Project Coordination Assistant-International Exchange Division

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 International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC), based in Beijing, was jointly initiated and established by the Chinese government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other international organizations in December 2004. The IPRCC is designed to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, information exchange and international collaboration in the areas of poverty reduction and development. The IPRCC aims at strengthening national and international capacities to design and implement policies and programs for poverty reduction, with a focus on both income and human dimensions of poverty, through (i) providing an effective platform for knowledge sharing and mutual learning on pro-poor policies and anti-poverty programs between China and other developing/transition economies; (ii) supporting a comprehensive approach to poverty reduction through policy-relevant research work and training initiatives covering both macro-policies and targeted programs for poverty reduction; and (iii) promoting dialogue between policymakers, academics and practitioners around pro-poor policy options and strengthening the links between pro-poor policy research, formulation and implementation processes at different levels. IPRCC will also build up its institutional capacity to develop a global poverty reduction and development partnership, through active networking and partnering for knowledge exchange, joint research and training initiatives with poverty reduction focused institutions in China and other countries.

Brief Portfolio Description: Globally, an estimated 131 million people fell back into poverty in 2020 and up to 800 million people are projected to still remain in poverty in 2030 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises – thereby missing the zero poverty goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In line with the UNDP Country Programme Document for China 2021-2025, this project “Building a Global Poverty Reduction and Rural Development Partnership towards Global Poverty Eradication” aims to support the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC) in scaling up the dissemination of policies, strategies and practices that were developed by China to achieve its goal of ending extreme rural poverty in the country by 2020 with interested partners. The project will support the IPRCC to bolster its institutional capacity to address global challenges through research, pilot demonstration, international exchanges, and capacity building activities, with a focus on women and other vulnerable groups. By supporting the IPRCC in developing a global poverty reduction and development partnership, the project will enhance the Center’s contribution to global progress on sustainable development, and in particular towards SDG1 (No Poverty) and SDG5 (Gender Equality).

With the Project — Building a Global Poverty Reduction and Rural Development Partnership towards Global Poverty Eradication, and under the direct supervision of the Head of the International Exchange Division of the International Poverty Reduction Center in China, the UN volunteer shall undertake the following tasks to help IPRCC move from generic experiences sharing and exchange into problem-solving oriented and action-based learning, with other developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and to maintain the South-South cooperative platform established between China and other developing countries through the international exchange events and activities:

1) Assist the International Exchange Division of IPRCC to organize poverty reduction related and South-South Cooperation oriented forums/conferences/workshops. The specific tasks include:  Design concept notes, agendas and plans for international forums/conferences/workshops;  Communicate with domestic and international experts to ensure their interaction and participation at international forums/conferences/workshops;  Draft and send out meeting invitations, collect contact information and participation confirmation from targeted invitees and partners;  Facilitate the carrying out of online and onsite meetings and arrange field trips for participants as required by specific events;  Prepare speech materials, wrap-up and evaluation reports for international forums/conferences/workshops;  Prepare documents required by internal procedures and clear financial procedures as required for implementing forums/conferences/workshops.

2) Provide support for other international exchange activities. The specific tasks include:  Communicate with related stakeholders to make sure the international exchange activities be held on time and of high-quality;  Provide logistical assistance while international exchange activities are undergoing.  Assist the preparation of knowledge products related to the international exchange activities.

3) Liaise with key partners, such as domestic and international organizations and NGOs, embassies, academia, media with project administrative tasks as required.

4) Liaise with related stakeholders to develop various kinds of knowledge sharing products for South-South cooperation.

5) Assist the annual archive and documentation procedure.

Furthermore, UN volunteers are encouraged to:

 Strengthening their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);  Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;  Reflecting on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;  Contributing articles/write-ups/publications/websites/newsletters/press releases and etc. on field experiences and submitting them for UNV;  Assisting with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UNV volunteers;  Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

The UN Volunteer will contribute towards the following programme outputs:  Strengthened institutional capacity for effective knowledge sharing, mutual learning, and dialogue on poverty reduction through the exchange events;  Development of knowledge products and programs;  Completion of exchange events, such as forums, workshops, policy dialogues and exchange programmes;

1) Research experiences in one or more aspects of the core subject matter (poverty reduction, social development, rural development) 2) Good familiarity with social development and experience working in poverty reduction 3) Experience in planning and implementing development projects, forums, seminars and workshops 4) Good coordination and organizational skills 5) Ability to work under pressure 6) Ability to form supportive and cooperative relationships with other colleagues in a team 7) Willingness to learn new things and update knowledge and skills regularly 8) Experience and familiarity with UNDP procedures is an asset

research, exchange or training programs on related subjects and familiarity with domestic and international poverty and their policies are preferred;

Event management skills to deliver successful public events and media handling skills to organize media engagements;

The duty station of the national UNV is in the International Poverty Reduction Center in China located in Beijing, where high-quality 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 the 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 RMB per month. The NUNV is entitled to an excellent health, life and disability insurance package. A modest Settling-in Grant and end of assignment allowances will also be provided along with travel to and from the duty station. The NUNV is entitled to 2.5 days personal leave per month and UN official holidays.