Programme Associate

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global, regional, national and city/local levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

UN Environment’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UN Environment’s work encompasses:

• Assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends
• Developing international and national environmental instruments
• Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment

The UN Environment China Office, opened in Beijing in September 2003, works closely with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China and other line ministries, international agencies, business and private sector and non-governmental organizations in implementing programmes in environmental assessment, law, education and outreach, technology transfer and innovation. It also develops and supports projects to address climate change, biodiversity, pollution, land degradation, waste and chemical management issues. The China Office is located at the UN Building, 2 Liangmahe Nanlu Road, Beijing. As an important member of the UN System in China, the UN Environment China Office also leads and participates in a number of joint UN initiatives , notably on environment and climate change.

UN Environment hosts the Secretariat of the Global District Energy in Cities Initiative as part of the Sustainable Energy for All Global Energy Efficiency Accelerator Platform (SE4ALL). The Global District Energy in Cities Initiative was launched in September 2014 and is a multi-stakeholder partnership which aims to support local and national governments mobilize the policy and finance support needed to accelerate the uptake of modern (low-carbon and climate resilient) district energy systems in developing countries and emerging economies by 1) raising awareness on the multiple benefits of modern district energy and sustainable heating and cooling strategies 2) enhancing and developing new national and local policy actions, including by identifying and overcoming barriers, enhancing capacity, and mobilizing support; 3) promoting best practices and showcasing successful efforts; and (4) improving the understanding of the full range  of policy and technology options, and business models available for cities to develop, modernize and scale up district energy systems.

UN Environment will implement activities under a GEF project ‘Increasing Investments in District Energy System in Cities - A SE4All Energy Efficiency Accelerator’ with the objective to facilitate the  assessment mode of energy efficiency in cities, select the pilot cities and attract the investments. The project mainly includes 4 components: 1) the assessment and technical supports on district energy in cities; 2) the pilots of district energy and city planning; 3) monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV); 4) the outreach, tools and training of district energy. China, as one of the four pilot countries, will select several cities to participate in this project.

In order to ensure the timely and effective delivery of the project outcomes in China, the global project management team in Paris within Economy Division and UN Environment  China Office jointly create this position.  UN Environment China Office, in coordination and guidance from global project team, will be responsible for daily communications and assistance in coordination with national project management office (PMO), which is managed by the China Energy Conservation and Environment Protection Consulting Co., Ltd., under guidance of the Project Steer Committee which is co-led by UN Environment and China National Development and Reform Commission.

Under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer of the UN Environment China Office, and in close coordination and collaboration with UN Environment-Energy, Climate and Technology Branch of the Economy Division, the incumbent will play an active role in implementation of activities on energy efficiency, chiefly of the GEF project ‘Increasing Investments in District Energy System in Cities - A SE4All Energy Efficiency Accelerator’, focusing on city and country activities implementation in China. The incumbent will work closely with the leading government ministries, international and national expert teams, local governments and UN Environment team. S/he will facilitate the communication between international experts and national and local stakeholders to transfer and localize global approaches to national and city level practices in China.

The incumbent will also act as de facto contact for activities on Climate Change in China, and assist China Office Head to explore further opportunities to be led by UN Environment Hs on project development and resource mobilization.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Support to the implementation of overall workplan for GEF project ‘Increasing Investments in District Energy System in Cities - A SE4All Energy Efficiency Accelerator’ in China, including:

Implementation and monitoring the progress of general project activities 

Coordination with partners at national and city levels

Development of knowledge and information products for outreach to general public and media

• Liaise with both global and national project management teams on project management of all project activity components, and their financial and budget management, reporting and evaluations
• Coordinate with the Communications team of the China Office, and project management teams on knowledge products, workplans and activities to ensure well coordinated  joint planning and execution of  high profile and visibility of outreach activities and events on climate change, energy and air quality.
• Play an active role in communications and relationship management with partners on climate change, energy and air quality, as well as facilitate new partnerships for the project development and outreach
• Act as de facto contact on Climate Change, and contribute towards China office in its overall programme delivery, partnerships, resource mobilization, with a focus on climate change and energy.

