Programme Officer (Climate, Environment and Sanitation), NO-2, Beijing, China

Entry Programme & Policy Medical & Health

Overview

Support UNICEF China’s work on climate, environment, and sanitation.

You have:

• A university degree in environmental engineering, environmental policy, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in Environment/Climate/WASH-related programmes for developing countries.
• Basic knowledge of environmental/climate risks to children.
• Basic knowledge of China's climate, environmental and sanitation policies, plans and strategies.
• Fluency in English and Chinese is required.

Contract

This is a NO-2 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-2 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

UNICEF in China promotes policies and laws for the betterment of children's rights. We have about 120 staff members working with the Government of China and other partners to ensure that the benefits of the country's development reach the most impoverished children. In partnership with the Government, and in alignment with the national priorities, UNICEF invests in actions that directly and indirectly impact the health, wellbeing and resilience of children, youths, women, and communities.

Climate and Environment Team is a cross-sectoral team within UNICEF China, leading the development of eight-year climate and environment strategy to integrate climate resilience and sustainability across all program areas, while guiding different sections of UNICEF China to align planning and delivery with the strategy. The team also leads the design and implementation over dozen projects 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. Such projects focus on strengthening policies, fortifying regulatory mechanisms, setting up monitoring systems for environmental hazards, exposure, and disease. Moreover, the team supports the government in designing and implementation of pilots aimed at establishing scalable solutions to reduce environmental footprint, promote climate resilience and access to public sanitation, water, energy, and waste management primarily focusing high mountainous communities in western China.

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Officer will be a member of Climate and Environmental Health team of UNICEF China. Under the general guidance of Climate and Environmental Health Specialist, the Officer will provide policy, technical and programming support to address environmental degradation, climate change and sustainable sanitation aspects of UNICEF China’s Country Programme as well as Climate and Environment Strategy.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Knowledge Management for Programmes

Contribute to country programmes by supporting knowledge management through providing professional assistance in data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting as well as participation in the Programme Knowledge Network system of "lessons learned" and other corporate-level databases.

Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training and orientation material by providing professional technical assistance. Participate in the preparation of, and making professional contribution to, the preparation of programme reports required for the management.

2. Programme Development and Management

Provide professional technical assistance in the preparation of the Situation Analysis for programme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress. Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. Draft or prepare programme work plans as required. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans. Propose program recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices for supervisor.

3. Optimum Use Of Program Funds

Monitors programme implementation progress and compliance. Monitors the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated. Takes appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of programme funds.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.

Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises in consultation with the Representative, the Operations Officer, the Evaluation Officer and others to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery. Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Collaborate and prepare annual program status reports in a timely manner, as required.

5. Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

Support a rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks. Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of quality child rights-based programmes through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects. Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.

Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, new initiatives and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of children and women.

6. N****ational and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

Provide government authorities with technical assistance and support in planning and organizing training programmes for the purpose of capacity building and programme sustainability.

Promote and maintain the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners by identifying these partners and partnerships and providing continuous support, coordination and collaboration for sustainability.

7. R****ights Perspective and Advocacy at the National, Community and Family Levels

Analyze programme related issues and policies from a children's and women's rights perspective. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.

8. P****artnership, Coordination and Collaboration.

Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies. Establish and maintain linkage to the Regional Programme Knowledge Network to ensure the availability of current and accurate programme data.

Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability. Approve allocation and disbursement of funds ensuring they are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated in accordance with the programme budget allotments (PBA).

Maintain close collaboration with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers for overall coordination.

Provide professional support in provision of technical advice, negotiation, advocacy and promotion of area/country level goals, leading to agreement on practicable and priority actions to be supported by the UNICEF programme.

More specifically, the Programme Officer will:

• Support UNICEF China’s work on sanitation, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience under supervision of Climate and Environmental Health Specialist and overall guidance of Deputy Representative Program.
• Support annual program planning, program management and monitoring with regular program visits.
• Prepare communication, information materials and reports.
• Support formulation of funding proposals to highlight program goals and achievements and support resource mobilization.
• Support in strengthening partnership with key private sector, NGO, academia, and government counterparts working in the field of environment, climate change, and sanitation.
• Support projects related to South-South cooperation on climate change, sanitation, and environmental sustainability.
• Support the development and implementation of UNICEF China Climate and Environment Strategy 2030

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

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: environmental engineering, environmental policy, or another relevant technical field. Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement the main degree is a strong asset.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in Environment/Climate/WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.
• Basic knowledge of all five components:
  • Understanding of environmental/climate risks to children
  • Government of China climate, environmental and sanitation policies, plans and strategies
  • Major environmental challenges China is facing
  • Gender equality and diversity awareness
  • UNICEF’s strategy on climate and environment
• Basic knowledge of Programme/project management, Capacity development, Knowledge management, and Monitoring and evaluation.
• Basic knowledge of Humanitarian coordination and response.
• Functional competencies of Analyzing, Applying technical expertise, Learning and researching, and Planning and organizing.
• 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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org