Project Support Associate [Open to All Applicants]

UNDP in the Arab States region; Manama; On-site; BHD 27,500 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent international development organization based in Manama, Bahrain seeks a Project Support Associate to assist in coordinating project activities related to biodiversity and climate initiatives. The role involves financial oversight, administrative support, and collaboration with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in project management, fluency in English and Arabic, and a relevant academic background.

Qualifications

• 6 years of experience in project management, finance, or related fields (or 3 years with a degree).
• Experience dealing with national experts and international institutions.
• Strong administrative support skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide back-office support and financial tracking.
• Coordinate outreach activities and financial reporting.
• Document and share records of meetings.

Skills

Project management

Financial planning

Bilingual: English and Arabic

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or equivalent

High School Certificate

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Location: Manama, Bahrain

• Job Identification: 28971
• Posting Date: 09/17/2025, 07:11 AM
• Apply Before: 10/01/2025, 03:59 AM
• Job Schedule: Full time
• Locations: Manama, Bahrain
• Agency: UNDP
• Grade: NPSA-6
• Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement
• Practice Area: Nature, Climate and Energy
• Bureau: Regional Bureau for Arab States
• Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension
• Education & Work Experience: Bachelor's Degree - 3 year(s) experience OR High School certificate- 6 year(s) experience
• Required Languages: English and Arabic
• Vacancy Timeline: 1 Week

Job Description

Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF EAS) Project assists developing, middle-income, and small island nations in advancing commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB). This includes early action on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), updates to National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and national reporting. By connecting policymakers, technical experts, and local actors, the project supports the effective implementation of the GBF and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

As a key component, the Umbrella Programme to Support NBSAP Update and Seventh National Reports provides technical and financial assistance to 139 countries—encompassing developing nations, small island developing states, and economies in transition. This GEF-funded, Party-led initiative enables countries to revise their NBSAPs in line with the GBF and prepare their Seventh National Reports for submission to the CBD. It is jointly supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the CBD Secretariat, and the GEF Secretariat.

Insights gathered from the first two years of GBF implementation have informed a comprehensive support package, tailored to national priorities. This package also integrates resources from complementary GEF initiatives: the GBF EAS project and the GEF-8 Biodiversity Finance Plans Umbrella Programme. A core aim is to promote collaboration across sectors, including government, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, academia, and the private sector, to ensure inclusive participation in biodiversity planning and reporting.

In this context, UNDP Bahrain is recruiting a Project Support Associate to contribute to the implementation of the Umbrella Programme. The Associate will coordinate activities aligned with national CBD commitments—particularly early GBF actions, NBSAP revision, and reporting.

In addition, to support the national government’s priorities and build on the progress of the GBF EAS and the NBSAP/7NR Project, UNDP Bahrain also seeks an experienced Project Support Associate to lead the technical revision of the NBSAP, ensuring its alignment with the post-2020 GBF under the guidance of the Project Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the overall guidance of the Project Coordinator, provide back-office/administrative support to the project including:
• Facilitate procurement
• Financial and administrative tracking of activities and expenses
• Support communication, facilitation and organization of outreach activities, press releases, project/UNDP/government briefing notes, translations, etc.
• Liaise with UNDP country office and GPMTSU to facilitate financial reporting and compliance, and UNDP procurement compliance
• Provide Project Management Support
• Provide support with all financial and administrative requirements of the project, especially those related to project funding and accounting
• Assist in ensuring that project is executed in a timely and appropriate manner
• Assist or support in facilitating, guiding the work of the national team; manage payment schedules
• Assist in project related activities, including planning for meetings, local and national consultations, trips and other project related activities
• Ensure all national and international travel is organized smoothly
• Document and share records of meetings, decisions, actions, etc.
• Support with the Monitoring and Evaluation of the project at the national level, including workshop evaluations
• Any other duties assigned by the Programme Analyst/Project Coordinator, that have direct relevance to the project
• Provide Financial Oversight Support
• Support the Management of the project budget and follow up on procurement and accounting procedures and activities, together with the UNDP Country Office and the GPMTSU
• Ensure financial resources are disbursed on time to implementing partners
• Maintain records of expenditures and collaborate in financial reporting
• Ensure effective administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery
• Develop calculations for the development of the annual workplan/budget
• Handle all required procurement processes, requisitions and purchase orders, ensuring compliance with UNDP rules and regulations
• Maintain an inventory of assets/equipment and support with the handover of equipment upon project closure
• Ensure the Quantum approval system is set up at the Country Office for the project
• Handle all logistical matters to organise the inception workshop, consultation workshops and any meetings as required
• Regularly update the procurement plan and contacts list
• Handle travel arrangements for national travel/missions and participants to national-level workshops
• Handle all travel procedures for participants to global and regional workshops and other international meetings, ensuring visas, security clearances and plane tickets are obtained timely, and notifications/changes are communicated to the GPMTSU
• Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project
• Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice; support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, flexible
• Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

• Thematic Area - Name - Definition
• Business Management – Communication: Communicate clearly and tailor messages; manage internal/external communications
• Administration & Operations – Events Management: Manage events including venue, logistics, etc.
• Administration & Operations – Travel Policy and Procedures: Knowledge of travel policy and procedures
• Partnership – Private sector resource mobilization: Develop partnerships leveraging private sector resources
• General (across The Functions) – Project Management: Plan and control resources to achieve goals
• Finance – Financial Planning and Budgeting: Create and manage budgeting processes, forecasting, reporting
• Procurement – Procurement Management: Acquire goods/services from external sources

Education and Experience

• Required Education: Secondary Education is required, or University Degree in Business Administration/Public Administration or equivalent will be given due consideration, but not required
• Experience: A minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience in project management, finance, administration, accounting, budgeting or related field

Skills and Language

• Required Skills: Experience dealing with national experts and international institutions; proficiency in MS Office
• Required Language(s): Fluency in English and Arabic

Other

Equal opportunity: UNDP values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse policies apply. UNDP reserves the right to select multiple candidates. Scam alert: UNDP does not charge a fee in recruitment.