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. ย ย
As the UNโs development agency, UNDP has been in Bangladesh since 1972, promoting inclusive growth and democratic governance, 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.
The UNDP Circularity Portfolio in Bangladesh is driving transformative change in plastic waste management through two key initiatives: the TCCF Plastics Circularity Project and the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP). Funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the TCCF project promotes sustainable plastic waste management by establishing Circularity Hubs, engaging informal sector workers, supporting CMSMEs, and fostering gender-inclusive solutions to reduce environmental pollution. Complementing this effort, the NPAP supported by the World Economic Forum serves as a multi-stakeholder national platform to develop and implement a roadmap for transitioning to a circular plastics economy. Together, these projects advance Bangladeshโs commitment to reduce plastic leakage into nature, improve resource efficiency, and align with global sustainability goals through inclusive, data-driven, and locally grounded interventions. ย
The TCCF Plastics Circularity Project aims to tackle plastic waste challenges across nine Asian countries, including Bangladesh, by promoting sustainable waste management and transitioning toward a circular economy. The project supports improved plastic collection, recycling, and reduced environmental leakage, ultimately contributing to public health, environmental protection, and inclusive green growth.
The Bangladesh National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) is a multistakeholder platform that gathers government, academia, researchers, experts, industry, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil organizations in the efforts to resolve plastic pollution. NPAP serves as a catalyst to accelerate the development of waste management solutions that are based on circularity, maintaining the balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, the M&E Associate will play a key role in ensuring effective monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptive management of the UNDP Circularity Portfolio. The incumbent will contribute to evidence-based decision-making, support continuous learning, and promote accountability and performance improvement across all projects.
A.ย Support ย Design and Implementation of M&E Systems-
Develop and maintain M&E framework for the Circularity Portfolio, ensuring alignment with UNDP results-based management (RBM) principles. Prepare and update M&E plans and activities, including data collection schedules, roles, and responsibilities. Ensure integration of gender-sensitive and socially inclusive indicators across the M&E system. Coordinate the use of digital data collection tools and dashboards where feasible.B. ย Support Monitoring of Project Performance and Data Quality Assurance
Monitor the implementation of project activities and progress towards results through field visits, data review, and partner reports. Track key performance indicators, outcomes, and outputs, ensuring timely and accurate data collection and entry. Validate and triangulate data sources to ensure accuracy, consistency, and credibility. Identify gaps or delays in implementation and support the project team in corrective action planning. Maintain and update the Programme and Project Management Module (Quantum) with verified M&E data.C. Ensure Evaluation and Learning
Coordinate final evaluations, impact assessments, and other studies as required by UNDP guidelines. Prepare and review Terms of Reference (ToRs) for evaluators and support evaluation logistics. Extract and synthesize key findings and lessons learned from evaluations for project planning and adaptation. Document best practices and case studies to promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.D. Results-Based Reporting and Communication
Compile and analyze M&E data to support the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports. Contribute to donor reports and briefings with evidence-based results and impact stories. Draft success stories, lessons learned summaries, and results snapshots for internal and external dissemination.E. Support Knowledge Management and Adaptive Learning
Provide technical support to implementing partners and project staff on M&E methodologies, data collection tools, and reporting templates. Maintain a centralized repository of M&E documents, reports, tools, and raw data. Provide inputs into cross-cutting areas such as environmental impact, gender equality and digital monitoring innovations.ย Monitor trends, emerging risks, and sector-specific findings to inform project adaptation and policy dialogue.F. Additional Duties
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.Institutional Arrangement:ย
The Project Associate (M&E) will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager- Circularity Portfolio.ยCompetencies
Core competencies:
Achieve Results: ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsย
Learn Continuously: ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย
Act with Determination: ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Thematic Areaย ย ย ย Nameย ย ย ย Definition
Business Direction and Strategyย ย ย ย System Thinkingย ย ย ย Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Direction and Strategy ย ย ย ย Strategic Thinking ย ย ย ย Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPโs mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions;learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and
effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
Business Managementย ย ย ย Results-based Management
ย ย ย ย Ability to manage the implementation of strategies,programmes, and projects with a focus at improved
performance and demonstrable results. Knowledgeand understanding of relevant theories, concepts,methodologies, instruments, and tools.
Business Managementย ย ย ย Risk Assessment
ย ย ย ย Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
Digital ย ย ย ย Data strategy and managementย ย ย ย Knowledge to draft or execute a data strategy or a
data management framework
Business Managementย ย ย ย Monitoring and Evaluation
ย ย ย ย . Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a viewto make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and keystakeholders with regular feedback and reportingon the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme managementand results.Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies,programmes and activities based on set criteria
and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.Knowledge and understanding of monitoring andevaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies,
systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria andbenchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming
needs and concerns.
Ethicsย ย ย ย UN Policy Knowledge - ethicsย ย ย ย Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rulesand other policies relating toethics and integrity
Required Skills and Experience
Education:ย
Secondary education is required. or University Degree ย or bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, Statistics, or any other relevant discipline will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.Experience:
Minimum 6 years (with Secondary education) or 3 years (with Bachelorยดs degree) of working experience in project monitoring, implementation, coordination, and reporting.ยRequired skills:
Experience in implementing ย M&E systems, data collection, and analysis tools. Basic knowledge of plastic waste management, circular economy, and informal sector value chains.Desired skills:
Previous experience in project implementation or related work for a donor organization, development organization, or NGO/INGO Experience working with development organizationsย Proven experience in integrating gender equality and womenโs empowerment into M&E frameworks, tools, and indicators. Proven ability to work effectively within project teams and in multi-stakeholder development environments. Experience in collecting and analyzing sex-disaggregated data and using gender indicators to inform decision-making and adaptive programming.ย Experience in coordinating with stakeholders and ensuring quality data reporting. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks with attention to detail.Required Language (s): ย ย ย ย
Fluency in English and Bangla is required. ยEqual 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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