Project Assistant

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. 

UNDP’s CPD implementation to support fulfilment of China’s commitments towards multilateral environmental agreements encompasses engagement with more than 15 Ministries and government representatives at the national and sub-national levels, private sector and local stakeholders. 

The Project Assistant  will directly report to Assistant Resident Representative  - Team Leader of Planet Pillar, supporting the management of both ongoing and pipeline projects for the entire Planet Pillar and ensuring effective and efficient coordination among the different portfolios of the Planet Pillar encompassing across Biodiversity and Ecosystem; Climate Change Mitigation; the Montreal Protocol; Chemicals and POPs Management; Alternative Livelihoods and Renewable Energy; along with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme.  The Project Assistant will serve as a focal point to support/coordinate the Project Associates in the Planet Pillar to collect and consolidate data and reports on Planet Pillar’s progress, consolidate related information for communications, support ARR on formulation of related strategies and plans, contribute for resources mobilization for Planet Pillar. 
 

1.Support effective coordination, monitoring and communications of Planet Team’s Overall CPD Implementation

• Provide regular updates to UNDP China Management Team on the CPD implementation status and pipeline projects and Government of China’s priorities to advance the SDGs, Five Year Development plan and dual carbon goals;
• Supports the provision of technical updates and briefings to designated government counterparts and partners on the implementation of the CPD in China;
• Support efforts to further consolidate information to strengthen communications, advocacy and visibility;
• Support Pillar wide efforts on risk-informed programmes and operations enabling full compliance of corporate requirements of projects funded by the vertical funds and the private sector.
• Support UNDP’s effective engagement in the relevant UN Results and Theme Groups in China, notably the UN Results Group on Planet.

2. Support effective pipeline formulation and on-going programme management

• Support the coordination and liaison with counterparts (government departments, non-governmental organizations, donor agencies, private sector, UNDP CO and UN agencies); 
• Support the PPG team leader in the formulation of PPG related documents as needed, and coordinate and liaison with PPG Team’s consultants and on-going project teams in preparing the PPG capacity assessment, Project budget, Multi-Year Work Plan, Monitoring & Evaluation Plan, and collecting co-financing letters, etc.; 
• Support PPG Team in monitoring, updating, and sharing information on progress of deliverables on quarterly basis; 
• Provide research support for Project Document preparation and undertake secondary data gathering, as needed;  
• Other tasks deemed necessary for project delivery and completion. 

3.Support effective planning and implementation of Planet Teams’ missions and thematic events  

• Support in the procurement, administrative and financial management, and logistics for internal and external missions, events and activities;
• Support in the preparation and organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, PAC, outreach activities and if required, provide translation services, note-taking and minutes drafting;
• Contribute to the integration of women empowerment and gender equality aspects in programming, including quality assurance of assigned gender markers, as required.

4.Provide support to UNDP high-level missions and thematic events to advance the SDGs 

• Coordinate meetings and engagement for high level missions with key government counterparts, including preparation of briefing notes, background documents and analysis required for the missions;
• Support the effective completion of follow-up actions emanating from the UNDP high-level missions and thematic events. 

5. Support resources mobilization for Planet Pillar

• Faciliate the partnership exploration, establishment and maintaining of partnership with potential donors;
• Provide innovation support to the concept note and Project Documents for programming;
• Provide support to oversight related project formulation, launching, implementation and reporting;
• Facilitating communications actions for Planet team wide projects and stratgeries.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies