National Project Assistant📣 Job Ad

About the National Project Assistant Role

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking a National Project Assistant to support its operations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role is crucial in assisting the UNDP's efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the country, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's objectives for societal and economic development. The National Project Assistant will work closely with the UNDP team to provide essential project management and administrative support.

Key Responsibilities

The National Project Assistant will be responsible for a range of operational, administrative, and project documentation tasks. This includes:

• Assisting with the organization of operational and administrative processes for project needs and ensuring the timely execution of approved work plans.
• Providing daily support for project monitoring throughout the project cycle and coordinating information exchange among program partners.
• Supporting the organization and execution of project activities, including meetings, seminars, and workshops, and managing travel arrangements efficiently.
• Maintaining records on asset management and preparing relevant reports.
• Initiating routine correspondence, drafting official documents, and supporting project implementation and procurement activities, including consultant contracts.
• Managing project documentation, maintaining files, and ensuring proper record-keeping in line with corporate requirements.
• Assisting in the preparation of project work plans through data collection, analysis, and interaction with institutions.
• Contributing to progress reports by providing information and analyzing financial data, and documenting lessons learned.
• Compiling, copying, and distributing project products.

Institutional Arrangement and Reporting

The National Project Assistant will report directly to the UNDP Project Officer. Regular consultation and coordination with the National Project Manager (NPM) are expected to ensure effective project oversight, planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Education: Secondary education is required. A University Degree (Bachelor's degree) in Project Management, Business, Public Administration, International Affairs, Law, or an equivalent field will be given due consideration.
• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required with a high school diploma, or a minimum of 2 years with a bachelor's degree.
• Skills: Experience in research, analytical, and reporting activities within projects is essential. Knowledge and experience working with governmental entities in Saudi Arabia are required. Excellent computer literacy (MS Office, Windows XP, Internet) and strong communication, report writing, and analytical skills are necessary.
• Languages: Fluency in both spoken and written English and Arabic is required.

Competencies and Desired Attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate integrity, fairness, and professional competence, conscientiousness, and efficiency in meeting commitments and achieving results. Adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivities is important. Desired attributes include proven knowledge of project cycle management in the public or private sector or international organizations.

Core competencies include the ability to achieve results, think innovatively, learn continuously, adapt with agility, act with determination, engage and partner effectively, and enable diversity and inclusion.

Thematic area competencies include working with evidence and data, digital awareness and literacy, customer satisfaction/client management, communication, monitoring, budget management, and event management.

Work Setting

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, supporting the UNDP's Country Office operations.