National Project Officer

Office/Unit/Project Description

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 Municipalities and Housing (MoMaH) to deliver on the following six initiatives of the Spatial Planning and Visual Appeal Programme that are the focus of this project:

• The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) is revised, defining the territorial framework for achieving the Saudi Vision 2030 and beyond by aligning the spatial, economic, environmental, and social objectives for balanced and sustainable development in the Kingdom
• The National Urban Policy for KSA is developed and its implementation enabled, setting the overarching framework for cross-stakeholders’ contribution and alignment in support of sustainable, resilient and inclusive urbanization.
• 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.
• An Urban Lab is capacitated to spearhead and devise innovative tools in support of MoMaH’s mission.

The National Project Officer will assume the duties of the Project Coordinator as defined in the Project Document and be responsible for the administrative oversight of the project. She/He will act as the principal focal point for facilitating, in consultation with the UNDP Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), the MoMaH National Project Manager, and the UNDP and UN-Habitat teams at large, the efficient and effective implementation of project activities.

The National Project Officer will manage the recruitment process of project staff, in line with UNDP’s guidelines, ensure compliance with the monitoring, reporting, and budgeting standards, and help drive strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. The role will require strong organizational and communication skills as well as knowledge of development issues and project management and results-based management principles.

The National Project Officer will:

1. Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the project by supporting overall project management:

• Ensure the achievement of the project’s outputs/results in line with the approved workplans and budgets through project planning, management, coordination, monitoring, and oversight.
  • Ensure effective communication and collaboration with the project team in the achievement of the project results as detailed in the project workplans.
  • Provide the required support in helping identify new project activities, in close coordination with counterparts.
  • Lead the recruitment and management of experts and staff, as needed, in accordance with UNDP’s guidelines.
  • Coordinate the work of all consultants and subcontractors, ensuring timely delivery of expected results and effective synergy between the various sub-contracted activities
  • Document lessons learned from project implementation and make recommendations to the Project Board for more effective implementation and coordination of project activities.
  • Manage the project's budget and ensure timely revisions and reporting.
  • Ensure accountability for and efficient use of project funds.
  • Foster effective communication and engagement with stakeholders at the national and international levels.
  • Provide technical assistance and coordination to the project’s stakeholder engagement activities.
  • Facilitate the knowledge sharing and capacity building activities.
  • Maintain project records and filing systems (contracts, deliverables, reports, financial documents, etc.).
  • Prepare documentation for audits and evaluations.
  • Coordinate logistics for workshops, events, meetings, and travels in line with UNDP’s guidelines.
  • Propose solutions to administrative issues, where relevant.

2. Support strategic communications and building partnerships for successful project implementation:

• Maintain close coordination with the assigned project partners, helping at ensuring…