Background

With a total gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD 430 billion, Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia. Between 2000 and 2019, Bangladesh’s economy registered high GDP growth, averaging around 6% per annum. During this period, there were several notable improvements across different socioeconomic indicators, putting the country on track for a formal graduation from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) in 2026. Bangladesh’s score on the human development index (HDI) increased from 0.49 in 2000 to 0.68, placing it among countries categorized as medium human development. The national poverty rate fell from over 48% in 2000 to less than 19% in 2022. 

Despite the progress, Bangladesh faces several development challenges, and with the current trend, the country is unlikely to meet several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Even before the political crisis in 2024, Bangladesh was grappling with double-digit inflation. According to the latest estimate, GDP is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2025, much slower than the GDP growth in the past. Without an uptick in private investment, the economy cannot diversify, a necessary condition for creating decent jobs. With low social spending and weak capacities, the government is constrained from providing quality services to the people. Bangladesh is also one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and is prone to natural hazards, including climate-induced disasters. 

As the UN’s development agency, UNDP has been in Bangladesh since 1972, promoting democratic governance, climate adaptation, environmental protection and inclusive growth and, helping the country to achieve equitable and sustainable development. UNDP has been a close partner of Bangladesh in co-designing policy solutions, building national capacities, and promoting innovations to help meet its developmental aspirations.   

Over the past decades, Bangladesh made remarkable human development progress, despite frequent intensive and extensive disasters, impact of climate change and, more recently, the Rohingya refugee crisis. As one of the world's fastest growing economies, the country is an aspirant of LDC graduate and aims to become a developed nation by 2041. However, its development gains have not been distributed in an equitable way resulting in widening inequality despite making good progress women economic empowerment. Its economic reliance on foreign remittances and RMG have increasingly being exposed to 4th Industrial Revolution and more recently COVID-19. While urbanization and industrialization continue to offer an economic dividend, they have a compound negative impact on eco-system health. Besides, climate and disaster remain major fault-line in the economy and society. In addressing the challenges, the country was able to maintain a forward-facing policy environment. As a result, the reduction of poverty and inequality, and becoming a resilient nation remain the GoB's top priority. The country is also known for its accelerated implementation approach of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through nationally driven policies and investments. In support of the country's ambition, UNDP has been a strong partner of the government in co-designing policy solutions, capacity building and promoting innovations. The expectation from UNDP to play an SDG integrator role is growing in the context of the post-UN reform.

The programme portfolio of UNDP Bangladesh is organized in two substantive Clusters: a) Democratic Governance; and b) Resilient and Inclusive Resilient Growth (RIG). UNDP has been a long-standing partner of the Government of Bangladesh in the areas of Economic Development, and Nature, Climate and Energy. UNDP will continue its technical assistance and implementation support to the Government of Bangladesh and stakeholders, in innovating and testing sustainable solutions and in scaling successful models for impact. The RIG Cluster leads on programming and policy advisory support on: (i) inclusive and sustainable economic development; and (ii) a sustainable, resilient, and healthy environment. UNDP supports the country by providing high quality policy and technical advice and assistance, implementation support, mobilizing resources through partnerships and development financing, developing capacity, innovation, knowledge management, and fostering south-south and triangular cooperation.

The Programme Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.The Programme Clusters are led by a well-qualified Cluster Team Leaders with the functional title of Assistant Resident Representative with considerable focus on ensuring programme and project quality, the achievement of results, and management of fruitful working relationships with Implementing Partners and donors, requiring effective coordination, information-sharing, and stakeholder outreach.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Assistant Resident Representative of the Resilience and Inclusive Growth Cluster, the Programme Analyst – RIG, will perform the above-mentioned responsibilities in coordination with relevant Country Office teams and the Resilience and Inclusive Growth Cluster.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative, Resilience and Inclusive Growth (RIG), the Programme Analyst, Resilience and Inclusive Growth (RIG) is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends; leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio; and provides policy advice services.

The Programme Analyst supervises and leads the project staff and coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the CO, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, technical advisors/experts, external specialists, government officials and partners, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of the UNDP programme.The incumbent will provide technical expertise in the analysis, design, and implementation of resilience and inclusive growth programmes aimed at strengthening these sector and  support project and programme development, inter-agency coordination and resource mobilization as required. 

The Programme Analyst will carry out the following key responsibilities:

1. Contribute to strategic programme formulation and implementation

• Conduct analysis of political, social, economic, and environmental trends to inform resilience and inclusive growth strategies and interventions.
• Provide evidence-based inputs to UNCCA, UNSDCF, CPD, Integrated Work Plans, and other strategic country-level documents.
• Support operationalization of UNDP strategic priorities in resilience and inclusive growth in collaboration with government, UN agencies, and key partners.
• Contribute to anticipatory programming by identifying emerging risks, opportunities, and future scenarios affecting resilience and inclusive growth outcomes.
• Ensure alignment of country-level strategies with international standards, best practices, and UNDP corporate priorities.

2. Ensure effective management and quality assurance of programme

• Oversee planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of resilience and inclusive growth programmes, ensuring results-based management.
• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress, outcomes, and impact, providing recommendations for adaptation and improvement.
• Manage programme resources, track budgets, and ensure compliance with UNDP rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures.
• Synthesize data and evidence to inform decision-making and support high-level reporting, including donor and corporate reports.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight to implementing partners and consultants to ensure quality and strategic coherence.

3. Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships

• Build and maintain partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, donors, civil society, private sector, and other key stakeholders to advance resilience and inclusive growth objectives.
• Identify opportunities for joint programming, resource mobilization, and scaling of interventions.
• Support strategic engagement and advocacy with national and international actors to strengthen policy reforms, programme visibility, and impact.

4. Policy advisory, knowledge management, and learning

• Provide high-level policy advice to government, UNDP, and partners to promote inclusive growth, social equity, climate resilience, and youth and women’s participation.
• Capture, synthesize, and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and emerging evidence to inform programme design and policy decisions.
• Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives and participate in national and international communities of practice to strengthen learning, innovation, and strategic decision-making.
• Support capacity-building initiatives for stakeholders to enhance understanding and application of resilience and inclusive growth principles.

5. Stakeholder engagement and coordination

• Engage with national and local stakeholders to gather inputs, ensure broad-based support, and align programmes with country priorities.
• Facilitate strategic workshops, consultations, and high-level meetings to refine programmes and policies.
• Participate in relevant inter-agency, donor, and partner forums.

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

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

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.
• Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results, Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming, Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools, Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals    

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

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness            

• Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Management, Political Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Social Sciences, Economics, or related field is required, or
• A 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 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in a related thematic area.

Required skills:

• Demonstrated ability in managing resources and budgets, and financial reporting required;
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP. 

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• At least 2 years of professional experience managing and providing oversight to multiple complex projects in resilience, livelihoods, or inclusive growth, preferably in partnership with national government. 
• Proven experience with UNDP programmes or similar international development initiatives, clearly reflected in past roles or assignments.
• Proven experience in project design, monitoring, and evaluation, including examples of collaboration between international organizations and national governments. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and key issues in resilience, economic inclusion, and community-based development, supported by documented project work, reports, or training.
• Experience working with UN or other international organizations 
• Documented experience with UNDP programmes or similar international development initiatives.

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.

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.