Background
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While Bangladesh has made great strides in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the country is still facing multiple challenges in the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. Particularly the attainment of SDG 16 – the promotion of peace, justice, and strong institutions – has been lagging behind. This SDG is universally recognized as being the driver for realizing all other SDGs and is thus of vital importance. This programme addresses the need to develop effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels to promote peaceful, just, and inclusive societies for Bangladesh’s sustainable development, enabling wider engagement of development partners and relevant stakeholders. The programme aims to support the country in achieving SDG 16 by:
- Strengthening public institutions that can contribute to fulfilling national and international commitments and provide better service delivery.
- Creating a positive policy environment that embeds the SDGs’ core principle of “leave no one behind”.
- Promoting new capabilities and leveraging technology and innovation for more effective and inclusive governance and public service delivery.
The project consists of the following three outputs:
- Output 1: Capacities of Bangladesh’s bureaucracy are strengthened to deliver on SDG16 & SDG5
- 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 (multi-stakeholder Policy Dialogue Platform)
SIPS will be implemented by UNDP in partnership with public institutions, preferably the SDG Coordination Cell (SDGCC) and the Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Parliament.
The Project Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst – Democratic Governance (currently vacant). Until the vacancy is filled, s/he will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative/Cluster Lead – Democratic Governance , or his/her designated staff.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Manager will be responsible for strategically and adaptively leading project management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, generating expected outputs and outcomes in line with the approved Project Document, and evaluation. S/he will work closely with the component/output lead of the SIPS project, UNDP operations unit, Programme cluster, Government officials, private sector, and civil society organizations. S/he will be responsible achieving the project’s outputs and outcomes.
Key Functions:
Result-based Project Management, including Planning, Implementation and Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Provide management oversight to ensure project implementation is on track.
- Management of project finances and achievement of quarterly and annual programme-finance delivery targets, with accountability to the National/Project Steering Committee/Project Board and UNDP.
- Ensure the preparation of annual work plan, budgeting, finance, procurement, audit, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc.
- Management of risks and issues, and execution of adaptive management in consultation with the Programme Analyst overseeing this project and the Assistant Resident Representative/UNDP Cluster Lead.
- Management of project team to ensure the team operates in a productive manner, through a clear division of labor, and setting of specific quarterly and annual goals and targets for all team members, including annual performance planning at the start of each year and performance evaluation at mid-year and at the end of each calendar year.
- Management of experts/specialists and service providers through planning, managing and monitoring the delivery of outputs, reports and knowledge products.
- Review and contribute to all outputs and deliverables required by the project.
- Supervision of the planning and organization of events; capacity building activities including trainings; consultations; meetings of the National/Project Steering Committee, Technical Working Committee, Core Groups, etc; and technical, evaluation, corporate, development partner and other missions.
- Ensure that the project draws from and collaborates with other UNDP-supported projects, avoiding duplication and maximizing synergy.
- Completion of other relevant duties and tasks.
Partnership and Stakeholder Management, and Networking:
- Identification of stakeholders and implementation partners for the undertaking of various outputs and activities.
- Preparation and implementation of a stakeholder mapping and stakeholder engagement/partnership strategy, including civil society/non-government organizations with activities, targets and expected results.
- Liaison with parliamentarians and government counterparts, as relevant, including focal persons assigned for the specific project outputs for effective and smooth project coordination.
- Coordinate with relevant partners/stakeholders/actors, the UNDP Country Office and its programmes/portfolios/projects at large, including to share information about trends, issues and results in the thematic area, to coordinate and utilize resources effectively and efficiently.
- Development of new partnerships with development partners/donors, government, civil society and/or non-government organizations, academia, local communities and private sector to deliver the project outputs, as needed.
Evidence-based Advocacy and Support for Policy Reforms:
- Analyze and consolidate project results/outputs, and provide results-based reporting of project progress at the outcome and impact levels.
- Development and implementation of capacity building activities aimed at government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders.
- Ensure highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of product.
Knowledge Management and Resources Mobilization:
- Manage and contribute to the development of knowledge products, involving UNDP Programme Analyst, Cluster Lead and other relevant colleagues, implementing partners, consultants/experts/specialists, etc.
- Manage and contribute to the design and publication of communication materials and knowledge products; as well as knowledge-sharing platforms, tools and mechanisms.
- Manage the synthesis and documentation of project results, lessons learned, good practices, case studies, etc., from the project.
- Preparation and update of project information, results and other material on UNDP, government and other websites, media, etc., on a quarterly basis.
- Sharing of knowledge and information between UNDP, project management and government counterparts in the process of project implementation.
- Assist the UNDP Country Office in resource mobilization through developing a business case model, pulling the lessons learnt from the project for wider demonstration.
- Navigate opportunities to engage other potential development partners/donors with a view to mobilize more resources for the project.
Competencies:
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
People Management competencies:
- UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy
- System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Management
- Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
- Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with NGOs, Public oversight institutions, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
- Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
- Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
2030 Agenda: Peace
- Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions: Community Engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion
- Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights : Human Rights /HRBA
Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) from any reputed educational institution, preferably in Public Administration/ Development Studies/ Law/ Human Rights/Governance or any other relevant discipline is required, or
- First-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 (five) years (with Master´s degree) or 7 (seven) years (with Bachelor´s degree) of overall experience in human rights and democratic governance and relevant work experience with key oversight institutions.
- At least 3 years of experience in designing, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects related to human rights and democratic governance.
- Excellent understanding of human rights-based approach, democratic governance, SDGs integration issues in context of Bangladesh.
- Experience of managing contract, assets and procurement issues, and information and communication technology.
- Excellent work experience in collaboration with State and/or public institutions, International NGOs, CSOs, private sector and multi-stakeholders’ groups are desirable.
- Substantive expertise in human rights and governance programming
- Demonstrated ability in managing resources, budgeting, and financial reporting required.
- M&E and results-based reporting skills are required.
- Research experience is desirable.
- Previous experience working with key public oversight institutions, particularly NHRC, Parliament, high-level government officials will have an added advantage.
- An understanding of development agencies and government’s procedures in project management is highly desirable.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.
Required Languages:
Disclaimer
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UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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