Programme Officer - Knowledge for Development Management (K4DM) Project, Phase-II

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

A joint initiative of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and UNDP Bangladesh, Knowledge for Development Management (K4DM) Project Phase-I has being undertaken from September 2014 till December 2020. The project has contributed to objectives of the United Nations Development Assistant Framework (UNDAF) Action Plan. In the wake of declining Official Development Assistance (ODA) and as donors, governments and development partners are placing a greater emphasis on results-based interventions, this project has supported the Government of Bangladesh, especially the UN Wing of the ERD so that it could effectively use, updated knowledge and information that is used for decision making. This was achieved by building both the requisite technological infrastructure and skilled human resources that is required for evidence-based decision making. K4DM Phase I also promoted deeper engagement and collaboration between government and civil society, NRBs and the governments of other developing nations.
K4DM phase-II (2021-2023) which will mainly be focused on country’s current progress towards LDC graduation as the result of smooth persuasion of sustainable and inclusive growth continuously during the last few years, although the COVID-19 has changed the national and international context and threatens to derail this trajectory. Considering the context, K4DM Phase II has been developed to address two specific development challenges including how to minimize the capacity gaps in the Economic Relations Division (ERD) and relevant stakeholders for enhancing their ability to undertake evidence-based decision-making process  and engage effectively at the international arena for promoting national development interests; and how to mobilize maximum external economic resources by exploring multiple sources of funding and create a dynamic partnership among government agencies, development partners and civil society.
As the context is very complex and compound, therefore, K4DM phase-II will focus on strengthening capacity of the ERD and relevant GOB officials, so that they become skilled in making decisions those are based on evidences through appropriate knowledge management. It will also provide technical, policy and logistic support to the ERD and other line Ministries as per their needs. K4DM phase-II will support for strengthening effective partnerships with the development partners and other countries through effective collaboration nationally and internationally applying multiple approaches for maximizing external resource mobilization. To achieve a lasting impact that enables the Government of Bangladesh to accelerate resource mobilization towards LDC graduation. K4DM phase-II will create the impact through attaining two outcomes:
• Evidence-based policymaking towards national development aspirations practiced;
• External resource mobilization strategy and international economic collaboration strengthened.

UNDP Bangladesh is seeking a Programme Officer for K4DM Phase-II to lead the project team in the implementation of the activities envisaged under this project’s Phase II. The officer will work under the overall guidance of the National Project Manager (NPM) and in close coordination with the UNDP Country Office. The Programme Officer is expected to be responsible for providing technical guidance to the team and timely inputs of the project’s Phase II implementation. Furthermore, S/He will guarantee that the project bears away with success while maintaining good and effective coordination among the persons, institutions and actors responsible for project planning, management and implementation. S/He will as well look out for developing and strengthening strategic partnership with the relevant stakeholders as per the Project requirements. In addition to that, S/He is expected to come up with substantive advice towards organizing, implementing, monitoring and reporting activities of the project as well as initiate local policy advocacy activities with relevant stakeholders as necessary.

Under overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for day-to-day support to the Project management and program execution issues to contribute in achieving the desired results of K4DM project’s Phase II.

Summary of key functions:

The incumbent will be responsible for overall support to the program execution issues to contribute in achieving the desired results of K4DM project’s Phase-II. The Programme Officer will work under direct supervision of the National Project Manager for overcoming programme implementation and administration-related issues with following functions in details: 

• Provide Technical support towards Programmatic issues of K4DM Phase II;
   
• Develop Strategic Partnerships with relevant stakeholders and maintain coordination among them;
   
• Ensure project monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
   
•  Provide inputs to publish quarterly report, annual reports and other Project related publications;
   
• Assist Project Manager for implementation of any other relevant project activities as per AWP and for successful realization of the targeted outputs of the activities.
   
• Provide technical support to develop concept papers, note to file, drafting letters, preparing media coverage;
   
• Provide technical support to develop newsletter of K4DM Project. Phase II in liaison with Country Office;
   
• Provide technical support to develop AWP and realistic budget in collaboration with the Admin-Finance Officer;
   
• Provide technical guidance towards organizing and implementing workshops, seminars, capacity building training, local policy advocacy initiatives with stakeholders as necessary;
   
• Keep all stakeholders informed of project targets, project activities, achievements and lessons learned and get involved with the efforts of advancing project activities and hold discussion with reverent stakeholders;
   
• Support and communicate with the relevant component focal point at ERD for obtaining smooth technical guidance for timely implementation of project activities including South-South Cooperation, NHDR report development, NRB engagement and Capacity Building Support the associates to work as per the Project Document designed for the K4DM project, Phase II.
   
