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Better Than Cash
IT
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
With a total gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD 430 billion, Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia. Between 2000 and 2019, Bangladesh’s economy registered high GDP growth, averaging around 6% per annum. During this period, there were several notable improvements across different socioeconomic indicators, putting the country on track for a formal graduation from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) in 2026. Bangladesh’s score on the human development index (HDI) increased from 0.49 in 2000 to 0.68, placing it among countries categorized as medium human development. The national poverty rate fell from over 48% in 2000 to less than 19% in 2022.
Despite the progress, Bangladesh faces several development challenges, and with the current trend, the country is unlikely to meet several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Even before the political crisis in 2024, Bangladesh was grappling with double-digit inflation. According to the latest estimate, GDP is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2025, much slower than the GDP growth in the past. Without an uptick in private investment, the economy cannot diversify, a necessary condition for creating decent jobs. With low social spending and weak capacities, the government is constrained from providing quality services to the people. Bangladesh is also one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and is prone to natural hazards, including climate-induced disasters.
As the UN’s development agency, UNDP has been in Bangladesh since 1972, promoting democratic governance, climate adaptation, environmental protection and inclusive growth and, helping the country to achieve equitable and sustainable development. UNDP has been a close partner of Bangladesh in co-designing policy solutions, building national capacities, and promoting innovations to help meet its developmental aspirations.
Over the past decades, Bangladesh made remarkable human development progress, despite frequent intensive and extensive disasters, impact of climate change and, more recently, the Rohingya refugee crisis. As one of the world's fastest growing economies, the country is an aspirant of LDC graduate and aims to become a developed nation by 2041. However, its development gains have not been distributed in an equitable way resulting in widening inequality despite making good progress women economic empowerment. Its economic reliance on foreign remittances and RMG have increasingly being exposed to 4th Industrial Revolution and more recently COVID-19. While urbanization and industrialization continue to offer an economic dividend, they have a compound negative impact on eco-system health. Besides, climate and disaster remain major fault-line in the economy and society. In addressing the challenges, the country was able to maintain a forward-facing policy environment. As a result, the reduction of poverty and inequality, and becoming a resilient nation remain the GoB's top priority. The country is also known for its accelerated implementation approach of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through nationally driven policies and investments. In support of the country's ambition, UNDP has been a strong partner of the government in co-designing policy solutions, capacity building and promoting innovations. The expectation from UNDP to play an SDG integrator role is growing in the context of the post-UN reform.
The programme portfolio of UNDP Bangladesh is organized under two substantive Clusters, namely:
a) Democratic Governance; and
b) Inclusive Growth, Energy & Environment.
The programme portfolio of UNDP Bangladesh is organized in two substantive Clusters: a) Democratic Governance; and b) Resilient and Inclusive Resilient Growth (RIG). UNDP has been a long-standing partner of the Government of Bangladesh in the areas of Economic Development, and Nature, Climate and Energy. UNDP will continue its technical assistance and implementation support to the Government of Bangladesh and stakeholders, in innovating and testing sustainable solutions and in scaling successful models for impact. The RIG Cluster leads on programming and policy advisory support on: (i) inclusive and sustainable economic development; and (ii) a sustainable, resilient, and healthy environment. UNDP supports the country by providing high quality policy and technical advice and assistance, implementation support, mobilizing resources through partnerships and development financing, developing capacity, innovation, knowledge management, and fostering south-south and triangular cooperation.
The Programme Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.
The Programme Clusters are led by a well-qualified Cluster Team Leaders with the functional title of Assistant Resident Representative with considerable focus on ensuring programme and project quality, the achievement of results, and management of fruitful working relationships with Implementing Partners and donors, requiring effective coordination, information-sharing, and stakeholder outreach.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative, Resilience and Inclusive Growth (RIG), the Programme Analyst, Resilience and Inclusive Growth (RIG) is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends; leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio; and provides policy advice services.
The Programme Analyst supervises and leads the project personnel and coordinates activities of the projects personnel . The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the CO, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, technical advisors/experts, external specialists, government officials and partners, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of the UNDP programme.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
1.) Substantively contribute to formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies.
2.) Ensure effective management of the CO programme within the assigned thematic/sector areas focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation of the country programme.
3.) Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
4.) Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises project personnel
Competencies
Core Competencies:
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Management
2030 Agenda: Prosperity
Business Direction & Strategy
2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
Language requirements:
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
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