Background
UNDP’s Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme builds on the support of the Government of Bangladesh 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
‘Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme’ is looking to recruit a Project Assistant (SDG) who will be responsible for supporting the implementation of data and SDGs projects, event management, research, knowledge management, and partnerships. The project is funded by the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP, and other development partners, and is implemented by the ICT Division and the Cabinet Division. The successful candidate will ensure that project activities are aligned with sustainable development principles.
Duties and Responsibilities
This position will play a pivotal role in advancing SDGs and data-driven project management by maintaining seamless collaboration with government agencies and development partners. Key responsibilities include supporting the conduction of consultations, orientations, and capacity-building events designed to strengthen institutional frameworks. The incumbent will also assist in conducting vital research and analysis regarding data governance and platforms, while coordinating the development of project reports and documentation to bolster evidence-based knowledge management. Furthermore, this position will help sustain strategic partnerships and communication with both national and international organizations to foster data innovation and knowledge sharing, alongside performing any additional tasks assigned by the International Project Manager.
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, a2i, the Project Assistant (SDG) will carry out the following key responsibilities:
Contribute to SDGs and data-driven project management and coordination through maintaining collaboration with government agencies, development partners, etc.
• Assist in conducting need and demand analyses of SDGs and data projects in collaboration with key partners.
• Assist in planning for SDGs and data initiatives in alignment with global and national development priorities
• Support to perform stakeholder mapping for effective project implementation
• Support in resource mobilization
• Engage with government agencies, development partners, NGOs, INGOs, civil societies, industries, etc., for better implementation
• Support in evidence-based SDG data management
• Provide support to maintain regular data flow to achieve the milestones of the National SDG M&E Framework
• Identify project challenges and prepare a mitigation plan
• Ensure the timely completion of the project.
Support to organize SDGs and data-driven consultation, orientation, sensitization, and capacity-building events to improve institutional capacity
• Identify the needs for SDGs and data-driven consultation, orientation, sensitization, and capacity-building events
• Support in conducting mapping of the stakeholders for organizing the consultation, orientation, sensitization, and capacity-building events
• Support to organize the consultation, orientation, sensitization, and capacity-building events
• Develop training manuals
• Perform pre and post-evaluation during the capacity development programs Assist in conducting research and analysis on SDG and data projects, data platforms, and data governance for SDG and data project planning and implementation.
• Support to conduct desktop research and analytical discussion for the conceptualization of the study areas
• Support to develop the research framework for each study
• Assist in developing data collection plans and tools (questionnaire, checklist, etc.)
• Keep close communication with internal teams and external partners for conducting different data research
• Organize the orientation program to guide that particular research team
• Provide support to finalize the research report and disseminate it to the concerned people
4. Assist in coordinating the development of SDGs and data-driven projects’ reporting and documentation to support evidence-based knowledge management.
• Support to develop internal and external progress reports
• Assist in preparing fundraising documents such as proposals, concept notes, etc.
• Contribute to developing event-related documents and promotional content
• Support the concerned team for publication
5. Support in maintaining partnerships and communication with national and international organizations for bringing data innovation, knowledge sharing, and resource mobilization for SDGs implementation.
• Support to conduct regular meetings with national and international partners for sharing the progress, challenges, and way forward
• Provide the necessary documents to them and collect their products as well
• Keep liaison for the SDGs and the development of data in the country context
• Support to exchange knowledge of various SDGs and data initiatives for the betterment of data.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
a. 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
People Management
N.A
b. Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Management Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed
Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management Communication • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and
verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Business Management Monitoring Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
Technical - Finance Budget management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
Administration & Operations Event Management Support projects with event management including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Academic Education • Secondary Education os required or
• A University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Sociology/ Social Work/Statistics or relevant subjects from any reputed University will be given due consideration, but not a requirement
Min. years of relevant Work experiencec and required skill
• Minimum 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in SDG/Data/Research/M&E or relevant related field is required
Required skills • Experience in SDGs/data-driven project management.
Desired additional skills
and competencies • Experience in data analysis using statistical tools (SPSS, STATA, etc.)
• Experience in organizing workshops/consultation/capacity building events related to SDG/data/governance/development issues.
• Experience in writing reports/articles/policy briefs/catalogues/etc.
Required Language (s): Fluency in written and spoken English 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
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