Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEPโs Asia and the Pacific Office geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It assists countries of the region pursue sustainability, particularly in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including technical expertise, facilitating access to finance, undertaking cutting-edge science-policy assessments, offering advisory services and strengthening laws, policies, management and governance. UNEP China Office, under the supervision of UNEPโs Asia and the Pacific Office, was officially established in September 2003 in Beijing, China. UNEP has been working closely with governments and key partners on complementing the countryโs efforts for achieving SDGs and advancing 2030 Agenda, and for developing response and deploying solutions that aspire to achieve three interlinked and mutually reinforcing strategic objectives including climate stability, living in harmony with nature, and towards a pollution-free planet.
ContextThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEPโs Asia and the Pacific Office geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It assists countries of the region pursue sustainability, particularly in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including technical expertise, facilitating access to finance, undertaking cutting-edge science-policy assessments, offering advisory services and strengthening laws, policies, management and governance. UNEP China Office, under the supervision of UNEPโs Asia and the Pacific Office, was officially established in September 2003 in Beijing, China. UNEP has been working closely with governments and key partners on complementing the countryโs efforts for achieving SDGs and advancing 2030 Agenda, and for developing response and deploying solutions that aspire to achieve three interlinked and mutually reinforcing strategic objectives including climate stability, living in harmony with nature, and towards a pollution-free planet. Under the overall guidance of UN China Resident Coordinator and UN China Country Team, UNEP China Office is co-leading the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Results Group on Planet which aims to bring collective efforts of UN agencies to support China in its transition to a people-centred, inclusive, low carbon and circular economy and the region benefit from a healthier and more resilient environment. UNEP has been working closely with China in shaping Chinaโs green economy, environmental policies, and climate actions including actions in green cooling, district energy in cities, sustainable consumption and production, reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas value chains, nature-based actions, green financing, etc. Based on UNEPโs mandate for the triple planetary crises (climate, nature, and pollution), UNEP China Office will build capacity among youth and media on the science of environment, in particular on the climate crises and urgency of climate action.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of Officer-in-Charge of UNEP China Office, the National UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: โข Assist in communication with partners on UNEPโs and UNโs initiatives and activities; โข Support UNEP China Officeโs role as chair of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Results Group on Planet in China including organization of meetings, development of annual workshops and reporting; โข Support organizing meetings, events, and missions by drafting invitations and meeting documents, preparing meeting minutes, drafting briefing notes and supporting logistic arrangement; โข Assist in environmental and climate research, analysis and present information gathered from diverse sources to inform the work of UNEP and the UN in China; โข Support drafting or consolidating inputs to the Office event calendar, partnership database, cooperation initiatives, briefing notes, UN INFO and other reporting as required; โข Assist in collecting, translating and consolidating info on Chinaโs legislation, polices, practices, case studies on environment and sustainable development; โข Assist in providing English-Chinese interpretation and translation to bilateral meetings between UNEP missions to China and Chinese partners; โข Support to advocacy efforts by developing and supporting UNEP China social media and press releases; โข Assist in administrative work and any other assignment required by the Supervisor.
Competencies and valuesโข Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNEPโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksThe duty station of the national UN Volunteer is located in Beijing city, where modest public infrastructure and excellent health services are available. It is the foremost political and cultural metropolis in China. 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. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos