Programme Associate (Open to All Applicants)

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office in the Kingdom of Bahrain operates within the context of a high-income, net-contributing country, where UNDP engagement is fully funded through government cost-sharing and aligned with national development priorities. Bahrain is implementing an ambitious national reform agenda under Bahrain Vision 2030 and the Government Programme (2023–2026), with a strong focus on economic diversification, fiscal sustainability, effective governance, environmental resilience, digital transformation, and inclusive human development. As a net contributor country, UNDP Bahrain maintains a lean operational footprint while delivering high-value technical assistance, policy advisory services, and innovation-driven solutions in support of national priorities.

UNDP Bahrain’s programme is guided by the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025–2029, approved by the UNDP Executive Board in January 2025, and is fully aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029. The financial envelope for the 2025–2029 Country Programme Document (CPD) is structured around a total estimated cost of US 2.5 million for Economic Prosperity (Outcome 1) and US  5 million for Environmental Sustainability (Outcome 3). As of late 2025, the Country Office manages seven ongoing projects with a total remaining budget of approximately US$ 1.8 million. These initiatives are distributed across the three CPD outcomes: Outcome 1 (Economic Prosperity) and Outcome 3 (Environmental Sustainability) each account for about 37–38% of the project count, while Outcome 2 (Governance) makes up the remaining 25%. Notable projects include the SIU and KIP Chemicals initiatives, whereas others like D4SMEs, Rule of Law, and Youth Leadership.

The CPD positions UNDP as a trusted strategic partner to the Government of Bahrain, contributing to UNSDCF outcomes through integrated, multi-sectoral interventions that address complex development challenges at the intersection of economic prosperity, governance and human rights, and environmental sustainability. Under the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025–2029, UNDP Bahrain’s engagement is structured around three interrelated CPD pillars:
(i) Economic prosperity and sustainable livelihoods;
(ii) Effective governance, human rights, and access to justice; and
(iii) Environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

These pillars reflect national priorities under Bahrain Vision 2030 and the Government Programme (2023–2026), and constitute UNDP’s substantive contribution to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029.

To ensure coherence, integration, and efficient delivery within a lean Country Office structure, the Bahrain CO operationalizes the three CPD pillars through two integrated programme clusters. The first cluster brings together economic transformation, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental sustainability, the second cluster focuses on governance, human rights, access to justice, and social inclusion.

This two-cluster delivery model enables the Country Office to manage complexity, promote synergies across CPD pillars, and apply a portfolio approach to programme design, implementation, and partnerships. Staff are therefore expected to work across thematic boundaries, contribute to integrated solutions, and support joint programming within the UN system, while ensuring results-based management, quality assurance, and alignment with national and UNSDCF priorities.

In this context the Programme Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country, the region, as well as global conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.

•    Provide background information for preparation of CPDs and establishment of Baselines, Milestones and Targets (BMT). 

•    Provide information/evidence to guide future programming and identify implementation arrangements.

•    Create project in ERP, prepare required budget revisions, revise project status, determine unutilized funds, and ensure operational and financial closure of a project.

•    Provide day-to-day guidance to implementing partners on implementation of projects, and track use of financial resources. Contribute to managing digital technology solutions in programme implementation towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.

•    Contribute to the effective management of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle. Follow up on programme and project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports, and implementation of corporate results-based management mechanisms and tools. 

•    Identify programme related bottlenecks and propose solutions.

•    Make preparations for external and internal programme/project audits, and support implementation of audit recommendations.

•    Provide administrative support to the Programme unit by maintaining internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of technical reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions.

•    Backstopping of Programme Associates in other thematic areas is expected.    

•    Analyze information on donors and prepare donor profiles. 

•    Track and report on mobilized resources. 

•    Review contributions agreements and manage contributions in ERP. 
 

•    Organize and deliver programme related training for relevant programme and operations personnel.

•    Compile lessons learned and best practices.

•    Provide contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice and digital knowledge platforms.

Under the overall guidance of the Transition Manager, and the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, (NOB) in corresponding thematic area, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the CO programme by entering and managing data and supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects’ staff in the CO and UNDP HQ, and UN Agencies to exchange information and resolve complex finance-related issues.

Incumbent is expected to display innovation, initiative, and a strong client orientation that encourages and rewards the timely delivery of services for all clients and partners. S/he might be required to undertake emerging tasks and additional duties as requested by direct supervisor or senior management.

• Secondary education is required. OR
• A university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. 

• A minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level is required
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
• Prior experience working with UN /international agencies working in the support of economic prosperity and environment is highly desirable.
• Prior experience working with quality assurance dashboards would be desirable.
• Experience in supporting the management of development projects will be desirable.
• Experience in reviewing and editing documents and proven ability to produce meeting reports identifying key actions is desired.

• Fluency in English and national language (Arabic) is required.

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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