National Project Assistant

This project represents the third phase in a strategic partnership focusing on promoting surveying works and geospatial capabilities, and a myriad of actions and products stemming from these two areas of work. The key objective of this intervention is to maintain provision of advisory services in developing the national capacities for effective geo-spatial surveys, generating the national geo-spatial data infrastructure, generating multi-purpose knowledge from such surveys to efficiently boost national efforts in achieving the key directions provided by 2030 Saudi Vision, as well as promoting the national implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The completion of the previous phase has been instrumental in nurturing the idea of developing the foundation of financial sustainability whereby the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GASGI, ex GCS) will achieve a high level of efficiency in all its geospatial products. It is through this quality and efficiency that GASGI wishes to expand the availability and marketing of its products and to broaden the public awareness about its products and services. The core areas around which all aspects of this project act upon are: Geodesy, Geospatial Services, Hydrography, Map Production, Institutional Excellence, Establishment of GASGI Academy. 

Advisory services are provided towards achievement of financial sustainability and contribution to the national economy. Moreover, advocacy promoted for a wider visibility of GASGI Capacity development will also focus on training in the core areas of land survey; geodetic survey; topographic survey’ and Cadastral survey. 

• 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 Programme Analyst and consult on a regular basis with the National Project Manager (NPM).
     

• 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.

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
• Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Direction and Strategy

Strategic Thinking            

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions

Business Direction and Strategy 

System Thinking               

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system

Business Direction and Strategy 

Negotiation and Influence           

Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain an advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise, and create ‘win-to-win’ situations

Business Development                 

Knowledge Generation 

Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management  

Results Based Management        

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results

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  

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

Min. Academic Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business, or Public Administration or 4 years of experience associated with a high school degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience 

• A minimum of 1 year of experience associated with a Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of experience associated with a high school degree. 

Required  skills and competencies

• Assist with organizing operational and administrative processes for project needs:
• Providing daily support on timely execution of 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.             

Desired additional skills and 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.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic.