Project Assistant- Short-term NPSA 5

Background

The project aims to achieve the economic empowerment of the Bangladeshi host community in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh through gender-sensitive market-relevant skills development linked to employment and self-employment in growth sectors for the host communities. 

The initiative adopts an inclusive strategy to incorporate all sectors of society, with a specific emphasis on women, youth, ethnic groups, religious minorities, individuals with disabilities, the NEET population (those not engaged in education, employment, or training), school dropouts, disadvantaged and marginalized youth facing challenges in acquiring skills for meaningful employment. The primary emphasis of the project is on women, with a commitment to enrolling a minimum of 40% of the total beneficiaries from this demographic. The project is funded by Global Affairs Canada and is implemented by UNDP, ILO, and BRAC with the support of the Department of Youth Development (DYD).

This project has four components:

The improving skills and economic opportunities in the Cox’s Bazar (ISEC) project are focused on gender sensitive market relevant skills development linked to employment and self-employment in growth sectors for the host communities in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh.  This project adopts a leaving no one behind strategy by identifying challenges all persons, particularly women, youth, ethnic and religious minorities, and persons with disabilities, are facing to access and benefit equally from the services; adopting targeted measures to tackle them; and involving beneficiaries. This project will involve multi-level stakeholders relevant to the skills development and employment generation in the target areas, hence creating a sustainable ecosystem for women to utilize their potential through the project. UNDP Bangladesh in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) is working for gender sensitive skills development and employment opportunities for the youth. The target beneficiaries of the UNDP intervention are Qawmi Madrasah Students, Host community youth and Qawmi Madrasah teachers’ skills development. There are a few areas of work given below:

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, a2i, UNDP Bangladesh and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, the incumbent will perform the following responsibilities:

S/he will have the following, but not limited to the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Support partnership and stakeholder engagement for skills development initiatives under the ISEC Project in Cox’s Bazar:

Facilitate and monitor the delivery of gender-responsive skills development programs:

Organize workshops, events, and campaigns for beneficiary onboarding and project promotion:

Support partnership building with local industries for job placement and demand-driven skills development:

Assist in the implementation and maintenance of the Labour Market Monitoring and Planning Platform

Contribute to monitoring, reporting, and documentation of project activities

Provide operational and administrative support to the project team:

Perform any other duties as assigned by the Project Manager:

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will report directly to the Project Manager, a2i, UNDP Bangladesh and will work closely with relevant government bodies, development partners, NGOs, and private sector entities. The incumbent will be a part of the ISEC team and support its efforts to foster youth skills & employment opportunities in Cox’s Bazar.

Competencies

Core Behavioral 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 
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
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies   
Thematic Area    Name    Definition
Cross-Functional competencies     Business Acumen    Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization  
Cross-Functional competencies    Effective Decision Making    Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
Cross-Functional competencies    Risk Management    Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
Technical competencies    Campaign management    Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change
Technical competencies    Event planning and execution    Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.
Technical competencies    Private sector engagement    Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education requirements: 

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

Required skills:

Experience in liaising and maintaining partnerships

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

Required Language(s)     Fluent 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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