Project Support Associate [Open to All Applicants]

UNDP Careers; Manama; On-site; BHD 11,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

A global development organization in Manama is seeking a Project Support Associate to aid in the execution of various initiatives. The ideal candidate will manage administrative and financial tasks, ensuring timely project delivery while engaging with both local and international stakeholders. Applicants should have extensive experience in project oversight and proficiency in English and Arabic. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to critical environmental goals.

Qualifications

• 6 years of experience in project management or related field required.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
• Experience in dealing with national experts and international institutions.

Responsibilities

• Provide Project Management Support.
• Manage project budget and follow up on procurement.
• Handle all logistical matters for workshops and meetings.

Skills

Project Management Support

Financial Oversight

Administrative Support

Communication

MS Office proficiency

Education

Secondary Education

University Degree in Business Administration

Job description

Overview

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 (CBD). 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.

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, the Project Support Associate will be responsible for providing back-office/administrative support to the project including:

• 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 all necessary visa, security clearances and plane tickets are obtained timely
• 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
• Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

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, handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity
• 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 in writing and verbally; tailor messages; manage internal and external communications via media, social media, etc.
• Administration & Operations: Events Management — manage events, venues, logistics, catering, transportation, cash disbursements
• Administration & Operations: Travel Policy and Procedures — interpret and apply travel policies and related regulations
• Partnership: Private sector resource mobilization — identify and manage partnerships leveraging private sector resources
• General: Project Management — plan, organize, and control resources to achieve goals
• Finance: Financial Planning and Budgeting — develop processes for budgeting, forecasting, reporting
• Procurement: Procurement Management — acquire goods/services from external sources

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Secondary Education is required, or
• University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement

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 is required

Required Skills

• Experience in dealing with national experts and international institutions
• Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office)

Desired skills

• Experience in dealing with national experts and international institutions
• MS Office proficiency
• Experience with UNDP/UN policies, procedures and practices related to project development and implementation is highly desirable
• Specialized certification in administration, accounting, finance or related field is an advantage
• Experience in project logistics management
• Experience in project procurement management

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required

Equal opportunity

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is committed to an inclusive workplace where personnel are empowered to contribute to the mission.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination or abuse of authority. Selected candidates will undergo relevant checks and adhere to applicable standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for other similar positions at the same grade level and with similar requirements.

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