Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Dhaka
Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
Information Technology and Computer Science
Closing Date: 2024-08-29
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
The NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) under the Prime Minister’s Office is the organization that steered being behind all the success rendered by the NGOs in Bangladesh. At the beginning, there were only 347 NGOs registered with only 67 human resources to deal with. But coming in 2023, the number of registered NGOs under NGOAB are 2554 (2289 are national and 265 international NGOs) with the same 67 human resources. NGOAB has been facing constraints to effectively perform their responsibilities due to lack of adequate staff, required skills of the employees and smart system that can deliver timely services and ensure oversights to significant number of NGOs and projects. NGOAB receives millions of foreign donations every year and clears those amounts through NGOs’ proposals as well. If the results and progress can be captured and reflected in a complementary manner, it will reveal a true picture of SDG progress with GO and NGOs’ contributions.
Given the context, the country is economically progressing and graduating to the Middle-Income Country by 2026. Therefore, NGOs in Bangladesh have scope to revisit their working modality, and the way of engagement in addressing development challenges and in this regard NGOAB has an important role to play. As UNDP Bangladesh has been working with several government agencies to support sustainable LDC graduation and achieving SDGs, UNDP considers its engagement with NGOAB for targeting valuable improvements in service delivery through digitalization and online process. This is in line with UNDP’s mandate which is to engage with our partners to support achieving the long-term development vision of the government of Bangladesh.
UNDP in collaboration with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and NGOAB designed a 2.5 year’s project entitled “Institutional Strengthening for Promoting Accelerated Transformation (ISPAT)” for the overall improvement of NGOAB/NGOs service system by next two and half years. The overall objective of the project is to make NGOAB fully capable of providing fast, efficient and effective services to NGOs in managing foreign donations and supporting them to contribute in attaining SDGs by 2030. the project will consider three-prong strategy to strengthening system and improving work-culture by- i) improving the institutional capacity through digitalization of services; ii) augmenting professional skills and competence of NGOs and NGOAB officials to implement the gender responsive digital services with greater efficiency; and iii) providing technical assistance for enhancing policy support to ensure wider convergence of sectoral policies as well simplification of services with necessary policy guidelines.
In this backdrop, this Implementation plan outlines ISPAT’s strategy to capacitate with digital innovation for improving service delivery system. This project will contribute to achieve the following results:
Outcome 1: Ensuring effective and efficient utilization of foreign donations to improve the socioeconomic status of the poor, women, and other marginalized sections of the people.
Outcome 2: Recognizing and documenting contributions of NGOs in the attainment of global goals and national priorities of reducing poverty, improving governance and service delivery aligning with women and human rights.
Outcome 3: Strengthening policy formulation and fostered innovation of NGOs by showcasing and scaling-up nationally.
The IT Associate under the direct supervision of the Project Manager will be responsible for preparing, managing and application of IT software for NGOAB’s service delivery, provide training on digitalization of NGOAB/NGOs services especially on their reporting, approval and documentation process, managing software-based data collection and analysis for result reporting, preparation of IT plan and installation of IT infrastructure on the ground and providing regular backstopping support to NGOAB/NGOs for IT solution.
Duties and Responsibilities
Software Development and Management for Smart NGOAB Services:
Support to develop IT infrastructure and online system for NGOAB in close collaboration with a2i team.
Oversee and supervise IT firms in developing and implementing required software and web platforms for NGOAB’s service delivery.
Ensure that the software solutions meet the specified requirements and are user-friendly within the stipulated time frame.
Manage the lifecycle of the software development process, including planning, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
Training and Capacity Development to the Relevant Stakeholders:
Initiate capacity mapping of NGOs and support to fill up the IT-based gaps of those organizations.
Support to utilize Mobile Apps and Social Media platform for IT-based information dissemination.
Facilitate IT-based procurement with proper specification to ensure value for money.
Develop and conduct training sessions for NGOAB and NGOs on the use of digital services and software applications.
Prepare training materials and documentation to facilitate learning and ensure comprehensive understanding of new digital processes.
IT Infrastructure and Online Processes Development:
Develop an IT plan for the installation and maintenance of necessary IT infrastructure at NGOAB.
Oversee the installation of hardware and software components, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.
Ensure regular maintenance and updates of IT infrastructure to minimize downtime and enhance efficiency.
Lead the digitalization efforts for NGOAB’s reporting, approval, and documentation processes.
Implement and manage online platforms to streamline service delivery and improve transparency.
Data Management and Analysis:
Design and manage software-based data collection systems to facilitate efficient data entry, storage, and retrieval.
Analyze collected data to generate reports on service delivery, NGO performance, and foreign donation utilization.
Ensure data integrity and security in compliance with relevant policies and standards.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Compliance:
Monitor the performance of IT systems and software to ensure the needs and objectives.
Evaluate the impact of digital solutions on service delivery and make recommendations for continuous improvement.
Ensure compliance with UNDP, NGOAB/Govt. IT policies and standards.
Implement security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure confidentiality.
Regularly review and update IT security protocols to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
Stay updated with the latest technological trends and innovations to propose and implement improvements in IT solutions.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Management
Results-Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results
Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy, and look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision making.
Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.
Information Management and Technology
IT Customer Support: Ability to support customers on IT related issues and generate and contribute to continuous improvement processes to deliver a great user experience. Knowledge of ISO 9001 desirable. ITIL certification or similar is desirable.
Network, Communication, and Infrastructure Management: Ability to develop/integrate/operate/manage IT network, communications, Cloud or on-premises infrastructure, and new technologies like IoT. Cisco CCIE CCNP or similar is desirable.
User Experience and Business Analyst: Capacity to translate efficiently user needs into IT requirements around human-centered design.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary education is required with formal training in IT systems, business software and/or web-based applications.
Certifications in CCNA, MSCA, MCSE or MCP are an asset.
University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Management, Telecommunications or any other related field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.
Experience:
Minimum 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the field of digitalization and automation process, network administration and operations, web design, providing technical support for hardware/software or cloud ERP environments or relevant related field is required.
At least one year of working experience in planning, implementation and backstopping of development projects focusing on digitalization of services and management.
At least one year of experience in UN or government organization as an IT professional is an asset.
Professional experience in handling web-based software application and management related to office automation and service digitalization.
Demonstrated experience in maintaining and set up IT hardware and software.
Experience in e-service delivery process, e.g. proposal submission, approval, reporting, filing, registration, etc.
Required Languages:
Fluency in English and Bangla is required.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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