Governance & Implementation Specialist

Job Description

The Governance & Implementation Specialist will play a central role in shaping, coordinating, and delivering planning and development projects across the Middle East, with a strong emphasis on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Working within a multidisciplinary team of spatial planners, urban designers, and development specialists, the role focuses on establishing governance frameworks, implementation strategies, delivery mechanisms, and institutional structures that enable successful execution of national, regional and city scale plans and strategies as well as a range of master plan and project level initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of government processes, regulatory environments, institutional capacity building, and program delivery within the Gulf region, particularly KSA. They will act as a bridge between strategic planning and on‑the‑ground implementation, ensuring that strategies and plans translate into actionable, well‑governed, and efficiently delivered programs.

Responsibilities

Governance Frameworks & Institutional Design

• Develop governance models, institutional structures, and operating frameworks for major development programs and authorities, in the context of existing and emerging governance structures, policies and systems
• Assess existing governance systems and recommend improvements aligned with international best practice and local regulatory environments.
• Define roles, responsibilities, and decision‑making protocols across government entities, delivery partners, and stakeholders.
• Support the establishment of new development authorities, program management offices (PMOs), or regulatory bodies where required.
  
  
  

Implementation Strategy & Delivery Planning

• Translate spatial plans, master plans, development strategies and sectoral programmes into actionable implementation roadmaps.
• Define delivery mechanisms, phasing strategies, and program structures for large‑scale urban and regional projects.
• Identify risks, constraints, and enablers affecting implementation and propose mitigation strategies.
• Review, enhance and develop KPIs, monitoring frameworks, and performance management systems to track progress and ensure accountability.
  
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

• Work closely with government ministries, municipalities, development authorities, and private‑sector partners across the Middle East.
• Facilitate workshops, consultations, and decision‑making sessions to align stakeholders around governance and implementation requirements.
• Support capacity‑building initiatives to strengthen institutional readiness and operational capability.
  
  
  

Policy, Regulation & Compliance

• Review and interpret relevant national and regional policies, regulations, and standards—particularly within the KSA context.
• Provide guidance on regulatory compliance, permitting processes, and statutory requirements affecting project delivery.
• Contribute to the development of new policies, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks where needed.
  
  
  

Project & Advisory Support

• Provide strategic advisory support to planning and development teams throughout project lifecycles.
• Prepare high‑quality reports, presentations, and briefing materials for senior government and client stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment between strategic objectives, governance structures, and implementation pathways.
  
  
  

Regional Insight & Market Awareness

• Maintain awareness of regional development trends, government reforms, and sectoral initiatives across the Middle East.
• Apply deep knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, regulatory landscape, and institutional ecosystem to project work.
  
  
  

Candidate Profile

A strategic thinker with deep expertise in governance systems, institutional design, and implementation processes within complex development environments. Comfortable navigating government organizations, advising senior decision-makers, and translating high-level plans into operational frameworks that deliver real-world impact.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning, Development Studies, Public Administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in governance, institutional development, program implementation, or strategic advisory roles.
• Demonstrable experience working with government entities, development authorities, or major consultancies in the Middle East (KSA experience strongly preferred).
• Proven track record developing governance frameworks, delivery models, PMO structures, or implementation strategies for large‑scale development or urban projects. Evidence via project portfolio is required.
• Strong understanding of Saudi Arabia’s regulatory landscape, Vision 2030 programs, and institutional ecosystem.
• Experience in multi‑stakeholder environments involving ministries, municipalities, private‑sector partners, and international organisations.
• Familiarity with spatial planning, urban development, and infrastructure delivery processes is an advantage.
  
  
  

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to design governance structures, decision‑making frameworks, and institutional operating models.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate complex strategies into actionable implementation plans.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to prepare high‑quality reports, presentations, and briefing materials for senior stakeholders.
• Skilled in facilitating workshops, consultations, and cross‑entity coordination sessions.
• Strong organisational and project management capabilities, with attention to detail and follow‑through.
• Ability to work effectively in fast‑paced, evolving environments typical of major development programs in the region.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity, with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse stakeholder groups.
  
  
  

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, resourceful, and comfortable taking ownership of complex tasks.
• Confident engaging with senior government officials and high‑level stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work seamlessly within multidisciplinary teams.
• Adaptable and resilient, with a positive approach to navigating ambiguity and change.
• Passionate about contributing to transformative development initiatives across the Middle East
  
  
  

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