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 Bangladeshโs 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. UNDPโs 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.
ContextBangladesh is navigating a period of political transition and has prioritized reforms that strengthen independent institutions, restore public confidence and safeguard fundamental rights. Within this context, forthcoming national elections are pivotal to stability, legitimacy and social cohesion. The Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) has committed to neutrality, professionalism and integrity in electoral management and has requested United Nations support to enhance preparedness, voter engagement and information integrity while ensuring accessibility for all voters. UNDPโs Country Programme (2022โ2026) places peopleโcentred, inclusive and accountable governance at its core. In line with the UNDP Strategic Plan and the United Nationsโ commitment to โLeave No One Behind,โ UNDP supports efforts that expand access to information and participation, strengthen ruleโofโlawโbased institutions and promote gender equality and inclusionโparticularly for women, youth, firstโtime voters and persons with disabilities. UNDPโs work in Bangladesh therefore focuses on helping national partners deliver responsive, transparent services and build resilience against risks that can erode public trust. The BALLOT project (Building Accountable, Legitimate and Inclusive Elections) is UNDPโs programmatic response to the Election Commissionโs request. Designed in two phases, it couples immediate election support with longโterm institutionalization. During Phase I (January 2025โJune 2026), the project supports the Commission and the Electoral Training Institute to strengthen institutional, technical and operational capacities for election planning, staff training, field operations and electionโday readiness; to foster an enabling environment through civic and voter education, inclusive outreach and responsible information practices; and to convene multiโstakeholder dialogue platforms that encourage peaceful participation and confidenceโbuilding. Phase II (July 2026โDecember 2027) consolidates these gains by embedding standard operating procedures and continuous training, sustaining public engagement and supporting reforms that make future electoral cycles more credible, inclusive and resilient. Within this broader vision, UNDP is seeking young talent with a passion for public service and inclusion to contribute to the BALLOT projectโs delivery. The incumbent will support practical, resultsโoriented workโcoordinating trainings, workshops and dialogues; assisting stakeholder engagement and outreach; maintaining simple operational trackers and orderly documentation; and helping the team capture lessons that feed into evidenceโbased decisionโmaking. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated earlyโcareer professional to contribute to UNDPโs governance portfolio while developing handsโon skills in operations, events management and inclusive public engagement.
Task DescriptionThe incumbent position will work under the supervision of Chief Technical Advisor of the BALLOT Project to perform the following activities: a) Event and logistics Planning and Coordination: โข Plan and coordinate end to end logistics for trainings, workshops, seminars and dialogue meetings, including venue arrangements, basic contracting and liaison with service providers, participant communication and travel coordination, preparation of materials, accessibility measures and on-site support b) Stakeholder outreach and Network Management: โข Support invitations, confirmations and follow up communication with election stakeholders including civil society organizations, observer groups, media and representatives of women, youth and persons with disabilities. โข Assist in networking and coordination with partner agencies and organizations engaged in fostering inclusion of women, young people, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups. c) Project implementation: โข Assist in preparing action plans, agendas, session plans and concept notes required for the implementation of planned activities. โข Extend relevant support in the organization of learning sessions, group discussions and dialogue events; assist with travel and administrative arrangements as needed. โข Assist in monitoring progress against workplans and in documenting lessons learned. d) Communications and Knowledge Management: โข Support communication with relevant stakeholders and networks in relation to planned activities and outreach. โข Assist the voter and civic education work with logistics for approved campaigns and com-munity sessions; compile event briefs, photo captions and consent forms; organize shared folders and archives. In addition to the specified tasks, the incumbent position would perform other need-based tasks assigned by the supervisor.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Building Trust โข Creativity โข Commitment and Motivation โข Commitment to Continuous Learning โข Communication โข Creativity โข Empowering Others โข Ethics and Values โข Judgement and decision-making โข Knowledge Sharing โข Leadership โข Managing Performance โข Planning and organising โข Professionalism โข Self-management โข Technological Awareness
Living conditions and remarksDhaka is located in central Bangladesh. 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). Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.