Project Manager (Open to Internal & External Applicants)

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.

Background

1. 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.

This position is based within the RIG cluster and will lead and manage two projects related to climate and sustainable finance. These will include the regional i) Climate Finance Network (CFN) Project supported by the FCDO for financing solutions for climate adaptation and ii) upcoming Sweeden-supported Strengthening Thematic Bonds Ecosystem in Bangladesh (TBE) project with a focus on regions, communities and sectors most at climate risks.

2. Scope of Work:

The Project Manager at NPSA-10 level will be responsible for the strategic and adaptive leadership of project management, ensuring results-based planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting in line with UNDP's programming principles, 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.

• Manage financial and human resources with accountability to the Project Board / Project Steering Committee (PSC) and UNDP, ensuring full compliance with UNDP's financial rules and regulations.

• 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.

• Ensure project quality assurance processes (Social and Environment Screening, audits, spot checks, private sector due diligence etc.) are executed to the highest standards.

• 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 Operations on recruitment and contracting.

• Ensure project records, asset registers and documentation are maintained to the required standards.

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

2.2 Provide Technical Oversight, Quality Assurance and Partnership Management

• Provide technical oversight on climate finance, blended finance, thematic bonds and innovative financing approaches 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.

• Support government institutions, regulators, financial institutions, capital market intermediaries and development partners in strengthening sustainable finance frameworks, climate finance governance systems and market-based financing approaches for climate adaptation and resilient development.

• Facilitate technical dialogue on sustainable finance taxonomies, climate finance methodologies, disclosure frameworks, and impact measurement systems as relevant to project implementation.

• Promote approaches that strengthen access to financial services for climate-vulnerable populations, women-led enterprises, MSMEs and underserved communities through inclusive and gender-responsive financing mechanisms.

• 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 programmes and portfolios, 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.

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

• Analyse and consolidate project results and provide results-based reporting at outcome and impact levels.

• Lead capacity development activities targeted at government counterparts, civil society, financial institutions, private sector and other relevant stakeholders.

• Provide technical and policy advisory inputs to government partners, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders on thematic areas covered by the project.

• Participate in inter-agency coordination mechanisms, technical working groups and high-level policy dialogues.

• 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.

2.4 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.

• 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.

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

2.5 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 – 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.

• Identify and pursue opportunities for blended finance, climate finance, thematic bonds, sustainable finance instruments and partnerships with development finance institutions, financial sector actors and private investors to support programme objectives and scaling of results.

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

3. Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager (NPSA-10) will report to the Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) of the RIG Cluster. The PM will lead the project management and implementation team and liaise closely with the National Project Director (NPD), national institutions like Finance Division, SME Foundation, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, Planning Commission, Bangladesh Bank etc, local administrations and development partners involved in the programme to guarantee their active participation and national ownership.

4. 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: Planet

Climate Finance

Climate Adaptation

Knowledge of climate finance governance, sustainable finance frameworks, blended finance, capital markets development and thematic bonds, climate investment mechanisms, adaptation finance and financing solutions that support climate resilience and sustainable development.

5. Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education Requirements

Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Social Sciences, Law, Geography and Environment, Investment Finance, Engineering 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 in the development sector, including at least 3 years in a senior managerial role is required.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes, including managing teams, sizeable budgets, and partnerships, and delivering results at scale.

• Proven experience in climate finance, sustainable finance, or financial sector development.

• Experience building and sustaining institutional relationships with senior government, donor, and partner counterparts, including influencing policy or building institutional capacity.

• Proven experience in strategic, analytical, and structured writing and communication, including for senior government, donor, and Board-level audiences.

• Experience in Bangladesh's development context, locally-led development, and national or direct implementation arrangements.

Desired Skills (in addition to competencies)

• Experience applying structured project management and budget planning, forecasting to plan, monitor, and deliver programme results.

• Experience in risk management and issue resolution in complex or multi-partner programme environments.

• Experience working with financial regulators, financial institutions, development partners, private sector actors or capital market stakeholders.

• Experience in climate change, resilient development, governance, or related sectors.

• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against programme results frameworks.

• Experience in mobilising or diversifying financing, including securing resources or co-financing from donors, government, the private sector, or international financial institutions.

• Experience in the use of innovation, digital solutions, or new delivery models to strengthen value for money.

• Demonstrated experience in mainstreaming gender equality, disability, and social inclusion, embedded in programme design and delivery.

Required Language(s)

Fluency in English and Bengali (Bangla) is required, both written and verbal and reading skills.

Professional Certificates

Professional certification in project management (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2) would be an advantage. Not mandatory.

5. The Following Documents Shall Be Required from Applicants

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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