Background

Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable progress in human development over the past few decades despite facing frequent and severe disasters, the impacts of climate change, and the recent Rohingya refugee crisis. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Bangladesh aims to become a developed nation by 2041 and is aspiring to graduate from the category of Least Developed Countries (LDC).

However, despite significant advancements in women’s economic empowerment, the benefits of development have not been equitably distributed, resulting in a widening wealth gap. The country’s heavy reliance on foreign remittances and the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry has exposed it to the challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Rapid urbanization and industrialization, while offering economic opportunities, also have adverse effects on the environment. Moreover, climate change and disasters continue to pose significant challenges to the country’s economy and society.

To tackle these issues, Bangladesh has fostered a proactive policy environment, with poverty reduction, reduced inequality, and enhanced resilience being the government’s top priorities. The country is also known for its accelerated implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through nationally driven policies and investments.

In supporting Bangladesh’s aspirations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been a strong partner, collaborating with the government to co-design policy solutions, provide capacity building, and promote innovations. With the recent UN reform, there is an increasing expectation for UNDP to play a crucial role in integrating the SDGs effectively.

This job description directly addresses these needs and aligns with UNDP’s improved business model. The design of UNDP’s new program portfolio aims to support sustainable development and focuses on key areas, including economic transformation, sustainable energy, social protection, environment and climate change, and governance. This encompasses anti-corruption measures, local government, justice and security sector reform, as well as peacebuilding and reconciliation. Each program is developed based on the UN’s core principles of human rights, gender equality, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability, guided by the UNDP Strategic Plan (2022-2026).

Within this context, the Programme Management & Partnership Support Unit (PMPSU) plays a vital role in supporting the country office’s program through various elements:

Programme Agility:

• Consolidating the Pipeline Atlas and providing technical support for business development
• Assisting with results-based management, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) of programs
• Defining M&E frameworks, identifying indicators, and offering guidance on evaluations
• Coordinating and ensuring the quality of results reporting
• Providing technical support for risk management

Programme Quality:

• Supporting corporate planning, including the Country Office Business Plan (COBP) and Integrated Work Plan (IWP)
• Collaborating with program and project teams to develop integrated development approaches
• Ensuring legal compliance with partner agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
• Adhering to cost recovery and resource management practices

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will directly report to the Monitoring & Evaluation Analyst of the Programme Management and Partnership Support Unit (PMPSU) of the Country Office.

This position is primarily focused on the support work of effective monitoring and evaluation of UNDP projects and programmes in Bangladesh.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst (M&E Analyst), the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer plays a crucial role in effectively implementing the monitoring and evaluation policy. The officer ensures that the minimum monitoring and evaluation requirements for the Country Programme and projects are met. Additionally, they actively participate in results-based planning and monitoring of programs and projects, as well as conduct thematic and crosscutting evaluations.

Assists actively in the planning of development programs and the implementation of monitoring and evaluation policies and strategies, with a focus on achieving the following results:

• Assist in the implementation of project and programme monitoring plans, ensuring clear sources of data and designated responsible parties.
• Assist projects in developing monitoring and evaluation tools and templates, including support for progress monitoring parameters against indicators and targets.
• Promote monitoring and evaluation standards, quality assurance/control, and capacity development within the Country Office.
• Follow up on the updating of the Programme and Project Management Module of Quantum.
• Support projects in risk management in alignment with the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) policy.
• Provide inputs to the Country Office monitoring and evaluation work plan, offering analysis and proposals on topics, projects, and programmes to be evaluated.

Aids in the efficient management of results-based monitoring and evaluation processes within the Country Office, aiming to achieve the following results:

• Draft and review the Terms of Reference (TOR) for specific project, thematic, or sectoral monitoring and evaluation missions and/or desk evaluations/reviews.
• Participate in the selection of consultants and evaluation teams, provide technical feedback on evaluations, and oversee budgets.
• Analyse and synthesize monitoring and evaluation reports and other data sources to assess the effectiveness and impact of UNDP programmes.
• Draft and review management responses to evaluations and monitor their implementation.
• Support the management and coordination of third-party monitoring and other data collection interventions in the Country Office.

Facilitates knowledge building and sharing in the field of monitoring and evaluation, with an emphasis on achieving the following results

• Support the timeliness and quality of project and programme reporting with a focus on evidence-based reporting and tracking against indicators.
• Contribute to data collection and evidence for the completion of Results-Oriented Annual Reports and other corporate reports.
• Undertake field monitoring visits across the country as per the distribution of UNDP’s projects interventions
• Maintain oversight and verification measures for Country Office reporting against the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD), and Strategic Plan Integrated Results and Resources Framework (IRRF).
• Participate in quality assurance oversight processes to aid in the strategic positioning of the Country Office.

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 Direction and Strategy

• System 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 on other parts of the system.

Business Development

• Strategic Planning – Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission

Business Management

• Results-based Management – Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results
• Risk Assessment – Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies and ability to determine the degree of risk and apply to strategic and/or practical situation

Digital & Innovation

• Data Measurement –  Ability to set goals and indicators and to interpret and synthesize results into usable information to inform policy, strategy, and/or action
• Monitoring and Evaluation –  Knowledge of methodologies, assessment tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations

Ethics

• UN Policy Knowledge – ethics – Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Completion of secondary school is required; or
• A university degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Public Policy, and Social Sciences or equivalent, but it is not a requirement

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, or project/programme management in the context of development work or related area is required.
• Experience in all aspects of evaluation from initial design, field test, implementation, analysis, communication, and final use of the evaluation findings.
• Demonstrated ability in monitoring and evaluation and reporting experience.
• Good understanding of Bangladesh’s development context in general and civil registration issues in particular
• Proven ICT skills/experience, especially in the development of M&E software using database software.
• Experience in programme management and multilateral development stakeholders.
• Experience in field monitoring visits and linking the visit-outcomes in future quality improvements.
• Experience in assessment of data quality and analysis of data sets
• Expertise in analysing data using statistical software.
• Strong training & facilitation skills/experience.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in speaking, writing and reading both in English and Bangla is required.

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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