Mission and objectives

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. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with Bangladesh ever since its birth and through its remarkable journey from a war-ravaged economy to a middle-income country. It remains a catalyst in Bangladesh’s journey from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. UNDP assists in building institutions and helps strengthen institutional capacities through people-centric, pro-poor, inclusive and sustainable policy making and development governance.

Context

The Social Protection Policy Support (SPPS) Programme responds to a need to reconfigure the existing social protection system. The programme will provide 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. The first component of the Programme is the improvement of governance of social protection by helping to build coordination, M&E and reporting functions. It will also strengthen research and analysis capacities in order to build a more effective evidence base for effective policy development. The second component of the programme is to strengthen Social Protection System, with the purpose of developing a modern social protection infrastructure capable of supporting a nationally integrated delivery system for reliable, transparent and developmental GoB social transfers and promote linkages to ensure effective coordination. The two SPPS components will function alongside a piloting delivery component that will enable testing and learning and inform social protection strategy and policy through field-based evidence. The Government of Bangladesh has formulated the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) with the objective of tackling poverty and vulnerability by contributing to human resource development which will have particular focus on child social protection. Therefore, the NSSS adopts the social protection programmes for families with children as the primary challenge. The SPPS Programme supports the government in implementation of the NSSS which recommends child social protection as the most important agenda of social protection reforms. Thus, the development of child social protection and nutritional upliftment has come to be most prominent engagement of SPPS Programme. In view of the above, the SPPS Programme is looking for a UNV Expert. One of the main responsibilities of the NUNV will be supporting the SPPS program in data collection, sorting, and analysis as required by the program’s research team and the Cabinet Division. In addition, the NUNV will support the administration finance team of the SPPS Programme for logistics support, event organizing, and management and assist the SPPS finance team in the preparation of bills and collection of bids and evaluation. Developing ToR, implementing various knowledge products and materials on social protection; preparing infographics on social protection activities; assisting in preparing and disseminating e-Newsletter and support in diagnosing and troubleshooting hardware and software issues faced by the project staff.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of National Project Manager, SPPS Programme, UNDP, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Collaborate effectively with GoB officials and various teams, ensuring alignment of project objectives and fostering strong partnerships. • Develop knowledge products on key emerging issues relating to social protection and other related issue. • Contribute to the high-level meeting meetings, workshops, and webinars on policy development towards the thematic strategic areas of the project. • Supporting team with data collection, analysis, visualization, and develop infographics for improved information management and reporting practices. • Contribute to develop different reports including project reports • Cooperate with administrative and logistic unit in relation to event preparation, logistical support, and communication with relevant stakeholders for effective dissemination • Contribute to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like Quantum in annual work plan preparation • Additional tasks assigned by the Project manager.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Working with teams • Communication • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity

Living conditions and remarks

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. 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. 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). 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.