Legal Associate – BALLOT Project

Volunteering Elections & Governance Legal

Overview

Provide legal expertise for the BALLOT project supporting credible elections in Bangladesh.

You have:

• Relevant professional experience in legal research, drafting, or advisory roles is preferred.
• Experience working with election commissions, judiciary, parliament, or governance institutions preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Bangladeshi constitutional and electoral frameworks.
• Good understanding in constitutional, governance, or electoral law preferred.
• Familiarity with international electoral standards and legal frameworks is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Excellent writing and communication skill both in English and Bangla, with the ability to translate legal and reform concepts into accessible content.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life.

Credible, inclusive and transparent elections are a cornerstone of peaceful and prosperous societies. Around the world, they underpin public trust in institutions, enable accountability and widen civic participation so that women, young people, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups can help shape decisions that affect their lives. Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals depends on such participation and on democratic processes that leave no one behind.

Bangladesh is navigating a period of political transition and has prioritized reforms that strengthen independent institutions, restore public confidence and safeguard fundamental rights. Within this context, forthcoming national elections are pivotal to stability, legitimacy and social cohesion. The Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) has committed to neutrality, professionalism and integrity in electoral management and has requested United Nations support to enhance preparedness, voter engagement and information integrity while ensuring accessibility for all voters.

UNDP’s Country Programme (2022–2026) places people‑centred, inclusive and accountable governance at its core. In line with the UNDP Strategic Plan and the United Nations’ commitment to “Leave No One Behind,” UNDP supports efforts that expand access to information and participation, strengthen rule‑of‑law‑based institutions and promote gender equality and inclusion—particularly for women, youth, first‑time voters and persons with disabilities. UNDP’s work in Bangladesh therefore focuses on helping national partners deliver responsive, transparent services and build resilience against risks that can erode public trust.

The BALLOT project (Bangladesh’s Advancement for Credible, Inclusive and Transparent, Elections) is UNDP’s programmatic response to the Election Commission’s request. Designed in two phases, it couples immediate election support with long‑term institutionalization. During Phase I (January 2025–June 2026), the project supports the Commission and the Electoral Training Institute to strengthen institutional, technical and operational capacities for election planning, staff training, field operations and election‑day readiness; to foster an enabling environment through civic and voter education, inclusive outreach and responsible information practices; and to convene multi‑stakeholder dialogue platforms that encourage peaceful participation and confidence‑building. Phase II (July 2026–December 2027) consolidates these gains by embedding standard operating procedures and continuous training, sustaining public engagement and supporting reforms that make future electoral cycles more credible, inclusive and resilient.

Within this broader vision, UNDP is seeking young talent with a passion for public service and inclusion to contribute to the BALLOT project’s delivery. The Legal Associate will provide targeted legal expertise to ensure that BALLOT activities and BEC processes are consistent with national constitutional provisions, electoral laws, and international commitments. The role will focus on reviewing and improving the legal frameworks that guide elections, enhancing compliance, and providing advisory inputs on electoral legal issues.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), BALLOT Project, the UNV Legal Associate will:

• Conduct research and analysis on Bangladesh’s constitutional and electoral legal framework, identifying gaps, inconsistencies, and areas for reform.

• Provide technical advice and support in drafting, revising, and interpreting electoral laws, rules, and regulations.

• Support BEC in aligning electoral frameworks with international standards and good practices

• Contribute to the design and delivery of training programmes and capacity-building initiatives for election officials, political party representatives, and civil society actors on electoral law and compliance.

• Provide legal expertise during stakeholder dialogues, consultations, and roundtables organized under the BALLOT project.

• Draft briefing notes, background papers, and legal opinion pieces on emerging electoral issues such as technology use in elections, campaign financing, and voter rights.

• Build partnerships with legal experts, academic institutions, and civil society organizations to promote informed debates on electoral reforms and governance. In addition to the specified tasks, the incumbent position would perform other need-based tasks assigned by the supervisor.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Communication • Commitment to learning • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

• Relevant professional experience in legal research, drafting, or advisory roles is preferred

• Experience working with election commissions, judiciary, parliament, or governance institutions preferred.

• Strong knowledge of Bangladeshi constitutional and electoral frameworks.

• Good understanding in constitutional, governance, or electoral law preferred

• Familiarity with international electoral standards and legal frameworks is desirable.

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;

• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

• Excellent writing and communication skill both in English and Bangla, with the ability to translate legal and reform concepts into accessible content.

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another. Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants.

The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 8 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: unv.org