Project Manager

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Office/Unit/Project Description

Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD 450 billion. Between 2000 and 2019, the economy grew at an average of around 6 per cent per year, accompanied by broad gains in human development. The national poverty rate fell from over 48 per cent in 2000 to about 18.7 per cent in 2022, and the Human Development Index reached 0.685 in 2023, placing Bangladesh in the medium human development category. The country is scheduled to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026.

Significant development challenges remain. GDP growth slowed to 3.49 per cent in fiscal year 2024–25, inflation has stayed elevated, and private investment is weak, constraining the economic diversification needed to create decent jobs. Bangladesh is also one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, highly exposed to natural and climate-induced hazards.

As the UN’s development agency, UNDP has worked in Bangladesh since 1972, partnering with the government to advance democratic governance, climate adaptation, environmental protection, and inclusive growth. This support spans high-quality policy and technical advice, implementation support, development financing, and knowledge sharing. 

The programme portfolio is organized into two clusters and a Sub-Office in Cox’s Bazar; Democratic Governance, and Resilience and Inclusive Growth aligned to the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Each cluster is led by a Cluster Team Leader (functional title: Assistant Resident Representative) and Sub-Office by its head responsible for programme and project quality, results, and effective relationships with implementing partners and donors. Across both clusters, the Operations Team and the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) provide cross-cutting oversight and quality assurance, helping to ensure compliance, delivery readiness, and sound financial and operational management.

UNDP has been a long-standing partner of the Government of Bangladesh on economic development and on nature, climate, and energy. The RIG Cluster leads programming and policy advice on inclusive and sustainable economic development and on a sustainable, resilient, and healthy environment. It supports the country through policy and technical advice, implementation support, resource mobilization and development financing, capacity development, innovation, knowledge management, and south-south and triangular cooperation. On the economic side, this includes support for inclusive and diversified growth, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and inclusive insurance and risk finance. On the environmental side, it covers climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, natural-resource and biodiversity management, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and access to climate finance helping Bangladesh reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, manage its natural resources, and build resilience to climate change, including through locally led adaptation that reaches the most climate-vulnerable communities.

Scope of Work:

The Project Manager will be responsible for the strategic and adaptive leadership of LoGIC project management, ensuring results-based planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting in line with  programming principles of UNDP and UNCDF, the project document, donor requirements and GoB priorities.

3.1 Ensure Results-based Project Management, Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Provide overall management oversight to ensure project implementation is on track and in line with the project document, approved Annual Work Plan (AWP) and results framework, including the roll-out of LoGIC Phase II across programme districts and Upazila Parishads.
• Manage financial and human resources with accountability to the Project Board / Project Steering Committee (PSC) and UNDP and/or UNCDF, ensuring full compliance with UNDP's financial rules and regulations.
• Manage the UNCDF-GoB Memorandum of Understanding governing fiscal transfers of PBCRG (Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants) funds to Upazila/Union Parishads. 
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports; and ensure that the overall integrity of the programme is maintained;
• Lead the preparation of annual work plans, budgets, procurement plans and operational plans; oversee timely and quality implementation.
• Manage the project team to ensure a clear division of labour, setting of specific quarterly and annual targets for all personnel, including performance planning and evaluation.
• Manage risks and issues; execute adaptive management in consultation with the Programme Analyst and the ARR/Cluster Lead. Perform any other assignments as deemed necessary for effective implementation of the project;
• Ensure project quality assurance processes (Social and Environment Screening, audits, spot checks, private sector due diligence etc.) are executed to the highest standards. Monitor events as identified in project monitoring schedule plan and update the plan as required;
• Champion UNDP’s zero-tolerance standards on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and fraud; ensure social and environmental safeguards, duty of care and accountability-to-affected-populations measures are embedded across the project.
• Prepare and ensure timely submission of high quality monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports, donor reports, Project Implementation Reports (PIR), FACE forms and other reporting as required.
• Facilitate the functioning of the Project Board/PSC and other governance mechanisms; provide secretariat support including convening meetings, preparing documentation and circulating notes and decisions.
• Oversee procurement of goods and services; finalize Terms of Reference for consultants and service providers; coordinate with UNDP/UNCDF’s Operations on recruitment and contracting.
• Ensure project records, asset registers and documentation are maintained to the required standards.

• Facilitate government, donor and UNDP/UNCDF’s regional/HQ field missions and reviews as applicable.

3.2  Provide Technical Oversight, Quality Assurance and Partnership Management

• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance across all project outputs; review and contribute to all outputs and deliverables.
• Identify stakeholders and implementation partners; develop and implement a stakeholder engagement and partnership strategy.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with Government counterparts (central and local), UN agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector and development partners.
• Supervise and guide the work of consultants, experts and service providers; oversee compliance with agreed work plans and deliverables.
• Ensure that the project draws from and collaborates with other UNDP/UNCDF’s programmes and portfolios (including LoCAL-plus of UNCDF+), avoiding duplication and maximizing synergies.
• Promote integration of cross-cutting themes including gender equality, social inclusion, disability, climate resilience and human rights-based approaches in all project activities.

• Introduce and maintain feedback mechanisms and open communication channels to ensure that the needs of target groups are reflected in project planning and implementation.

