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

Bangladesh, with a GDP exceeding USD 430 billion, is the second-largest economy in South Asia and experienced strong economic growth of around 6% annually between 2000 and 2019, alongside significant social progress. During this period, the country improved key development indicators, including an increase in the Human Development Index from 0.49 to 0.68 and a reduction in the national poverty rate from over 48% in 2000 to below 19% in 2022, positioning it for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. Despite these achievements, Bangladesh faces serious development challenges, including slow economic growth projected at 3.7% in 2025, double-digit inflation, limited private investment, weak institutional capacities, low social spending, and high vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, which threaten progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNDP is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from minority groups, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities, and upholding zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, and exploitation. As a global leader in addressing poverty, inequality, and climate change, UNDP works with partners in over 170 countries to deliver integrated, long-term solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

The Initiation Plan (IP) of Resilient and Inclusive Economic Growth (RINEG) programme at UNDP Bangladesh supports the development of innovative initiatives to advance resilient, green, and inclusive economic development, with a strong focus on digital transformation of land administration systems. The RINEG Initiation Plan (2026–2027) provides a foundational framework to consolidate UNDP’s climate and inclusive growth programming by integrating governance, gender and inclusion, sustainable finance, and digital innovation into a cohesive, resilience-focused portfolio.

Under Output 5, the programme aims to digitize land management records in automated land management system, embarking a new era in online land governance of Bangladesh. Key components of this initiative include data collection, entry, verification, correction and validation to modernize services such as- land development tax, records of rights (RoR/Khatian) and mutation. A critical aspect is ensuring the accuracy of data. UNDP has been actively collaborating with the Ministry of Land on this digitalization effort. A critical value addition by UNDP on this initiative has been to enable online access for landowners in digital land records by creating their land profiles. Successful completion of 1st piloting phase in 8 districts across 8 divisions led to 2nd piloting phase across 6 districts (Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj and Cox’s Bazar) and 2 city corporations (Chattogram and Khulna) with much diversified data outlook. This initiative will benefit over 11.73 million citizens by ensuring secure, transparent, and equitable access to land information, empowering communities and reducing land-related disputes. The unified digital platform will enable landowners to securely store and access land records, pay land development taxes online, initiate and track mutation processes digitally, and manage their access credentials, thereby streamlining services, reducing costs, and strengthening inclusive and sustainable economic development.

The Project Manager will collaborate with the Ministry of Land, Land Management Automation Project (LMAP), which aims to establish an integrated land database, fostering a transparent, dynamic, and accessible land management system.

The Project Manager will be responsible for strategically and adaptively leading project management, including supporting integrated land database, fostering a transparent, dynamic, accessible land management system and generating expected outputs and outcomes in line with the approved Project Document. S/he will work closely with the component/output lead of the LDD4IG project, UNDP operations unit, Programme cluster. S/he will be responsible for achieving the project’s outputs and outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager works under the general supervision of Assistant Resident Representative (ARR), Head of Resilience & Inclusive Growth Cluster and collaborates closely with Programme Teams, Operations Teams of UNDP.

Result-based project management, including planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation:

  • Provide management oversight to ensure project implementation is on track.
  • Ensure the preparation of the 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.
  • Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.
  • Provide leadership and technical advice to the project in developing baselines and indicators for project monitoring and evaluation and coordinate the finalization of detailed results framework.
  • Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting.
  • Lead the implementation of project monitoring, evaluation, and results framework to identify plan deviations and other problems; and make needed course corrections within agreed upon tolerances to achieve results.
  • Conduct field visits as required to verify project activities relative to stated targets and provide regular field updates to UNDP management.
  • Lead the development and conduct of mid-term and annual reviews, and endline assessment; and coordinate the conduct of independent evaluations.
  • Organize project review and evaluation meetings.
  • Follow up on the implementation of decisions, recommendations, and course corrections.
  • Manage and monitor project risks, including social and environmental risks, initially identified and submit new risks to appropriate project governing bodies for consideration and decision on possible actions.

