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.
The Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme builds on the Government of Bangladesh’s efforts to introduce a citizen-centric culture of innovation in civil service to improve service delivery and make services more inclusive, affordable, reliable and easier to access. This project will provide support to establish institutional mechanisms and improve accountability to accelerate SDG achievements in Bangladesh.
This project will have three components:
1. Institutionalizing Public Service Innovation and Improving Accountability
2. Catalyzing Digital Financial Services and Fintech Innovations
3. Incubating Private Sector-enabled Public Service Innovation
Bangladesh would require approximately USD 133 bn by 2030 to meet its SDG investment requirements. At present, 48% of the infrastructure budget is being financed through project aid, Official Development Assistance (ODA), concessional loans and non-concessional loans from the international capital market while the rest is financed from domestic sources. As Bangladesh aims to become a middle-income nation, the infrastructure budget will keep rising at 18% y-o-y, while SDG investment will keep rising at a higher rate (30% y-o-y) over the next 10 years. COVID19 pandemic and upcoming economic recession might plunge the SDG budget higher with significant allocation in – healthcare, education, communication infrastructure, stimulus package disbursement among other essential sectors. Incremental SDG investment requirements can drive the total development budget higher up to USD 207 Bn by 2030. Simultaneously, Bangladesh’s upgraded economic status will result in a decline in funding from multilateral donors while also pushing the interest rates on debts higher.
In 2019, the formal savings by Bangladeshi citizens stood at USD 54 Bn which will rise twofold within 2030 in tandem with the growth of the economy. If these untapped resources can be partially aggregated and deployed through a digital financial value chain from 2020 onwards, a yearly flow of USD 45 Bn incremental can be generated to finance SDGs. Bangladeshi digital ecosystem which has finally come of age enabling rapid technology adoption among citizens (99% 2G internet penetration, 40 million+ on smart devices, 80 million internet users and 39 million mobile financial service accounts) has created this unprecedented opportunity to mobilize citizen micro-savings at scale. The ultimate goal of this model is to empower citizens by ensuring equitable return while also preventing loss in Forex.
Financial instruments and mechanisms like securitization, impact bonds, micro insurance, crowdfunding can be leveraged along with digital technology in creating a digital financial value chain which can be used to aggregate microsavings at scale. The proposed platform will bridge the gap between micro savers and the government resulting in a low-cost source for long-term financing. The mechanism will ensure disintermediation, increase distribution effect, transparency and accountability. For instance, a citizen can invest in the construction of a bridge or road or healthcare or renewable energy or education facilities and later will be paid back from the earning proceeds (i.e. Shariah bond - Sukuk).
a2i along with UNCDF is commencing implementation of citizen centric financing model in Bangladesh over a three-year period. The first phase of this project would be to engage with relevant government and private sector stakeholders, identify potential green infrastructure projects, and pilot domestic savings mobilization and investments into one of the selected infrastructure projects, capture learnings for wider dissemination and for setting up a full-scale institutional model in the next phase.
Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme project is looking to recruit a Programme Analyst who will work closely with Programme Manager (DFS) and UNCDF team to coordinate and implement the mobilizing domestic savings for SDG Financing project.
The project is funded by the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP and other development partners, and is implemented by ICT Division and Cabinet Division
Under the direct supervision of the Digital Financial Service Specialist the incumbent will perform below mentioned duties and responsibilities.
a) Lead and coordinate the implementation of project activities according to the plan.
b) Conduct policy advocacy and other related activities to establish the model & scale up.
c) Establish new strategic partnership with regulators, government entities, donors, international organization & financial service providers.
d) Ensure proper knowledge management and take necessary actions to disseminate it nationally & internationally.
Duties and Responsibilities in brief:
a) Lead and coordinate the implementation of project activities according to the plan.
b) Conduct policy advocacy and other related activities to establish the model & scale up.
c) 3. Establish new strategic partnership with regulators, government entities, donors, international organization & financial service providers.
d) Ensure proper knowledge management and take necessary actions to disseminate it nationally & internationally.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the Digital Financial Service Specialist of a2i, the incumbent will perform above-mentioned activities and the Digital Financial Service Specialist will be responsible for service evaluation of the Programme Analyst.
Leadership and Self-Management
Master’s degree preferably in Business Administration/Banking/Finance/economics or any other Social Science related subject.
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.
Contract Duration: Initially one year with possibility of extension based on performance and availability of fund
This vacancy is archived.