UNV Research and Project Support Officer

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.

Bangladesh has made great strides in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the country is still facing multiple challenges in achieving the SDGs by 2030, particularly in attainment of SDG 16 – the promotion of peace, justice, and strong institutions. SDG 16 is universally recognised as being the driver for realising all other SDGs and is thus of vital importance. UNDP Bangladesh has been diligently assisting the Government of Bangladesh in seeking innovative solutions to address its governance challenges. As an integral component of UNDP's overarching efforts, the Strengthening Institutions, Policies and Services (SIPS) project was conceived to tackle the governance challenges faced by public institutions in implementation and achievement of SDGs, particularly SDG 16, with a target set for 2030.

The primary objective of the project activities is to transform public institutions, policies, and their services, aligning them with the principles of SDG 16 and SDG 5. Consequently, SIPS plays a pivotal role as a neutral knowledge broker, facilitating the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of SDG commitments by public institutions while supporting the policymaking reform agenda in Bangladesh through a coordinated approach. The initiatives within the SIPS framework revolve around three key focal points :

i) Strengthening the capacities of public institutions to enable them to contribute effectively to national and international commitments while enhancing service delivery. ii) Creating a conducive policy environment that incorporates the core principle of the SDGs, which is to "leave no one behind." iii) Harnessing innovations to optimize the efficiency of service deliveries.

In alignment with these objectives, SIPS has been structured into three distinct outputs :

Output 1: Capacities of public institutions are strengthened to deliver on SDG 16 and SDG 5. Output 2: Institutions of public oversight are more people-centric and effectively fulfil their mandates. Output 3: The policy environment is strengthened to sustain SDG results and integrate SDGs into routine GoB operations and partnerships.

The project has started to implement its planned activities in partnership with public institutions: Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat (BPS), Governance Innovation Unit (GIU), and the SDG Coordination Cell (SDGCC) within the Prime Minister's Office, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Scope of Work :

In the given context, UNDP Bangladesh is looking for talent with passion to contribute to areas of peace, justice, strong institution and gender equality. The incumbent talent will have the opportunity to contribute to research and knowledge creation, planning and implementation of project activities, management and evidence-based interventions focused on SDG 16 and SDG 5, coordination and liaison with the government agencies and the other relevant counterparts.

The incumbent position will work under the supervision of the Project Manager, Strengthening Institutions, Policies and Services (SIPS) project of UNDP Bangladesh, and perform the following activities :

a) Research Support :

• Assist in conducting desk reviews and secondary data analyses on various cut-ting-edge agenda.
• Assist to commissioning of research initiative and prepare the analytical reports on various issues in collaboration with the government counterparts of the project.
• Assist in the field implementation of surveys and consultations.
• Assist to data collection, data review and monitoring processes.
• Aid in drafting briefing notes, talking points, analytical reports, and strategic pa-pers.

b) Project Implementation Support :

• Support in planning and implementing project activities.
• Support the team in organizing events such as consultations, workshops, dialogues, meetings etc.
• Draft TORs and concept note required for the implementation of planned activities.
• Assist in monitoring the progress of the project activities.
• Provide administrative support as needed to ensure smooth project operations.

c) Coordination and Liaison :

• Assist the team’s collaborative initiatives in coordinating with the government, the BBS, GIU, Parliament, NHRC other relevant counterparts.
• Facilitate communication and information sharing among stakeholders.
• Support to organizing stakeholder meetings and follow-up on action points.

d) Documentation :

• Assist in compiling good practices of the project.
• Taking meeting notes, proceedings both
• Generate report, drafting and reviewing reports relevant to the project.
• Ability to prepare documents in both English and Bangla

In addition to the specified tasks, the incumbent position would perform other need-based tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Community Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities.

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Building Trust • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams

• professional experience related to research, project implementation, organizing events, coordination and liaison with stakeholders.

Skills and experience :

• Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive desk reviews and perform secondary data analyses on a variety of advanced topics. • Experience in assisting the commissioning of research initiatives and preparing analytical reports, preferably in collaboration with government counterparts. Good under-standing on democratic governance and governance institutions of Bangladesh • Ability to support the team in organizing events such as consultations, workshops, dialogues, and meetings. • Skill in drafting briefing notes, talking points, analytical reports, and strategic papers. • Ability to prepare documents in both English and Bangla effectively. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work collaboratively with a range of partners and stakeholders. • Experience of working with government stakeholders is an asset.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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 center of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. Good English-speaking medical, dental services and educational centers are available for internationals.

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. 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.