• Ensure development, production and dissemination of necessary documents and knowledge products towards implementing Project activities.
   
• Develop program related periodic and annual reports, stories of events and other required documents of the planned activities in accordance with the UNDP rules.
   
• Organization, preparation, collation and consolidation of annual work plans and budget administration for activities;
   
• Review workplans, activity reports, implement programme activities according to the technical, financial and administrative procedures prescribed in the programme document.
   
• Assist Project Manager for implementation of any other relevant project activities as per AWP and for successful realization of the targeted output of the activities.
   
• Provide support towards implementing workshops, seminars, capacity building training and local policy advocacy initiatives with stakeholders as necessary.
   
• Liaise with the concerned government line departments and other stakeholders for effective knowledge management and capacity building.
   
• Ensure a good management system in place to support project planning, management and proper implementation of activities on K4DM Project, Phase II.
   
• Conduct and coordinate among the activities of performing regular internal reviews and audits, analysing data and making recommendations to the National Project Manager that bears upon the improvement of the delivery of the Project’s Phase II.
   
• Bring about systematic record keeping and data management on the Project’s Phase II activities.
   
• Ensure necessary work plans, concept notes and monitoring reports to be made regularly.
   
• Manage any other activities/initiatives as agreed by both parties of achieving the goal of the project’s Phase II.

Corporate Competencies:
1. Good Understanding of UNDP and GoB’s Policies and Procedures for project management;
2. Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
3. Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
4. Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
5. Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
6. Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
7. Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
8. Comprehensiveness knowledge of project management;
9. Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
10. Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
11. Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
12. Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
13. Positive, constructive attitude to work;
14. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Leadership:

1.  Takes initiative
2.  Identifies opportunities and challenges and recommends options
3.  Checks assumptions against facts
4.  Assumes responsibility for decisions and outcomes

Innovation - ability to make new and useful ideas work

1. Analyzes ideas and provides recommendations for actions
2. Analyzes complex technical materials (including data) and makes concise, relevant recommendations
3.  Contributes to reliable production of knowledge services and transactions

People Management - ability to improve performance and satisfaction

1. Seeks opportunities to learn and share
2. Demonstrates behaviors such as teamwork, knowledge sharing, maintaining relationships
3. Recognizes potential road blocks to completing tasks and seeks guidance from supervisors to address issues
4. Based on formal and informal feedback received, takes action to address areas for growth and improvement.
5. Encourages team engagement.

Communication - ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

1.  Listens to develop awareness for client needs
2.  Respects difference of opinion
3.  Finds common ground to solve problems
4.  Gains trust of peers, partners, clients
5.  Presents complex, conceptual ideas in practical terms to others

Delivery - ability to get things done
1.  Takes responsibility for addressing critical situations
2.  Demonstrates commitment to clients and quality
3.  Works to agreed goals dealing with challenges constructively
4.  Responsible for project implementation and/or team deliverables.

Technical Competencies

1.  Experience in monitoring and assessment and identification of needs;
2.  Ability to organize and plan events;
3.  Knowledge and application of administrative/operational rules;
4.  Knowledge and sensitivity of local politics and culture as well as community related issues.
5.  Capability for traveling, field work and work under pressure;
6. Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Education:

Minimum Masters’ Degree in Social Sciences especially in Economics, Political Science or any relevant subject. A Master’s Degree on the aforementioned subjects is a fair advantage.
 

Experience:

• At least seven (07) years of relevant professional experience in design, implementation and carrying out of development projects.
• Minimum 03 years of experience of working in any UN agency.
• Proven experience in developing strategies, concept note and reports on different development issues.
• Experience in implementation of larger budgets for projects of international organizations
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems is a strong advantage.
• Good interpersonal relationship skills and ability to work with a diverse team of national and international staff and consultants.
• The candidate must have excellent report writing skills, written and speaking skills in English language.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.