General
Description of assignment title: Programme SupportOfficer
Assignment country: Saudi Arabia
Duty stations: Riyadh
Work location: On UN premises
Expected start date: 09/01/2026
Duration: 6 months(with possibility ofextension)Long-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal: 11. Sustainable cities andcommunities
Host entity: IOM KSA
Modality: Onsite
Type: International
Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule: Full-time
Number of Assignments: 1
Details
Mission and objectives:
- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia adopts the approach of developmentplanning in drawing its social and economic policies and programswithin the framework of comprehensive five year plans, whichincluded two basic complementary roles: the guiding role, concernedwith state institutions and the public sector, and an indicativerole, related to the private sector.
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- In this regard, the 2030 Vision outlines the general trends forall aspects of the country's socio-economic development for thecoming years. The plan also addresses the main challenges expected,along with the policies, programs and resources needed to meetthese challenges and achieve development goals and objectives.
- In this context, and during 2016, the InternationalOrganization for Migration [IOM] appointed, by special agreement,its first staff at the King Salman Center for Relief andHumanitarian Action to support IOM cooperation with theInternational Solidarity Organization on humanitarian aspects andcapacity-building activities.
- Another Memorandum of Understanding was signed, in December2016, between IOM and the Human Rights Committee in the Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia, in the field of capacity building for relatedinstitutions in Saudi Arabia (Ministry of Finance, Ministry ofInterior, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Justice).
- A related workshop was held from the 26th to 27th of November2018, resulting in the development of a 36-month anti-traffickingproject that is expected to be signed soon.
- In 2017, IOM submitted a request to open an official office inSaudi Arabia, and the government is currently considering theapplication. Thus, IOM is currently a non-resident agency and partof the United Nations country team, where most United Nationsagencies have the same status.
Context:
- The International Organization for Migration (IOM), establishedin 1951, is the leading intergovernmental organization in the fieldof migration. IOM works to ensure the orderly and humane managementof migration, promote international cooperation on migrationissues, assist in the search for practical solutions to migrationchallenges, and provide humanitarian assistance to migrants,including refugees and internally displaced persons. IOM's mandateis to uphold the well-being and human rights of migrants and tosupport member states in addressing migration-relatedchallenges.
- This UN Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of IOM's efforts tostrengthen capacity building initiatives in the areas of migrationmanagement (including but not limited to border security,counter-trafficking, labour mobility) in Saudi Arabia. The overallaim is to enhance the skills and knowledge of nationalstakeholders, including government officials, law enforcementagencies, and civil society organizations, to effectively addressmigration challenges and promote safe, orderly, and regularmigration.
- The assignment will contribute to IOM's broader mission ofsupporting Saudi Arabia's efforts to improve migration governance,combat human trafficking, and build institutional capacities inline with international standards and best practices. It will alsocontribute to the work of the UN Network on Migration in thecountry.
- International UN Specialist Volunteers in Saudi Arabia areentitled to:
- Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD2,912.61
- Annual and learning leaves;
- Entry lump sum USD 3500
- Free Medical and life insurance;
- Family allowance; $250 per month for one dependent. $450 permonth for two or more
- dependents
- Free access to different learning platforms
This assignment is part of a UNV-funded initiative designedto bring fresh, diverse talent into UN programmes from countriesthat are currently unrepresented among UN Volunteers. It offers aunique opportunity to help ensure that global volunteering trulyreflects the world we serve, while giving participating UNVolunteers meaningful, hands on experience with leading UNpartners. As such, the initiative targets candidates from thefollowing nationalities: Andorra, Croatia, Estonia, Liechtenstein,Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Slovenia.
Task description:
- Under the direct supervision of the relevant Project Manager inRiyadh, the Programme Support Officer will:
- Provide programme and project support across the full projectcycle, including development, implementation, monitoring, andreporting of migration-related interventions.
- Support the organization, preparation, coordination, anddelivery of events and capacity-building activities, includingworkshops, training sessions, and symposia on migration governance,immigration and border security, counter-trafficking and migrantprotection, and any other thematic under the mandate of IOM.
- Assist in preparation and development of programme-relateddocuments, including proposals, concept notes, progress reports,briefing materials as well as more technical products such astraining materials, manuals, and guidelines tailored to the needsof national stakeholders.
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing and provide support toorganizing partners and participants during training programs.
- Collaborate with IOM teams, government entities, and partnerorganizations to identify capacity gaps and design targetedinterventions.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of capacity-buildinginitiatives and prepare reports on progress, challenges, andrecommendations.
- Contribute to the engagements of the UN Network on Migration(UNNM) in Saudi Arabia.
- Perform other duties as required to support IOM'smigration-related projects.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 - 80
Required experience: 3 years
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a countryother than the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience:
- 3 years
Languages:
- English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level:
- Bachelor's degree in Migration Studies, International Law,Human Rights, Public Administration, Social Sciences, PoliciticalSciences, International Relations, or any other relevantspecialization.
Competencies and values:
- Accountability
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Creativity
- Judgement and decision-making
- Planning and organising
- Professionalism
- Self-management
Skills and experience:
- Demonstrated experience in programme or project support,coordination, and administration within development, humanitarian,or international cooperation contexts.
- Experience in the organization and coordination of meetings,events, trainings, and other capacity building initiatives,including logistical arrangements and documentation;
- Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the abilityto manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, and meet deadlines underminimal supervision;
- Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, with culturalsensitivity and the ability to work effectively in a multiculturaland multidisciplinary environment.
- High level of professionalism, attention to detail andaccuracy, particularly in document drafting and informationmanagement.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel,PowerPoint); familiarity with databases, trackers and informationmanagement tools is an asset.
- Demonstrated interest in migration management, migrants'rights, capacity building and the UN system, and commitment to thevalues of volunteerism.
*Note**
- Applicants who do not fully meet the minimum professionalexperience requirements for a UN Volunteer 'Specialist' assignmentare still encouraged to apply; if selected, they may be recruitedunder the Conditions of Service applicable to UN Volunteer'Associate' assignments.
- This Description of Assignment is part of a targeted UNVinitiative and is open exclusively to candidates with the followingnationalities: Andorra, Croatia, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Malta,Monaco, San Marino, Slovenia.
Area(s) of expertise:
- Administration, Community development
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