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.  

The Driver will be part of UNDP Bangladesh’s Democratic Governance and Institutional Programming (DGIP) portfolio and will work CIDCA for Livelihoods Support for Urban Poor Communities in Bangladesh, and CARA for Next-Generation Urban Resilience: Leveraging Locally Led and Nature-based Solutions.

Livelihoods Support for Urban Poor Communities in Bangladesh-funded by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, this one-year initiative is a collaboration between UNDP Bangladesh and UNDP China, with the Local Government Division as a key national partner. The project directly targets 100 of the most vulnerable urban poor communities, benefiting nearly 30,000 households across six major City Corporations (Dhaka North, Narayanganj, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi) and one Paurashava (Chandpur).

The project is structured around three main outputs:
Output 1: Strengthening economic resilience through vocational skills development and support for micro-enterprises;
Output 2: Enhancing the health and nutritional status of women and children through awareness, behaviour change, and access to nutritious food;
Output 3: Strengthening project visibility and communication to build public support and encourage replication.

Next-Generation Urban Resilience: Leveraging Locally Led and Nature-based Solutions-under the UK Government’s Climate Action for Resilient Asia (CARA) programme, this one year project will supports the implementation of Bangladesh’s National Urban Policy (NUP) by embedding principles of Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban governance and infrastructure planning. The one-year initiative focuses on three strategic areas:

Component-1: Enactment and institutionalization of National Urban Policy
Component 2: Enabling implementation and embedding Locally Led Adaptation and Nature-based Solution into core urban development 
Component 3: Strengthening decentralised urban governance

Duties and Responsibilities

She/he will have the following specific duties and responsibilities:

A.    Transport service and vehicle management

•  Drive office vehicles to transport authorized personnel in accordance with official instructions, traffic rules, and government regulations.
• Always ensure safety and security of passengers on board as well as vehicle, especially during field missions or in critical situations.
• Deliver and collect official documents, packages, and mail to/from office, ministries, and other offices.
• Ensure timely arrival/departure for assigned transportation tasks.
• Maintain vehicle logbooks, KPL, servicing information and movement registers on a daily basis.
• Conduct daily inspections of the vehicle (including tires, brakes, oil, fuel, battery, etc.) and ensure cleanliness.
• Ensure optimal fuel consumption through efficient driving practices.
• Oversee regular servicing and ensure quality repair and maintenance of the vehicles.
• Keep all vehicle documentation updated (registration, tax token, fitness, insurance).
• Maintain essential items in the vehicle including city maps, office directory, first aid kit, and basic tools.

B.    Office Support 

• Provide support with carrying files, official letters, and communication materials between desks or offices.
• Operate office equipment such as photocopiers, fax machines, digital sender and printers as and when assigned by project management. 
• Assist in documents or materials packing, labeling, and distribution of project materials via courier, post office or other parcel services.
• Assist with preparation and distribution of folders and materials for meetings and events.
• Follow all instructions from the management/supervisor regarding vehicle use and related duties.
• Be prepared to support emergency evacuation or critical incident response if needed.
   
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement: 
The Driver will work under the overall guidance and report to Project Analyst (City Liasion) including performance management. 

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education with a valid driver’s license is required. 

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of work experience as a driver with a safe driving record is required.

Required Skills:

• DDT (Defensive Driving Training) Training.

Deskired Skills:

• Experience in vehicle management and maintenance. 
• Proven knowledge of driving rules and regulations of Bangladesh.
• Basic elementary knowledge of motor machines.
• Experience in minor repairing, particularly on common issues related to vehicle breakdown during road trips.
• Experience in working at development sector/public sector will be added advantage.
• Familiarity with GPS navigation systems and other modern vehicle technologies.

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.