Assistant Project Coordinator

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

China’s development in recent decades has seen impressive reductions in poverty and great improvement in other key indicators. However, this rapid growth has come at a cost, which has left China’s environment in poor shape and its consumption patterns unsustainable from an ecological perspective. Unless urgent action is taken, environmental degradation has the potential to negatively affect China’s hard-won development gains.

UNDP works with key stakeholders in China, including the government and the public, to address environmental concerns in the country in line with the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), China’s 14th Five-Year Plan while also fulfill its commitment towards multi-lateral environment agreement. Under the Energy & Environment focus area, the Pillar II-Planet hosts portfolios including Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change Mitigation, Montreal Protocol, Chemicals and POPs Management and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme.

CBD COP 15 part II will be held in Kunming in late 2022, which will be one of the important events for CO to showcase the great achievements and best practice in biodiversity conservation in China.

To stay within planetary boundaries for global well-being, UNDP, drawing on the Global Environment Facility, will continue promoting signature “nature-based solutions” that protect, sustainably manage and restore ecosystems, and support Chinese engagement in international environmental protocols while addressing social and economic challenges. UNDP will work with relevant ministries to reduce land degradation, improve desertification control and drought response, the management of protected areas, wetlands and endangered species using emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of things.

It will address unsustainable agricultural practices to reduce soil and water pollution, improve water environment protection and water utilization levels. Support will be provided to phase out harmful fertilizers and chemicals by encouraging production and use of organic substitutes, strengthening soil health while reducing emissions.

UNDP will work with the Government and businesses on creating eco-friendly livelihoods, piloting innovative insurance models and equitable social security systems. It will provide technical support based on the UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative and present best practices and solutions for green finance initiatives in China.

To accelerate the country’s shift to a low-carbon economy and resilient society, UNDP will provide support focused on carbon pricing, emissions trading, reducing fossil fuel subsidies and strengthening resilience against climate change. UNDP will support government efforts to adapt to climate change through demonstration pilots and experience sharing, to improve climate resilience.

Under the direct supervision of Ms. Zhao Xinhua, Programme Coordination Officer of Pillar II, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Provide daily supports to the whole Pillar II; • Provide logistic and coordination support to activities of COP 15; • Liaise with project partners and stakeholders and coordinate pipeline formulation; • Support the oversight management of ongoing projects; • Assist in review of project reports & documents; • Assist in financial management and procurement processes; • Assist in the preparation and organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, PAC, out-reach activities; • Participate in meetings, provide translation service and take notes/minutes • Facilitate information flow, coordination of schedule and other logistic arrangement • Translation and interpretation support to the whole Pillar • Other tasks assigned by supervisor

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs • Effective support to COP 15; • Effective support to the programme/projects initiation, management and implementation; • Effective support to the partnerships building and communication with IPs, UN part-ers and consultants; • Effective support to the drafting of progress reporting documents for all programme/projects and regular programme/projects monitoring ensured throughout the implementation; • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Working in Teams

Learning Expectations Learning and development are a central part of the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment and take place before, during and after his or her assignment in the field. Ideally, offering diverse opportunities for learning and development aim to strengthen the volunteer’s skills and com-petences, improve the quality of the assignment and keep the volunteer’s motivation high. Learning elements for the UN Youth Volunteer include the development of: Professional skills: including specific competencies and reflection on assignment-related abil-ities; and on-the-job skills such as time management, problem solving, team building; and career preparedness such as interview skills, CV preparation, job searching. Inter-personal skills: including communication and listening skills; multi-cultural awareness and cultural competency; and conflict and stress management. Volunteering-related skills: including leadership; civic responsibility; and engagement and ac-tive participation. Beyond the learning opportunities provided by UNV, the host agency will support knowledge and capacity development in the technical areas that are relevant to the UN Youth Volun-teer’s assignment. The host agency will provide, at its expense, UN Youth Volunteers with equal opportunity to participate in training courses and workshops offered to its personnel.

natural resources management or finance

• Familiar with programme management, previous experiences of international programme management would be highly preferred • Strong organizational skills and ability to get things done • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude, proactive and strategic thinking • Excellent interpersonal skills and team spirit • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) with international organizations would be highly regarded; • Previous experience with the UN system and government agencies, including solid knowledge of UN/UNDP programme and operations policies and procedures an asset • Good computer skills

The duty station of the national UN Youth Volunteer is located in Beijing city, where modest public infrastructure and health services are available. It is the foremost political and cultural metropolis in China. The city has excellent health services available.

In general, rent for apartments in central locations is high relative to other regions in China, but quality is good. Beijing is well served by many shopping malls, large supermarket chains and international brands. Buses and subways are the most common form of mass transportation. Metered taxis are widely available and domestic and regional travel by train and airplane is popular.

The National Youth Volunteer receives a standard volunteer living allowance (VLA), which is intended to cover their accommodation and basic living expenses. In China the VLA is 7,592 RMB per month. The National UN Volunteer is entitled to an excellent health, life and disability insurance package. International travel to duty station will not covered by UNV. The National UN Volunteer is entitled to 2.5 days personal leave per month and UN official holidays.

Supervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:

• Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including secu-rity, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local envi-ronment; • Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear work-plan and performance appraisal; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools re-quired to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email ad-dress; • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning; • Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations; • Leave management; DSA for official travel, when applicable; • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arri-val or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.