The National Center for Social Studies (NCSS) shall have an independent legal personality and report directly to the Minister of Social Affairs. Its headquarters shall be in the city of Riyadh.

The NCSS aims to conduct research and studies on social issues, phenomena, and problems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to propose appropriate recommendations and solutions.

The NCSS shall have the following duties and powers:
1. Conducting theoretical and field social studies and research.
2. Identifying, examining, and finding solutions to social issues, phenomena, and problems of concern to Saudi society.
3. Conducting evaluation research to identify shortcomings in various community programs.
4. Publishing refereed academic research, studies, books, and manuscripts.
5. Issuing a refereed academic journal specializing in various fields of social sciences.
6. Developing academic research methods to assist researchers in social fields.
7. Providing academic and technical consultation services to public and private social institutions in order to improve and develop their services.
8. Contributing to academic seminars and workshops for specialists and persons interested in social sciences in Saudi, Gulf, and Arab societies.
9. Setting up a central database of social studies and research for researchers and specialists in social fields.
10. Cooperating with research and study centers specializing in social affairs.
11. Training social workers from the Ministry of Social Affairs and other institutions.

The NCSS may seek the assistance of specialists in social affairs from the Kingdom and abroad.

• First: The center shall have a Board of Directors chaired by the Minister of Social Affairs, with representatives as follows:

  • 1- A representative from the Ministry of Interior.

  • 2- A representative from the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.

  • 3- A representative from the Ministry of Higher Education.

  • 4- A representative from the Ministry of Economy and Planning.

  • 5- A representative from the Ministry of Education.

  • 6- Two specialists from universities (nominated by the Minister of Higher Education).

  • 7- Two specialists in social affairs (nominated by the Minister of Social Affairs).

  • 8- Two representatives from the private sector interested in social affairs (nominated by the Council of Saudi Chambers).

• Second:

  • 1- The members of the Board of Directors - referred to in paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) of item (First) of this article - shall be appointed by a decision of the Council of Ministers.

  • 2- The term of membership in the Board of Directors shall be three years, renewable for a similar period once.

  • 3- The ranks of the representatives of government entities in the Board of Directors shall not be less than the rank (fourteenth) or its equivalent.

The Board of Directors of the NCSS shall be the highest authority overseeing its management as well as running its affairs and setting its general policy in accordance with this Statute. The Board shall have all the powers necessary to
achieve its objectives; particularly the following:
1. Setting the NCSS’s general policy and action plan to achieve its objectives and monitoring the implementation thereof.
2. Approving the NCSS’s financial regulations in agreement with the Ministry of Finance.
3. Approving the NCSS’s administrative regulations as well as regulations relating to its activities.
4. Overseeing the NCSS’s activities.
5. Approving the NCSS’s draft budget, final account, auditor’s report, and annual report, in preparation for submission in accordance with statutory procedures.
6. Forming committees with sufficient powers to address matters presented to the Board.

The Board of Directors shall convene upon a call by its Chairman at least twice a year. The call shall include the agenda. A meeting shall be deemed valid if attended by the majority of members including the Chairman. Decisions shall be passed by the majority vote of attending members; in case of a tie, the Chairman shall have the casting vote. The Board may invite experts and specialists to attend its sessions in a non-voting capacity. Board deliberations and decisions shall be recorded in minutes signed by the Chairman and attending members.

The NCSS shall have a Director of a rank not lower than grade "Fourteen" nominated by the Chairman of the Board (the Minister of Social Affairs). Said Director shall be the executive officer of the NCSS and shall report to the Chairman. His responsibilities shall be within the limits of this Statute and pursuant to Board decisions, and he shall have the following powers:
1. Supervising the NCSS’s workers in accordance with the powers granted thereto and as stipulated by the Regulations.
2. Proposing the NCSS’s plans and programs and overseeing their implementation upon the approval of the Board of Directors.
3. Proposing the NCSS’s administrative and financial regulations as well as regulations relating to its activities, and amendments thereto, and submitting the same to the Board of Directors.
4. Preparing the NCSS’s draft budget, annual report, and final account, in preparation for presentation to the Board of Directors.
5. Issuing the NCSS’s disbursement orders in accordance with its approved annual budget and financial regulations.
6. Preparing for the meetings of the Board of Directors.
7. Monitoring the implementation of the decisions of the Board of Directors.
8. Submitting periodic reports on the NCSS’s activities and achievements to the Board of Directors.
The Director of the NCSS may delegate some of the powers provided for in this Article to other NCSS officials.

A special portion within the budget of the Ministry of Social Affairs shall be allocated to the NCSS to be disbursed pursuant to a decision from the Chairman of the NCSS’s Board of Directors in accordance with the NCSS’s approved financial regulations. The financial resources of the NCSS shall comprise the following:
1. Allocations in the State budget.
2. Grants, donations, gifts, and endowments accepted by the NCSS’s Board of Directors.

Except for the Director of the NCSS, NCSS workers shall be subject to the Labor Law and the Social Insurance Law.