Executive Associate (Open to All Applicants)

Background

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.

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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 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, recognizing the strong interlinkages between economic diversification, green finance, climate action, digital transformation, and private sector–led growth. This cluster supports policy reform, institutional capacity development, and innovative financing mechanisms that advance inclusive and sustainable economic outcomes while strengthening environmental resilience.
The second cluster focuses on governance, human rights, access to justice, and social inclusion, encompassing rule of law, public sector effectiveness, civic engagement, gender equality, and protection of vulnerable groups. This cluster supports national institutions in strengthening accountability, service delivery, and compliance with international human rights standards, while promoting inclusive participation and social cohesion.
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.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative (RR), the Executive Associate ensures effective and efficient functioning of the RR’s office, full confidentiality in all aspects of assignments, maintenance of protocol procedures, and management of information flow and follow-up on deadlines and commitments made. The Executive Associate promotes a collaborative, client-focused, high quality and results-oriented approach in the operations of the RR’s office.

The Executive Associate to the RR works in close collaboration with UNDP staff, UN Agencies, national authorities, international organizations, and other stakeholders and external entities to ensure efficient flow of information and follow through on actions, instructions, commitments and agendas.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Ensure effective and efficient functioning of the Resident Representative (RR) office

• Maintain the supervisor’s calendar and contacts with high-ranking visitors, arrange appointments and meetings, take minutes, act as an interpreter, and/or prepare informal translations when required.
• Maintain protocol procedures as well as profiles, rosters, and telephone lists of high-level partners and contacts.
• Compile research and prepare high quality briefing materials for supervisor appointments, meetings, missions, and for use in discussions.
• Manage Resident Representative for missions and representation schedules.
• Prepare correspondence, directives, and comments on behalf of RR for his/her signature and follow-up when required.

2) Provide effective communications support to the office to facilitate essential flow of information

• Maintain paper and electronic filing systems to ensure safekeeping of confidential materials and accessibility of documents.
• Coordinate information flow in the office, and follow up on circulation files.
• Facilitate information sharing between the RR’s Office, UN Country Team, and the UN Coordination Unit.
• Act as Focal points for liaison with MOFA Protocol and Facilitate visas and residences for UNDP and UNCT staff, residents or on mission
• Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, and actions taken; and coordinate the collection and submission of reports to the RR.
• Screen all incoming calls and correspondence.
• Provide advice to senior officials on national protocols and UN related procedures.

3) Facilitate knowledge building and management in the Country Office

• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organize specialized training for secretarial and/or support staff.
• Organize training for UN staff on coordination, administration and protocol issues.
  

5) Ensure application of corporate guidelines for any digital content included on country office website, intranet and social media

• Assist in updating the CO website in line with corporate guidelines.
• Design content for websites and social media in line with corporate guidelines.
• Upload content to the Internal database and website.
• Generate analysis on CO’s online visibility and engagement, with recommendations for improvement

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative (RR), the Executive Associate ensures effective and efficient functioning of the RR’s office, full confidentiality in all aspects of assignments, maintenance of protocol procedures, and management of information flow and follow-up on deadlines and commitments made. The Executive Associate promotes a collaborative, client-focused, high quality and results-oriented approach in the operations of the RR’s office.

The Executive Associate to the RR works in close collaboration with UNDP staff, UN Agencies, national authorities, international organizations, and other stakeholders and external entities to ensure efficient flow of information and follow through on actions, instructions, commitments and agendas.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Secondary Education is required with specialized secretarial training.
• A university degree in Social Sciences, Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance or equivalent will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.
  

Experience

• Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible secretarial, administrative, communication and/or programme experience is required at the national and international level.

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Teams, Zoom, etc), is required.

Desired skills

• Experience with UNDP/UN policies, procedures and practices, particularly in relation to project development and implementation, is an asset.
• Prior experience as an Executive Associate.
• Specialized certification in administration or related fields would be an advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in handling web-based management systems (i.e. Quantum/Oracle Cloud, MS Office 365, SharePoint) is desirable.
• Strong ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and confidential matters with discretion.
• Excellent records management, filing, and correspondence handling in line with UNDP standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting correspondence, briefing notes, minutes, and talking points.
• Ability to coordinate across teams, units, and external partners, acting as a focal point for senior management
• Excellent planning, organization, and follow-up skills, ensuring timely action on management decisions
• Ability to anticipate needs, identify risks or bottlenecks, and propose practical solutions
• High level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality, especially in handling sensitive information
• Strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and ability to work in a diverse, multicultural environment

• Fluency in English and Arabic required.

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

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