Individual Consultant - National Project Officer

Job Description

Individual Consultant - National Project OfficerLocation :Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIAApplication Deadline :12-Jun-22(Midnight New York, USA)Time left :20d 2h 57mType of Contract :Individual ContractPost Level :National ConsultantLanguages Required :Arabic EnglishExpected Duration of Assignment :12 Months **UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.** Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia * Usage of statistics and information* Production of statistics and information* Application of advanced technologies in collecting and analyzing datasets* Communications and awareness towards statistical knowledge* Governance of the statistical sector Post Title: National Project Officer Starting Date: July 2022. Duration: One year. Project: 100619 - Institutional Support to Statistics. National or International consultancy: National consultant. -General background information relevant to the assignment:Saudi Arabia has realised and sustained, for the last four decades, remarkable progress along the socio-economic development path. As a result of this, the Kingdom has been able to move to a high-income country. The GDP, for instance, increased from SR 156 billion in 1969 to SR 2,631 billion in 2018, putting the economy among the top 20 global economies in terms of size. Based on the annual ranking of the Human Development Index (HDI) of the Human Development Report, Saudi Arabia has steadily moved from the medium human development category in the 1990s to the very high human development category in 2018 at 0.857 value of HDI. The Saudi Vision 2030 represents an ambitious resolve with long-term goals and expectations founded on the strengths and capabilities of the Kingdom. It covers the three themes of a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. A thorough review of the three themes and their underlying issues of national concern would reveal a holistic approach to development that encompasses the three dimensions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): the social, the economic and the environmental. Saudi Arabia recognises that achieving the SDGs requires rigorous, real-time and continuous monitoring, for which quality statistics is a must. The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) has gone through a major revision of its corporate strategy and vision in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030 and the SDGs. The revised strategy revolves around five pillars: Under the framework of the Institutional Support to Statistics project, UNDP provides technical support to the GaStat to strengthen the institutional and human capacities of the national statistical system to support evidence-based development planning and policy-making. Within this context, UNDP is seeking to recruit an Economist to provide technical and advisory support to GaStat to enhance the management of financial accounts and support the improvement of the statistical business registers in compliance with SNA 2008. -The objectives of the assignment:The Objectives are: * Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the projects by supporting overall project management.* Support strategic communication and build partnerships for successful project implementation.* Monitoring and evaluation and reporting. * Maintain close coordination with assigned project partners, helping at ensuring synergies.* Contribute to the dissemination and visibility of project achievements. Support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels.* Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme and projects formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDPs development programmes.* Coordinate project implementation with relevant Government, UN, and other development partners, as required.* Contribute to the analysis of key development and sectoral policies currently being discussed and implemented in the country and identification of collaboration opportunities for the CO.* Monitoring and evaluation and reporting:* Monitor and follow up on project progress according to project document and UNDP procedures.* Ensure timely submission of financial and activity reports by implementing partners.* Ensure regular updating of project risk logs and lessons learned logs.* Prepare high quality and timely donor reporting, including quarterly and annual narrative and financial reports, according to the grant agreements and UNDP procedures.* Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Based Management principles. * Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning; and* Brief and consult with senior management on project progress and provide information and advice as required to contribute to the CO initiatives.* Undertake any other duties as may be required by UNDP. -Scope of Work:Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the projects by supporting overall project management:* Ensure effective and efficient implementation of projects through project planning, monitoring and oversight, including the establishment of project dashboards and an Implementation Support Unit, as stipulated in project documents, to monitor the implementation of project activities.* Lead and advise the project team on the achievement of specific results of the project detailed in the annual work plan, including the development of semi-annual workplans, where necessary.* Ensure the achievement of outputs/results in line with the approved work plans through the day-to-day planning, management coordination and implementation of activities.* Providing required support in helping to identify new project activities, in close coordination with counterparts* Organize and lead team status meetings for projects, as stipulated in project documents.* Ensure accountability for, and efficient use of, project funds.* Represent the project in various fora; and* Lead the recruitment and management of experts and staff, as needed, in accordance with UNDP 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 making recommendations to the Project Board for more effective implementation and coordination of project activitiesIn close cooperation with the Chief Technical Advisor, the National Project Officer is to ensure the following:* Provision of technical support in statistics with emphasis on economics and business statistics and ensuring the quality of the produced economic statistics as per best international practices.* Provision of technical advice on economic indicators related to GDP estimates, standard pricing indices and the balance of payments to provide a clear picture of the economy.* Provision of technical advice on the best options to support Saudi Vision 2030 policies and give advisory support on the SDGs indicators.* Coordination with the other technical experts hired by the project and the GaStat units to support the planning, conduct and management of statistical products and activities, including but not limited to census and surveys such as economic, wealth and industrial surveys.* Conducting background research and developing policy options and strate

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