Project Manager - Roster Recruitment

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Operations

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Posted on Jun 29, 2026
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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:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

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 450 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). Bangladesh has been grappling with high inflation. GDP growth is slowing down, and according to the latest estimates, GDP grew by 3.5% in 2025. 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. Moreover, Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and 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. This entails high-quality policy and technical advice, implementation support, helping Bangladesh to mobilize development financing, and promoting knowledge sharing.

The programme portfolio of UNDP Bangladesh is organized in two Programme Clusters: a) Democratic Governance; and b) Resilient and Inclusive Growth (RIG). The Programme Clusters support the achievement of strategic objectives articulated in UNDP’s Country Programme Document (CPD) and the UN’s Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager at NPSA-10 level will be responsible for the strategic and adaptive leadership of project management, ensuring results-based planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting in line with UNDP's programming principles, the project document, donor requirements and GoB priorities.

1- Ensure Results-based Project Management, Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation:

  • Provide overall management oversight to ensure project implementation is on track and in line with the project document, approved Annual Work Plan (AWP) and results framework.
  • Manage financial and human resources with accountability to the Project Board / Project Steering Committee (PSC) and UNDP, ensuring full compliance with UNDP's financial rules and regulations.
  • Lead the preparation of annual work plans, budgets, procurement plans and operational plans; oversee timely and quality implementation.
  • Manage the project team to ensure a clear division of labour, setting of specific quarterly and annual targets for all personnel, including performance planning and evaluation.
  • Manage risks and issues; execute adaptive management in consultation with the Programme Analyst and the ARR/Cluster Lead.
  • Ensure project quality assurance processes (Social and Environment Screening, audits, spot checks, private sector due diligence etc.) are executed to the highest standards.
  • Champion UNDP’s zero-tolerance standards on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and fraud; ensure social and environmental safeguards, duty of care and accountability-to-affected-populations measures are embedded across the project.
  • Prepare and ensure timely submission of high quality monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports, donor reports, Project Implementation Reports (PIR), FACE forms and other reporting as required.
  • Facilitate the functioning of the Project Board/PSC and other governance mechanisms; provide secretariat support including convening meetings, preparing documentation and circulating notes and decisions.
  • Oversee procurement of goods and services; finalize Terms of Reference for consultants and service providers; coordinate with UNDP Operations on recruitment and contracting.
  • Ensure project records, asset registers and documentation are maintained to the required standards.
  • Facilitate government, donor and UNDP regional/HQ field missions and reviews as applicable.

2- Provide Technical Oversight, Quality Assurance and Partnership Management:

  • Provide technical oversight and quality assurance across all project outputs; review and contribute to all outputs and deliverables.
  • Identify stakeholders and implementation partners; develop and implement a stakeholder engagement and partnership strategy.
  • Establish and maintain strategic relationships with Government counterparts (central and local), UN agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector and development partners.
  • Supervise and guide the work of consultants, experts and service providers; oversee compliance with agreed work plans and deliverables.
  • Ensure that the project draws from and collaborates with other UNDP programmes and portfolios, avoiding duplication and maximizing synergies.
  • Promote integration of cross-cutting themes including gender equality, social inclusion, disability, climate resilience and human rights-based approaches in all project activities.
  • Introduce and maintain feedback mechanisms and open communication channels to ensure that the needs of target groups are reflected in project planning and implementation.

3- Provide Evidence-based Advocacy, Policy Support and Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Analyse and consolidate project results and provide results-based reporting at outcome and impact levels.
  • Lead capacity development activities targeted at government counterparts, civil society and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Provide technical and policy advisory inputs to government partners on thematic areas covered by the project.
  • Participate in inter-agency coordination mechanisms, technical working groups and high-level policy dialogues.
  • Coordinate with relevant development partners and donors on issues related to the project; liaise with government focal persons for smooth coordination.
  • Contribute to national policy processes, action plans and reform initiatives relevant to the project's thematic areas.

