Overview of position

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.
• Output 5: Strengthening institutional & technical capacity.

Role objectives

The Senior National Park Advisor will be responsible for the following:

Park development & conservation:

• Spearhead the development & management of central protected areas within the nation.
• Oversee the mapping, documentation & conservation of paleontological sites, ensuring that heritage is preserved.
• Collaborate with international teams, universities & institutions to gain insights & adopt best practices.
• Ensure that all conservation activities comply with national & international standards.

Policy development & implementation:

• Develop policies that balance the need for research, tourism & conservation within national parks.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including local communities, to ensure policies are inclusive & beneficial.
• Oversee the implementation of these policies, ensuring they are adhered to & periodically reviewed for improvements.

Education & tourism initiatives:

• Develop & manage educational displays for tourists, highlighting the nation’s rich geological & paleontological heritage.
• Ensure that tourist activities are conducted in an eco friendly manner, preserving the natural habitat & promoting sustainable tourism.
• Collaborate with educational institutions to introduce programs that enhance awareness of the nation’s geological history.

Research & publications:

• Drive research initiatives in the field of geology & paleontology, enhancing the nation’s contribution to global knowledge.
• Collaborate with international researchers & institutions to produce high quality publications.
• Promote the importance of research & its findings to a broader audience through seminars, workshops & other platforms.

Technical skills & training:

• Utilize GIS software & other technical tools to aid in park management & development.
• Stay updated with the latest technologies & methodologies in park management.
• Organize & participate in training programs to upgrade skills, both for oneself & for the team.

The Senior National Park Advisor will be responsible for delivering the following:

Park development & conservation:

• A comprehensive strategic plan for the development of central protected areas within the nation, with clearly defined milestones & timelines.
• Detailed reports on the mapping, documentation & conservation activities of paleontological sites, highlighting key findings & preservation techniques used.
• Collaboration agreements or MoUs with international teams, universities & institutions, detailing the scope & objectives of partnerships.
• Periodic assessment reports ensuring compliance with national & international conservation standards.

Policy development & implementation:

• A well documented policy framework that addresses the balance between research, tourism & conservation in national parks.
• Stakeholder engagement reports, showcasing feedback & suggestions from local communities & other relevant entities.
• Periodic review documents highlighting the effectiveness of the implemented policies & suggesting areas of improvement.

Education & tourism initiatives:

• Design prototypes & content drafts for educational displays targeting tourists.
• Quarterly reports on tourist activities, emphasizing eco friendly practices & their impact on the environment.
• Collaborative initiatives with educational institutions, including curriculum enhancements & outreach programs, aiming to raise geological & paleontological awareness.

Research & publications:

• Published research papers in recognized journals or presentations at international conferences, contributing to the field of geology & paleontology.
• Collaboration agreements with international researchers, detailing the scope & objectives of joint research initiatives.
• Organized seminars, workshops & other events promoting research findings, with post event feedback reports.

Technical skills & training:

• Utilization reports showcasing the effective application of GIS software & other technical tools in park management.
• Updates & reviews of current technologies & methodologies, presented in the form of whitepapers or briefs.
• Organized training sessions with measurable outcomes, such as participant feedback, skill enhancement metrics & post-training evaluations.
• 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 National Park Advisor will work at the Strategy Department of NCVC under the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator & indirect supervision of the National Project Officer.
• This advisor consultancy will be implemented under the total supervision of NCVC, which is according to the NCVC act no. (8) by law, is responsible for the design, establishment, operation & supervision of national parks, whether terrestrial or geologic parks, including but not limited to infrastructure, services, mapping, signposting, education services & the imposition of fines for violations of national law or its regulations.

Key competencies

• Proven track record of collaboration with international teams & institutions.
• Expertise in geological & paleontological research & documentation.
• Strong leadership & team management capabilities.
• Proficient in GIS software & other park management tools.
• Policy development & stakeholder engagement.
• Project management & strategic planning.
• Experience in organizing seminars, workshops & educational programs.
• Skills in multi cultural & multi ethnic collaboration.
• Knowledge of sustainable tourism practices.
• Familiarity with international conservation standards & best practices.
• Fluency in Arabic & English is required.
• Set & align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, 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.
• Knowledge of intergovernmental bodies (general assembly, ECOSOC, UNDESA, etc.), including respective mandates, ways of working & negotiation processes.
• Ability to take decisions in a timely & efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise & resources.
• Knowledge on conservation & sustainable use of biodiversity, land, forests & oceans.
• Knowledge reduced emissions from deforestation & forest degradation.
• Knowledge on green economy & green growth & economic transformation, policy & planning.
• Effective & efficient delivery & implementation of programs & projects.

Team management

• Team management experience is desired for this role.

Further information

• The expected duration of the work is 12 months.
• The post is anticipated to start on 1st December 2023 & end on 30th November 2024.
• The completion of deliverables & 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 & the NCVC, considering the project’s progress & requirements.
• This assignment will be based in NCVC Riyadh.
• 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 our client & 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.