About the opportunity
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China Country Office is establishing an expert roster to engage seasoned professionals to support its strategic priorities under the Country Programme Document: 2026–2030. Experts admitted to the roster will provide strategic and professional advice across three key thematic areas: South-South cooperation, international development cooperation, and government relationships. Successful candidates will be included in the technical roster for one year with a possibility of extension. Inclusion on the roster does not guarantee active assignments, as actual engagements are structured on an on-demand basis with remuneration calculated according to services rendered.
Salary and benefits
- Professional engagement opportunities on an on-demand basis with the United Nations Development Programme
- Remuneration based on actual services rendered as requested by UNDP China
- Participation in high-impact international development and South-South cooperation projects
- Opportunity to collaborate with government representatives, UN agencies, and international stakeholders
Who can apply?
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in development studies or a related field, OR a first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) with an additional two years of qualifying experience
- Minimum 5 years with a master's degree or 7 years with a bachelor's degree of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level
- Minimum 10 years of progressive professional experience in relevant thematic areas from national and international public and private organizations
- Fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese is required; knowledge of another UN language is desirable
- National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA) candidate eligibility as specified by UNDP
Required documents
- Personal CV or P11 detailing past positions, functions, durations, contact details, and at least three recent professional references
- Cover letter (maximum length 1 page) highlighting suitability for the job, clearly indicating the applied areas of expertise, and briefly introducing at least two representative or outstanding achievements
- Any additional materials requested ad hoc by managers such as reports, presentations, publications, or campaigns
When to apply
- Application opening date: 2026-10-06
- Application deadline: 2026-10-31 at 15:59 UTC
How to apply
- Complete all required fields in the Oracle recruiting system in English, including personal information and educational/professional background
- Prepare your Personal CV or P11, clearly indicating your applied areas of expertise and notable achievements
- Draft a 1-page cover letter explaining your suitability for the role
- Submit your complete application through the official UNDP Oracle cloud recruitment portal by the specified deadline
Additional information
- Successful candidates will be included in the technical roster for a period of one year with a possibility for extension.
- Inclusion on the roster does not guarantee any active assignment or financial commitment during its validity.
- UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates and may consider applicants for similar positions at the same grade level.
- UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Seasoned development professionals with extensive background in South-South cooperation, international aid, or government relations seeking flexible advisory engagements.
- Applicants possessing both advanced academic qualifications and a proven track record of policy research, technical reporting, or project management in China or international settings.
- Bilingual professionals fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese who can seamlessly facilitate high-level dialogues and policy discussions.
What should you think carefully about?
- Admission to the expert roster does not guarantee active assignments, paid work hours, or steady income.
- Engagements are strictly on-demand, requiring flexibility to undertake short-term assignments when requested by UNDP China.
- Rigorous qualification criteria require substantial professional experience (at least 5-10 years) and specific academic and language credentials.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This roster opportunity suits experienced specialists looking to contribute high-level advisory expertise to UN development frameworks without committing to a conventional permanent staff position immediately. It offers a flexible platform to engage in impactful international cooperation projects while maintaining independent professional schedules.
Our take
Experienced development practitioners and policy experts with strong credentials in South-South cooperation and fluency in English and Mandarin should seriously consider applying. Those seeking guaranteed full-time employment or lacking the requisite years of specialized experience may find this roster less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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