Programme Associate

South-East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services. 

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The 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. 

UNEP’s 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 works with national and local authorities, civil society, other UN organizations, research institutions and the private sector to catalyze the efficient use of the region’s natural assets and reduce the degradation of the environment. 

This position will support the implementation of UNEP’s programme/project activities in China, including but not limited to, awareness raising of climate change through youth engagement and media capacity building, sustainable textile, Global Environment Outlook (GEO) outreach and communications activities,  as well as supporting cooperation with the host country and supporting UNEP’s inputs to the UN Country Team (UNCT) in China in implementing United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

• Conduct desk research on policy in consultation with UNEP sustainable textile team and partners to exchange information for preparing implementation of the Sustainable Textile Initiative in China;

• Arrange and support the facilitation of meetings and events with stakeholders; 

• Provide progress reports to update donors including ClimateWorks Foundation, and Elion Foundation.

• Provide assistance to the implementation of projects including project “Raise Awareness of Climate Change through Youth Engagement and Media Capacity Building”  and follow-up on compliance to expected results, outputs and workplans; escalate issues and concerns as needed

• Provide assistance with the documentation of relevant projects;

• Provide assistance in the compilation of UNEP’s inputs to UNCT meetings and joint reports;

• Assisting in communication with UNEP’s Goodwill Ambassadors in China in support of UNEP’s key campaigns and initiatives, as coordinated from HQ; 

• Provide assistance to UNEP China office’s communication and visibility activities including outreach activities arrangement.

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

• Technical/Professional License or Diploma, First university degree or higher degrees in environmental science, law, public and international studies, or relevant fields would be an asset and may substitute some of the required years of experience.

• A minimum of six (6) years of experience (or less depending on academic credentials)  in programme or project management support, administration, or related area is required

• Experience in communication and event planning, organizing and hosting is desirable.

• Experience in working with United Nations or similar international organization is desirable.

• Fluency in both spoken and written English and Chinese is required.

• Proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet is desirable.

• Knowledge of database management and office technology equipment is desirable.

1. Contract type: Local ICA
2. Contract level: ICS 06 / LICA 6
3. Contract duration: Until 31 August 2026 with the possibility of extension

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.