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

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 100 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, youth, women, and communities.

Climate and Environment Health 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 programme 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 dozens of projects in collaboration with China’s National Health Commission, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, as well as provincial and local governments. Such projects focus on strengthening policies, fortifying regulatory mechanisms, setting up monitoring systems for environmental hazards, exposure, and disease, etc. Moreover, the team supports the government in designing and implementation of pilots aimed at establishing scalable solutions to reduce carbon/environmental footprint, promote climate resilience and access to public sanitation, water, energy, and waste management primarily focusing rural/remote communities in western China.

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

Provide professional technical assistance in climate and environment related programme development and implementation 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; analyze country level socio-political-economic and environmental trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects. Draft or prepare programme work plans as required. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans. Propose programme recommendations for inclusion in formal programme documentation, and new approaches, methods and practices.

2. Optimum Use of Program Funds

Monitor the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly spent. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds.

3. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability

Support strengthening capacities of national and subnational partners. Provide government counterparts technical assistance and support in planning and organizing trainings and other capacity strengthening activities.

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

Support Climate and Environmental Health Specialist in guiding different sections to formulate and implement workplan deliverables to advance the goals of climate strategy. Assist with monitoring and stocktaking of such deliverables and their contribution to achieve the goals of the strategy.

5. Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration.

Facilitate partnership and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including counterparts from government and other UN agencies.
Provide technical advice, negotiation, and advocacy to advance the objectives of UNICEF China’s Climate and Environment Strategy.

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.