Partnerships Officer

Position Information

• Organization: UNDP Saudi Arabia, through Stars Orbit Consultants and Management Development (SOC).
• VA No. VA26/71
• Office/Unit/Project: KSA/Program/ 01004920
• Position Title: Partnership Officer
• Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Office-based: Yes
• Duration: 12 Months
• Number of Required Positions: 1
• Vacancy Date of Issue: 13 May 2026
• Vacancy Closure Date: 26 May 2026
• Expected Starting Date: 1 July 2026

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.

To review the full job description, please click on the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I82BQ5MhNxvspL9wngWc1uuTvCAKLiUX/view?usp=sharing.

Project Title:

Establishment of and Support to Public Diplomacy Think Tank, Prince Sultan University (PSU), (Project Number: 01004920)

Project Description:

Through the partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Prince Sultan University (PSU), this project supports the establishment and operationalisation of the Public Diplomacy Think Tank in Saudi Arabia. The initiative represents Phase II of a multi-phase cooperation, building on the successful completion of Phase I, which defined the strategic foundation and institutional design of the Think Tank.

The Think Tank will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s capacity for public diplomacy by advancing research, innovation, and capacity development aligned with Vision 2030. It will serve as a centre of excellence to promote thought leadership, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector partnerships, positioning PSU as a national and regional leader in public diplomacy.

UNDP provides technical and operational support to ensure the Think Tank’s establishment adheres to international standards, integrates sustainable governance systems, and strengthens PSU’s institutional capacity. PSU will lead in developing research, training, and outreach programmes to enhance Saudi Arabia’s influence, promote global dialogue, and develop local expertise in digital diplomacy and soft power strategies.

The project contributes to the UNSDCF Outcome 4: fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies and mobilizing means required for the implementation of Agenda 2030. It aligns with UNDP Strategic Plan Output 3.1 (economic diversification through research, innovation, and digital transformation) and CPD Output 4.3 (strengthening institutional and technical capacities of civil society and academic partners).

Scope of Work

The Partnerships Officer will support stakeholder engagement, partnership development, event coordination, and related reporting. Key responsibilities include:

1. Stakeholder Management

• Identify, map, and maintain records of relevant stakeholders.
• Track stakeholder meetings, commitments, and follow-up actions.
• Prepare stakeholder briefs, meeting notes, and background materials.
• Support senior management in engagement with government, academic, private sector, civil society, think tank, and international partners.

2. Partnership Development

• Identify partnership opportunities aligned with the Think Tank’s mandate.
• Develop partnership concept notes, briefs, and coordination materials.
• Coordinate with partners to ensure clear communication, follow-up, and alignment of expectations.
• Maintain records of partnership discussions and next steps.

3. Events and Convening

• Support planning and delivery of events, roundtables, workshops, dialogues, and public engagements.
• Coordinate with speakers, participants, partners, internal teams, and external vendors.
• Prepare invitations, agendas, participant lists, briefing notes, and post-event summaries.
• Ensure events support the Think Tank’s positioning and stakeholder engagement objectives.

4. Coordination and Reporting

• Coordinate with the Director of Operations, Director of Research, and Director of Communications.
• Prepare regular updates on partnerships, stakeholders, and events.
• Ensure proper documentation and filing in line with institutional and governance requirements.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The Partnerships Officer will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

• Updated stakeholder database with contacts, engagement history, commitments, and follow-up actions.
• Stakeholder briefs, meeting agendas, meeting summaries, and follow-up trackers.
• Partnership notes, concept notes, and coordination documents for potential collaborations.
• Regular updates on stakeholder engagement, partnership discussions, and upcoming events.
• Event support materials, including invitations, participant lists, agendas, briefing notes, and post-event summaries.
• Properly filed records of partnership discussions, stakeholder meetings, and event-related materials.
• Additional tasks and outputs may be assigned by the Director of Operations, in line with the role’s scope and the Think Tank’s operational needs.

Institutional Arrangement

The Partnerships Officer reports to the Director of Operations.

Duration of the Work

• The expected duration of the work is full-time for 12 months.
• The role is anticipated to start on \[01-07-26\] and end on \[01-07-27\].

Duty Station

• This assignment will be Office-based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• 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.

Qualifications of the Successful Consultant

Minimum education requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, public policy, political science, communications, business administration, public relations, or a related field. Master’s degree is an asset.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in stakeholder engagement, partnerships, external relations, event coordination, public affairs, or institutional relations.

Required skills

• Strong stakeholder management; strong Arabic and English communication; ability to prepare briefs and meeting notes; strong coordination and follow-up; experience supporting events and high-level meetings; professionalism and discretion.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience with government entities, universities, think tanks, international organizations, or public sector institutions; familiarity with the Saudi stakeholder landscape; understanding of public diplomacy or policy engagement.

Required Language(s)

• Proficiency in Arabic and English is required.