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.
ContextThe UNDP Circularity Portfolio in Bangladesh is driving transformative change in plastic waste management through two key initiatives: the TCCF Plastics Circularity Project and the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP). Funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the TCCF project promotes sustainable plastic waste management by establishing Circularity Hubs, engaging informal sector workers, supporting CMSMEs, and fostering gender-inclusive solutions to reduce environmental pollution. Complementing this effort, the NPAP supported by the World Economic Forum serves as a multi-stakeholder national platform to develop and implement a roadmap for transitioning to a circular plastics economy. Together, these projects advance Bangladeshโs commitment to reduce plastic leakage into nature, improve resource efficiency, and align with global sustainability goals through inclusive, data-driven, and locally grounded interventions. The TCCF Plastics Circularity Project aims to tackle plastic waste challenges across nine Asian countries, including Bangladesh, by promoting sustainable waste management and transitioning toward a circular economy. The project supports improved plastic collection, recycling, and reduced environmental leakage, ultimately contributing to public health, environmental protection, and inclusive green growth. The Bangladesh National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) is a multistakeholder platform that gathers government, academia, researchers, experts, industry, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil organizations in the efforts to resolve plastic pollution. NPAP serves as a catalyst to accelerate the development of waste management solutions that are based on circularity, maintaining the balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.
Task DescriptionThe Project Specialist (Communication and Advocacy) will play a critical role in enhancing the visibility, strategic messaging, and stakeholder engagement of the TCCF Plastic Circularity Project in Bangladesh. Guided by the Project Manager-Circularity Portfolio, the Project Specialist will lead the development and implementation of communication strategies and advocacy campaigns that promote the projectโs inclusive, gender-responsive, and systemic approach to circular plastic waste management. Strategic Communication and Visibility : โข Support the development and implementation of the projectโs Communication and Visibility Plan, aligned with the core pillars: circular economy, gender inclusion, private sector engagement, and environmental stewardship. โข Assist in producing and disseminating diverse communication and PR campaign materials (e.g., brochures, posters, videos, infographics, social media content, press releases) to promote project outcomes and key messages. โข Coordinate with vendors and service providers to ensure quality production and adherence to UNDP branding and accessibility standards. โข Support national and local media engagement and help execute campaigns around global observances to boost visibility and public awareness. Stakeholder Engagement, Advocacy, and Outreach : โข Contribute to the implementation of the projectโs stakeholder engagement and partnership strategy by maintaining communication with government, private sector, CMSMEs, NGOs, and informal actors. โข Support advocacy activities by preparing materials such as policy briefs, technical notes, and storytelling content that promote circular economy practices and plastic waste reduction. โข Assist in the promotion of business models and market linkages for CMSMEs by developing success stories, visual narratives, and promotional content targeting investors, buyers, and local stakeholders. โข Design and support gender-sensitive communication and outreach materials and campaigns that highlight the contributions, safety, and empowerment of women and marginalized groups in the plastic value chain. Knowledge Communication and Digital Engagement : โข Translate project research (e.g., baseline studies, informal sector analysis, gender analysis) into accessible formats such as summaries, briefs, and infographics for broad dissemination. โข Support the production and organization of knowledge-sharing events, community dialogues, roundtables, and learning forums to promote exchange of best practices. โข Lead content development and user engagement materials for the promotion of the technology platform, including user guides, demo videos, and FAQs to onboard and retain users. โข Assist in collecting and packaging human-interest stories, testimonials, and visuals to support evidence-based communication and learning. Monitoring, Reporting, and Campaign Support : โข Track communication and advocacy efforts using key performance indicators, analytics, and feedback tools. โข Contribute to quarterly and annual reports with updates on communication outputs, stakeholder engagement, and outreach achievements. โข Collect field-level content including photos, videos, and quotes for use in donor reporting, newsletters, and campaign documentation. โข Assist in the planning and execution of health and safety advocacy and community-level environmental stewardship campaigns, focusing on behavior change and public mobilization.
Competencies and valuesโข Accountability โข Adaptability and flexibility โข Creativity โข Judgement and decision-making โข Planning and organising โข Professionalism โข Self-management
Living conditions and remarksDhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. 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. Provide brief description of relevant living conditions in duty station, for example, security situation, access and air travel, climate, cultural awareness such as dress code and alcohol use, cost of living, accommodation options, availability of food, water, and electricity, medical facilities, banking facilities, communications infrastructure, among others. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.โ