Project Manager [Open to internal and external applicants]

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD 450 billion. Between 2000 and 2019, the economy grew at an average of around 6 per cent per year, accompanied by broad gains in human development. The national poverty rate fell from over 48 per cent in 2000 to about 18.7 per cent in 2022, and the Human Development Index reached 0.685 in 2023, placing Bangladesh in the medium human development category. The country is scheduled to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026.Significant development challenges remain. GDP growth slowed to 3.49 per cent in fiscal year 2024–25, inflation has stayed elevated, and private investment is weak, constraining the economic diversification needed to create decent jobs. Bangladesh is also one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, highly exposed to natural and climate-induced hazards.

As the UN’s development agency, UNDP has worked in Bangladesh since 1972, partnering with the government to advance democratic governance, climate adaptation, environmental protection, and inclusive growth. This support spans high-quality policy and technical advice, implementation support, development financing, and knowledge sharing. 

The programme portfolio is organized into two clusters and a Sub-Office in Cox’s Bazar; Democratic Governance, and Resilience and Inclusive Growth aligned to the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Each cluster is led by a Cluster Team Leader (functional title: Assistant Resident Representative) and Sub-Office by its head responsible for programme and project quality, results, and effective relationships with implementing partners and donors. Across both clusters, the Operations Team and the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) provide cross-cutting oversight and quality assurance, helping to ensure compliance, delivery readiness, and sound financial and operational management.

UNDP has been a long-standing partner of the Government of Bangladesh on economic development and on nature, climate, and energy. The RIG Cluster leads programming and policy advice on inclusive and sustainable economic development and on a sustainable, resilient, and healthy environment. It supports the country through policy and technical advice, implementation support, resource mobilization and development financing, capacity development, innovation, knowledge management, and south south and triangular cooperation. On the economic side, this includes support for inclusive and diversified growth, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and inclusive insurance and risk finance. On the environmental side, it covers climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, natural-resource and biodiversity management, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and access to climate finance helping Bangladesh reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, manage its natural resources, and build resilience to climate change, including through locally led adaptation that reaches the most climate-vulnerable communities

The Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR) phase II focuses on promoting climate responsive public financial management by enhancing governance, improving tools, and strengthening institutional frameworks. It will be instrumental in updating and institutionalizing processes to integrate climate considerations into budgetary practices, strengthening government institutions to advance climate responsive Public Financial Management (PFM). Specifically, it will support the Finance Division, Ministry of Finance in formulating a climate Finance Strategy, updating existing climate budget tools and guidelines, building relevant capacities, and enhancing governance for climate related public finance.

The IBFCR II will integrate climate change considerations into Bangladesh’s planning and budgeting processes by considering climate dimensions into ministry budget management systems and aligning the Annual Development Programme (ADP) with climate change classifications from the Finance Division. The Project will support the Finance Division in updating the climate public finance tracking methodology in line with the national policies such as the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), while incorporating criteria for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and integrating gender and equity dimensions to ensure inclusivity. This updated methodology will be implemented across key ministries through comprehensive training sessions and workshops, embedding gender considerations into public climate finance tracking. Capacity building initiatives will enhance the skills and knowledge of Finance Division staff and line ministries, enabling the effective implementation of these changes. 

The IBFCR II will focus on enhancing governance structures for climate finance by improving monitoring, accountability, and the effectiveness of climate related expenditures. This includes strengthening the institutional capacity of the Budget Management Committee (BMC) within line ministries, developing monitoring mechanisms, and improving accountability at national and parliamentary levels. A climate finance gap assessment and a tracking mechanism for climate-sensitive data will be developed to monitor the performance of line ministries. The project will also work with the Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (IMED) in improving climate indicators for effective oversight and collaborate with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG) to conduct climate performance audits, update audit curricula, and integrate social audits into government protocols.

The IBFCR II will also support the Local Government Division (LGD) in the integration of climate finance considerations into local government planning and budgeting processes, enhancing the capacity of local authorities to address climate-related challenges effectively. The project will review the legal frameworks for local government institutions (LGIs) to identify climate finance gaps, enhance LGIs’ knowledge of climate policies and resource allocation. A database of climate funding sources for LGIs will be established, with guidelines and KPIs for climate-inclusive planning and budgeting. Tracking methods will be piloted and expanded, while capacity-building ensures LGIs can monitor allocations. An analysis will also identify links between social protection and climate programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager will be responsible for strategically and adaptively leading project management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, generating expected outputs and outcomes in line with the approved Project Document, and evaluation. S/he will work closely with UNDP operations unit, Programme cluster, National Project Director (NPD) in Finance Division, Government officials, private sector, and civil society organizations. S/he will be responsible for achieving the project’s output and outcomes.

1- Ensure Results-based Project Management, Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Provide overall management oversight to ensure project implementation is on track and in line with the project document, approved Annual Work Plan (AWP) and results framework in coordination with the NPD at Finance Division.
• Manage financial and human resources with accountability to the Project Board / Project Steering Committee (PSC) and UNDP, ensuring full compliance with UNDP's financial rules and regulations.
• Lead the preparation of annual work plans, budgets, procurement plans and operational plans; oversee timely and quality implementation in coordination with the NPD at Finance Division.
• Manage the project team to ensure a clear division of labour, setting of specific quarterly and annual targets for all personnel, including performance planning and evaluation.
• Manage risks and issues; execute adaptive management in consultation with the Programme Analyst and the ARR/Cluster Lead.
• Ensure project quality assurance processes (Social and Environment Screening, audits, spot checks, private sector due diligence etc.) are executed to the highest standards in coordination with the NPD at Finance Division.
• Uphold UNDP’s zero-tolerance standards on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and fraud; ensure project activities apply UNDP’s social and environmental safeguards and accountability-to-affected-populations measures.
• Prepare and ensure timely submission of high quality monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports, donor reports, Project Implementation Reports (PIR), FACE forms and other reporting as required in coordination with the NPD at Finance Division.
• Facilitate the functioning of the Project Board/PSC and other governance mechanisms; provide secretariat support including convening meetings, preparing documentation and circulating notes and decisions in coordination with the NPD at Finance Division.
• Oversee procurement of goods and services; finalize Terms of Reference for consultants and service providers; coordinate with UNDP Operations on recruitment and contracting.
• Ensure project records, asset registers and documentation are maintained to the required standards.
• Facilitate government, donor and UNDP regional/HQ field missions and reviews as applicable.

