📌National Specialist volunteers in Saudi Arabia are entitled to:
– Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) in the amount of SAR 13,616.74
– Entry Lumpsum USD 400
– Annual and learning leaves; – Free Medical and life insurance; and – Free access to different learning platforms.

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 project will provide a strategic framework for UNDP and UN-Habitat to provide substantive technical assistance, advisory, and quality assurance services to the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (MoMRAH) to deliver on the following six initiatives of the Spatial Planning and Visual Appeal Program that are the focus of this project: ● The Regional Plans, Local Plans and Urban Codes under MOMRAH’s jurisdiction are efficiently and effectively delivered following international best practices. ● A National Urban Policy is developed and implemented. ● Local planning departments are empowered and enabled through a new Operating Model for Planning Departments. ● The municipal system is improved and restructured, updating settlements boundaries, revising classification and categorization of Saudi human settlements, and optimizing service delivery towards efficiency and sustainability. ● The Saudi Planning framework is restructured, planning tools are redefined, updated and improved in line with the new classification and categorization. ● The existing MoMRAH Urban Design Studio is upscaled in a fully-fledged Urban Lab and capacitated to spearhead and device innovative tools and projects-based satellite Labs in support of MoMRAH mission. 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.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, the UN Volunteer will: Assist with organizing operational and administrative processes for project needs: o Assist the project team in coordinating the exchange of information among the project partners. o Prepare relevant background materials for use in discussions, correspondence, and briefing sessions. o Provide required support in organizing/conducting meetings, workshops, and conferences. o Provide administrative services to meetings, seminars, and workshops. o Draft routine correspondence, meeting minutes, interoffice circulars, general briefing notes, documents, and reports when requested. o Support in travel and logistics arrangements, as needed. o Receive project personnel and high-ranking officials and answer calls/inquiries with tact and discretion. o Ensure efficient and discreet management of schedules. o Ensure adherence to appropriate protocol and correspondence guidelines when communicating with Government and other external partners. o Propose solutions to any administrative issues whenever relevant and possible. o Maintain records on assets management and prepare asset reports. o Support other project-related activities as required. o Undertake any other related duties as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Maintain and organize documents efficiently: o Maintain files and ensure proper documentation. o Follow and improve document control procedures. o Ensure documents are shared at key times to facilitate timely project implementation. o Produce document progress reports for senior managers and team leaders. o Print and distribute documents as needed. o Collect and register all technical documents such as drawings and blueprints in the system, if applicable. o Review and update documents for maintenance and quality control. o Keep other personnel updated on new document versions and how to obtain access to documents and resources. o Maintain confidentiality of documents. Support translation and interpretation activities of the project upon request: o Translate documents from Arabic into English and vice versa. o Proofread texts in the Arabic and English languages. o Perform interpretation in the Arabic and English languages for the international project staff and other non-Arabic speakers at presentations, meetings, conferences, trainings, and briefings, as needed. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in • Professional experience in a related field. • Demonstrated interest and commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values. • Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others. • Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills. • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team. • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences. • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions. • Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English is required. • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. • Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Development programmes

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Business administration, social studies, political science, development studies, information technology, computer science, English language, translation, or any other related field of expertise.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organizing • Professionalism • Self-management