Background Information - Job-specific
UNOPS has been present in Bangladesh since 2003. In 2014, UNOPS established as formal representation as a response to the UNOPS Executive Board in order to provide more substantial support to the Government of Bangladesh and other clients in the different areas focusing to Resilient Infrastructure Approach, Programme and Project Management, Fund Management, Procurement, Human Resources, Financial Management emphasizing on building national capacities, improving resilience of communities with a view of contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNOPS operates in Bangladesh through a Host Country Agreement signed between the People's Republic of Bangladesh and UNOPS in September 2023.
Project Background
The NAGORIKATA Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) is a multi-donor Trust Fund designed to empower Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and citizens in Bangladesh. The fund aims to support the CSOs to better engage with the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) on the development and implementation of policies and laws towards the achievement of SDGs 5 and 16.
The CEF programme will provide grants, technical assistance to and capacity development of CSOs working to strengthen democratic governance, accountability, and rule of law by increasing voice, representation, recognition and participation of citizens. The CEF programme will particularly support CSOs that facilitate and enhance the role of women, youth, and members of marginalised communities in these civic engagement efforts, and organisations led by women, youth, and members of marginalised communities, as well as research institutes, think tanks and media organisations.
The current Development Partners of the CEF Programme include the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) โ the pioneer of the programme design - and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Three bodies exist within the governance structure of the CEF Programme:
The Project Management Support Officer (Coordinator) plays a pivotal role in ensuring effective coordination and communication among diverse stakeholders including government, development partners, CSOs, FMA and other relevant entities. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Project Manager (PM)/Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and in close coordination with the EU, this role supports the PM and the EU in executing their responsibilities by providing comprehensive assistance across stakeholder engagement, acts as a liaison between the EU and the FMA, operational support, documentation, and administrative and technical support for a smooth and accountable project delivery. Functional Responsibilities
The Project Management Support Officer (Coordinator) will undertake the following specific activities/ responsibilities:
Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination Support
Facilitate Stakeholder Communication: Proactively organize and support communication flows towards government counterparts, development partners, CSOs, and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring timely dissemination of information and feedback.
Support High-Level Dialogues: In close coordination with the FMA, assist the PM in organizing, preparing for, and following up on high-level structured and policy dialogues and consultations with government ministries, CSOs, and other key partners, contributing to effective engagement pathways for CSOs in national policy discussions.
Maintain Stakeholder Database: Establish and maintain an up-to-date and comprehensive database of all project stakeholders, including contact information and engagement history, ensuring relevant data is accurately provided into UNOPS systems as required.
Foster Partnerships: Support the PM in facilitating consultations and partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including the government, development partners, CSOs and FMA to collaborate ensuring cohesion across the CEF programme.
Meetings, Events and Workshop Management
Help Organize and Coordinate Events: In close collaboration with the FMA, take responsibility for the logistical and administrative organization of all project-related meetings, workshops, trainings, dialogues, and subsequent events. This includes scheduling, venue booking, technical arrangements, and managing participant invitations along with registrations.
Preparation of Meeting Materials: Prepare and circulate meeting agendas, relevant background documentation, briefing notes, and presentations for all project related events and for PM's engagements.
Document Proceedings: Accurately record and prepare detailed meeting minutes, capturing key decisions, action points, and responsibilities. Focus on the timely distribution to all participants and relevant stakeholders, and maintain official records in UNOPS systems where applicable.
Track Action Items: Assist in the monitoring and tracking of the completion of agreed-upon action points from meetings, dialogues and workshops, providing regular updates to the PM, development partners in coordination with the FMA.
Documentation and Information Management
Support in the Drafting and Editing of Documents: Assist the PM in drafting, editing, and formatting a wide range of project documents, including policy briefs, concept notes, position papers, communication materials, and project reports, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
Consolidate Inputs: Collect, synthesize, and incorporate inputs and feedback from various stakeholders into project documentation, ensuring all relevant perspectives are accurately reflected.
Maintain project Archives: Establish and maintain a systematic and comprehensive electronic and physical archive for all project documents, correspondence, legal instruments, and reports related to CEF activities, ensuring proper archiving and referencing within UNOPS systems.
Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to knowledge swap efforts by organizing and sharing relevant information and lessons learned with the EU and project stakeholders.
Administrative, Operational and Technical Support
Scheduling and Calendar Management: Help manage the project schedule, coordinate for appointments, and arrange travel and logistics as required.
Work Plan and Budget Inputs: Provide inputs to the projectโs work, financial, and procurement plans, Monitoring and Evaluation, specifically in areas related to stakeholder engagement, capacity development, and operational support.
Operational Support: Assist day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth workflow and coordination amongst the development partners, FMA, relevant stakeholders and CSOs in close coordination with the EU.
Compliance Support: In close coordination with the EU, assist in ensuring activities comply with all national laws, EU regulations, UNOPS administrative procedures, and funding agreements, identifying any potential bottlenecks or challenges.
Project Monitoring and Reporting
Data Collection and Compilation: Support the FMA in data collection, compilation, and organizing data necessary for monitoring and supervision, performance assessment, and preparation of progress reports in close coordination with the EU.
Efficient use of Monitoring Tools: Contribute to the efficient and effective use of UNOPS tools for monitoring the projectโs performance, outputs, and benefits, ensuring accurate and timely input of data into relevant UNOPS monitoring and reporting systems.
Report Contribution: Assist the FMA on drafting and finalizing reports, ensuring accuracy, coherence, and alignment with internal and the EUโs reporting requirements.
Milestone Tracking: In collaboration with the FMA, help provide timely information to the EU and the development partners on key project milestones and deliverables, especially those related to the development of Civil Society Engagement framework, engagement with the government, and capacity development of the CSOs.
Risks and Lessons: Contribute to the identification, assessment, mitigation measures and registration of project risks, issues and assist the FMA in documentation and knowledge sharing of lessons and best practices.
Support to Grants Management and Capacity Development
Support on Grant Administration: Contribute to the administrative aspects of the grant selection, appraisal, and contracting processes, ensuring adherence to established guidelines and documentation developed by the FMA.
Grantee Reporting Support: Support the FMA on compilation and review of financial and progress reports from grantees, ensuring transparency and accountability in fund utilization.
Logistical Support for Capacity Development: Provide assistance to the FMA on logistical and administrative support for initiatives related to CSO capacity development; assist in training, workshops, and facilitating peer-to-peer learning events.
Awareness Raising Support: Assist the FMA in awareness-raising activities and to further enhance the capacities of CSOs while engaging effectively in national governance.
Cross-Cutting and Other Duties
Communication and Visibility Support: Provide active support to the projectโs communication and visibility activities in line with the EU branding and visibility guidelines.
Other Duties: Perform any other duties as reasonably required in close coordination with the EU consistent with the scope of services outlined above.
Education/Experience/Language requirementsa. Education
High school Diploma Certificate with six (6) yearsโ experience in Business Administration, Project Management, International Relations, Law, or any other social fields or other relevant disciplines.
Bachelorโs Degree in Business Administration, Project Management, International Relations, Law, or any other social fields or other relevant disciplines with two (02) years of relevant professional experience may be accepted.
A Master's Degree with relevant disciplines will be an asset but it is not required and may substitute for experience.
Certification:
PRINCE2ยฎ Foundation is an assetb. Work Experience:
Fluency in English and Bangla is required. Working knowledge of another UN Language is an advantage. Competencies Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Local ICA
Contract level: ICS8/ LICA 8 (NOA Equivalent)
Contract duration: Ongoing (subject to availability of fund and satisfactory performance)
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.