Research Assistant

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.

This United Nations Volunteer (UNV) assignment is part of the Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Democratic Governance Cluster.

Established in 1972, UNDP Bangladesh supports the Government of Bangladesh in advancing sustainable human development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It works across governance, climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth to reduce inequalities and empower institutions. Within its Democratic Governance Cluster, UNDP focuses on public sector innovation, evidence-based policy reform, and improved service delivery for citizens.

Within this cluster, the TEPP project, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom, contributes to these objectives by helping Bangladesh prepare for a smooth and sustainable graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. The programme works closely with the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to enhance institutional readiness for trade policy formulation, investment facilitation, and policy coordination. TEPP supports the establishment and strengthening of the Research and Analytics Unit (RAU) at BIDA to promote data-driven decision-making, policy analysis, and reform advocacy.

This UN Volunteer assignment contributes directly to TEPP’s Baseline Assessment, which aims to establish the project’s initial data and evidence base. The volunteer will support qualitative data collection, transcription, manual data entry according to the assigned coding framework, and assist in data analysis under the guidance of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Analyst. The assignment will also include support to TEPP events, research, and communication activities, ensuring high-quality data and documentation to inform evidence-based policy dialogue and programme learning.

Under the supervision of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Analyst and in close coordination with the Project Manger under the Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP) of UNDP, the National UN Youth Volunteer will support data collection, recording, transcription, input of qualitative data manually according to the assigned coding framework, and assist the MEL Analyst in data analysis as part of the TEPP Baseline Assessment. The role focuses on ensuring accurate and high-quality qualitative data to inform programme monitoring and learning activities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Qualitative Data Collection and Field Support: Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and other qualitative engagements with stakeholders from public and private sectors, including SMEs, women- and youth-led enterprises, and business associations. Ensure adherence to ethical protocols and data protection standards.

• Recording and Transcription: Record interviews and discussions (with informed consent), accurately transcribe audio data in English or Bangla as appropriate and maintain organized and anonymized transcripts for analysis and reporting.

• Manual Coding and Data Entry: Input qualitative data manually according to the assigned coding framework. Categorize, and organize data consistently under predefined codes and maintain accurate data sheets for analysis.

• Data Compilation and Analysis Support: Summarize coded data under major themes and subthemes. Support the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Analyst in synthesizing findings and identifying emerging patterns and insights relevant to trade and investment policy.

• Desk Reviews and Documentation: Support desk reviews and background research on trade, investment, and institutional development to inform analytical outputs.

• Data Management and Quality Assurance: Ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency of qualitative data and maintain an organized database of transcripts, coded outputs, and metadata for institutional reference.

• Research Support: Assist the project Research Analyst in data collection, secondary source review and helping prepare short summaries or background notes based on available information.

• Communication Support: Assist in drafting communication materials, briefing notes, and presentation slides. Support visibility, documentation, and knowledge-sharing initiatives highlighting TEPP’s progress and outcomes.

• Administrative, and logistical Support: Provide logistical and administrative assistance to the TEPP team in organizing events including workshops, trainings, stakeholder consultations and dissemination sessions to ensure smooth coordination and execution of all activities.

• Other Duties: Perform any other relevant tasks assigned by the supervisor in support of the TEPP’s research, monitoring, and learning objectives.