CTG overview:
CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.
CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.
Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.
Visit www.ctg.org to find out more
Project description:
In support of the realization of the ambitious Saudi Arabia & Middle East green initiative under the Saudi Vision 2030, the National Center for Vegetation Cover & Combating Desertification (NCVC) has been tasked with combating desertification, rehabilitating forest vegetation cover, protecting local endangered plant species & managing national parks. This project is designed to support NCVC in increasing necessary institutional, technical, & technological capacities to realize its mandate more effectively & efficiently. The enhanced NCVC capacity will be achieved through transforming information technology & digital capabilities, establishing cooperation & strengthening its network internationally & promoting forest conservation practices & increasing environmental awareness to ensure the long term sustainability of NCVC activities at the policy level & on the ground. The project will support the achievement of the ambitious Saudi green initiative by designing a model of a tree nursery & 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 & standards of tree planting & 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 & other relevant stakeholders to ensure the long term sustainability of the activities across the project lifecycle & beyond. This project will build upon the long standing Standard Basic Framework Agreement (SBBA) which was agreed upon between the Kingdom & our client in 1975.
The project expected outputs are:
Output 1: Strengthening international cooperation & network.
Output 2: Promoting conservation practices & strengthening environmental awareness via advocacy & outreach.
Output 3: Model tree nursery design & ecosystem conservation.
Output 4: Transformation of information technology & digital infrastructure.
Role objectives
The Senior Advisor for International Cooperation will play a key role in providing strategic guidance & fostering collaboration to enhance international cooperation & partnerships for the NCVC. The scope of work will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Strategic planning & partnership development:
Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the NCVC’s current international cooperation & partnerships landscape.
Identify key stakeholders, potential partners & international entities with expertise & best practices relevant to the NCVC’s mandates.
Develop a strategic plan for international cooperation & partnerships, aligned with the NCVC’s vision & goals.
Design a roadmap for engagement, outlining targeted activities for learning, knowledge exchange & collaboration.
International networking & engagement:
Establish & maintain relationships with global & regional entities, organizations & experts working in the field of ecosystems conservation, forest planning & monitoring & national park management.
Represent the NCVC in international conferences, workshops & forums to showcase its work, build partnerships & explore funding opportunities.
Facilitate knowledge sharing & collaboration through field visits, study tours & exchange programs with international entities & partners.
Coordinate with the UN biodiversity geospatial hub & our clients global policy center on resilient ecosystems & desertification to leverage their expertise & resources for the NCVC’s initiatives.
Partnership engagement & collaboration:
Collaborate with identified international entities to develop joint initiatives, projects & programs that align with the NCVC’s mandates.
Facilitate the exchange of best practices, lessons learned & innovative approaches in ecosystem conservation, sustainable forestry & national park management.
Support the NCVC in establishing formal partnerships & cooperation agreements with international organizations, research institutions & relevant stakeholders.
Identify funding opportunities & assist in the development of project proposals & grant applications for international cooperation & partnerships.
Policy advocacy & knowledge sharing:
Provide strategic advice & support in the development & implementation of policies, legislation & regulatory frameworks related to vegetation cover & combating desertification.
Coordinate with national & international stakeholders to advocate for sustainable ecosystem management, conservation practices & policy reforms.
Facilitate knowledge sharing & capacity building activities on international best practices, standards & innovative approaches in the field of vegetation cover & combating desertification.
Contribute to the production of knowledge products, policy briefs & research papers to enhance the NCVC’s visibility & thought leadership in the international arena.
Monitoring, evaluation & reporting:
Develop a monitoring & evaluation framework to assess the progress & impact of international cooperation & partnership initiatives.
Collect & analyze data, indicators & performance metrics to track the effectiveness of collaboration efforts.
Prepare regular progress reports, including lessons learned, success stories & recommendations for further improvement.
Support the NCVC in reporting requirements to funding agencies, stakeholders & relevant international platforms.
Expected outputs & deliverables:
Strategic planning & partnership development:
Report on the comprehensive analysis of the NCVC’s current international cooperation & partnerships landscape.
Strategic plan for international cooperation & partnerships, including a roadmap for engagement & targeted activities.
List of key stakeholders, potential partners & international entities with expertise & best practices relevant to the NCVC’s mandates.
International networking & engagement:
Documentation of established relationships with global & regional entities, organizations & experts.
Reports on participation & representation of the NCVC in international conferences, workshops & forums.
Documentation of field visits, study tours & exchange programs with international entities & partners.
Partnership engagement & collaboration:
Reports on joint initiatives, projects & programs developed in collaboration with international entities.
Formal partnership agreements & cooperation agreements with international organizations & research institutions.
Project proposals & grant applications for international cooperation & partnership initiatives.
Policy advocacy & knowledge sharing:
Policy briefs, research papers & knowledge products on international best practices & standards.
Reports on advocacy efforts & collaboration with national & international stakeholders.
Documentation of knowledge sharing & capacity building activities conducted by the NCVC.
Monitoring, evaluation & reporting:
Monitoring & evaluation framework for assessing the progress & impact of international cooperation & partnership initiatives.
Data collection & analysis reports on the effectiveness of collaboration efforts.
Progress reports, success stories & recommendations for further improvement.
It’s important to note that the expected outputs & deliverables may be subject to adjustment & refinement during the project based on evolving needs & priorities.
Project reporting:
The Senior Advisor for International Cooperation will work for the International Affairs Advisor under the direct supervision of National Project Coordinator at NCVC & indirectly to the National Project Officer.
Key competencies:
Master’s degree in international relations, international development, environmental studies, or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in international cooperation & partnerships, preferably in the field of environmental conservation & sustainable development.
Certification or training in international cooperation, partnership development, or related fields would be an asset any additional certifications or training relevant to environmental conservation & sustainable development would be advantageous.
Strong knowledge & understanding of international cooperation frameworks & mechanisms.
Proven experience in establishing & managing partnerships with international organizations, government agencies & civil society.
Excellent strategic planning & negotiation skills.
Strong analytical & problem solving abilities.
Effective communication & interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently &d as part of a team.
Familiarity with the Middle East region & understanding of its environmental challenges.
Experience in working with national & international stakeholders on ecosystem conservation & restoration projects.
Knowledge of sustainable development goals & their implementation in the context of environmental initiatives.
Project management skills & experience in coordinating & overseeing complex projects.
Proficiency in English (both written & spoken) is required.
Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.
Set & align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, that have a lasting impact.
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
Create & act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
Proactively initiate & champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
Think beyond immediate task / barriers & take action to achieve greater results.
Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter agency collaboration.
Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce & champion inclusivity.
Ability to manage programs & projects with a focus at improved performance & demonstrable results.
Ability to take decisions in a timely & efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise & resources.
Knowledge on sustainable urban development.
Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise & creates win win situation.
Ability to engage with a wide range of public & private partners, build, sustain & / or strengthen working relations, trust & mutual understanding.
Ability to allocate & use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability & integrity.
Effective & efficient delivery & implementation of urban programs & projects.
Team management:
This role does not have any team management responsibility.
Further information:
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.
The expected duration of the work is 12 months.
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 & 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 for International Cooperation & the NCVC, considering the project’s progress & requirements.
Our client will cover the around ticket to / from the duty station.
If unforeseen travel outside the consultant’s duty station city is requested by UNDP & not required by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be covered by our client in line with applicable rules & regulations & 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).
A written approval from our client & relevant authorities will be required to facilitate the consultant’s travel to any locations than stated on this TOR on official missions where necessary.