2- Contribute to Technical Oversight, Quality Assurance and Partnership Management:

• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance across all project outputs; review and contribute to all outputs and deliverables in coordination with the NPD at Finance Division.
• Identify stakeholders and implementation partners; develop and implement a stakeholder engagement and partnership strategy in coordination with the NPD at Finance Division.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with Government counterparts (central and local), UN agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector and development partners.
• Supervise and guide the work of consultants, experts and service providers; oversee compliance with agreed work plans and deliverables.
• Ensure that the project draws from and collaborates with other UNDP programmes and portfolios, avoiding duplication and maximizing synergies.
• Promote integration of cross-cutting themes including gender equality, social inclusion, disability, climate resilience and human rights-based approaches in all project activities.
• Introduce and maintain feedback mechanisms and open communication channels to ensure that the needs of target groups are reflected in project planning and implementation.

3- Support Evidence-based Advocacy, Policy Support and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Analyse and consolidate project results/outputs and provide results-based reporting of project progress at the outcome and impact levels in coordination with the NPD at Finance Division.
• Development and implementation of capacity building activities aimed at government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders in coordination with the NPD at Finance Division.
• Ensure highest UNDP standards in the provision of technical and advisory inputs to government partners on thematic areas covered by the project., organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of product.
• Participate in inter-agency coordination mechanisms, technical working groups and high-level policy dialogues.
• Coordinate with relevant development partners and donors on issues related to the project; liaise with government focal persons for smooth coordination.
• Contribute to national policy processes, action plans and reform initiatives relevant to the project's thematic areas.

4- Facilitate Knowledge Management, Communications and Learning:

• Manage and contribute to the development of high-quality knowledge products; ensure effective integration with other practice areas involving UNDP Programme Analyst, Cluster Lead and other relevant colleagues, implementing partners, consultants/experts/specialists, etc.
• Lead knowledge creation and dissemination related to national, regional and global know-how in the subject area.
• Manage the synthesis and documentation of project results, lessons learned, good practices and case studies.
• Establish and manage internal/external networks or communities of practice covering relevant practitioners and experts.
• Ensure project results and impact are captured, recorded and shared in knowledge products and communication materials.
• Prepare and update project information and results on UNDP, government and other platforms on a regular basis.

5- Support Resource Mobilization and Donor Relations:

• Mobilize and network with experts of national and regional offices of the UN system, international development organizations, multilateral development banks and the private sector.
• Identify funding sources and prepare proposals, concept notes, business cases and donor briefings for resource mobilization. Pursue diversified and innovative financing – including international financial institutions, climate and development finance, vertical funds, the private sector and South-South and triangular cooperation – in response to a constrained and evolving ODA environment.
• Plan, strategize and manage the scaling up of project approaches and results with close guidance from the National Project Director (NPD) and UNDP Country Office.
• Maintain effective relationships with development partners to facilitate and support resource mobilization efforts.

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

Institutional Arrangements:

The Project Manager (NPSA-9) will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative and the Head of Resilience and Inclusive Growth (RIG) Cluster. S/he will supervise project personnel and interact with a broad range of national and international stakeholders including government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector.

Competencies

a) Core Competencies:

b) People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site 

c) Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) from any reputed educational institution, in Economics, Public Policy, Geography and Environment, Climate Change, Social Science or any 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 an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 (two) years (with Master´s degree) or 4 (four) years (with bachelor´s degree) of experience in Public Financial Management (PFM) and/or Climate finance with key oversight institutions is required.

Required Skills:

• Substantive expertise in climate finance programming.
• Experience in designing, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects related to public financial management and climate finance.
• Demonstrated experience managing or coordinating project activities, budgets and work plans to deliver measurable, time‑bound results is required.
• Demonstrated experience leading, supervising and developing project personnel or teams is required.
• Experience in strong monitoring and results‑based reporting for donor and government audiences.
• Proven track record of experience in written, analytical and communication skills, including reports, briefs and work plans.
• Experience establishing and maintaining working relationships with government counterparts and delivery partners private sector and civil society including influencing policy or building institutional capacity at national or local level.

Desired Skills (in addition to competencies):

• Experience of national climate policies, Climate Fiscal Framework (CFF), public financial management, SDGs integration issues in context of Bangladesh. 
• Experience in mobilising and diversifying financing, securing resources or co‑financing from donors, government, the private sector or international financial institutions.
• Research experience.
• Previous experience working with key public oversight institutions, particularly Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank and high-level government officials.
• Experience and sound understanding of Bangladesh's development context, locally‑led development, and National implementation arrangements.
• Experience of managing contracts, assets and procurement issues, and information and communication technology.
• Demonstrated experience in mainstreaming gender equality, Climate change, disability and social inclusion, embedded in how programmes.

Required Language(s):

Fluency in English and Bengali (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

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