2025 Fellowship Report - CHAN King Lung, Morgan
- UN PDF
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Name: CHAN King Lung, Morgan
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
University: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Position: Strategic Planning, Risk Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Fellow
UN Host Agency: United Nations Development Programme China Office (UNDP China)
Duration: March 2024 – March 2025 (12 months)
Sponsorship: Peace and Development Foundation (PDF)
Supervisor: Mr. SUN Qian
Job Description:
Strategic Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation
-Monitor project implementation, progress, and outcomes, ensuring alignment with targets.
-Analyse evaluations, programme trends, and portfolio data to support strategic decision-making.
Programme Support and Risk Management
-Ensure quality assurance and compliance for programme documents, work plans, and agreements.
-Assess project risks, advise on mitigation measures, and engage in external consultations.
Knowledge Management and Ad-hoc Assignments
-Develop knowledge products and manage project documentation.
-Organize knowledge-sharing sessions, training, and provide coordination support for meetings.
Personal Reflection:
The SPRIMME Team holds a unique position within UNDP China, reporting directly to senior management and serving as the central coordination hub for programme and project teams. My past year with SPRIMME has been a roller-coaster journey, shaped by the critical milestones of 2024—the year leading into the final phase of UNDP China’s current Country Programme Document (CPD). As the legal framework guiding UNDP’s operations in China, the CPD’s achievements and gaps are scrutinized through two major evaluations: the Management Audit by the Office of Audit and Investigation and the Independent Country Programme Evaluation (ICPE) conducted by UNDP HQ’s Independent Evaluation Office. SPRIMME played a pivotal role in coordinating both exercises, ensuring smooth execution with the cooperation of teams across the office. Thanks to these collective efforts, both evaluations concluded with satisfactory results.
Beyond these high-level assessments, SPRIMME conducts regular compliance reviews to ensure project implementation aligns with UNDP corporate policies and standards. Throughout the year, the office underwent multiple spot checks by the UNDP Regional Bureau, assessing compliance with gender policies, Social and Environmental Standards, and project transparency. I was honoured to receive commendations from my supervisors and senior management for leading the preparation of two key reports in response to these checks. One of these was a gender report for a project focused on eliminating mercury use in medical equipment, where I collaborated with project teams to collect and present data demonstrating compliance with UNDP’s gender equality standards. Additionally, under my supervisor’s guidance, I worked extensively on improving the office’s transparency performance, analysing project data, and developing relevant guidance for enhancement.
Never did I imagine that I would work at the United Nations—let alone contribute meaningfully to tasks I once found daunting. I vividly recall my initial days in the office, feeling overwhelmed by the vast landscape of corporate policies I needed to grasp before actively engaging in discussions and daily tasks. Many late nights were spent poring over evaluation reports to understand project contexts. Yet, these challenges strengthened my resilience and deepened my commitment to international development. More importantly, they opened my eyes to the intricate dynamics of global cooperation, where policies, partnerships, and geopolitics intersect in shaping development outcomes.
Beyond the technical skills I have gained, what has left the greatest impact on me is the opportunity to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, all united by a shared commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Witnessing their dedication—some spending decades in service, others advancing to even more challenging roles—has reinforced my belief in the power of multilateral collaboration. As I reflect on my journey, I recognize how this experience has not only strengthened my professional abilities but also broadened my perspective on development paradigms. It has encouraged me to think more critically about the shifting global landscape, particularly the evolving role of China in international development. This growing curiosity has led me to explore how different development ideologies—shaped by history, geopolitics, and national priorities—continue to define the field today.
Growing up in Hong Kong, I never imagined that I would one day be living in mainland China—let alone working at the United Nations in Beijing. This experience has felt almost surreal yet has profoundly shaped me. I have been deeply impressed by the professionalism of my colleagues and their broad exposure to both national and international issues. I was also fortunate to build lasting friendships, spending weekends and holidays exploring China’s vast and diverse landscapes with them. Despite our different academic backgrounds and life stories, our shared passion for international development and global partnerships brought us together at UNDP China. It has been a privilege to work alongside such talented individuals, whom I am proud to call my colleagues.
Looking ahead, I see how geopolitical shifts continually reshaping UNDP China’s work are. Through collaboration with international experts, I have gained firsthand insights into how Euro-American-centric development ideologies, established in the post-WWII era, have shaped the landscape of global development. At the same time, witnessing China’s growing influence in international development cooperation has sparked my interest in understanding the similarities and differences between these two approaches.
I believe Hong Kong, as China’s most international city, has a unique role in bridging China’s perspective with the global community and vice versa. My experience at UNDP has fuelled my ambition to deepen my studies in this field and actively contribute to this discourse. I look forward to applying the skills and insights I have gained at UNDP China to create impact through platforms in Hong Kong and to align my future career with the broader mission of international development. In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my team, Mr. Sun Qian and Mr. Wang Cheng, for their invaluable friendship and mentorship. I am also deeply thankful to Mabel, Josie, Cynthia, Moli, and everyone at the Peace and Development Foundation — without their unwavering support, this fellowship would not have been possible.
The 2025 Fellowship Report by Chan King Lung, Morgan, provides valuable insights into the integration of evaluations, programme trends, and portfolio data to support strategic decision-making within UNDP China. The emphasis on Programme Support and Risk Management highlights the importance of proactive measures in project execution. Incorporating advanced project risk software, known as Celoxis, can further enhance these efforts by offering real-time analytics, forecasting potential challenges, and facilitating informed decision-making. Such tools are instrumental in ensuring that projects align with organizational goals and are executed efficiently.