Digital Communications and Content Development Associate (Bangla)

Mission and objectivesUNDP's mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with Bangladesh ever since its birth and through its remarkable journey from a war-ravaged economy to a middle-income country. It remains a catalyst in Bangladesh’s journey from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. UNDP assists in building institutions and helps strengthen institutional capacities through people-centric, pro-poor, inclusive and sustainable policy making and development governance.

ContextUNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. Credible, inclusive and transparent elections are a cornerstone of peaceful and prosperous societies. Around the world, they underpin public trust in institutions, enable accountability and widen civic participation so that women, young people, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups can help shape decisions that affect their lives. Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals depends on such participation and on democratic processes that leave no one behind. Bangladesh is undergoing a historic political transition following the August 2024 uprising and the formation of an Interim Government (IG) committed to advancing critical reforms in governance, accountability, and the rule of law. At the heart of this transition are inclusive and credible elections that will restore democratic governance and public trust. In response to a formal request from the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) and a UN Needs Assessment Mission, UNDP Bangladesh developed the BALLOT project to support this democratic renewal. The BALLOT is a three-year initiative designed to strengthen the institutional, technical, and operational capacities of the BEC; create an enabling electoral environment; and promote long-term governance resilience and reform. The project aligns with national priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and UNDP’s Country Programme Document (CPD) Outcome 3. The project is structured in two phases. Phase I (Jan 2025 – Jun 2026) focuses on immediate election support through voter registration updates, civic education, strategic communication, and capacity-building for BEC staff and stakeholders. It also includes piloting out-of-country voting (OCV) and combating election-related misinformation and gender-based violence. Phase II (Jul 2026 – Dec 2027) aims to institutionalize reforms and strengthen governance mechanisms by expanding regional voter education centers, formalizing stakeholder dialogues, and upgrading electoral infrastructure like Upazila offices. Through BALLOT, UNDP is extending institutional and technical support to the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) to strengthen its communication, outreach, and transparency mechanisms in the lead-up to the national elections. To enhance the visibility and coherence of the BEC’s communications, particularly with media and citizens, the project seeks to deploy two UN Volunteers within the Public Relations Department. Within this framework, the Digital Communications and Content Development Associate (Bangla) will contribute to strengthening BEC’s communication capacity by producing clear, engaging, and inclusive messages in Bengali that increase public understanding of the electoral process and civic participation, thus supporting strategic messaging that reinforces public confidence in the electoral process. The position will thereby support transparent and citizen-oriented communication, consistent with democratic values and human rights principles.

Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), BALLOT Project, and in close collaboration with the Bangladesh Election Commission, the Digital Communications and Content Development Associate (Bangla) will: • Develop creative Bangla-language content for social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X/Twitter) to engage diverse audiences, including youth and women. • Draft and edit press releases, public notices, and campaign materials in Bangla for print, electronic, and online dissemination. • Translate and adapt English-language materials into Bangla, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and cultural relevance. • Assist in conceptualizing and producing audiovisual content (scripts, subtitles, infographics, and short videos). • Support coordination with national media and content production agencies. • Draft key messages and talking points for BEC spokespersons and senior officials. • Work closely with the BALLOT communication and visibility team to ensure branding alignment with UNDP and donor visibility guidelines. • Contribute to documenting stories of impact and lessons learned from BEC’s communication and voter outreach initiatives. Perform any other duties, related to the assignment, upon request of the direct supervisor.

Competencies and values• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Communication • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management • Respect for diversity and cultural sensitivity

Living conditions and remarksDhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another. Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”