Project Coordination Assistant

Contract

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

The project, Promoting Sustainable Urban Development through Volunteer Service for the Beijing Winter Olympics, which was just launched in March, 2021 is jointly organized by China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, and Beijing Volunteer Service Federation (BVF). It aims to support the establishment of the Winter Olympic volunteer service system, to transform the achievements of Olympic voluntary work, to promote the innovation of urban governance, and to accelerate the sustainable development of Beijing. Also, the project will promote the establishment of the collaboration network of Olympic host cities, gradually form an international volunteer talent pool in the field of sustainable urban development, and showcase Beijing being a new example of promoting sustainable urban development through Olympic volunteering.

Beijing Volunteer Service Federation was established in 1993 under the guidance of Beijing Youth League (BYL) and is registered at the Beijing Bureau of Civil Affairs. In accordance to the Beijing Regulations on Voluntary Service Promotion, BVF is in charge of leading the voluntary service development in the capital. Its mission is to promote the volunteer spirit as well as a favorable volunteering environment and to develop a sound system of social service, thus contributing to the construction of a harmonious society.

BVF implements the project under BYL supervision through the Project Management Office (PMO), with strong technical support from UNV and UNDP. China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE) holds a role of implementation as national counterpart and monitoring and funds management.

The UN volunteers will be based in the Project Management Office, located in the Beijing Volunteer Service Federation office. Under the primary supervision of the National Programme Manager ( NPM ) and secondary supervision of the Programme and Partnerships Specialist of UNV in China, working closely with UNDP, UNV China and the PMO staff, the UN Volunteers will undertake the following tasks:

Assisting NPM with results oriented project management and implementation. o Assist in planning of the project implementation including the development of the annual work plans, terms of references and other project management documents as needed o Provide hands-on planning and support to the implementation of project activities o Ensure monitoring of timeliness and quality of project implementation o Prepare financial reports and disbursement plan within timely framework o Prepare various reports to summarize the key progress/suggestions for adjustment by referring to outputs and activities o Draft quarterly and yearly progress reports to be submitted to UNV/UNDP and CICETE offices o Report to UNV on the project implementation regularly. Support any missions or events upon re-quests from UNV as project site visits, promotional articles, success stories and good practices, including content sharing and photos, and establish of UN Volunteers Alumni network. o Other related tasks assigned by NPM

Facilitating Monitoring and communication among key partners and participating volunteering involving organizations. o Maintain regular project reporting mechanism through daily communication and monthly project meetings arrangement between PMO, CICETE, UNV, and UNDP. o Develop and implement the M&E framework to ensure regular, mid-year and year end monitoring and evaluation by aligning with project outputs and results and make technical suggestions on adjustment o Ensure internal communication with other departments located in BVF and within Beijing Youth League for effectively planning and implementing project activities o Maintain regular communication between CICETE, UNV, UNDP and other key stakeholders on project financial management and respond promptly to requests for budget preparation, budget revision and project financial reporting

Facilitating the management of knowledge products and multilateral knowledge sharing and learning o Collect, analyze and compile relevant data, information in the areas and contribute to the international and cross-country learning and sharing initiatives o Coordinate among academia, UNV and local partners in the drafting of the Status of China volunteerism report and compile policy recommendations and conduct research on international partner-ships and cooperation o Facilitate the organization of international conference/forum to support multilateral knowledge ex-changes and experience sharing o Support the translation in both Chinese and English for key events, publication, daily communication with UNV HQ, Regional offices and Field Unit as well as other ad hoc translation work o Develop PMO advocacy strategy to promote the project results and youth engagement for over-seas volunteering programme through new social media platform, websites etc.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged 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 instance in events that mark IVD); • 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 Output: The NUNV will contribute towards the following programme outputs: • Supported the establishment of a network of volunteer involving organizations in Beijing, including capacity building of its members. • Developed the package for training of volunteers, partners and volunteer involving organizations. • Supported the development of alliances with potential domestic donors and partners to support China’s overseas volunteering initiatives. • Developed an English newsletter on volunteerism for development in Beijing. • Supported the development of a collaborative network for volunteering in Olympic cities. • Ensured the project Quarterly and annual progress reporting and monitoring. • Timely support provided to research and coordination. • Support provided to management of project. • Support provided to organization of workshops/conferences. • Appropriate data/file management maintained. • Supported UN Volunteers and local mobilization and management • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Knowledge in managing development projects in financial, technical and administrative aspects is a great asset; • Demonstrates ability to effective maintain relationships with different stakeholders including gov-ernment agencies, academia, international and national volunteer organizations; • Innovative forward thinking, sound coordination and organizational skills, teamwork;

programme management, previous experiences of programme management at the national or international level in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of development projects would be highly preferred;

Previous experience with the UN system and government agencies, including solid knowledge of UN/UNDP programme and operations policies and procedures an asset. Working experience with government partners, civil society is highly preferred;

• Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills, • Strong relationship building skills with internal and external counterparts; • Strong organizational skills; • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities. • good computer skills;

The duty station of the national UN Volunteer is located in Beijing city, where modest public infra-structure 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.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

The National UN Volunteer receives a standard volunteer living allowance (VLA), which is intended to cover their accommodation and basic living expenses. In China the VLA is 9,490.08 RMB per month. The National UN Volunteer is entitled to an excellent health, life and disability insurance package. A modest Settling-in Grant and end of assignment allowance will also be provided, along with travel to and from the duty station. 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 government official holidays.