Tiered Approach

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:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Office/Unit/Project Description 

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 National Project Assistant will carry out his/her tasks close cooperation with the UNDP Team at MEP and in close consultation with the Senior Management of UNDP’s office in KSA.  The National Project Assistant is expected to provide technical expertise in overall project oversight, including project planning and coordination, monitoring and reporting. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work 

  • Assist with organizing operational and administrative processes for project needs:
  • Providing daily support on timely execution the project (s) approved work plans.
  • Assisting in monitoring the progress throughout the project cycle.
  • Assisting the National Project Officer in coordinating the exchange of information among the programme partners.
  • Providing required support in organizing/conducting project activities.
  • Provision of administrative services to meetings, seminars, and workshops.
  • Efficient travel arrangements provided for the team as required, ensuring proper use of UNDP resources and client satisfaction.
  • Maintain records on assets management and prepare asset reports.
  • Support in travel and logistics arrangements, as needed.
  • Initiate routine correspondence relating to the implementation of the project and drafting of official documents.
  • Support in organizing meetings, workshops, and conferences.
  • Draft meeting minutes, translate and interpret them from Arabic into English and vice-versa.
  • Support other programme-related activities as required by the National Project Officer, UNDP Programme, and Management teams.
  • Undertake and support project implementation and procurement activities according to UNDP workflows, including contracting consultants and institutional contracts 
  • Propose solutions to any administrative issues whenever relevant and possible.
  • Manage the project documentation in an appropriate and satisfactory manner:
  • Maintain files and ensure proper records of project working files and permanent retention files in line with corporate requirements (project audit, evaluation, and operational and financial closure).
  • Assist in the preparation of project work plans by providing support in data collection, systematization, analysis of information, and interaction with institutions in data collection.
  • Preparation of relevant background materials for use in discussions, correspondence, and briefing sessions.
  • Contribute to the preparation and implementation of a variety of progress reports by providing information, preparation, and analysis of financial data, etc.
  • Document lessons learned.
  • Compile, copy and distribute project products. 

  • Undertake any other duties as may be required by UNDP.   

      Institutional Arrangement

The National Project Assistant will report to the UNDP Project Officer and consult on a regular basis with the National Project Manager (NPM).

Competencies

  • Knowledge & experience in working with governmental entities in Saudi Arabia.
  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards.
  • Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
  • Display cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 
Thematic Area  Name  Definition 
Business Management   Working with Evidence and Data  
  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making  
Business Management   Digital Awareness and Literacy  
  • Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed  
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   Communication  
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and  
  • verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.  
Business Management   Monitoring  
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.  
Technical - Finance   Budget management  
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets  
Administration & Operations  Event Management 
  • Support projects with event management including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc. 

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education
  • Secondary education is required, or   
  • University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Project Management, Business, Public Administration, International Affairs, Law, or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. 
Min. years of relevant Work experience  Minimum of 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required  
Required   skills and competencies

•Experience in research, analytical and reporting activities in projects.

•Knowledge & experience in working with governmental entities in Saudi Arabia.

•Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows XP, Internet); 

•Excellent communications, report writing and analytical skills/experience.
Desired additional skills and competencies
  • Proven Knowledge of project cycle management in the public or private sector or international organizations is desirable
  •  Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards.
  • Demonstrates professional experience and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
  • Experience in Displaying cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Required Language(s) (at working level) Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required.
Professional Certificates N/A

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

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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