Project Associate

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Job Description

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.
The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental agreement with universal ratification to protect the earth’s ozone layer by eliminating use of ozone depleting substances (ODS), which would otherwise allow increased UV radiation to reach the earth, resulting in higher incidence of skin cancers and eye cataracts, more-compromised immune systems, and negative effects on watersheds, agricultural lands and forests. Since its adoption in 1991, it has successfully reversed the damage to the ozone layer. A very significant co-benefit is that it has – during period 1989-2013 – reduced cumulative CO2-eq. emissions by 135 billion tonnes. Important challenges remain. The transition from CFCs (high ozone depleting potential or ODP and high GWP) to intermediate HCFCs (with lower ODP and high GWP) has been completed, now, the third stage to phase out HCFCs is coming, and HFCs phase down under Kigali Amendment is also undertaking now, the final transition is to alternatives that have zero ODP and low GWP. The challenge is to develop/select alternatives (mainly in refrigeration, air-conditioning, automobiles and foam products,etc.) that are also climate-friendly.
As an implementing agency of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF), UNDP supports developing countries eliminate ODS. UNDP is also an Implementing Agency for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which funds similar programmes in countries with economies in transition. UNDP services include technology transfer and technical assistance, formulation and implementation of country and sector strategies, capacity building, accessing funding from different sources, and facilitating public/private partnerships.
This position will report to Programme Manager in facilitating the implementation of Montreal Protocol Portfolio and daily tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supports formulation of programme strategies under the Country Programme Document focusing on achievement of the following results:

Research and development of working documents and compilation of background materials relating to Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment.
Support the project document review including the work plan and budget on time.
Facilitate the SESP, QA for the programme, and coordinate the stakeholders for the PAC meeting.
Research on the documents of ExCom meetings.

Provides effective support to ensure effective implementation of projects aligned with the agreed document, work plans and budget, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects.
Creation of projects in Quantum, preparation of required budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, determination of un-utilized funds, operational and financial close of a project.
Prepare reporting documents and facilitate the monitoring process, including Delivery Report and Quarterly Progress, quality assurance, transparency and so forth; and updating pipeline project status.

Analyze and prepare the annual progress report to the Ozone Secretariat and prepare the responses to the questions raised by the Ozone Secretariat during their review of the annual progress report.
Presentation of information for audit of NEX projects, supports implementation of audit recommendations.
Support the advocacy of the project, including the update of project website information, success stories, videos and other communication materials.
Drafting writeups such as speeches, Terms of Reference (ToR), letters to officials.
Support whole process of programme related activities which may include (but not limited to) meeting planning and coordination, consultation with stakeholders, field trips, as well as related procurement and financial process etc.

Provides administrative support to the Programme Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper control of supporting documents for payments, review of NEX projects Financial Reports; preparation of non-PO vouchers for development projects.
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum. Creation of requisitions in Quantum for development projects, register of goods receipt in Quantum.
Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
Provide thoroughly support in the organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, Local Project Appraisal Committees, outreach activities etc.

Supports resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

Analysis of information on donors, and ensure effective update of the CO partner’s database and donor profiles and briefing notes on key partners including government counterparts, donors and the academia.
Track and reporting on mobilized resources. Review of contributions agreement, managing contributions in Quantum.
Follow-up on the resource mobilization activities, including coordination and prepare cooperation agreements with project partners.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education is required.
University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) relevant experiences in project implementation and support is required.
Knoweldge and experiences in environmental protection at the national or international level
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Working experience with public sector would be an asset
Working experiences in management of environment convention, especially MP , climate change, etc. is an asset.
Proven experience and good understanding of Chinese policies and sustainable development issues is an asset.
Demonstrated experiences with Chinese officials, governmental and non-governmental institutions, civil society organizations, research institutes, and the private sector is an asset.

Required languages: