Project Associate

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 must 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.

A.    Support with the overall operational management and delivery of the work plan for successful implementation:
•    Support the Project Manager in the overall management of the project implementation and tracking of the timeline and budget. 
•    Support with the review and oversight of the programmatic and financial progress of the project. 
•    Support with the coordination of Project Board meetings, recording of minutes and report writing.

B.    Support with logistical functions:
•    Support with the coordination of workshops, consultations, and meetings throughout the project implementation.
•    Assist national and international consultants by organizing their travel schedules and arranging meetings with different stakeholders.

C.    Support with administrative functions:
•    Draft necessary correspondence with local and international agencies and stakeholders;
•    Assist in the timely issuance of contracts and assurance of other eligible entitlements of the project personnel and consultants.
•    Maintain and update all Project related documents and files for future reference and record.
•    Maintain a roster of ongoing consultancies for timely delivery of outputs through regular follow-up. 
•    Provide other substantive support to the team for overall implementation.

D.    Financial functions:
•    Compile and verify budget and accounting data by researching files, calculating costs, and estimating anticipated expenses. 
•    Support the Project team in preparing the annual work plans. 
•    Assist in preparing financial status reports, progress reports, and others in line with UNDP and donor reporting requirements. 
•    Prepare general administrative/financial/procurement documents as per specified formats. 
•    Support in general administrative or specialized tasks related to the project which may be of a confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

4.    Institutional Arrangement

The Project Associate will work under the supervision of the Project Manager. His/her performance will be evaluated by the Project Manager.

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

    Name        Definition    
    Business Management    Project Management    Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.    
    Business Management     Communication    Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.  Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels    
 
    Business Management     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.  Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate request.  Ability to anticipate clients’ upcoming needs and concerns.    
    Business Management     Operations Management    Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.  Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.    
    Administration & Operations:     Travel policy and procedure    Ability to interpret travel policy, the Staff /Rules, administrative circulars and financial regulations and rules on travel-related matters.    
    Finance     Financial planning and budgeting    Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP’s long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting.    

    Business Management     Digital awareness and literacy    Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.