4- Facilitate Knowledge Management, Communications and Learning:

  • Manage and contribute to the development of high-quality knowledge products; ensure effective integration with other practice areas.
  • Lead knowledge creation and dissemination related to national, regional and global know-how in the subject area.
  • Manage the synthesis and documentation of project results, lessons learned, good practices and case studies.
  • Establish and manage internal/external networks or communities of practice covering relevant practitioners and experts.
  • Ensure project results and impact are captured, recorded and shared in knowledge products and communication materials.
  • Prepare and update project information and results on UNDP, government and other platforms on a regular basis.

5- Support Resource Mobilization and Donor Relations:

  • Mobilize and network with experts of national and regional offices of the UN system, international development organizations, multilateral development banks and the private sector.
  • Identify funding sources and prepare proposals, concept notes, business cases and donor briefings for resource mobilization.
  • Lead the design of diversified and innovative financing strategies – spanning international financial institutions, climate and development finance, vertical funds, the private sector and South-South and triangular cooperation to sustain and scale results in a constrained and evolving ODA environment.
  • Plan, strategize and manage the scaling up of project approaches and results with close guidance from the National Project Director (NPD) and UNDP Country Office.
  • Maintain effective relationships with development partners to facilitate and support resource mobilization efforts.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangements:

The Project Manager (NPSA-10) will report to the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) or Programme Analyst, as designated by the Country Office, depending on the specific project/portfolio. The PM will lead the project management and implementation team and liaise closely with the National Project Director (NPD), national institutions, local administrations and development partners involved in the programme to guarantee their active participation and national ownership.

Competencies

a) Core Competencies:

Competency

Level

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

b) People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

c) Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Business Direction & Strategy

Systems Thinking

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system

Business Management

Results-based Management

Ability to manage the implementation of strategies,

programmes, and projects with a focus at improved

performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge

and understanding of relevant theories, concepts,

methodologies, instruments, and tools

Business Management

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control

resources, procedures and protocols to achieve

specific goals

Business Management

Risk Management

Identify and organize action around reducing,

mitigating and proactively managing risks

Partnership Management

Multi-stakeholder Engagement

Knowledge and ability to forge

multi-stakeholder partnerships,

and remove any obstacles to

resource

mobilization and multi-stakeholder

funding platforms

Partnership Management

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify funding sources,

match funding needs

(programmes/projects/initiatives)

with funding opportunities, and

establish a plan to meet funding

requirements

2030 Agenda: People

Gender

Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Social Sciences, Law, Environment, Engineering or any other relevant discipline is required; Or
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in project/programme management in the development sector, including at least 3 years in a senior managerial role is required.

Required Skills:

  • Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes including managing teams, sizeable budgets and partnerships and delivering results at scale is required.
  • Proven experience working across one or more development areas: governance, social protection, climate change, disaster risk management, gender equality, poverty reduction, sustainable energy, health or crisis recovery is required.
  • Demonstrated experience leading, supervising and developing teams, including managing senior personnel or sub‑teams is required.
  • Proven experience in strategic, analytical and structured‑writing and communication including for senior government, donor and Board‑level audiences is required.
  • Experience building and sustaining institutional relationships with senior government, donor and partner counterparts is required.

Desired Skills:

  • Track record of building and sustaining strategic partnerships across government, development partners, private sector and civil society including influencing policy or building institutional capacity at national or local level.
  • Experience in mobilising and diversifying financing, securing resources or co‑financing from donors, government, the private sector or international financial institutions.
  • Experience in use of innovation, digital solutions or new delivery models to scale results and strengthen value for money.
  • Experience leading adaptive, results‑focused delivery in complex or field‑based settings, including challenging environments or work with marginalised and vulnerable communities.
  • Experience in Bangladesh's development context, locally‑led development, and national or direct implementation arrangements.
  • Demonstrated experience in mainstreaming gender equality, disability and social inclusion, embedded in how programmes are designed and delivered.

Language:

  • Fluency in English and Bengali (Bangla) is required, both written and verbal

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.

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

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Duties and Responsibilities
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