In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
The primary role of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is to support country-led efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The work of UNDP in 170 countries around the world is anchored in diverse and effective partnerships, which are vital to our two critical roles at country level: (a) as an integrator across policy, programmatic and organizational silos; and (b) as an operational backbone for the United Nations and other partners.
Saudi Arabia is witnessing economic prosperity and progress in all domains of socio-economic development which produced tangible improvement in all human development indicators such as standard of living, health and education services, environmental conditions as well as potentials of comprehensive development. In April 2016, the Government of Saudi Arabia announced its Saudi Vision 2030 – an ambitious long-term development programme.
Saudi Vision 2030 represents an ambitious blueprint with long-term goals and expectations. It is expressed in three themes of a vibrant society: a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. A review of the three themes and their underlying issues of national concern reveal a holistic approach to development that encompasses the three dimensions of sustainable development: the social, the economic and the environment.
The partnership between UNDP and Saudi Arabia is covering vital sectors and areas which contributes to address the needs of Saudi society, including enhancement of the local capacity of different government institutions and support to policy making and reporting. A wide set of under the scope of technical assistance is provided to assist the KSA departments in their reform processes.
To support these activities, UNDP will provide technical advisory support to the KSA through the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Riyadh as well as provide support for overall project management activities. The Programme Associate is expected to provide technical expertise in overall project oversight, including project planning and coordination, monitoring and reporting.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the ARR and/or Programme Analyst, the Programme Associate provides leadership in execution of services in the CO Programme Unit and supports the design, planning and management of the country programme. The Programme Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Programme Associate may supervise and lead the support staff of the Programme Unit. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and project teams in the CO, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, UN Agencies, government partners, and internal specialists to exchange information and resolve programme/complex finance-related issues.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
- Operationalize corporate policies and CPD commitments: Coordinate the roll‑out of updated procedures in the CO, ensure work plans, IRRF indicators and UNSDCF/CPD linkages are reflected in Quantum, and keep unit checklists/templates current with policy changes.
- Strengthen process efficiency and compliance: Maintain and improve programme implementation workflows (e.g., partner agreements, risk registers, gender and safeguards screens), track adherence to SOPs, and recommend practical adjustments to close gaps identified during reviews or audits.
- Enable informed programme decision‑making: Compile evidence, analytics and lessons learned to inform portfolio adaptations; prepare guidance notes and briefings for project teams and management on policy updates and their implications for delivery.
- Support formulation of programme and projects, work plans, initiation of a project, entering project into ERP, and preparation of required budget revisions.
- Contribute to the effective management of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle. Follow up on programme and project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, and preparation of reports. Implement corporate results-based management mechanisms and tools.
- Identify programme related bottlenecks and propose solutions.
- Make preparations for external and internal programme / project audits, and support implementation of audit recommendations.
- Provide support to the Programme unit by maintaining internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of financial reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnership intelligence: Collect and analyze information on potential partners in the private sector, academia, and non-profit organizations; prepare profiles and maintain a dynamic partnership database to support engagement planning and outreach.
- Facilitate private sector engagement for co-financing and innovation: Coordinate with programme teams to identify opportunities for joint initiatives with Saudi corporations and business associations; draft concept notes and organize partnership dialogues to leverage corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability agendas.
- Strengthen collaboration with academia and civil society: Map universities, research centers, and non-profit entities aligned with UNDP priorities; support the design of knowledge-sharing platforms and partnership agreements to advance SDG-focused projects and policy research.
In assigned programme areas:
- Organize and deliver programme related training for relevant programme and operations personnel.
- Compile lessons learned and best practices.
Provide sound contributions and support to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Achieve Results | LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively | LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously | LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility | LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination | LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner | LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion | LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
Thematic Area | Name | Definition
Business Management | Customer Satisfaction/Client Management | Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management | Risk Management | Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management | Results-based Management | Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Development | Knowledge Generation | Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Procurement | Contract Management | Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
Finance | Budget Management | Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Education
Secondary education is required
A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
- Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level. Experience in thematic area is desirable. Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP. experience and knowledge of project cycle management in the public or private sector or international organizations is desirable Work experience with the UN and international organizations is desirable Demonstrated experience in facilitating knowledge and capacity-building, as well as promoting knowledge sharing and advocacy, is desirable. Experience in analysis, research and interpretation of economic and statistical data is desirable
Language Requirements
- Fluency in Arabic and English is required
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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