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Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to end poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, as well as protect the planet, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts aim to ensure that improvements in human wellbeing remain within ecological boundaries. We also help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, as well as build resilience, in order to achieve the SDGs.

UNDP has been working in China over the past 40 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. UNDP China’s actions and programmes for the period of 2021-2025 are defined in its Country Programme Document for China (CPD), prepared in cooperation with the Government of China and other partners. The CPD contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for China 2021-2025 in line with the development priorities outlined in the Government of China’s 14th Five Year Plan.

We support the attainment of the SDGs in China, by promoting sustainable development principles in policies and decision-making, focusing on reducing inequality, promoting inclusive, low-carbon growth and protecting the environment.  Our work involves shaping the policy discourse and practices in China’s development cooperation and overseas public and private financing by providing policy and technical guidance on alignment with international best practices and norms. In addition, UNDP leverages its global network and South-South Cooperation (SSC) to facilitate mutual knowledge and experience sharing between China and partner countries on best practices and lessons learned to advance the SDGs.

Under the supervision of the Head of Strategic Partnership and Policy (SPP) team, the Project Associate will provide support on the implementation of projects of the SPP team and other priorities of UNDP China office. He/she will closely monitor and analyze efforts in promoting SDGs at different levels; communicate with Chinese and international stakeholders; organize events and prepare documents; provide administration and finance support.

Duties and Responsibilitie

1.Support Project Implementation

• Monitor and facilitate project progress, including communicating with key stakeholders to keep track of project progress, reporting and managing risks, collecting and preparing regular project progress reports, and project meetings notes etc.
• Provide comprehensive admin and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery, including organizing/coordinating project events with partners and key stakeholders, facilitating procurement process for project, such as requisition and PO, and travel arrangement.
• Provide timely support on the whole process of financial management for the projects implementation, to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged and (b) availability of funds, and ensure the compliance with UNDP policy and procedures.  
• Coordinate with external consultants and vendors to assure quality delivery of service to the project.
• Make sound contribution to knowledge building and sharing on the impact of the projects for both internal and external dissemination.
• Assist in project development when requested

2. Support Partnership Building and Communication

• Provide effective support to the team in maintaining relationships with existing partners and new partnership building.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Support the team in communication activities to optimize UNDP’s impact across the office, drafting press release, speeches, and providing logistic support to UNDP’s presence in external events.
• Provide support on cross-team collaboration initiatives when requested

Impact of result

1. Facilitated high-quality policy products produced by UNDP, which offers guidance and instruments for stakeholders to enable financing for SDGs.
2. Facilitated project implementation of SSP team.
3. Advocated and ensured knowledge building and communications.
4. Administrative and finance support provided in time and quality to the team tasks and UNDP China office cross-team collaboration initiatives as assigned.
   

Competencies

Core:

1. Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
2. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
3. Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
4. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
5. Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
6. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
7. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

1. Business Management  -Project Management - Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
2. Business Management - Communication - Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; Ability to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
3. Business Management - Monitoring - Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
4. Business Management - Results-based Management - Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
5. Business Management - Risk Management - Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
6. Business Development - Knowledge Generation - Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education is required. University Degree (Bachelor´s degree) in development studies, economics, cultural studies, international relations, international development topics or related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

A Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively relevant experience in operations and project support

Desired skills

• Relevant project implementation and operation experiences will be preferred;
• Relevant experience in international organizations/institutions or other organizations in public sector will be desired.
• Experience in the preparation and organization of high-level events will be desired.
• Experience in project management via ERP system as well as project pipeline identification and design will be desired
• Understanding of concept related to sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals will be preferred

• Required Language(s): Fluency in both Chinese and English is required.