National Project Officer

Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Saudi Arabia supports country-led efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Country Office in Riyadh provides technical advisory and project management support, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and national development priorities. This role contributes to enhancing local capacity and supporting policy-making and reform processes within government institutions.

Job Purpose

The National Project Officer will provide technical expertise for overall project oversight, including planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting. This role is crucial for ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of UNDP projects in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the achievement of specific project results and the broader Sustainable Development Goals. The position involves close collaboration with government counterparts, project teams, and senior management to deliver on project objectives, facilitate dialogue on sustainable development, and support policy formulation and reform processes aligned with national strategies like Saudi Vision 2030.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include ensuring effective project implementation through planning, monitoring, and oversight, and establishing project dashboards. The role involves leading and advising project teams, developing work plans, and managing day-to-day activities to achieve project outputs. This includes identifying new project activities, organizing team meetings, and ensuring accountability for fund utilization. The officer will also lead the recruitment and management of experts and consultants, coordinate subcontractor work, and document lessons learned. Additionally, the role requires conducting analysis and research in thematic areas, compiling and interpreting economic data, assessing macro-economic policies, and providing advice on UNDP support areas. Strategic communication, partnership building, and coordinating with government, UN, and other development partners are essential. The officer will monitor project progress, ensure timely reporting, manage risk and lessons learned logs, and apply UNDP programming tools and principles. Facilitating knowledge sharing, capacity building, and advocacy through training and workshops is also a key function.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is required with a Master's degree, or 7 years with a Bachelor's degree. Experience should include economics, project management (planning, execution, monitoring), international affairs, and government relations. Experience with UN Results-based Management and Monitoring and Evaluation is desirable.

Skills

Core competencies include achieving results, innovative thinking, continuous learning, adaptability, determination, engaging and partnering, and enabling diversity and inclusion. Thematic skills involve Results-based Management, Partnerships Management, Knowledge Facilitation, UN policy knowledge, and Relationship Management. Proficiency in English and Arabic is required. Experience with computer software and web-based management systems is also noted.

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