Project Associate (Planning, Monitoring and Reporting), ERRD-CHT Project at UNDP

Dhaka, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

16 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

18 Mar, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Project Planning, Monitoring, Reporting, Work Plan Development, Fund Request Preparation, Expenditure Reporting, Coordination, Liaison, Capacity Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Data Analysis, Proposal Development, Budgeting, Computer Literacy, Partnerships Management, Communication

Industry

International Affairs

Description

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 430 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). Even before the political crisis in 2024, Bangladesh was grappling with double-digit inflation. According to the latest estimate, GDP is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2025, much slower than the GDP growth in the past. 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. Bangladesh is also one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and is 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. The Ecosystems Restoration and Resilient Development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (ERRD-CHT) Project aims to bring transformative changes through four thematic areas. These changes will improve the ability of local people to cope with environmental challenges, enhance development, and strengthen governance structures that directly affect their lives and livelihoods. The project aligns with the Government of Bangladesh’s (GoB) long-term plans outlined in the SDGs and national development plans. It focuses on empowering local communities to access better, inclusive economic opportunities, resilient livelihoods, and essential ecosystem services. The project also aims to improve local people’s capacity to manage their environment, ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity. A key part of the project involves actively engaging women, girls, marginalized groups, and youth in sustainable livelihoods, small businesses, and ecosystem conservation efforts. The project sustains ecosystems, protects biodiversity, and promotes resilient development by encouraging skills and entrepreneurship suited to the hill environment and nature. Increased civic participation and improved interactions between communities and institutions contribute to the creation of responsive, participatory, and inclusive governance. This improves socioeconomic conditions and natural resource management, increases awareness about conservation, and broadens participatory decision-making processes to include more people. The project also strengthens the relationship between public services and local communities by enhancing the capacity of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) institutions and leaders to effectively address local priorities. It contributes to a stronger and more reliable governance framework by ensuring accountability and legitimacy in participatory management and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, the ERRD-CHT Project supports the implementation of the CHT Peace Accord, reinforcing national consensus and aligning with the goals outlined in the various GoB development plans and priorities. The main objective of the ERRD-CHT project is to “enhance climate-adaptive livelihoods, civic engagement, and the empowerment of women, girls, and youth through gender-responsive institutions and resilient ecosystems for inclusive prosperity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts,” which will be achieved through the following four outputs: Outputs: Output 1: Improved ecosystems and watershed management through the development of climate-resilient communities and institutions. Output 2: Enhanced civic participation and community stability through CHT institutions. Output 3: Empowered women and girls through inclusive education, GBV prevention, and enhanced livelihood skills. Output 4: Strengthened youth capacities through skill-building and employment opportunities. The project will be implemented in all 121 unions of 26 upazilas in the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban. In the CHT, nearly 100,000 rural and urban households, comprising 450,000 beneficiaries (70% tribal and 30% Bengali), will directly benefit from the project. Of these, 20% are youth and 1% are persons with disabilities. It will include the extreme urban and rural poor and vulnerable groups, including women and youth. Duties and Responsibilities Project Cycle Management & Reporting: * Assist in project planning and periodic strategic reviews activities. * Assist the GoB funded activities, prepare annual work plan of GoB funded activities with guidance from Project Manager * Assist in preparing the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and quarterly work plan according to LOA with respect to the activities and targets. * Assist in preparation of fund request, and expenditure report and others, concerned of MoCHTA/UNDP preparing Annual Action Plan, and other necessary reports; * Working closely with the relevant MOCHTA Officials and ERRD-CHT project focal and Project Manager to ensure better coordination between GoB and UNDP. * Assist to liaison and Update relevant MOCHTA Officials and ERRD-CHT project focal about day-to-day project activity and take approval of necessary documents. * Working closely with Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Analyst and prepare, compile and update all progress reports and submit them to UNDP and MOCHTA timely; * Assist to Coordinate the meetings (NSC, PSC) and workshops at all levels regarding the project planning, monitoring and evaluation; * Working closely with Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Analyst and Planning Section of MoCHTA to establish and develop an appropriate planning and reporting mechanism including tools for institutional capacity development of MoCHTA; * Assist in ensuring that all project activities are in line with rules and regulations of GOB/UNDP under the LOA between ERRD-CHT and HDCs; * Assist to Prepare presentation to National Steering Committee, Project Implementation committee meeting, quarterly progress review at MoCHTA and ERRD-CHT; * Working closely with Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Analyst and Planning Section of MoCHTA and prepare monitoring report with findings and recommendations and submitting to the authority of UNDP/MoCHTA; and working closely with other transferred line department, and assist them in proper planning and monitoring of project activities; * Provide support to the other components and district level line department personnel, assist them in preparation of project planning, budgeting, fund disbursement, request and expenditure report to ERRD-CHT; * Assist in developing new project proposal for the development of CHT with log frame and selecting appropriate indicators; * Assist District Project Implementation Analyst to ensure smooth implementation of GoB funded activities. Support MoCHTA Coordination and Liaison * Assist Project Manager to Liaise with the government line department offices, HDCs and non-government offices for proper collection and updating of information and data against the planned targets; * Support to ERRD- CHT Project Manager in coordination and work together with Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Unit of ERRD-CHT, ensure that all project objectives have been achieved against the LOA; * Assist to the Project Manager to Organize/attend meetings trainings, workshops, symposiums, conferences and other events: * Internally within MoCHTA and project; * Externally with government line department and HDCs; and * As organized by ERRD-CHT of UNDP. * Support to maintain effective links, coordination and information sharing with ERRD-CHT counterpart. Research and Knowledge Management * Assist and provide input in publishing of magazines, newsletters, research papers and other IEC materials and donor’s visibility and maintain all information of MoCHTA in computerized system; * Assist in formulating and development of project proposal and in identification of the area need to be improved through learning. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. Institutional Arrangement The incumbent will directly report to Project Manager of ERRD-CHT. 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 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 Partnerships Management 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 Ethics UN policy knowledge - ethics Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity Partnership management 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 Business Management Communications 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 Required Skills and Experience Education: * Secondary Education is required. * University degree (Bachelor´s degree) in Social Science, International Relations, Development Studies or related fields will be given due consideration but is not a requirement. Experience: * Minimum 6 years (with Secondary Education) and 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in national or international project/programme planning, monitoring and report writing. Required Skill: * Proven working experience with international development organizations. * Proven experience of Government planning and reporting system. * Excellent computer literacy, on Microsoft Office, Power point including MS Access. Desired Skill: * At least 3 (three) years of experience working with GoB/Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts. * Proven experience in working on different donor-funded projects. * Proven experience writing high-quality reports, incorporating advanced graphs, charts, and other visual aids. * Demonstrated experience in designing methods and strategies to produce, analyze, use, and share data with diverse stakeholders in various settings. * Experience and adequate knowledge in preparing reports, budgeting, and maintaining documents and records. * Prior experience and proper knowledge to support organising workshops, training, seminars, etc. Language: * Fluency in English and Bangla is required. * Working knowledge in any of the CHT languages or Chittagonian dialects is desirable. 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. 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.

Responsibilities

The role involves assisting with project cycle management, including planning, periodic strategic reviews, work plan preparation, and timely submission of progress reports to UNDP and MOCHTA. Additionally, the associate will support coordination and liaison with government line departments and HDCs for information collection and project objective achievement.