Description
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a 'leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP is looking for talent with passion to contribute to Bangladesh at this exciting and transitional time when the country is becoming a middle-income and prosperous society; being recognised as the champion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is an excellent opportunity for young talent to learn from the country’s top thematic leaders and grow as professionals within the development sector.
UNDP Bangladesh’s Country Programme Documents seeks to assist the Government of Bangladesh and its development partners to implement SDGs by 2030. In the context of the Bangladesh upcoming 8th Five Year Plan (8FYP) and the government’s vision to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, UNDP will aim to ensure a more resilient and inclusive society that shares its increasing prosperity with all. UNDP will leverage its unique position and experience to deliver tactical policy and programme expertise that supports implementation of the 8FYP and cements UNDP as a strategic partner of the government on the sustainable development agenda. To realize this vision, the UNDP is working within the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) to deliver a country programme focusing on three priorities that includes (1) Ensuring economic growth is more inclusive and supports economic opportunities, particularly for women; (2) Improving social policies and programmes with a focus on good governance and structural inequalities; and (3) Building resilience and improving environmental sustainability.
Within UNDP, the Resilience and Inclusive Growth Portfolio leads its programme and policy advisory support in climate change mitigation and adaptation; urban poverty and urbanization; social protection; disaster management and environmental sustainability, with a key focus on gender. We support the country by providing high quality policy advice, mobilize resources through partnership, developing capacity, knowledge management and innovation, and fostering south-south and triangular cooperation.
The position is created as additional support to the Programme Leaders to manage their programmatic activities in the Climate Portfolio. This portfolio is the fastest growing in terms of its scale and size and is comprised of top-level experts who lead respective thematic areas and oversee UNDP’s project implementation. The position is created to support the Programme Specialist in managing their programmes which include planning and reporting, background research, project formulation and communication. The position will be directly supervised by the Programme Specialist – Climate change.
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, Climate Change, he/she is responsible to advocate and promote the work of UNDP in Bangladesh and will also closely work and network with UNDP programme cluster, Government officials, private sector, NGOs, academia, research agency and civil society organisations. S/he will support Programme Specialist for overall projects/ programme implementation to successful implementation and delivery of the project/programme under Climate portfolio and other projects under the Resilience and Inclusive Growth (RIG) cluster.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key functions of Climate Change Associate under the “Climate Change portfolio” are:
- Support the Programme Specialist in projects/programme planning, formulation, and analysis.
- Support the Programme Specialist in the implementation and management of projects and programmes.
- Provide research and knowledge management support to the team.
- Provide administrative support to the portfolio.
Supporting in project/programme formulation, development, and analysis:
- Support potential projects aligned with strategic objectives and work on project pipeline development.
- Work on pipeline projects and take prompt action to expedite the process.
- Developing strong liaison with relevant government agencies, private sectors, and key stakeholders to streamline the execution pipeline projects.
- Drafting concept notes, presentation, and other documents.
- Assisting in authoring research reports, brief notes, presentation, and other documents.
- Managing appointments and coordinating with external contributors and agencies.
- Draft ToRs of consultants and project staffs, support procurement of goods and services.
- Draft minutes of various meeting and consultation and prepare proceedings for various workshop, seminar, conference, etc.
- Support in conducting various Cluster and Project relevant missions.
Support in implementation and management of projects and programme:
- Assist the programme specialist in preparing and disseminating high quality opinion piece, op-ed and policy brief.
- Conduct critical reviews of literature and documents relevant to the programme.
- Collection and collation of primary and secondary data and information and conduct analysis.
- Identify and develop possible areas for partnership with state and not-state actors.
- Support UNDP in the implementation of public and private sector programmes and projects, ensuring compliance with required guidelines, policies and procedures as well as agreed covenants and reporting requirements.
- Provide policy advice and technical support to Programme Specialist on managing the projects, programme, etc.
- Support Programme Specialist to report effective and timely to donors on achievement of result, use of funds constrains and recommendations to be followed up.
Assist in programme management and delivery:
- Assist in programme management and delivery of vertical funds and bilateral funds supported projects and programmes.
- Regular monitor and keep an overview of hot-button topics related to the Climate Portfolio.
- Participate in meeting, conferences/workshop/roundtables, training, etc. and prepare meeting minutes and proceedings of various meeting and conferences.
- Managing corporate requirement of planning and reporting for the cluster.
- Conduct monitoring visits, prepare back-to-office report and documents lessons and key results.
- Assist the Project Team for preparation of quarterly, annual progress reports, Project Implementation Report (PIR), Project Quality Assurance Report, and other due diligence report, etc.
- Provide logistical support to UNDP Programme Staffs, Project Managers, and International/ national consultants in organizing various events, workshops, seminars, training, etc.
- Support team in various procurement related operations.
Provide advisory services and knowledge management support:
- Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt.
- Assist knowledge management and communities of practice of the Climate portfolio.
- Support in development of policies and institutions that will address the Courtney problems and needs in collaboration with the government and other strategic partners.
- Sound contributions to knowledge management support programme in preparation of high-quality knowledge product.
- Organization of trainings and workshops for the operations/ project staff on the programme issues.
- Support UNDP greening team in preparation of annual report, communication materials, policy brief, project proposal, etc.
Provide Administrative support to Portfolio:
- Provide administrative support to all project/programme under Climate portfolio.
- Support to operations of vertical funded and bilateral funded projects of Climate portfolio.
- Arrange workshop, seminar, training, etc. for the Climate portfolio.
- Establish and maintain strong connections and close collaboration with relevant government agencies, private sectors, and other key stakeholders.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, Climate Change, he/she is responsible to advocate and promote the work of UNDP in Bangladesh and will also closely work and network with UNDP Programme Cluster, Government officials, private sector, NGOs, academia/research agency and civil society organizations. S/he will support Programme Specialist for overall projects/ programme implementation to successful implementation and delivery of the project/programme under Climate Change portfolio and other projects under the Resilience and Inclusive Growth (RIG) Cluster.
Competencies
| Core |
|
| Achieve Results: |
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline |
| Think Innovatively: |
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements |
| Learn Continuously: |
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback |
| Adapt with Agility: |
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible |
| Act with Determination: |
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident |
| Engage and Partner: |
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships |
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion: |
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination |
|
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
| Thematic Area |
Name |
Definition |
| Business Management |
Project Management |
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals |
| Business Direction & Strategy |
Strategic Thinking |
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions |
| Business Management |
Partnership Management |
Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies |
| Business Management |
Monitoring and Evaluation |
Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns |
| Business Management |
Communication |
Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels |
| Administration & Operations |
Documents and records management |
Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving. |
| External Relations & Advocacy |
Relationship management |
Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding |
|
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary Education completed is required. Or
- University Degree in Environmental Sciences or Studies, Environmental Engineering, Environmental, Economics, Climate Change, Forestry, Natural resource Management, Economics, Development Studies, Social Science or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:
- Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of practical experience in environmental science or relevant discipline professional experience in different projects/programmes and research related activities in the environment, climate change and development sector is required.
Required skills:
- Knowledge and skills in operating MS Office (MS Word, MS Excel) are required.
Desired skills:
- Previous experience in similar positions will be an advantage.
- Previous experience in working with government agencies/ donor-funded projects/ other development partners would be an added advantage.
- Adequate knowledge in preparing quality reports, budgeting, and maintaining documents and records is desired.
- Experience and proper knowledge to support in organizing workshops, training, seminars etc is desired.
- Experience in progress monitoring, evaluation, and achievements is an asset.
Required Language:
- Fluency in English and Bangla is required.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Scam warning
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Note: UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and people living with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
