UNV Research Associate

UNDP'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 Bangladesh’s 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.

While graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status is a testament to Bangladesh’s developmental progress, it will bring various challenges, requiring adroit policy responses to manage the transition and prepare, especially for the loss of LDC-specific trade preferences. If Bangladesh can successfully navigate and mitigate any adverse implications for its export trade following its graduation from the LDC status, the transition should not precipitate major economic consequences, but will rather represent a natural progression in economic development. However, to navigate the transition effectively, Bangladesh will need to adopt a dual approach: securing extended LDC-type trade preferences as a transitional buffer and bolstering export competitiveness.

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) will play a crucial role in the post-LDC scenario, despite facing limited resources—encompassing human, financial, and technical capacities—and programmatic support. The IP Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP) – II project, funded by the UK government, aims to bridge these gaps, aligning closely with national priorities for a smooth LDC graduation, particularly on Bangladesh’s trade policy and trade negotiation skills, inter-ministerial coordination on compliance issues, private sector’s competitiveness, and evidence-based policy initiatives.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will also play a crucial role in supporting ongoing growth and economic development and reaping potential benefits from the LDC graduation. In an evolving context, Bangladesh will need to improve investment facilitation, retention, and aftercare services to attract more FDI. This project, through the Research and Analytics Unit (RAU), anchored in the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) of the Prime Minister’s Office will also support evidence-based policy reforms for improved investment climate in Bangladesh.

The Research Associates will work under the direct supervision of the Coordinator and Economist of the IP TEPP-II project. In carrying out her/his responsibilities, s/he will provide research support in areas with a critical need from MoC and BIDA, coordinate with different stakeholders as necessary, and provide investment and trade analysis for informed decision-making.

The Research Associate's responsibilities will include:

A. Support in conducting desk and field research on emerging issues and interpreting results for policy implications.
• Assist in identifying contemporary economic development issues relevant to trade and investment based on MoC and BIDA’s needs.
• Help in doing data analytics on the investment situation in Bangladesh.
• Assist in carrying out primary and secondary research to inform policymakers about the overall investment climate.
• Help in producing policy briefs, research papers, reports, concept notes, etc.
• Provide assistance to produce quick briefing notes and write-ups on investment and trade.


B. Support hiring individual consultants/consulting firms and ensure the quality of commissioned studies.
• Support in preparing ToRs if hiring individual consultants/consulting firms for commissioned studies.
• Help in assessing the candidature of individual consultants/consulting firms.
• Assist in reviewing the work plans, programme/project papers and reporting documents when commissioning large studies.
• Support in monitoring the activities of individual consultants/consulting firms.
• Help ensure the quality of large studies commissioned by collaborating with individual consultants/consulting firms.


C. Help in developing partnerships, policy engagement and report writing.
• Help in developing a list of relevant contacts of key stakeholders representing government, private sector, UN agencies, IFIs, NGOs/INGOs, research organizations, etc.
• Assist in planning and organizing dialogues/workshops/consultation meetings, especially to disseminate the findings of the research among relevant policy partners.
• Support in preparing event reports.
• Help to preserve all documents of the activities of the research unit.
• Support in preparing the quarterly and annual progress reports of the research unit.


D. Any other tasks assigned by the team.