United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in around 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China is the China Country Office of the United Nations Development Programme – the global development network of the United Nations. UNDP has been working in China over the past 40 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. We provide development advisory services and implement projects through innovation and applying our international experience and network in three pillars: supporting China’s transformation to a low-carbon economy so that more people enjoy a cleaner, healthier environment; facilitating China’s shift to using the SDGs as a standard for its inclusive development, economic decisions and investments, and supporting China’s international cooperation and south-south engagement for SDG attainment.

UNDP China in close collaboration with the Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) 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. The UNDP China Youth Strategy 2023-2025 aims to support the BRH to demonstrate new innovative approaches to develop a cohesive portfolio and contribute to BRH’s Youth Empowerment Portfolio Asia-Pacific (YEP-AP) and demonstrate meaningful youth engagement and empowerment aligned with the Secretary General’s Policy Brief 3 (April 2023) on “Meaningful Youth Engagement in Policy and Decision-making Processes.

In this connection, it is proposed that a Project Associate be recruited by China office to support the portfolios (Inclusive Growth; SDG Localization; Youth Leadership, and LGBT & HIVAIDS) in the CPD cycle (2021–2025). The post will also support relevant activities implemented and funded by the UNDP Regional Youth Programme based in the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH).

In addition to support the implementation of the regional youth programme, under the guidance and supervision of the Team Leader of People and Prosperity at China Office, the Project Associate provides financial and administrative support to the other CO’s ongoing portfolios (including SDGs Localization, Inclusive Development, Youth Leadership, and LGBT), ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Project Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Project Associate works in close collaboration with the UNDP China Operations, Programme and other teams in the CO and with UNDP HQs staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery. All activities undertaken for the UNDP Regional Youth Programme will also be in close coordination and collaboration with the Programme Specialist of Civil Society and Youth, Governance and Peace Building Team at BRH.

• Provide financial support to the allocated portfolios.
• Implementation of operational strategies
• Support to administrative and logistical services.
• Support to office maintenance and assets management.
• Support Regional Youth Portfolio Expansion in China

Provide financial support to the allocated portfolios:

• Ensure full compliance of financial regulations in line with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
• Assist in finalizing the AWP and budgets allocation.
• Review financial reports in both QPR and APR
• Review and analyze project financial data and status. Prepare project finance analysis reports.
• Ensure full compliance and accuracy of donor management.
• Ensure NIM advance and liquidation in timely manner, avoiding ageing of financial resources.
• Ensure invoice payable processing in timely manner with full compliance.

Ensures implementation of operational support, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure full compliance of administrative activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
• Assist in provision of inputs to the CO administrative business processes mapping and implementation of the internal standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Provision of inputs to preparation of administrative team results-oriented work plans.

Ensures effective administrative and logistical support, focusing on achievement of the following results.

• Support to organization of procurement processes including preparation of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their preliminary evaluation. Preparation of POs.
• Support to human resources recruitment of related project activities. It usually required thorough knowledge of procedures of the work.
• Support to contract management and supplier management including contract review, payment schedule, supplier maintenance support and related work.
• Arrangements of travel, including preparation of travel requests, travel claims, ticket orders, visa letters, and other documents and procedure needed.
• Collection of information for DSA, travel agencies and other administrative surveys, support to organization of common services.

Maintenance of the filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials.

• Extraction of data from various sources.
• Research and retrieval of statistical data from internal and external sources; preparation of statistical charts, tables and reports.
• Organization of statistical data on project implementation which supports transparent management of project resources.
• Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, actions taken and coordination of collection and submission of the reports to head of unit.
• Assistance in the preparation of budget, provision of information for audit.

Support Regional Youth Portfolio Expansion in China

• Support to develop Annual Work Plan under the regional Youth Portfolio expansion in China.
• Support procurement activities including IC, RFP, RFQ management under the Annual Workplan
• Support Regional Youth team on relevant donor reporting (for joint donors including BRH and China CO)
• Support travel and logistics management for regional youth events such as Youth Co: Lab Summits and Asia-Pacific Youth Development Forums etc.

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

Core 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 Management

• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Finance

• Budget Management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Procurement

• Contract management: Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.