Climate Programme Officer, NO-1, Beijing, China #127267 (Temporary Appointment of 364 days, open for Chinese Nationals only)

Contract

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a healthy environment

With a team of over 100 staff members, UNICEF China is working with the PRC government and other partners to ensure that the benefits of the country's development reach the most vulnerable children and communities. In alignment with the national priorities, UNICEF invests in policies and actions that directly and indirectly impact the health, education, welfare and resilience of children, youth, households, and communities.

Environmental Health and Climate Team is a cross-sectoral unit within UNICEF China, leading the development of a multiyear climate strategy to integrate environmental sustainability and climate resilience in all areas of UNICEF’s work. In collaboration with China’s National Health Commission, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, provincial and local governments, we work to enhance environmental health policies, governance, infrastructure, and services in China.

Our projects focus on fortifying environmental health surveillance by consolidating various national and sub-national data into a single system, enabling regular tracking of hazards, exposures, and the prevalence of disease across China. Additionally, we support the development of a national action plan on children’s environmental health while strengthening national and subnational environmental health capacities related to climate and health along with the detection, assessment, and remediation of environmental hazards.

Moreover, in partnership with the Chinese government, we lead the design and implementation of pilots aimed at establishing scalable solutions to improve access to climate-resilient sanitation, water, energy, and waste management services, primarily focusing on rural communities in western China. Additionally, we share successfully piloted technologies, models, and expertise with governments and UN agencies in countries of the global south.

Climate Programme Officer will be a member of Environmental Health and Climate Team. Under the supervision of Climate and Environmental Health Specialist, the officer will provide support towards designing, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of climate related programme and projects.

How can you make a difference?

Climate Programme Officer will be a member of Climate and Environmental Health Team of UNICEF China. Under the supervision/guidance of Climate and Environmental Health Specialist, the officer will provide professional technical assistance and support for designing, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of climate related programme/projects and activities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS

1. Programme Management

Support climate and environment related programme development and implementation by:

• Analysing socio-political-economic and environmental trends and their implications for ongoing and planned projects.
• Retrieving and analysing project specific data.
• Administering a consistent and transparent project implementation monitoring system.
• Undertaking spot checks and program visits per UNICEF’s program monitoring framework.
• Preparing and adjusting programme work plans in coordination with government counterparts and other stakeholders.
• Supporting annual reporting and evaluation.

2. Optimum Use of Program Funds

Ensure allocation, disbursement, and optimization of funds are conducted timely and in strict adherence with UNICEF’s rules.

3. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

Support strengthening capacities of national and subnational partners in China and countries of the global south including through needs assessment, planning and implementing capacity strengthening measures.

4. Support the implementation of UNICEF China’s Climate and Environment Strategy

• Support the Environmental Health and Climate Specialist in guiding different teams of UNICEF China to formulate and implement projects related to climate resilience and sustainability.
• Monitor the implementation of these deliverables and their contribution to achieving the goals of the climate strategy.
• Initiate and manage the implementation of climate and environment-related projects in collaboration with relevant government agencies and stakeholder.

5. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration.

Support the strengthening of partnerships with key private sector, NGO, academia, and government partners, as well as other UN agencies in China and other countries.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental policy, or related fields. Master’s degree is highly desirable.
• A minimum of one year of relevant full-time professional work experience is required.
• Experience of working with UN agencies is highly desirable.
• China specific experience and understanding of the country context especially in terms of climate change is highly desirable.
• Strong desk research, writing, communication, teamwork, time management and coordination skills
• Fluency in English and Chinese is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.