Programme Associate, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

General

Description of assignment title: Programme Associate

Assignment country: Saudi Arabia

Duty stations: Riyadh

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 04/01/2026

Duration: 12 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 10. Reduced inequalities

Host entity: UNICEF KSA

Modality: Onsite

Type: National

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.
• The UNICEF Gulf Area Office (UNICEF GAO) is unique in its mandate. It is accountable for providing programmatic support to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. In addition, it identifies, cultivates and sustains partnerships with Gulf-based partners to generate resources for the organization globally. UNICEF has a role to play in ensuring rapid development in the Gulf is child sensitive and child focused and that children remain at the heart of the national development dialogue.

Context:

• The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations

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Geographic Reference

Children's

Non-profit career resources

• the UN Volunteer programme associate supports the respective sections in UNICEF Gulf Area programme by carrying out a range of programme support functions to help develop, implement and monitor their country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.
• National UN Specialist Volunteers in Saudi Arabia are entitled to:
• • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) in the amount of SAR 14,629
• • Entry Lumpsum USD 350
• • Annual and learning leaves;
• • Free Medical and life insurance; and
• • Free access to different learning platforms.

Task description:

• The UN volunteer Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff in the CO, external partners and agency counterparts in support of programme design and delivery. S/He provides regular feedback on the status of projects through monitoring milestones and advises on improvements to keep activities on track.
• Under the supervision and guidance of the Deputy Representative- Programmes, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks
• Supporting the programme section in researching, compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant to the work of the section to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations.
• 1. Preparing monitoring and reporting information for supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for
• results.
• 2. Regularly monitoring budgets and financial expenditures of section by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping
• supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow up.
• 3. Helping prepare periodic or ad-hoc financial reports relating to country office and donors to support the office in optimizing use of programme funds.
• 4. Supports capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.
• 5. Drafting meeting minutes, letters to partners, workshop reports and follow up with partners on key activities.
• 6. Support organizing programme workshops with partners including planning, implementation, documentation and reporting.
• 7. Supporting the team with translation, as needed.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

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

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in In-depth knowledge of the administration which underpins UNICEF country office programme/project operations, including monitoring and evaluation processes.

Competencies and values:

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

Skills and experience:

• Strong organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong office management skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage the section's material resources and monitor its budget.
• Good analytical skills.
• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint

Area(s) of expertise:

• Administration

Driving license:

Other information