Project Assistant

7.  Background and Brief Project Description: 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) promotes sustainable human development to help build resilient nations and to empower people to build better lives. As the UN's development network, UNDP has drawn on world-wide experience for over three decades to assist China both in developing solutions to its own ongoing development challenges, and in its south-south cooperation and engagement in global development. Domestically, our work focuses on Poverty Reduction, Good Governance, Energy & Environment, and Disaster Management. In terms of global and south-south work, our focuses are trilateral cooperation in third countries, experience sharing on foreign aid systems, global and regional issues, private sector engagement, and sharing development experiences and lessons through south-south dialogue.

In September 2015, the member states of the United Nations adopted a new development agenda for the next 15 years that included 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These new goals are a plan of action for our planet and call for new and innovative methods to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all (goal 7). Part of the targets under this goal is to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning and by 2030.

Closely linked with the UNDP-GEF Fuel Cell Vehicle project, UNDP China has been working in partnership with China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE) on initiating an umbrella programme, China Hydrogen Economy Pilot, on promoting use of hydrogen-powered FC in sectors beyond FCV, so as to promote the sustainable development of China and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. The implementation of the proposed umbrella programme will significantly contribute to the commercialization of hydrogen powered FC technologies as well as the wide application of hydrogen energy, legislation, planning, institutional management, and capacity building.

As one of a first project within the umbrella programme, China Hydrogen Economy Pilot Project in Rugao of Jiangsu Province, (a.k.a. “the Rugao Project”), which will be implemented in August 2016 – July 2020, aims to demonstrate the application of hydrogen production and technology in the field of manufacturing and consumption, and build the first “Hydrogen City” to demonstrate the hydrogen economy, with the goal of promoting the sustainable development of China and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.

8.  Host Agency/Host Institute: CICETE 

9.  Organizational Context:  

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It is on the ground in 177 countries, working on solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP China assists China in developing its own solutions to the country’s development challenges and works to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and an equitable Xiao Kang society by reducing poverty, strengthening the rule of law and democratic governance, and by promoting environmental sustainability and South-South Cooperation.

UNDP Environment and Energy Team works with key stakeholders in China, including the government and the public, to address environmental concerns in the country in line with both the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals and the 13th Five-Year Plan. Under the Energy & Environment focus area, the Country Office has ran several main portfolios including ecosystems & natural resources; climate change; chemical management; livelihoods; and a small grants programme.

Directly under the Ministry of Commerce, CICETE is an administratively autonomous agency, which was founded on March 12, 1983 with the approval of the State Council. Since its establishment, CICETE has witnessed an extraordinary history of nearly three decades, during which it deems its responsibility to promote economic and technical exchanges between China and the rest of the world and make great contributions to China’s economic and social development.

CICETE's main function, delegated by the Ministry, is to coordinate the cooperation between China and UNDP, UNIDO and UNV including executing their assisted programs to China, and to implement projects of general goods supply under the China-Aid programme to other developing countries. Meanwhile, we organize conferences, exhibitions and overseas trainings, invite international short-term and long-term consultants, and provide project management service for international organizations, government agencies and enterprises. In addition, we have also been cooperating actively with international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and enterprises through our subsidiary bodies-China Association for NGO Cooperation, China Association for Promoting UN Procurement, China Association for Trade in Service, and China-Han Technical Development Co. Ltd.

In all our fields of business, CICETE seeks to further its partnerships with local governments, NGOs, universities, private sector entities and citizens interested in international cooperation, and we will work diligently to serve as a bridge between China and the rest of the world.

10.  Description of Duties: 

• Assisting with the implementation of the Rugao Project, and his/her role includes but not limited to: developing and managing the quarterly and annual work plans; Maintain daily communication on financial matters between UNDP and the PMO and the key stakeholders and respond promptly to requests for financial information.
• Assisting in procurement processes of the project;
• Preparing recurring financial reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget preparation, audits and other reasons.
• Preparing annual work plans and budget revisions as requested.
• Drafting of project’s quarterly and annual financial reports.
• Keeping financial and procurement archives.
• Facilitating the project audit.
• Other tasks assigned by CICETE, the NPD and the PM of the PMO                                

Furthermore, UNVs are encouraged to: 

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking an active part in UNV activities (for instance, IVD celebration events); 
• Get acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking;
• Contribute news and articles on field experiences and submit them to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UNV volunteers;
• Promote online volunteering and encourage individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering Service whenever technically feasible.

11. Results/Expected Output: 

The following outputs are expected: 

1. Timely support provided to tasks related to the Rugao Project
2. Facilitatation to the smooth implementation and management of project activites;
3. Appropriate data/file management maintained;
4. Ad-hoc duties fulfilled as required. 

12.  Qualifications/Requirements: 

• Master’s degree in finance, international development, public policy, or a related field; 
• Demonstrable ability to maintain effective communications with different stakeholders, and arrange stakeholder meetings and/or workshops;
• Demonstrable ability to administer project budgets, and track financial expenditure;
• Excellent computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package;
• project financial, technical and/or administrative management experience as well as basic knowledge on hydrogen and/or Fuel Cell technologies are assets;
• Excellent written communication skills;
• Good interpersonal skills and team spirit;
• Minimum age of 22 years old.

13. Competencies: 

• Experience with managing projects;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Substantive knowledge of global development issues;
• Excellent abilities in oral communication and presentation;
• Ability to work at a fast pace and to manage competing priorities;
• Excellent inter-personal skills, proven ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

       Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

14.  Living Conditions: 

The duty station of the national UN Volunteer is at  CICETE in Beijing (60%) and the PMO Office in Rugao of Jiangsu (40%),  where modest public infrastructure and health services are available.    It is the foremost political and cultural metropolis in China.  The city has excellent health services available.

In general, rent for apartments in central locations is high relative to other regions in China, but quality is good. Beijing is well served by many shopping malls, large supermarket chains and international brands. Buses and subways are the most common form of mass transportation. Metered taxis are widely available and domestic and regional travel by train and airplane is popular.

15.  Conditions of Service:       

A 12-month contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of 8,167 RMB is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from quaified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.