Programme Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

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 in order to assist the KSA departments in their reform processes. This UNV assignment is part of UNDP’s Saudi Arabia efforts to promote volunteerism and ultimately increase the capacity to respond to the various technical assistance demands from the counterparts.

Context

The UNV will join the UNDP Saudi Arabia Country office supporting the three distinct portfolios (Urban planning and development, Governance and Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment) mainly on programmatic support for the design and implementation of projects. The Governance Portfolio is currently working on a number of pipelines with the overall aim to achieve the SDGs and the Saudi Vision 2030. The areas these pipelines intend to tackle entail anti-corruption, public sector performance measurement, economic and digital transformation, and support to NGOs/NPOs. The Urban Development portfolio works with regions and cities on all aspects of urban development whereas the Energy and Environment portfolio cover all aspects of energy, water, climate change in addition to biodiversity and nature.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Conduct research on topics related to sustainable development at large and on a number of thematic issues in particular; • Support to the formulation of new project ideas and documents in the Governance portfolio; • Support the formulation and implementation of the CO Engagement Strategy; • Support the formulation of new project ideas and documents in the three portfolios including research on topics related to the SDGs, urban development or/and Climate Change. • Provide programme support which includes: • Preparing presentations and collecting material and information on UNDP projects at a national level or/and global level to promote SDGs in the country; • Formulation of Concept Notes; • Summarizing UN and Government reports into briefs; • Support on progress reporting of projects; • Translating and/or proofreading documents such as workplans and Terms of Reference (TORS). •Provide communications support to ensure projects implementation which includes: • Correspondence to national counterparts; • Meeting Coordination including drafting agenda, follow-up on logistics of meetings, and inform both parties of participation in the meetings. Attend these meetings when required; Take minutes of meetings.