General
Description of assignment title
Programme Coordinator
Assignment country
China
Expected start date
08/10/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
6. Clean water and sanitation
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNDP
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Beijing
Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It is on the ground in 177 countries, working on solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP China assists China in developing its own solutions to the country’s development challenges and works to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by reducing poverty, strengthening the rule of law and democratic governance, and by promoting environmental sustainability and South-South Cooperation.
Context
In September 2015, the member states of the United Nations adopted a new development agenda for the next 15 years that included 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These new goals are a plan of action for our planet and call for new and innovative methods to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges by 2030. Through UNDP’s Public-Private Partnership with the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Commerce, and Coca-Cola Greater China, the water project was developed and has been in implementation since 2007. Improved Water Resources Management and Drinking Water Safety in Rural China aims to support government efforts to improve water resources management and drinking water safety in rural parts of China by setting up pilots in non-point source pollution, improved latrine facilities for schools, organic farming, and waste-water treatment. It also works to create water user associations to better empower stakeholders to sustainably manage water resources in their communities with reduced external assistance. Doing so provides areas with greater independence in safe water governance. Since 2010, the project has been expanded into an Umbrella Programme on the Water Governance as the UNDP-CICETE-Coca-Cola partnership has expanded beyond improving policy mechanisms for drinking water safety, and a series of sound water resource management approaches and drinking water safety technologies have been demonstrated. These have included tests on water rights management and water resources allocation, the rebuilding of drainage pipelines, and implementing ecologically sustainable agricultural technologies for water conservation. This Umbrella Programme has made a number of noteworthy achievements so far. A series of valuable policy suggestions and solutions for central and local water resource management have been devised and issued. Outreach work has enhanced the public consciousness of water safety and environmental protection issues. A series of pilot projects supported by the Coca-Cola company and the local fund was initiated which have improved livelihoods in the pilot areas and yielded a good development model and set of best practices. A sound interaction mechanism has been established within the Public-Private Partnership framework, featuring “cross-department, diversified and multi-level” cooperation and participation. This mechanism has created an environment in which governments, international organizations, companies, research institutes, water organizations, and communities can work together to realize shared goals and the programme targets. Since 2018, the Umbrella Programme has started sharing the best practices developed under the UNDP-CICETE-Coca-Cola Partnership for Water Governance with ASEAN countries and the Central Asian Countries through conferences, training courses, and public awareness-raising activities on water resources management, water-saving irrigation, drinking water treatment, etc. An UNV specialist is needed to provide support to programme management, knowledge management, communication, and partnership under the Umbrella Programme.
Task description
Under the supervision of Programme Director (Division Chief) and Programme Manager, the Programme Coordinator (UNV Specialist) will undertake the following tasks to include: 1.) Programme Management • Assist the Programme Director to prepare the Annual Work Plan and the necessary budget revisions. • Assist the programme implementation including but not limited to: maintaining frequent communication on project progress and financial matters between local PMO, providing guidance for local PMO on the preparation of required documents such as annual progress report, participating to prepare programme-related reports as required by the key stakeholders. • Support result-based monitoring through the development of project’s performance measure documents, conducting frequent assessment and feedback on local PMO, providing timely recommendations to UNDP China, CICETE and NPMO for potential corrective actions and adaptive management. • Help organize virtual and on-site meetings, training and events through the preparation of the agenda, meeting minutes, training materials, presentations, and any other documents needed. 2. ) Knowledge Management • Help identify innovative, practical, and replicable technical solutions, policy suggestions, community building, public engagement, and other project outcomes within the programme. • Assist in produce a series of knowledge products by working with different partners. • Facilitate knowledge sharing internally or externally through the organization of training, seminar and workshop. • Collection, maintenance and dissemination of knowledge products produced by the project teams. 3. ) Communication and Partnership • Draft social media (Weibo, WeChat and/or other platforms) articles and posts for the programme and project. • Prepare communications and outreach materials as requested. (PowerPoint presentations, brochures, etc.). • Prepare speeches, talking points and advocacy materials for high-level meeting and events. • Help collect data and information on partners’ profile for a better connection and mobilization on partnership. 4. ) Others • Abide by the work discipline and regulations of office location. • Sign a confidentiality commitment with the National PMO. • Timely support provided to tasks related to the Water Programme. • Facilitation to the smooth implementation and management of project activities. • Appropriate data/file management maintained. • Personal Annual Report with evaluation and assessment from Programme Director • Ad-hoc duties fulfilled as required. • Other tasks assigned by National PMO.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in • Water resources management, climate change, or livelihood and biodiversity, or other relevant programmes; at least one year experience with water project design and project management is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; Project financial, technical, and/or administrative management experience, as well as basic knowledge on south-south cooperation projects, are assets; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Excellent organizational skills; • Substantive knowledge of global development issues; • Excellent abilities in oral communication and presentation; • Demonstrable ability to maintain effective communications with different stakeholders, and arrange stakeholder meetings and/or workshops; • Ability to work at a fast pace and to manage competing priorities; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Demonstrable ability to administer project budgets, and track financial expenditure; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in international development, esp. south-south cooperation, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
Area(s) of expertise
Economics and finance, Business management, Development programmes
Driving license
–
Languages
Chinese, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Political Science, International Development, Economics, Social Science, or related fields is highly favored.
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management • Building Trust • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Empowering Others • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Knowledge Sharing • Leadership • Managing Performance • Respect for Diversity • Technological Awareness • Vision • Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The duty station of the national UN Volunteer is located in Beijing, where modest public infrastructure and excellent health services are available. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
