Project Analyst (Human Rights) (Open to all applicants)

Job Description

Background

Bangladesh has made significant progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet persistent challenges remain, particularly in achieving SDG 16—which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions. As a foundational SDG, its success is critical to ensuring the attainment of all other goals. However, weak transparency, accountability mechanisms, and weak institutions hinder evidence-based policymaking, public service improvement and ensuring human rights. Strengthening democratic, independent and impartial institutions are essential for fostering inclusive and effective governance, rule of law, and human rights. The Strengthening Institutional Policies and Services (SIPS) Project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with key public institutions, aims to advance SDG 16 by:

• Strengthening the capacity of public institutions to enhance service delivery and governance.
• Creating a policy environment that prioritizes inclusivity and accountability.
• Leveraging technology and innovation to improve governance and data systems.

The implementing Partner of the SIPS Project are: 

• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
• Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) of Prime Minister’s Office
• Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat (BPS).        

A core focus of the SIPS Project is to strengthen the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) so that it can contribute to fulfilling national and international commitments of upholding human rights. National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are independent state bodies that protect and promote human rights. They are established by law and operate separately from the government. "Paris Principles" set forth the minimum standards for the operation and credibility of NHRIs. NHRIs are expected to cooperate with the HRDs, CSOs, government and international organizations. 

The key functions of the NHRC are: 

• Monitor and report on human rights
• Investigate allegation of human rights violations and recommend redress
• Provide advice and make recommendations to the government on human rights
• Raise awareness about human rights and promote human rights education programmes
• Propose new legislation or revise existing legislation to bring in line with international human rights standards, norms and principles. 

While NHRC is mandated to play a crucial role in the promotion, protection and ensuring human rights, challenges remain in independent and impartial functions of NHRC. Addressing these gaps is imperative for ensuring data-driven policies that support national development and the “leave no one behind” agenda.

The Project Analyst – Human Rights will play a key role in implementing project activities in close collaboration with NHRC and establish a link with the HRDs across the country. The incumbent will support efforts to strengthening the NHRC and connecting with the human rights actors. This will contribute to fulfilling national and international commitments of NHRC for upholding human rights and provide better service delivery by providing redress to human rights violations. 

This position presents an exciting opportunity for a dynamic professional to contribute to the advancement of human rights in Bangladesh.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Analyst – Human Rights will report and work under the guidance of Project Manager and close coordination with the UNDP Democracy and Governance cluster as well as with other relevant unit. S/he will work closely with the focal point of National Human Rights Commission to deliver the assigned tasks. S/he will be responsible for planning, implementation, coordination and communication related support in the efficient and effective execution of project activities. In carrying out her/his responsibilities, S/he will develop the strong communication tool and provide necessary information among all the stakeholders. S/he will advocate and promote the work of UNDP in Bangladesh and will also work closely with project team and programme cluster,

His/her key responsibilities of the role include:

The Project Analyst – Human Rights will play an important role by ensuring seamless project implementation, fostering independent and impartial NHRC, strengthening institutional capacities and enhancing collaboration with the human rights actors. The incumbent will contribute directly to Bangladesh’s long-term development and SDG 16 objectives.

Technical Support to NHRC

• Provide technical inputs to strengthen NHRC’s institutional and functional capacity, including staff training, reporting obligations, complaint handling, and engagement with national and international stakeholders.
• Support NHRC in legislative reform initiatives, policy advocacy, and preparation of inputs for UN treaty bodies, UPR, and other human rights mechanisms.
• Draft ToRs, RFPs, and other documents required for engaging consultants, firms, or partners to deliver NHRC-related activities.

Coordination, Partnerships, and Policy Advocacy

• Liaison with NHRC, UNDP, government agencies, development partners, CSOs, academia, youth, media, and human rights defenders.
• Support the organization of high-level dialogues, multi-stakeholder consultations, and advocacy initiatives related to human rights reforms and legislation.
• Support strengthen NHRC’s collaboration with regional and global networks such as the Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs.

Implementation, Awareness Raising, and Oversight

• Provide day-to-day implementation support for planned activities, including capacity development initiatives, advocacy dialogues, awareness campaigns, and media engagement.
• Facilitate human rights awareness campaigns at national and divisional levels, covering NHRC’s mandate, redress mechanisms and women’s rights.
• Support media and journalist engagement through training, fellowships, and consultations to promote evidence-based and gender-sensitive reporting on human rights.
• Monitor progress of consultants, vendors, and CSOs engaged under the NHRC component to ensure timely and quality delivery.
• Support the operationalization and enhancement of NHRC’s digital complaint handling and database systems

Knowledge Management, Monitoring, and Communication

• Support NHRC’s monitoring and reporting functions, including collaboration with CSOs and stakeholders to track human rights trends and violations.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products, research, policy briefs, and advocacy materials on human rights issues.
• Document lessons learned, success stories, and best practices in strengthening human rights institutions.
• Prepare periodic reports, briefs, and updates for UNDP, NHRC, and development partners. 

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: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• 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           

• 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.

2030 Agenda: Peace 

• Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights - Human Rights Mainstreaming, Human Rights Institutions/compliance, Human Rights /HRBA, Access to Justice, Development of Institutions in Justice Sector

Digital & Innovation   

• Data governance - Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies.
• Data storytelling and communications - Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.

Legal   

• Negotiation - The ability to lead efforts to work with others to conclude or settle a matter. These are often soft skills and include abilities such as communication, persuasion, planning, strategizing and cooperating. In the UNDP context, this skill includes working closely with the client to understand the parameters of an acceptable solution, and assisting business units in resolving commercial disputes, and working with staff members or their legal representatives to resolve a grievance, claim or issue. Negotiation often involves working with colleagues of differing views to arrive at an acceptable corporate solution.

Business Management           

• Communications - 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.
• Results-based Management - Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Partnerships Management   

• Relationship management - Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding Knowledge and ability to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.                             

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in   Law/Human Rights/Development Studies/International Relations/Social Sciences or any other discipline from a recognized university 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 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) relevant experience in human rights, governance, or institutional development and partnership focus on governance and policy project. 

Required Skills

• Proven track record in project implementation, stakeholder engagement, and capacity development.
• Proven expertise in human rights related reporting 

Desired Skills 

• Experience working with NHRI (National Human Rights Institutions), oversight institutions, or development projects is an asset.
• Experienced in project monitoring, evaluation and donor reporting. 
• Experience in designing and implementing programme engaging government, oversight institutions, multi-stakeholders 
• Experience in working with UN agencies, development partners, NGOs and INGOs. 

Required Languages

• Fluency 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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