Background
With a total gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD 430 billion, Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia. Between 2000 and 2019, Bangladeshโs economy registered high GDP growth, averaging around 6% per annum. During this period, there were several notable improvements across different socioeconomic indicators, putting the country on track for a formal graduation from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) in 2026. Bangladeshโs score on the human development index (HDI) increased from 0.49 in 2000 to 0.68, placing it among countries categorized as medium human development. The national poverty rate fell from over 48% in 2000 to less than 19% in 2022.
Despite the progress, Bangladesh faces several development challenges, and with the current trend, the country is unlikely to meet several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Even before the political crisis in 2024, Bangladesh was grappling with double-digit inflation. According to the latest estimate, GDP is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2025, much slower than the GDP growth in the past. Without an uptick in private investment, the economy cannot diversify, a necessary condition for creating decent jobs. With low social spending and weak capacities, the government is constrained from providing quality services to the people. Bangladesh is also one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and is prone to natural hazards, including climate-induced disasters.
As the UNโs development agency, UNDP has been in Bangladesh since 1972, promoting democratic governance, climate adaptation, environmental protection and inclusive growth and, helping the country to achieve equitable and sustainable development. UNDP has been a close partner of Bangladesh in co-designing policy solutions, building national capacities, and promoting innovations to help meet its developmental aspirations.
As a result of the Rohingya refugee influx to Bangladesh, the population of two Upazilas (sub-districts) of Ukhiya and Teknaf in the southern part of Coxโs Bazar has risen to around 1.5 million people. This has enormously contributed to health and environmental challenges, including under-resourced solid waste management (SWM) services. It is estimated that over 10,000 tons or around 22,000 cubic meters of waste per month is generated in the two Upazilas, which do not have a functioning SWM system. Similarly, the refugee camps generate approximately 140 tons of waste per day.ย
Solid waste discarded by refugee and host community households and markets both inside and outside the camps and resulting from the distribution of humanitarian support at random sites lacking management and disposal, is likely to lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhea, and malaria. Environmentally, uncontrolled solid waste also causes contamination of surface and groundwater sources. The situation is usually aggravated during the cyclone and monsoon season.
UNDP has received funding to implement a project titled โSolid Waste Management Support Project for Host & Rohingya Communities in Coxโs Bazar District of Bangladesh.โ The project is a response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh and the resulting pressing need for SWM in both the host communities and refugee camps.ย
The UNDPโs Solid Waste Management Support Project for Host & Rohingya Communities in Coxโs Bazar District of Bangladesh targets the protection of women and children, the prevention of diseases, and the promotion of hygiene and proper sanitary standards. It will be implemented in the host and refugee communities. Additionally, the project aims to build the capacity of local government, create immediate and long-term employment, and promote a circular economy while at the same time contributing to a conducive environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope ofย Work:The Project Analyst will provide programmatic and technical support to the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Unit to ensure effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project activities. Working under the direct supervision of the Project Development SpecialistโSWM, the incumbent will be responsible for the following key tasks: Implementation and Technical Support
Coordinate and follow up on the implementation of project activities in line with the approved Annual Work Plan (AWP) and results framework, ensuring timely delivery and technical quality. Provide substantive inputs to design and execution of SWM interventions, ensuring alignment with national policies, UNDP frameworks, and best practices in sustainable waste management. Draft and review Terms of Reference (ToRs), budgets, and other technical and procurement documents/evaluations, ensuring consistency with project objectives, environmental safeguards, and quality standards. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Quality Assurance Contribute to the development and application of monitoring and evaluation tools, including baselines, indicators, and data collection protocols linked to the projectโs logical framework. Conduct field visits to monitor project implementation, including civil works and environmental and social safeguard compliance; identify implementation challenges and recommend corrective actions. Support the identification and tracking of social, environmental, and operational risks; maintain the risk log and propose mitigation actions where needed. Analyze monitoring data and field reports to produce evidence-based insights and support adaptive project management. Reporting and Documentation Contribute to the drafting of high-quality progress reports (monthly, quarterly, annual), donor reports, technical briefs, and other reporting deliverables, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with UNDP and donor requirements. Document and synthesize lessons learned, good practices, and innovations to inform current and future programming. Assist in audit preparation by consolidating required documentation and ensuring compliance with donor and institutional reporting standards. Maintain comprehensive project documentation and ensure timely submission of required reports for audits, evaluations, and knowledge management. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building Contribute to the preparation of knowledge products, training materials, and communication tools that that capture and disseminate project methodologies, results and innovations in the SWM sector. Support the organization of learning events, workshops, and knowledge exchange platforms with local government, NGOs, and community stakeholders. Promote internal and external sharing of technical insights, tools, and practices relevant to waste management, circular economy, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Support to Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization: Assist in stakeholder engagement, including local government, development partners, NGOs, and private sector actors, to promote collaboration and leverage synergies. Support the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, and technical inputs for resource mobilization and expansion of solid waste management, environmental conservation and public health interventions in Coxโs Bazar. Conduct background research and analysis on emerging SWM challenges and opportunities, including circular economy, climate-resilient infrastructure and environmental management. Operational and Administrative Support: Collaborate with operations teams to support procurement, recruitment, financial tracking, and logistical arrangements for project activities. Ensure timely preparation and clearance of project-related contracts, agreements, and procurement documents in line with UNDP policies. Perform other relevant functions as required. Institutionalย ArrangementTheย incumbent will directly report to Project Development Specialist-SWM based in the Sub-Office in Coxโs Bazar. S/He should also consult technical issues with the Programme Specialist- Resilience and Inclusive Growth Cluster based at UNDP Country Office for guidance.
Competencies: Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction and Strategy Effective Decision Making
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritise plans in line with UNDPโs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
Business management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specificย goals Business Development Integration within the UN Ability to identify and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system and engage in joint work; knowledge of UN system and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations. Finance Budget management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of teamย budgets Finance Financial reporting and analysis Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring Partnership management Relationship management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding 2030 Agenda: Planet Nature, Climate & Energy Chemicals and Waste Management: practical applicationย ยRequired Skills and Experience:
Minimum Education requirements:
Advanced university degree or Master's degree or equivalent experience in any of the following: Civil or Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Urban or Rural Planning, Programme Development, or closely related discipline is required, or A first-level university degree (Bachelorยดs degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Masterยดs degree.ย
Min. years of relevant work experience:
Up to 2 years (with Masterยดs degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelorยดs degree) in humanitarian response and/or development programmes with a proven track record in Environment, WaSH, Climate Change, and Waste Management.Required skills:
Strong communication, strategic planning, and analytical skills; Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines; A proactive approach to problem-solving; Computer literacy;Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
Experience with the United Nations, I/NGO (developmental organization) and/or Government will be an advantage. Applied knowledge of Project Cycle Management & Result-Based Management tools will be an advantage.ย At least 2 years of hands-on experience in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of environment or waste management projects is preferred. ย Experience of working with an international/donor agency is an asset.ย Previous experience in capacity development and knowledge transfer.ย Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills; Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to management, including drafting reports, data evaluation, and sustainability reporting;ย
Required Language(s):
Fluency in English and Bangla (national language) is required.ยKnowledge of Chittagonian and/or Rohingya languages is an asset.
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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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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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