3.3 Provide Evidence-based Advocacy, Policy Support and Stakeholder Engagement

• Analyse and consolidate project results and provide results-based reporting at outcome and impact levels. Ensure programme outputs are aligned procedurally with UNDP-UNCDF positions and practice area development; 
• Provide intellectual inputs in the subject area through identification of key policy issues and formulation of best possible and alternative policy and programme options for Bangladesh;
• Stimulate strategic thinking in the subject area, taking into account the needs of country as well as the opportunities to develop broader public goods; 
• Lead capacity development activities targeted at government counterparts (e.g. relevant ministries, departments, Union/Upazila Parishad etc.), civil society and other relevant stakeholders.
• Provide technical and policy advisory inputs to government partners on thematic areas covered by the project.
• Participate in inter-agency coordination mechanisms, technical working groups and high-level policy dialogues to represent UNDP/UNCDF and LoGIC project
• Coordinate with relevant development partners and donors on issues related to the project; liaise with government focal persons for smooth coordination.

• Contribute to national policy processes, action plans and reform initiatives relevant to the project's thematic areas.

3.4 Facilitate Knowledge Management, Communications and Learning

• Manage and contribute to the development of high-quality knowledge products; ensure effective integration with other practice areas.
• Lead knowledge creation and dissemination related to national, regional and global know-how in the subject area including, but not limited to, locally-led adaptation, climate adaptive livelihood and climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Manage the synthesis and documentation of project results, lessons learned, good practices and case studies.
• Establish and manage internal/external networks or communities of practice covering relevant practitioners and experts.
• Ensure project results and impact are captured, recorded and shared in knowledge products and communication materials.
• Develop country-based intelligence on country situation, opportunities, interests and prospects covering government, UNDP and major development stakeholders. Map key competencies available in different government agencies and development organizations.

• Prepare and update project information and results on UNDP, government and other platforms on a regular basis.

3.5   Support Resource Mobilization and Donor Relations

• Mobilize and network with experts of national and regional offices of the UN system, international development organizations, multilateral development banks and the private sector.
• Identify funding sources and prepare proposals, concept notes, business cases and donor briefings for resource mobilization.
• Lead the design of diversified and innovative financing strategies (including  blended finance instruments such as guarantees and first-loss tranches) – spanning international financial institutions, climate and development finance, vertical funds, the private sector and South-South and triangular cooperation to sustain and scale results in a constrained and evolving ODA environment.
• Plan, strategize and manage the scaling up of project approaches and results with close guidance from the National Project Director (NPD) and UNDP Country Office.

• Maintain effective relationships with development partners to facilitate and support resource mobilization efforts.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager will report to the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) of the Resilience and Inclusive Growth Cluster of UNDP Bangladesh, with matrix supervision from the UNCDF’s Regional Technical Advisor given LoGIC's status as a joint UNDP-UNCDF programme. The PM will lead the project management and implementation team and liaise closely with the National Project Director (NPD), national institutions, local administrations and development partners involved in the programme to guarantee their active participation and national ownership.

 

Competencies

a) Core Competencies:

Competency	Level
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

b) People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site 

c) Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Direction & Strategy	Systems Thinking	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 other parts of the system
Business Management	Results-based Management	Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools
Business Management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management	Risk Management	Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
Partnership Management	Multi-stakeholder Engagement	Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms
Partnership Management	Resource Mobilization	Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
2030 Agenda: People	Gender	Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education Requirements	Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Climate Change/Science, Development Studies, Public Policy, Sciences or Social Sciences, Geography and Environment, Engineering, Economics, Public Administration, or Public Administration, or any other relevant discipline is required;   Or A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. Years of Relevant Work Experience	Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in project/programme management climate change adaptation and local governance issues, climate finance/governance, climate change related policy advocacy, or any other relevant field in the development sector is required.
Required Skills	At least 3 years of experience in a senior managerial role in projects related to this position.  Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes including managing teams, sizeable budgets and partnerships and delivering results at scale. Proven experience working across one or more development areas: climate change and local governance issues, climate finance/governance, climate change related policy advocacy, or any other relevant field, sustainable energy, or crisis recovery. Demonstrated experience leading, supervising and developing teams, including managing senior personnel or sub‑teams.  Proven experience in strategic, analytical and structured‑writing and communication including for senior government, donor and Board‑level audiences. Experience building and sustaining institutional relationships with senior government, donor and partner counterparts.
Desired Skills (in addition to competencies)	Track record of experience building and sustaining strategic partnerships across government, development partners, private sector and civil society including influencing policy or building institutional capacity at national or local level. Experience in mobilising and diversifying financing, securing resources or co‑financing from donors, government, the private sector or international financial institutions in the relevant areas Experience in Bangladesh's development context, locally‑led development (including local government system, Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA), Climate Adaptive Livelihood, Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRG), Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and national or direct implementation arrangements would be an asset Experience in use of innovation, digital solutions or new delivery models to scale results and strengthen value for money. Experience leading adaptive, results‑focused delivery in complex or field‑based settings, including challenging environments or work with marginalised and vulnerable communities. Demonstrated experience in mainstreaming gender equality, disability and social inclusion, embedded in how programmes are designed and delivered.
Required Language(s)	Fluency in English and Bengali (Bangla) is required.
Professional Certificates	Professional certification in project management (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2) would be an advantage.

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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