Project Support Assistant

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.

Background:
Despite notable development progress, Bangladesh continues to face significant challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in climate resilience and inclusive governance. The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), home to diverse ethnic communities and rich biodiversity, remains one of the most vulnerable regions due to its remote location, poverty, limited infrastructure, and exposure to climate-induced disasters.

The signing of the CHT Peace Accord in 1997 marked a major political milestone. However, full implementation remains a priority under the Government of Bangladesh’s 8th Five-Year Plan. The region still struggles with underdeveloped institutions, undefined governance roles, and limited service delivery.

Project Overview:
Building on the successes of previous initiatives—Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in CHT (2003–2016) and Strengthening Inclusive Development in CHT (SID-CHT 2017–2023)—the Ministry of CHT Affairs (MoCHTA) and UNDP, with support from development partners, have launched the ERRD-CHT project.

Objective:
To strengthen gender-responsive resilience and development through improved governance, ecosystem restoration, and adaptive livelihoods with market access.

Key Outputs:
1) Improved and resilient forest ecosystems and livelihoods
2) Enhanced capacity and institutional building of CHT institutions and democratic governance
3) Inclusive and gender-responsive learning and empowerment among women and girls
4) Enabled environment for self-reliant youth development and leadership

Scope and Coverage:
Geographic Coverage: All 121 Unions across 26 Upazilas in Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban Hill Districts.
Beneficiaries: Nearly 100,000 rural and urban households, including extreme poor, vulnerable groups, women, and youth.

Approach:
The project integrates ecosystem conservation with resilient livelihoods, inclusive governance, and community empowerment. It emphasizes partnerships with government institutions, traditional leaders, and development actors, ensuring local ownership and sustainability.

Inclusion Commitment:
In line with UNDP’s values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the project prioritizes engagement and representation of marginalized communities, particularly ethnic minorities from the CHT.

The University UN Volunteer assignments will reflect this commitment by giving preference to candidates from these communities.

• Organize/facilitate/participate different trainings, meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. to be held at district, upazila and unions level to meet the objectives of the project.

• Support knowledge generation, research, and documentation of indigenous practices.

• Assist in project coordination, implementation, monitoring, and communications for enhanced impact.

• Promote innovation, sustainability, and visibility of UN-supported initiatives in CHT.

• Foster inclusion by engaging volunteers from underrepresented and marginalized communities.

• Liaise and maintain excellent relationships with government officials, NGOs and all other relevant stakeholders at Upazila level