UNDP Jobs - 50288- Project Officer (2 Posts)

Project Officer (2 Posts) - Areas for Research, Engagement and National Agendas project (ARENA) - This position is for Bangladeshi nationals only

Location :

Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2014

Application Deadline :

16-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initially One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons 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.

Background

UNDP Bangladesh, in line with its Country Programme Action Plan with the Government of Bangladesh is committed to assist in strengthening democratic practices notably through its political governance activities. Following the January 2014 elections an internal CO review recommended the development of a new programme of support which would seek to tackle the long standing challenges of the highly polarized, politicized democratic landscape in Bangladesh by helping to facilitate the creation of platforms to broaden and help improve the quality of the democratic discourse.

The project will work as a facilitator to the Steering Committee who will take the lead to move the democratic discourse away from a narrow election-centric focus to one where broader development issues of interest to the population can be debated and discussed openly informed by research and analysis. The expected Project outcome is: Strengthened and inclusive national dialogue on key governance policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

The project officer will act as part of the core team supporting the Project Manager (PM) in achieving the project activities and outcomes. He/she will operate across all of the functional and programme areas of the project and be responsible for the timely delivery of activities according to the AWP.

The Project Officer plays a key role in the effective functioning of the project and promotes a quality client-based and results-oriented approach to their work. Challenges include meeting the competing demands on services by key stakeholders and providing high quality research, briefings and reports within strict and frequently short timeframes.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer will be responsible to:

Implement project activities according to the AWP, meet strict deadlines and produce accurate work quickly;
Support the Project Manager to ensure the delivery of activities across all of the project outputs according to the AWP;
Creation, maintenance and expansion of strategic partnerships with a broad range of key national stakeholders from civil society and the media as well as other actors in the area of democratic governance.
Developing networks with relevant academic and policy organizations at the national and local levels such as think tanks, relevant university departments, professional associations, civil society organizations and development partners to promote and champion the work of the ARENA project.
Prepare high quality written material in the form of draft reports, background papers, briefing notes, correspondence and media releases based on accurate research and analysis of data and knowledge of Bangladesh’s political landscape;
Provide impartial, apolitical support and advice to key stakeholders and exercise tact and discretion;
Provide effective administrative services and maintain systems for the timely retrieval of reference and research material for dissemination to members on assigned outputs according to the AWP;
Facilitate training and best practice seminars, conferences and dialogue events;

Liaise and work supportively with the staff of the UNDP Governance Cluster;

Competencies

Technical Competencies:

Excellent research, writing and policy analysis skills.
Strong knowledge of the role and functions and the political, electoral and machinery of government systems in Bangladesh;
Ability to provide comprehensive, impartial, apolitical oral and written advice.
Sound administrative, organizational and project management skills.
Excellent oral and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with stakeholders, senior public officials and a range of stakeholders.
Strong computer and information management skills including competence in the use of Microsoft Office programs.
Good understanding of the UNDP democratic governance portfolio and support programmes.

Behavioral Competencies:

High standards of integrity and the ability to handle confidential matters and provide impartial and apolitical advice.
Demonstrated capacity to participate effectively in small teams.
Demonstrable client based and results-oriented approach to work;
Proven ability to work effectively under pressure and in a highly charged environment and produce anticipated results;
Good interpersonal skills and strong networking and representational skills;
Ability to promote learning environment, human rights and gender friendly work environment;
Neutrality and ability to work successfully in a political environment;
Initiative and ability to work in an organized and concise manner;
Ability to work supportively in a cross cultural environment;

Corporate Competencies:

Promotes UN's Values and ethical standards (tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation, impartiality)
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and sensitivity and adaptability
Demonstrates integrity by modelling in the UN's values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between people and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation, UNDP core ethics, impartiality.

Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example:
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Display understanding of the relevant contemporary ICT tools and continuously act towards personal capacity building;

Excellent communication skills (written and oral):
Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners,

Respectful and helpful relations with all staff.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree from a reputed university in Political Science, Economics, Law or related fields

Experience and Skills:

Minimum 5- 7 years’ work experience, with at least 2 years’ experience working on an international project, particularly in the administration and management of development assistance projects.
Experience and or familiarity with governance indicators;
Relevant computer skills and experience particularly with Microsoft Office applications and monitoring and evaluation applications.

Language Ability

Fluency in written and spoken English and Bangla.

Additional Qualifications

Knowledge of government project execution procedures,
working knowledge and experience with government agencies,

familiarity with public policy issues, civil society organization and the Government of Bangladesh operations is an asset;