Project Assistant

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.

The Riyadh Strategy 2030 vision is to transform the capital city into one of the world’s top ten city economies, doubling its population to 15–20 million people while increasing the number of visitors to more than 40 million by 2030. The strategy will be implemented through 26 sectoral programmes, including more than 100 initiatives and over 700 pioneer projects across various sectors and in different parts of the city. Riyadh Municipality will therefore have an important role to play in the implementation of the strategy and the achievement of its vision.
The strategic aim of the project is to enable Riyadh Municipality to more efficiently and effectively fulfil its mandate in the four areas of cooperation through provision of substantive technical assistance, advisory and quality assurance services from UNDP. This will enable Riyadh Municipality to contribute effectively to the achievement of the Riyadh Strategy 2030 vision and Saudi Vision 2030.
To this end, drawing on its extensive international expertise and experience in institutional strengthening, assisting municipal infrastructure and service delivery, and increasing community and voluntary engagement, UNDP will assist the achievement of the expected project outcomes based on the four agreed areas of cooperation.

The project will provide a strategic framework for UNDP to provide substantive technical assistance, advisory, and quality assurance services to Riyadh Municipality to deliver on its mandate and in particular, perform its functions more efficiently and effectively in the areas of cooperation that are the focus of this project. The project will capitalize on UNDP’s institutional and human capacity-strengthening expertise and experience and its strategic role as a central and impartial knowledge provider, builder of capacities, partnership broker, and facilitator of exchanges at country, regional and global levels.
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

National UN Specialist Volunteers in Saudi Arabia are entitled to:

- Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) in the amount of SAR 14,120.66
- Entry Lumpsum USD 400,
- Annual and learning leaves;
- Free Medical and life insurance; and
- Free access to different learning platforms.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Programme Analyst and his designated mandated representative, the National Project Officer, the UNV Project Assistant will:

Assist with organizing operational and administrative processes for project needs:
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative/ Programme Analyst the UN Volunteer will:

• Assist with organizing operational and administrative processes for project needs:
• Providing daily support on timely execution of 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, 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 project and drafting of official documents.
• Support in organizing meetings, workshops and conferences.
• Draft meeting minutes, translate and interpret from Arabic into English and vice-versa.
• Support other programme-related activities as required by the National Project Coordinator
• 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 projects working files and permanent retention files in line with corporate requirements (project audit, evaluation, and operational and financial closure).
• Assist in preparation of project work-plans through providing support in data collection, systematization and analysis of information, inter-action with institutions in data collection.
• Preparation of relevant background materials for use in discussions, correspondence, and briefing sessions.
• Contribute to preparation and implementation of variety of progress reports, by providing information, preparation, and analysis of financial data, etc.
• Document lessons learnt.
• Compile, copy and distribute project products.
• Undertake any other duties as may be required by the Team to ensure the following:
• Support the organisation of events hosted or attended by the partner and providing support to visiting high-level delegations.
• Support training sessions, workshops, meetings, and other activities pertaining to the project, in coordination with the related teams/members.
• Support the research, development, and presentation of analytical reports, research papers, briefing notes background papers, summaries, correspondence.
• Support monitoring partnership activities with other UN agencies and ensuring systematic communication among UNDP, UN agencies and partners in close cooperation with the UN Advisor, the National Project Assistant is to ensure the following:
• Support the organization of events hosted or attended by the partner and providing support to visiting high-level delegations.
• Support training sessions, workshops, meetings, and other activities pertaining to the project, in coordination with the related teams/members.
• Support the research, development, and presentation of analytical reports, research papers, briefing notes background papers, summaries, correspondence.
• Support monitoring partnership activities with other UN agencies and ensuring systematic communication among UNDP, UN agencies and partners.