Project Associate

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 is helping Bangladesh to meet its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To help the people of Bangladesh reach these ambitious targets. UNDP Bangladesh is focusing on three priorities:

(a) Ensuring economic growth is inclusive and supports economic opportunities, particularly for women; (b) Improving social policies and programmes, with a focus on good governance and structural inequalities; and (c) Building resilience and improving environmental sustainability.

In support of these priorities, The Social Protection Policy Support (SPPS) Programme responds to a need to reconfigure the existing social protection system. The programme provides technical assistance, bring global expertise and meet major investment requirements to enable the GoB to roll out a fully functional system in line with the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) and its Action Plan. It will draw on the NSSS, which provides a functional entry point for effecting changes in the wider social protection system via better governance and oversight of the system.

One of the main responsibilities of the project associate will be supporting the SPPS programme in data collection, sorting and analyzing as required by the research team of the programme and the Cabinet Division.

Under the direct supervision of SPPS Project Manager the NUNV will work to support the SPPS project on key coordination, logistical, and deliverable objectives being carried out by various members of the SPPS team. The deliverables by the project associate are time-bound and related to specific tasks that need to be completed in support of priority objectives under which the project is working toward. The project associate will work closely with the other members of the technical team including Livelihood Specialist, Training Specialist, M&E Specialist and MIS Associate, and ensure programmatic supports as per requirements.

He will have to support and participate in conducting in-depth research and analysis of primary and secondary data (either collect data/information through web search and/or visits key focal points of social protection programmes implementing ministries) and assist in preparing policy presentation and briefs. In collaboration with colleagues, the consultant will support critical research and policy development objectives under the policy exploration phase of developing a national social insurance scheme, researching the viability through piloting on universal old age and persons with disability allowance, and support critical economic and coronavirus social protection research.

The project associate will be assigned for working with SPPS project of UNDP within the scope of Cabinet Division and GED.

Specific duties to include:

Working closely with the government counterpart in Cabinet Division and other social protection implementing ministries/divisions, provide data collection, research, and documentation support in the ongoing formulation process of NSSS Action Plan (Phase 2) and subsequent progress tracking of the implementation of the Action Plan:

1. Provide administrative and logistics support to the Cabinet Division’s Social Protection branch • Assist the social protection branch of Cabinet Division in organizing consultation meetings, and workshops on social security. • Assist in preparation of meetings/workshops’ notices, minutes, and other documents • Maintain and regularly update a database of social security focal points of implementing ministries/division • Assist in any other related matters as deemed required.

2. Support formulation of NSSS Action Plan and monitor its implementation progress • Assist in preparing a database of NSSS Action Plan items of each ministry/division • By coordinating with the implementing ministries/divisions, update the database with progress tracking information • Provide support in documentation of the NSSS Action Plan related information and data received from the line ministries

3. Provide administrative and logistical support to SPPS Programme • Undertake logistical, administrative, and financial arrangements of meetings, workshops, and events organized by the project • Facilitate upload/update of project documents, reports, evaluation reports and other relevant documents to SharePoint • Maintenance of records, files, and documents; draft general correspondence and general reference documents; organize data and information for reporting • Make travel arrangements for the team members, including travel requisitions and claims for field missions • Provide support to Financial and Administrative Assistant.

4. Provide technical support in the development process of Cabinet Division’s digitized dashboard on social security: • Support the dashboard development process through coordination, data collection, data entry and other relevant tasks • Provide support through research, and documentation.

5. Under the supervision of ICT Expert, assist in updating Cabinet Division’s website on Social Security • Provide support in updating the website with information on activities such as news, events, publications, e-library, and other related information • Assist in developing the capacity of project staff in updating, accessing and usage of the website on social protection • Assist in any other related matters deemed required.

6. Assist in drafting and design of various knowledge products, infographics • Assist in drafting knowledge products such as infographics, booklets, templates etc. on the SPPS Programme and various aspects of social security • Maintain and update inventory of all knowledge products.

7. Any other relevant tasks as assigned by the Project Manager time to time.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Working in Teams

programme support, digitization, development issues, data analysis, drafting development contents, policy briefs. • Good IT knowledge with proven skills. • Knowledge and understanding of the social security policies along with the socio-economic context of the host country • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with stringent deadlines. • Solid overall computer literacy and experience in data collection, analysis, communication with relevant stakeholders. • Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with project team including field level staff members. • Computer literacy is essential (particularly MS Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and XD) • Programme coordination support on key priority research objectives. • Design of various knowledge products, infographics.

Dhaka is the centre of political, cultural and economic life in Bangladesh. Although its urban infrastructure is the most developed in the country, Dhaka suffers from urban problems such as pollution, lack of public transport and overpopulation. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen 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.

Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals, but a series of security incidents since autumn 2015 have led to increased security measures for UN international staff and volunteers. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station and a cessation of incidents is expected to lead to relaxation of security measures, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.