Operation Officer - Full time, based in Beijing

Background:

Building on the growing international interest in the circular economy as a positive growth strategy, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is working with its partners to deliver our mission in China. The overall objective of the China Programme is to build on existing awareness, and to mobilise a broader momentum and focus on the circular economy in both public and private sectors, and to present the circular economy as an enabler to better forms of economic growth.

The Foundation established a Representative Office (RO) in China which is affiliated under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. We’re seeking an experienced Operation Officer to support an effective project management and oversee daily activities including finance, human resources, legal, partnership and administration of the RO. This role will build a strong connection between the RO and our Head Office in the UK to increase our project management and operational efficiency with development and maintain an environment of trust, diversity, and inclusion within the team, and support strategy implementation, and deliver an excellent relationship with key external stakeholders and the Foundation’s partners in China.

Role and responsibilities:

The successful candidate will lead the operations of the Representative Office by:

Project management (50% of capacity expected)

• Work closely with the Chief Representative and Head Office to develop and improve working modalities for project management and the operations of the RO.
• Support strategy delivery of the Project team, including event organisation, content preparation and communications.
• Communicate with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and Public Security Bureau closely to manage our activities and operations in compliance with relevant laws and requirements, including but not limited to Annual Activity Plan development and reporting, and implementation of project activities.
• Prepare reporting to key internal and external stakeholders, including (e.g.) function teams in the Foundation, funders, MEE and PSB etc.
• Maintain connections and manage the relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including Partners of the Foundation, companies, associations, philanthropists, academics, embassies, and NGOs as a supplementary to the Project team.
• Provide necessary and other support/responsibilities to the Chief Representative on strategy delivery and the development of the China programme, including speech and presentation development.

Operation management (50% of capacity expected)

• Maintain constant communication with relative Head Office teams, China team members, and vendors to ensure efficient operations of the RO in compliance with laws and regulations of both internal and external.
• Manage and regulate the financial and accounting activities of RO, including (e.g.): responsibility and signatory authority, planning and budgeting, financial reporting, auditing, tax, bank & cash management, reimbursement, purchasing, travel & expenses, assets management, internal control, and risk management.
• Support the Chief Representative and Human Resources of our Head Office to manage the human resources of the RO, including: recruitment, employment, team benefit, health and safety, performance management, absences, learning and development.
• Manage legal affairs of the RO under legal support from Head Office and local attorney to make sure activities remain compliant and manage risks effectively, including: contract management, labour dispute, intellectual property and data security.
• Manage and conduct administrative affairs of the RO under necessary support from  vendors and the team, including procurement of office supplies, file archive, equipment, setup and maintain IT functioning.

Your profile:

• Proven qualification on project management or education background on environment is a must, such as working experience with NGO or professional education in the environment.
• Over five years of working experience in a similar role as project manager/officer, operation officer.
• Proven working experience or training on finance is a preference (for example, holding an Accounting Certificate).
• Excellent written and spoken English and Mandarin is a prerequisite.
• Excellent communication skills both face-to-face and online and equipped with good experience in human resource management.
• Must have the right to work in China without sponsorship.

Desired starting date: As soon as possible

Closing date: 8th November 2024

Salary package: Competitive within the charity sector in China

Location: Our office in Beijing.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter via our official platform: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoard/Opening.aspx?v=5b3edde4-9b95-4e82-82cd-37c17e70c95e

What we do:

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy.  We work with, and inspire, business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

Our vision is a new economic system that delivers better outcomes for people and the environment. Business models, products, and materials are designed to increase use and reuse, replicating the balance of the natural world, where nothing becomes waste, and everything has value. A circular economy, increasingly built on renewable energy and materials, is distributed, diverse, and inclusive.