Introduction

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is implementing two key initiatives in Bangladesh to promote decent work, skills development, and industrial sustainability.

The ProGRESS Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, is a five-year initiative (2022-2027) aimed at feminizing Bangladesh’s skills and enterprise systems. It focuses on strategic shifts towards gender-responsive policymaking, green skills, and digital transformation to increase female labor force participation.

Simultaneously, the SENSREC-DW Bangladesh Phase 4 Project is a joint initiative with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway. Building on three previous phases, Phase 4 (2026-2028) aims to ensure the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships in line with the Hong Kong International Convention. The project specifically focuses on strengthening workers’ rights, enhancing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards, and supporting industry upgrades in the ship recycling hub of Chattogram.

The Programme Assistant will provide essential administrative and programmatic support to both projects, ensuring efficient delivery of activities that bridge gender-responsive enterprise development with industrial safety and decent work in the maritime sector.

Guidance and Supervision:

The Programme Assistant (ProGRESS and SENSREC-DW Bangladesh 4) will work under the overall management and supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor of ProGRESS Project and under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer for Enterprise Development-ProGRESS project and------ SENREC_DW Bangladesh 4.

Description of Duties

Select duties below only those correspond to the needs of this position. Add specific duties if necessary. Duties should reflect the activities and processes required to achieve the key results within the project main objectives. Use short, concise sentences and action verbs, no jargons or acronyms. The max total number of duties should be 10 – 12.

Administrative and Financial Support:

• Assist in the preparation of project budgets, expenditure forecasts, and financial reports for both the ProGRESS enterprise initiatives and SENSREC-DW Phase 4 activities.
• Process administrative tasks including travel arrangements, procurement of equipment, and recruitment of local consultants in accordance with ILO and project-specific (IMO) guidelines.
• Maintain comprehensive filing systems and databases for project-related documentation, including technical reports and correspondence with stakeholders.
• Classify and assign budget codes, verify and process payment claims, vouchers and invoices. Prepare payment vouchers ensuring the accuracy and documentation of all financial transactions. Maintain custody of the petty cash account and make payments of approved transaction.

Integrated Project Support:

• Liaison and Coordination: Serve as a key focal point for coordinating meetings and workshops involving tripartite stakeholders (government, employers, and workers) across both projects, such as the Project Steering Committees and technical working groups. Take notes and/or minutes at meetings.
• Integrated Training Support: Provide logistical and administrative support for the roll-out of Competency-Based Training (CBT) modules. This includes supporting gender-responsive skills training under ProGRESS and specialized technical/OSH training (e.g., asbestos handling or oil pollution response) for the ship recycling workforce under SENSREC.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Assist in the collection and consolidation of data for project monitoring and evaluation. This includes tracking indicators related to female entrepreneurship (ProGRESS) and workplace safety/environmental compliance in ship recycling yards (SENSREC).

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• Advise, respond, make arrangements and solve problems for the procurement, shipment and receipt of project supplies and equipment, including customs clearance. Issue shipping instructions to forwarding agents and suppliers, check shipping documentation, and determine and prepare insurance coverage.
• Prepare notification of dispatch and verify invoices of both projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Completion of secondary school education at the minimum, supplemented by technical or university level courses in social science or related field.

Experience

At least six years of relevant work experience on enterprise development and TVET/Skills Development. Similar experience with the United Nations Common System or an international organization is desirable. Practical experience on standard office software packages, email and automated information management system required by the work unit (e.g. WORD, EXCEL, PowerPoint). Experience of dealing with confidential matters with discretion. Supervisory experience would be an asset. Knowledge of the relevant project and programme area and the Office’s operations would be ideal.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of the working language of the duty station, and good knowledge of English.

Competencies

• Ability to organize own work.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments, organize own schedule, perform routine work independently, meet deadlines and adapt to changing demands and multitasks.
• Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office
• Ability to obtain services from other work units inside or outside the office for completion of tasks
• Ability to work as a member of a team and manage a heavy workload under time pressure.
• Thorough knowledge of practices and procedures for preparing administrative documents and maintaining file system;
• Ability to determine relevant background and reference materials for others, and to screen requires for urgency and priority
• Ability to respond to requests from officials from government offices, ministries, ILO constituents and NGOs.
• Accuracy and ability to pay attention to details
• Ability to search and retrieve information from databases and compile reports;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Customer service experience in order to provide courteous, prompt and efficient responses to internal clients.
• Ability to deal with confidential matters with discretion
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.