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 UNDPโs 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 Bangladeshโs 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.ย
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 Bangladeshโs 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 Bangladeshโs 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 LGIsโ 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 Research Associate will be responsible for conducting and supporting research activities aligned with the objectives of the project, as outlined in the approved Project Document. S/he will play a critical role in gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing data to inform project planning, implementation, and evaluation. S/he will work closely with the Project Manager,ย Programme lead of the Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing, UNDP operations unit, Programme cluster, Government officials, private sector, and civil society organizations.ย
Support research activities and provide technical support for the project:
- Assist in collecting data for climate finance strategies, tools, and frameworks, including financial and economic analysis.
- Support updating climate public finance tracking methodologies and tools.
- Coordinate data collection with relevant staff, line ministries, and other stakeholders.
- Research potential incentives for integrating climate considerations into public financial management.
- Analyze global and local best practices in climate finance and public financial management.
- Review literature on climate finance governance, gender integration, and inclusive budgeting.
- Draft surveys and questionnaires for climate finance tracking and budgeting practices.
Engage with project partners, consultants, and stakeholders:
- Liaise with national counterparts, partners, and stakeholders as needed.
- Maintain a stakeholder database for climate finance, including government agencies and development partners.
- Coordinate with stakeholders on technical assistance for monitoring frameworks and policy recommendations.
- Support the Finance Division in ensuring stakeholder coordination and synergy.
Provide overall technical and operational support for the project:
- Support technical planning and strategic management of project activities.
- Provide technical inputs for preparing annual work plans on climate-responsive budgeting.
- Assist in drafting activity and event proposals related to climate finance.
- Review and provide inputs on reports, studies, and other project documents.
- Draft correspondence to partners and stakeholders.
- Prepare briefing and presentation materials.
- Organize and participate in meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences.
- Prepare minutes and notes from events.
- Support knowledge building and management on climate finance and governance.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Project Research Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager.ย
Competencies Core Achieve Results: ย 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 improvementsย 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 flexibleย Act with Determination:ย 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 discriminationย
Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking 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 Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Digital Data analysis Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making Digital Data collection Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data). 2030 Agenda: People Gender Data and Research on Gender Equality 2030 Agenda: Planet Climate Unlocking finance for climate change adaptation (public and private)
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary Education completed is required. Or
- University Degree in Economics, Public Policy, Environmental Sciences, Social Science or any related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:
- Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelorโs degree) of practical experience in environmental science or relevant discipline professional experience in different projects/programmes and research related activities in the environment, climate change and development sector is required.ย
Required Skills:
- Experience in operating MS Office (MS Word, MS Excel) are required.
Desired Skills:
- Experience and proper knowledge to support in organizing workshops, training, seminars etc. is desired.ย
- Experience in progress monitoring, evaluation, and achievements is an asset.ย
- Experience in preparing reports, and maintaining documents and records is desirable.
- Experience working with government agencies is an asset.
- Experience working with donor-funded projects and/or development agencies is an asset.
- Experience in preparing budgets is desirable.
Language:
- Fluency in English and Bangla is required.ย
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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Note: UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and people living with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
ย
- Fluency in English and Bangla is required.ย
- Experience in operating MS Office (MS Word, MS Excel) are required.
- Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelorโs degree) of practical experience in environmental science or relevant discipline professional experience in different projects/programmes and research related activities in the environment, climate change and development sector is required.ย