Programme Associate - 2 positions (Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants)

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Posted on Jul 2, 2026
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Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

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 to assist the KSA departments in their reform processes.

To support these activities, UNDP will provide technical advisory support to the KSA through the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Riyadh as well as provide support for overall project management activities. The Programme Associate is expected to provide technical expertise in overall project oversight, including project planning and coordination, monitoring and reporting.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the ARR and/or Programme Analyst, the Programme Associate provides leadership in execution of services in the CO Programme Unit and supports the design, planning and management of the country programme. The Programme Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate may supervise and lead the support staff of the Programme Unit. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and project teams in the CO, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, UN Agencies, government partners, and internal specialists to exchange information and resolve programme/complex finance-related issues.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Ensure effective management and implementation of programme strategies and policies and adapt processes and procedures:

  • Operationalize corporate policies and CPD commitments: Coordinate the roll‑out of updated procedures in the CO, ensure work plans, IRRF indicators and UNSDCF/CPD linkages are reflected in Quantum, and keep unit checklists/templates current with policy changes.
  • Strengthen process efficiency and compliance: Maintain and improve programme implementation workflows (e.g., partner agreements, risk registers, gender and safeguards screens), track adherence to SOPs, and recommend practical adjustments to close gaps identified during reviews or audits.
  • Enable informed programme decision‑making: Compile evidence, analytics and lessons learned to inform portfolio adaptations; prepare guidance notes and briefings for project teams and management on policy updates and their implications for delivery.

2.) Provide effective support to management of the Country Office programme:

  • Support formulation of programme and projects, work plans, initiation of a project, entering project into ERP, and preparation of required budget revisions.
  • Provide day-to-day guidance to implementing partners on implementation of projects, and track use of financial resources. Contribute to managing digital technology solutions in programme implementation towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
  • Contribute to the effective management of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle. Follow up on programme and project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, and preparation of reports. Implement corporate results-based management mechanisms and tools.
  • Identify programme related bottlenecks and propose solutions.
  • Make preparations for external and internal programme / project audits, and support implementation of audit recommendations.
  • Provide support to the Programme unit by maintaining internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of financial reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions.

3.) Support implementation of Country Office partnerships and resource mobilization strategies:

  • Develop and maintain strategic partnership intelligence: Collect and analyze information on potential partners in the private sector, academia, and non-profit organizations; prepare profiles and maintain a dynamic partnership database to support engagement planning and outreach.
  • Facilitate private sector engagement for co-financing and innovation: Coordinate with programme teams to identify opportunities for joint initiatives with Saudi corporations and business associations; draft concept notes and organize partnership dialogues to leverage corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability agendas.
  • Strengthen collaboration with academia and civil society: Map universities, research centers, and non-profit entities aligned with UNDP priorities; support the design of knowledge-sharing platforms and partnership agreements to advance SDG-focused projects and policy research.

4.) Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office:

In assigned programme areas:

  • Organize and deliver programme related training for relevant programme and operations personnel.
  • Compile lessons learned and best practices.

Provide sound contributions and support to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise Programme and/or Project Assistant/s within the team.

Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies :

Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
  • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
  • Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management Risk Management
  • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Business Management

 Results-based Management
  • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Development Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Procurement

Contract Management
  • Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
Finance

Budget Management

  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Required Skills and Experience

Education
  • Secondary education is required
  • A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
  • Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level. Experience in thematic area is desirable.
  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
  • experience and knowledge of project cycle management in the public or private sector or international organizations is desirable
  • Work experience with the UN and international organizations is desirable
  • Demonstrated experience in facilitating knowledge and capacity-building, as well as promoting knowledge sharing and advocacy, is desirable.
  • Experience in analysis, research and interpretation of economic and statistical data is desirable
Language Requirements
  • Fluency in Arabic and English is required

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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