Background
UNDP Bangladesh will implement the Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing from 15 November 2024 to 14 May 2026. The Sustainable Financing is an initiative for advancing UNDP’s work on sustainable financing across key government agencies and non-government organizations to channel more public and private financing towards achieving the SDGs. The initiative will help advance UNDP Bangladesh’s work with the GoB on mainstreaming climate into budgetary processes and strengthen relevant government entities to enhance climate-responsive public finance management and sustainable financing.
Under Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing, the outcome, Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR) Phase II project builds on the achievements of Phase I to strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity to integrate climate resilience into its budgeting and financing systems. This phase focuses on promoting climate-responsive public financial management by enhancing governance, improving tools, and strengthening institutional frameworks. The IBFCR II 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
Project Associate will work under the supervision of the Project Manager.
The Project Associate will be responsible for ensuring effective financial and administrative support to the project, in alignment with the approved Project Document and UNDP policies and procedures. S/he will support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of financial resources and administrative tasks to achieve the project’s objectives. S/he will work closely with the Project Manager, Programme lead of the Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing, UNDP operations unit, Programme cluster, Government officials, private sector, and civil society organizations.
The incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:
Support in overall administrative and logistics management including assets of the project:
Assist the Project Manager in day-to-day administrative support for the smooth operation of the project. Maintain inventory of project assets and provide logistic support to workshops/seminars and other project activities. Ensure the proper maintenance of the record-keeping and filing system related to administration, logistics, equipment, and vehicles of the project. Monitor and maintain equipment, vehicles, and other assets of the Project for security and proper functioning, if required assist in the transfer of title of assets on behalf of the organization. Ensure full compliance with organizational rules and regulations, policies, and strategies on travel management and ensure that vehicles are used by organizational rules and regulations and that vehicle usage data is correctly recorded. Assist with staff evaluation, contract extension, recruitment & other HR-related issues. Maintenance of proper filing system for HR records and documents. Assist Project Management in contract management for different vendors and partners of the projects. Drafting of Letter of Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding, note to file, Contracts with implementing partners, and other such documents as per organizational rules, regulations, and formats in close coordination with the Project Manager. Assist the Project Manager in the procurement process and troubleshoot to escalate the process for receiving the goods and services on time. Ensure the compliance of all the provisions of guidelines regarding personnel management, sub-contract, and financial management. Undertake project financial closure formalities including submission of project closure reports, transfer and disposal of assets, and processing of semi-final and final revisions of the budget.Support in the financial management of the project:
Manage all financial transactions, in line with UNDP rules and regulations Assist in setting up internal control system and financial data as per GoB and organizational guidelines. Prepare the annual/monthly financial report in line with the UNDP and Government rules and regulations. Management of cash receipts and petty cash. Assist the Project Manager in preparing and revising the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and multi-year budget of the project. Prepare quarterly Fund Authorization and Certification of Expenditures (FACE) including cashbook, and bank reconciliation, and ensure timely liquidation. Ensure the project expenditure is in line with the approved AWP and maintain the shadow budgets to ensure the project delivery Monitoring the project financial resources to deliver the project activities on time and reconcile the Combined Delivery Report. Review all payments/claims including travel of staff and other service providers and ensure on-time settlement of claims as per UNDP rules. Maintain the project cash advance register Comply and implement all the guidelines provided by the Country Office Review financial statements and expenditures as stated in the financial reports of the partner organization. Prepared the documentation for the project audit and follows up on the audit observations for settlement with the Foreign Aided Projects Audit Directorate (FAPAD)/ audit firm.Support for quality assurance of project activities:
Verify the partner’s activities as per Fund Authorization and Certification of Expenditures (FACE). Monitor fund disbursement and adjustment of partner organizations. Ensure all ERP-related transactions i.e., budget analysis, upload budget, monitor project budget, and enter necessary General Ledger Journal Entry (GLJE) in ERP software, etc. Support for the preparation of the vouchers and processing payments for all financial transactions in line with the UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure event management. Assist the Project Team in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports.Participating in knowledge-building and sharing activities:
Participate in the training for the operations/projects staff on financial procedures. Provide training to project staff on administrative and financial procedures. Contribute to the project’s knowledge management and learning agenda.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
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 discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Finance
Accounting (General). Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations Audit (General). Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit work in the public services.Administration & Operations
Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings). Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.Procurement
Contract management. Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practicalBusiness Management
Risk Management. Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks Resource Management. Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary Education is required; or University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Accounting, Finance/Business Administration, Public Administration or equivalent field will be given due consideration,but it is not a requirement.Experience:
Minimum 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in Project Finance and Administration of UN-related projects/ international development organizations/reputed multinational organizations is required. Experience using Microsoft Office and other relevant management software. Experience of working with GoB fund management in particular is highly desired. Experience and understanding of budgeting, accounting, and bookkeeping, administration particularly under international Organizations’ standard procedures. Working experience with Secretary/ high level government officials as per GOB system is highly demandable is an asset; Ability to create and manage processes to achieve Organization's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting. Experience of working with development and Public Sector will be preferable. Independent auditing skills and experience. Finance Certification Management would be an advantage not requirement. Experience working in the development sector is preferable. Experience working in the public sector is preferable.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.
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