Strategic Infrastructure Expert

UN Development Programme

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MoMaH), are leading the redrafting of Saudi Arabia s National Spatial Strategy (NSS). The NSS defines the spatial framework for achieving Vision 2030 and beyond, integrating spatial, economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainable national development. The updated NSS will align with two complementary initiatives carried out:

• The Spatial Planning Act (SPA) establishing the statutory spatial planning hierarchy.
• The National Urban Policy (NUP) defining policy priorities for urban development and governance.

Infrastructure systems transport, logistics, energy, utilities, and digital connectivity are among the key drivers of spatial transformation. Understanding their national structure, interdependencies, and territorial implications is essential to achieving balanced regional development, spatial connectivity, and economic diversification.

Within this context, the Strategic Infrastructure Expert will provide specialized technical expertise in analyzing, modeling, and integrating infrastructure systems into the spatial framework and policy recommendations of the NSS.

As part of the NSS Drafting Team, the Strategic Infrastructure Expert will provide analytical, technical, and strategic inputs related infrastructure networks, interconnectivity, accessibility, and territorial resilience. He / She will collaborate closely with the Chief Technical Advisor (UNDP), Chief National Advisor, Analytics Team, GIS Team, relevant MoMaH and DASC departments, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services (MOTLS), the Ministry of Energy (MoE), and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) and other ministries and national and regional level bodies.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Infrastructure Systems Diagnosis Output: Infrastructure Systems Diagnostic Report contributing to the NSS baseline analysis
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of national infrastructure networks, including transport, energy, water, digital connectivity, and utilities.
• Guide the mapping of the existing and planned infrastructure systems using data from MOTLS, MoE, MEWA, SDAIA and others.
• Identify bottlenecks, service gaps, and regional disparities in accessibility and connectivity.
• Analyze the relationship between infrastructure investment, regional growth, and settlement development.
• Strategic Infrastructure Modeling and Scenario Analysis Output: Strategic Infrastructure Scenarios Report and technical input to GIS-based spatial models
• Develop infrastructure development scenarios aligned with Vision 2030 programs and beyond (Infrastructure Strategy, National Transport Strategy, Energy and Water Strategies).
• Guide the modelling of accessibility and connectivity improvements under different infrastructure investment pathways.
• Identify strategic corridors, logistics hubs, multimodal networks, and critical infrastructure linkages influencing regional competitiveness.
• Assess implications of these scenarios on spatial equity, environmental sustainability, and resilience.
• Integration with the National Spatial Framework Output: Input to the NSS Draft Strategy Document and thematic maps on infrastructure and connectivity
• Support the NSS drafting process by integrating infrastructure analysis into spatial structure maps and strategy chapters.
• Define the hierarchy of infrastructure systems national, regional, and local and their alignment with settlement systems and economic clusters.
• Recommend priority investment areas and infrastructure corridors supporting balanced development and spatial inclusion.
• Contribute to policy recommendations on infrastructure governance, coordination, and planning integration with the SPA and NUP frameworks
• Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Coordination Output: Technical presentations, stakeholder feedback reports, and revised infrastructure analysis as needed
• Participate in technical workshops, bilateral consultations, and Steering Committee meetings.
• Present findings, scenario results, and recommendations to national stakeholders and the NSS Technical Committee.

Institutional Arrangement

The Strategic Infrastructure Expert will report directly to the Chief Technical Advisor (UNDP) and liaise on a daily basis with the NSS technical team and relevant MoMaH departments. Collaboration with the GIS, Spatial Planning, Environmental, and Infrastructure Experts will be continuous throughout the NSS project.