Project Associate - Tenders Global

Project Associate

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

tendersglobal.net

JOB DESCRIPTION

Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to end poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, as well as protect the planet, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts aim to ensure that improvements in human wellbeing remain within ecological boundaries. We also help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, as well as build resilience, in order to achieve the SDGs.

UNDP China has been working in China over the past 40 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. UNDP China’s actions and programmes for the period of 2021-2025 are defined in its Country Programme Document for China (CPD), prepared in cooperation with the Government of China and other partners. The CPD contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for China 2021-2025 and aligned to support the development priorities outlined in the Government of China’s 14th Five Year Plan.

We support the attainment of the SDGs in China, by promoting sustainable development principles in policies and decision-making, focusing on reducing inequality, promoting inclusive, low-carbon growth and protecting the environment.  Our work involves shaping the policy discourse and practices in China’s development cooperation and overseas public and private financing by providing policy and technical guidance on alignment with international best practices and norms. In addition, UNDP leverages its global network and South-South Cooperation (SSC) to facilitate mutual knowledge and experience sharing between China and partner countries on best practices and lessons learned to advance the SDGs.

To support China’s international development cooperation engagements for greater SDG impact and to strengthen the application of international norms, standards, and best practices, UNDP started a multi-year project, including research, knowledge sharing and capacity-building workshops, multi-stakeholder dialogues, and other activities. The project aims to foster two-way exchanges and reinforce global efforts to achieve the SDGs.

Scope of Work 

  • Provide effective support to project management, including design, set up and implementation of “Effective Multilateralism in China towards Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals” project 
  • Provide effective support to the coordination of activities, including reporting, with other UN Agencies involved in the project.
  • Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on the progress of project implementation.
  • Contribute to communications efforts and knowledge management.
  • Support to knowledge products and ad-hoc requests related to the project. 

Responsibilities: 

Under the guidance and supervision of the Government Partnership Analyst of UNDP China, the Project Associate is expected to perform work in following areas:

Provide effective support to project management, including design, set up and implementation of “Effective Multilateralism in China towards Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals” project  

  • Compile and summarize information and data for the formulation of project work plans, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and on other specific project-related topics or issues.
  • Provide comprehensive support in all aspects of project implementation in accordance with the project documents, annual work plans, and other agreements between UNDP and responsible partners. Ensure quality of delivery by consultants, beneficiaries, and contracted companies; and communicate findings to the supervisor.
  • Ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When necessary, provide guidance to project staff on business processes, administrative and other requirements and procedures.
  • Support mainstreaming gender equality in the project implementation, including in data collection and compilation. Prepare gender equality background materials for use in discussions, briefings, and correspondence.
  • Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organizing/coordinating project events and selecting appropriate venues, coordinating project procurement procedures, maintaining project records and files, recruiting project team members, and supporting contracting activities.
  • Support to the organization of regular project steering committee meetings.
  • Provide effective support to the organization of high-level policy dialogues, technical-level dialogues, roundtables, trainings, and workshops, as well as closed-door sharing sessions.
  • Contribute to the development of concept notes, agendas, background briefings, talking points, note-to-files, meeting minutes, and other relevant documents upon request.

Provide effective support to coordination of activities, including reporting, with the other UN Agencies involved in the project.

  • Support the development of joint workplans in coordination with the UN Agencies involved.
  • Contribute to overall monitor and report (to donor) on the activities implemented under the project.
  • Provide effective support to organize regular and ad-hoc meetings in coordination with other UN Agencies.
  • Assist in consolidation inputs and updates as requested by the donor and UNSDCF Result Groups where needed.
  • Facilitate funds transfer to other UN Agencies and joint financial reporting working closely with the finance colleagues and Finance Team.
  • Manage the list of partners and external stakeholders involved in these events and meetings.

Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress of project implementation. 

  • Support implementation of the project monitoring system in alignment with its Monitoring and Evaluation framework to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback, and elaboration of high-quality progress reports.
  • Collect, analyze and present information for monitoring and evaluation of project implementation against project targets as well as for audit purposes. Identify gaps in implementation and provide support in bridging those gaps in consultation with supervisor and partners.
  • Assist in the organization of field and study visits, missions, workshops, roundtables, and conferences within the project.
  • Assist in implementation of effective risk management for the project with a well-documented risk mitigation plan in place. Support monitoring of previously identified and emerging risks.
  • Regularly monitor expenditures and commitments against the project budget and relevant plans, and provide finance-related information to support project implementation. When necessary, recommend corrective actions and draft various correspondence concerning finance, operations, and budgetary issues.
  • Prepare and consolidate required project reports on a timely basis and in line with monitoring and reporting guidelines and donor requirements.

Contribute to communications efforts and knowledge management.

  • Proactively manage internal knowledge sharing platform under the project.
  • Support the development and implementation of the communication strategy of the project to ensure strategic communications with external audience on development results and takeaways.
  • Support relevant communications deliverables and efforts (e.g. social media posts, press release, news article, media outreach, etc.) working closely with Communications Team of the UNDP China where needed.
  • Provide support to design and translation of publications working closely with experts and the Communication Team.

Support to knowledge products and ad-hoc requests related to the project

  • Effective support to development of summary reports of the events working closely with UNDP China Research and Policy team.
  • Assist in development of research knowledge products in support of the Research and Policy team.
  • Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project.
  • Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.
  • The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Associate will work under the guidance and supervision of the Government Partnership Analyst in UNDP China’s Global Partnerships Cluster team.

Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-functional & Technical  competencies
Business Development – Integration within the UN: Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
Business Management – Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Business Management – Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management – Risk Management : Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
General – Event planning and execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.
Communications – Creative direction and copywriting: Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way
Business Management – Communication:  Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Secondary education is required.
  • University Degree (Bachelor´s degree) in development studies, economics, cultural studies, international relations, international organization topics or related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.
Experience:
  • A Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required.
  • Having coordination and project management experience in supporting multi-country/multi-partner projects will be an asset;
  • Good command of project management, preferably on South-South cooperation projects in multi-country contexts;
  • Technical skills in pipeline development and project design and relevant experience;
  • Experience in the preparation and organization of high-level events

Required Language

Fluency in both Chinese and English is required.

Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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