Job Description
UNDP Bangladesh’s Country Programme Document seeks to assist the Government of Bangladesh and its development partners in implementing the SDGs by 2030. In the context of Bangladesh’s 8th Five Year Plan (8FYP) and the government’s vision to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, UNDP aims to ensure a more resilient, green, and inclusive society that shares its increasing prosperity with all. UNDP will leverage its unique position and experience to deliver tactical policy and program expertise that supports the implementation of the 8FYP and cements UNDP as a strategic partner of the government on the sustainable development agenda. To realize this vision, UNDP is working within the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF:2022-2026) to deliver a country program focusing on five Strategic Priority Areas for engagement: (i) inclusive and sustainable economic development; (ii) equitable human development and well-being; (iii) sustainable, resilient and healthy environment; (iv) transformative, participatory and inclusive governance; and (v) gender equality and eliminating gender-based violence.
The Democratic Governance portfolio/cluster of UNDP Bangladesh aims to accelerate effective governance so that all citizens can openly and peacefully contribute to Bangladesh’s development story. It focuses on making the country inclusive, capable, rule-based, accountable, and transparent by 1) strengthening effective and accountable governance that responds to the need of people, 2) strengthening civil society and promoting participatory governance to ensure that the voice of all citizens are heard, and 3) enhancing civic and economic empowerment of women and youth.
The world today is home to the largest generation of young people in history, with nearly 90% living in developing countries. In Bangladesh, youth between the ages of 15-29 make up 28% of the population, amounting to approximately 45.98 million people. This demographic holds immense potential as partners and leaders in development, innovation, and social change. Historically, Bangladesh’s youth have been key drivers in addressing critical challenges, making them a vital asset worth investing in, with the potential to create a powerful multiplier effect. However, young people also face significant challenges. The UN Youth Strategy, the National Youth Policy of Bangladesh, and other key government documents prioritize youth development in areas such as civic and political empowerment, skills development, employment opportunities, peacebuilding, resilience building, and youth-focused research.
The recent youth-led regime change in Bangladesh has underscored the importance of youth and civic engagement, prompting UNDP Bangladesh to prioritize these areas. Recognizing the critical role young people play in achieving sustainable development, UNDP Bangladesh is committed to empowering youth through meaningful participation in decision-making processes, equipping them with 21st-century skills, fostering entrepreneurial capabilities, and actively involving them in climate action. Additionally, UNDP promotes the values of a peaceful and tolerant society.
Youth engagement is a cross-cutting theme embedded in all our projects, with certain initiatives specifically dedicated to supporting young people. Looking ahead, UNDP Bangladesh plans to revisit its youth strategy, aiming to create synergies across cross-cluster projects to achieve coordinated outcomes. This will help build a cohesive UNDP-wide youth agenda that enhances skills and opportunities for youth engagement, promotes networks of young innovators, and ensures diverse youth voices are well represented across Bangladeshi communities. In this context, the Democratic Governance Cluster (DGC) of UNDP Bangladesh is seeking a talented and dynamic Youth Engagement Analyst to support the realization of these aspirations.
The key responsibilities of Youth Engagement Analyst will include:
Strategic Planning and Implementation
- Develop a comprehensive youth engagement strategy aligned with UNDP Bangladesh’s development priorities and the UNSDCF (2022-2026), and lead its’ implementation through youth-related projects.
- Identify key areas for youth engagement across UNDP’s strategic priority areas and integrate youth-focused activities into relevant projects.
Ensure Effective Programme Management
- Oversee youth-related projects and initiatives, ensuring they meet objectives and deliver expected outcomes, and lead the youth team of UNDP Bangladesh.
- Coordinate with UNDP’s program teams to ensure the integration of youth engagement strategies into broader project activities.
- Support the development and refinement of the youth program strategy, including setting objectives, identifying target groups, and designing key interventions.
- Collaborate with partner organizations to develop and communicate new program initiatives.
- Coordinate with the youth team at the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, and support operationalization of regional youth empowerment initiatives in Bangladesh.
- Support the interventions that promote intersectionality across different marginalized and vulnerable groups in UNDP Bangladesh.
Facilitate Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with government agencies, civil society organizations, and youth groups to foster a collaborative approach to youth engagement.
- Facilitate dialogues and consultations with young people to ensure their voices are heard in decision-making processes.
- Coordinate the partnership and resource mobilization activities of youth-related projects in UNDP Bangladesh
Provision of Research and Policy Advocacy
- Coordinate comprehensive research on diverse youth-related issues, including but not limited to civic and political engagement, education, employment, entrepreneurship, mental health, and climate action.
- Gather and analyze data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities impacting young people in Bangladesh, with a focus on informing policy and programmatic decisions.
- Utilize research findings to support the development of new programs and initiatives aimed at addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by youths in Bangladesh.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of youth engagement initiatives and adjust strategies as needed.
- Provide technical support in the development of policies and frameworks that promote youth participation and empowerment.
- Support the development of advocacy strategies and campaigns to influence national policies and public opinion on youth issues.
Facilitate Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
- Provide timely information on opportunities related to youth activities and engagement.
- Ensure that learning and monitoring processes are established and that best practices are documented and shared.
- Lead designing and implementation of training programs and workshops to build the capacity of young people in areas such as leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement, including training sessions for youth ambassadors and other stakeholders on topics relevant to youth concerns
- Foster networks and partnerships with educational institutions, youth organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance youth development opportunities.
- Prepare briefings, talking points, and presentation materials, contributing to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Reporting, Communication and Coordination
- Prepare regular reports on the progress of youth engagement initiatives and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.
- Facilitate effective communication and coordination across all youth-related activities.
- Serve as the liaison between UNDP Bangladesh’s projects, partners, and youth groups, ensuring seamless collaboration.
- Develop and disseminate materials to raise awareness about youth issues and UNDP’s efforts in this area.
Any other tasks relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the position assigned by the DGC.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
- 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 & Strategy
- Strategic Thinking. Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
- 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
- Knowledge Generation. Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations
- Collective Intelligence Design. Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.
- Partnerships Management. Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
- Monitoring and Evaluation. Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
Digital & Innovation
- Data collection. Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, International Relations, Human Rights or any other relevant field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in youth engagement, program/project development/management, or related areas.
- Proven experience in managing youth-focused programs/projects or initiatives, particularly in the areas of civic engagement, skills development, employment, or social innovation.
- Demonstrated experience in managing projects, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
- Proven track record of working with government bodies, international organizations, and/or civil society on youth-related issues.
- Experience in research and analysis, advocacy, and/or strategic planning related to youth engagement and development.
- Experience and strong understanding of youth development theories, trends, and good practices.
- Proven experience in coordinating across teams and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, youth groups, and/or partner organizations.
- Experience in knowledge management practices, including documenting good practices and facilitating knowledge sharing.
- Experience in the usage of computers and/or office software packages.
Required languages:
- Fluency in Bangla and English is required.