1. Support to the implementation of overall workplan for GEF project ‘Increasing Investments in District Energy System in Cities - A SE4All Energy Efficiency Accelerator’ in China, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Prepare and service coordination with global and national management teams, project working groups and lead partners in China;
• Assist in development, implementation and monitoring of legal instruments to facilitate project implementation
• Participate in selection of pilot cities and site missions, and support city-level analysis of district energy policies, regulations, barriers and benefits as contributions to policy reviews and rapid assessments;
• Participate in project-based research activities on financial models for case studies in pilot cities, and on localization of macroeconomic benefit tools to different country contexts;
• Identify and engage potential cities for replication of lessons and best practices from pilot cities in China;
• Support coordination of contributions from partners in Europe and Asia countries to country-level activities in China, in coordination with regional offices, including organization of workshops and establishment of Deployable Project Work Teams;
• Support the preparation and organization of the project’s meetings and events, including compilation of suggested list participants, communication with invited participants; drafting agenda, concept notes, meeting records and summaries; meetings and events logistics;
• Support national project management office, international and national partners in preparation of project-based capacity building training seminars / workshops in China, with participation of potential cities for replication of lessons and best practices from the project;
• Prepare and produce information documents, papers and newsletters to brief partners on the progress and impacts of the project; and Take initiatives to identify and communicate with project partners;
• Support the network of global partners and national project management teams from all pilot countries and cities to share experience in project implementation and the use of outcomes.

2. Liaise with both global and national project management teams on project management of all project activity components, and their financial and budget management, reporting and evaluations, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Play an active role in budget planning and finance management of the project to ensure the effective use of the financial resources to deliver expected project outcomes;
• Support the formulation of tangible deliverables of projects such as reports, publications, outreach materials (briefs, posters in E-version and printed copies), training workshops and training materials for subsequent distribution;
• Assist project management team in formulation and use of project monitoring and evaluation tools and schemes;
• Assist China Office Administration team, global and national project management teams on project management and financial reporting;
• Take initiatives to identify and communicate with new partners for resource mobilization, and assist in development of draft project proposals for communications with partners 

3. Coordinate with the Communications team of the China Office, and project management teams on knowledge products, workplans and activities to ensure well coordinated  joint planning and execution of  high profile and visibility of outreach activities and events on climate change, energy and air quality, focusing on achievement of the following result

• Support the design and organize communication and outreach activities and public awareness campaigns to raise the public awareness and understanding on climate change, energy, and the project’s outcomes to maximize the impacts of the project the UN Environment’s visibility;
• Assist partners in development of knowledge products (e.g. fact sheets, case studies, technology briefs and policy-finance briefs), targeting local government officials and business sectors. 

4. Corporate Support to UN Environment China office, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Act as de facto contact person on climate change, energy and air quality in China Office, and have a leading role in China Office’s communication and collaboration with partners and stakeholders on partners on climate change, energy and air quality, to support the implementation of relevant Sustainable Development Goals in China;
• Collection, analysis and presentation of information for identification of opportunities to support the priorities and programme of work on climate change, energy and air quality;
• Participate in conferences and meetings, as required, to represent the UN Environment China Office; and
• Play an active role in UN country team and UN Environment China Office’s programmatic and outreach activities on climate change, energy and air quality, and support to development of promotional materials, including brochures, press briefings and other documents, as required.

Professionalism

• Ability to proactively seek and identify relevant lessons;
• Knowledge of environment and energy policies, tools and practices;
• Ability to work on multiple tasks and commitment to due completion;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Show persistence and flexibility when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• Remain calm in stressful situations.

Communication

• Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively;
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
• Demonstrates proactivity and openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork

• Willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues across institutions to achieve organizational and strategic goals.

Planning & Organizing

• Identify priority activities and assignments;
• Adjust priorities as required;
• Allocate appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
• Monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary;
• Use time efficiently;
• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Considers outputs achieved according to effectively delivery, as opposed to the amount of time given to tasks.

Education:

Master’s degree on or equivalent in environmental studies, energy, urban development, sustainability science and/or relevant fields. 

Experience:

• At least three years work experience, including project management and administrative experience
• Experience on energy related work is required;
• At least two years working experience with international projects, UN experience is an asset;
• Experience with event planning, partnership building with governmental agencies and business sectors, Chinese protocol and communications; 

Language and computer skills:

• Be fluent in written and spoken both English and Chinese.
• Good knowledge of office related software is needed.