code’s standards.

b. Preparation of Technical Notes and Recommendations

• Prepare technical notes and recommendations to ensure compliance with the Code’s requirements during the design, implementation, and maintenance phases.

c. Data Analysis and Development of Monitoring Tools

• Analyse data from field compliance reports to identify the standards most frequently violated.

• Provide recommendations to the Standards and Policies Department to amend or clarify certain provisions of the Code based on actual implementation constraints.

• Develop a scientific methodology to translate the Code’s requirements into smart inspection checklists focused on high-risk factors.

d. Updating Policies and Technical Guides

• Contribute to updating the Sector’s technical guides and approved standards in line with the Code.

• Prepare concise guidance manuals to help the General Departments monitor implementing entities’ compliance with the Code.

e. Digital Transformation in Monitoring

• Work on leveraging technology and digital transformation to monitor compliance with the Saudi Highway Code.

f. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer

• Support the development of internal training programmes on the Saudi Highway Code and compliance with its requirements.

g. Decision-Making Support

• Prepare analytical reports and specialised studies for the Vice President covering the technical and regulatory implications of recommendations or decisions related to the Highway Code.

• Participate in relevant technical committees with regulatory or research bodies involved in matters related to the Saudi Highway Code.

5. Institutional Arrangement

• The Consultant will report to the Head of the Monitoring and Compliance Sector and coordinate with the relevant General Departments and technical teams.

• The Consultant is expected to submit a monthly progress report summarising activities, findings, and recommendations.

• Regular coordination meetings will be held with the Sector’s leadership to review progress against the deliverables schedule and escalate any technical or regulatory matters requiring the Vice President’s decision.

6. Duration of the Work

The contract duration is 12 months on a part-time basis and may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance, the availability of funds, and business needs.

The part-time arrangement and estimated level of effort will be clearly stated at the advertisement stage so that applicants can assess their availability before submitting an offer.

7. Duty Station

The assignment is part-time and hybrid. The Consultant will be based at RGA Headquarters in Riyadh for meetings, workshops, and coordination sessions, with the remainder of the work conducted remotely or from home.

The Consultant is expected to be available in Riyadh at short notice for priority meetings with the Vice President or the General Departments and will submit monthly progress reports regardless of work location.

8. Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

  • A minimum of a Master’s degree in Highway Engineering or Civil Engineering (a PhD is an asset)
  • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in highway/road engineering, of which at least 5 years relate directly to the application, interpretation, or regulation of the Saudi Highway Code or comparable national road standards.
  • Full familiarity with the Saudi Highway Code and all related regulations and specifications
  • Strong technical analysis skills and the ability to prepare reports and recommendations for senior management
  • Fluency in Arabic and working proficiency in English, both written and spoken

How to apply

1. CV must be submitted online in PDF format through SOC’s portal via the following link: https://vacancies.my-soc.org/apply/20260901114059/VACANCY-6A96B9CB3D5DF

2. 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.

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

4. 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.