Build strategic Partnership and Stakeholder Management, and Networking:

  • Identification of stakeholders and implementation partners for the undertaking of various outputs and activities.
  • Develop strategic partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners, including capacity building.
  • Support resource mobilization efforts and project development for land digitalization initiatives.
  • Identify opportunities for synergies with other projects within UNDP and beyond, to advance the key objectives of digital land management and grow its focus.

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 high UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs, organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of product

Ensure Contextual Understanding, Challenge Mitigation, and Solution Planning:

  • Deeply understand the context of land administration in Bangladesh, including its historical legacy, socio-economic factors, and unique operational realities impacting land services. 
  • Analyze and map existing challenges related to land data digitalization and automation, including systemic barriers (legal, institutional, corruption, resistance to change) and implementation difficulties (project delays, technical glitches, data quality, capacity gaps).
  • Develop comprehensive strategies and action plans to mitigate identified challenges, incorporating innovative solutions and best practices in digital governance and land management.
  • Utilize "signal mapping" techniques to identify early indicators of potential risks or opportunities within the LMAP implementation, proposing proactive course corrections within agreed upon tolerances to achieve results.
  • Formulate and refine project solutions and interventions based on a nuanced understanding of local contexts and observed challenges.

Provision of Technical Advisory and Digitalization Leadership:

  • Act as a Project Manager on issues related to project activities, particularly on land data digitalization, data quality, and automation in the context of land services.
  • Undertake technical review of project documents produced by the project team and partners, ensuring high technical standards are met, especially for data entry, verification, and integration activities for Holding, Khatian, NID, and mobile number.
  • Provide technical support to implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.
  • Substantively contribute to project communications and visibility efforts, particularly highlighting advancements in land data digitalization and Land Profile creation.
  • Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability, and synergies in land digitalization and automation.

Multi-dimensional Team Management & Needs Assessment:

  • Lead and manage multi-dimensional project teams spanning technical data specialists, digitalization experts, and personnel engaged in civil services reform and capacity building.
  • Assess and continuously monitor personnel and capacity needs (both human and logistical) within the project team and relevant government counterparts, placing requirements based on field-level implementation needs.
  • Ensure 360-degree coordination with all relevant stakeholders, including government officials at national, district, upazila, and union levels (Ministry of Land, Election Commission, local administration), implementing partners, development partners, civil society organizations, and beneficiaries.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with these stakeholders to ensure accurate interpretation of project objectives and promote inclusive project implementation.

Facilitate 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.
  • Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to land digitalization and automation.
  • Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
  • Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues.
  • Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
  • Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications personnel.
  • Ensure all project interventions integrate a gender equality perspective/gender equality mainstreaming to the extent local context allows.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation

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 

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 the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
  • 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
  • Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
  • Risk Management: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks

Digital & Innovation

  • Digital transformation design: Practical and strategic skills in digital transformation for governments and organizations.
  • Digital inclusion: Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) from any reputed educational institution, preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Natural Science, Agricultural Science, Statistics, Anthropology, Development Studies, Psychology, Data Science, AI, Urban and Regional Planning, Information Technology or a related field 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 of 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and/or leading and managing projects. 

Required skills:

  • Experience in managing complex projects or programs within the development sector, with a strong focus on digitalization, data management, and/or public service automation.
  • Proven ability to lead, manage, and coordinate diverse teams, including data specialists, digitalization experts, and civil service stakeholders.
  • Strong managerial experience with proven ability to lead, manage, and supervise project teams, and manage project resources (budget, HR, procurement) effectively.
  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
  • Knowledge and experience in relevant thematic areas such as land administration, land governance, or public service delivery.

Desired skills: 

  • Experience with or within the UN system, government bodies, or public international organizations, particularly in countries with similar development contexts to Bangladesh. 
  • Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations. 
  • Experience and skills in digitalization and data management projects, including understanding of data collection, data entry, data validation, and data integration processes for large datasets (e.g., land records, NID, mobile numbers.
  • Experience and knowledge of capacity building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies.
  • Experience in M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) development projects, including developing results frameworks, indicators, and reporting mechanisms.
  • Experience in public service providing related services (e.g., e-governance, digital public services). 
  • Familiarity with the Land Management Automation Project (LMAP) or related land digitalization initiatives in Bangladesh.
  • Experience with project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) in the public sector context.

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in English and Bangla is required. 

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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.

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