Parliament Young Fellow (Research and Knowledge Management)

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.

The Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, through its Research & Library Management Wing, supports parliamentary affairs by providing research, information and knowledge resources. As the 13th Jatiya Sangsad begins its work, the availability of accessible and relevant research materials can contribute to informed parliamentary deliberations and effective institutional functioning.

Building on UNDP Bangladesh’s longstanding partnership with the Bangladesh Parliament, including support for the orientation of newly elected Members of Parliament, the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and UNDP propose to launch the Parliament Young Fellows Programme (PYFP). The pilot programme will provide supplementary support to the Secretariat’s research and knowledge management activities while offering young graduates practical exposure to parliamentary research, legislative processes and public institutions.

Under this initiative, UNDP Bangladesh will engage and administer the UN Volunteers, who will be stationed at the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and support its research and knowledge management activities.

The Fellows will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager/Project Analyst (Parliament), UNDP Bangladesh. In addition, the Fellows will work under the close guidance of designated officials within the Research & Library Management Branch of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat.

Core Areas of Fellowship Engagement:

1. Parliamentary Research and Knowledge Management
The Fellows will support the Research & Library Management branch in producing, organizing, and facilitating access to research and knowledge resources required for parliamentary business.

Responsibilities may include:
• Supporting the preparation of research briefs, legislative background notes, comparative studies, and other research products on issues identified by the Secretariat;
• Reviewing, analysing, and synthesizing information from relevant and credible sources into concise and accessible research outputs;
• Supporting the organization, documentation, and indexing of library and knowledge resources;
• Contributing to the parliamentary knowledge repository, library, and documentation services;
• Supporting the preparation of parliamentary bulletins, newsletters, and other knowledge products, as required; and
• Assisting in the systematic organization, retrieval, and maintenance of parliamentary information and documentation.
The emphasis will be on producing demand-driven, accurate, objective, evidence-based, and accessible research products that respond to identified institutional needs.

2. Parliamentary Standing Committee Support
Through arrangements coordinated by the Research & Library Management Branch, Fellows may provide demand-driven research and documentation support to Parliamentary Standing Committees.

Responsibilities may include:

• Supporting the preparation of committee background papers, research briefs, and issue summaries;
• Conducting desk research and comparative analysis on subjects relevant to committee business;
• Supporting the preparation and organization of materials for committee meetings;
• Supporting the documentation and tracking of committee recommendations and follow-up actions; and
• Preparing legislative background materials and research notes, where required.
The Fellows' role under this component will be limited to research, analysis, and documentation support.

3. Research and Briefing Note Support to Parliamentary Leadership
At the request of the relevant authorities and based on institutional requirements, Fellows may provide research, briefing and documentation support to the parliamentary leadership in relation to parliamentary business and functions. Such support will be coordinated through the Research & Library Management Branch of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and guided by institutional priorities.

Responsibilities may include:
• Supporting the preparation of concise briefing notes and background papers on parliamentary business, including legislative matters, oversight functions, parliamentary procedures, budget-related issues and other topics identified by the relevant authorities.
• Responding to specific research requests through the identification, review, and synthesis of relevant information;
• Supporting research for speeches, statements, and other official communication materials; and
• Providing other research and documentation support related to parliamentary functions.

4. Indicative Outputs and Contributions
Depending on institutional priorities and workload, Fellows may contribute to:
• Research briefs and legislative background notes;
• Comparative research and analytical notes;
• Committee background papers and issue briefs;
• Briefing notes for parliamentary leadership;
• Meeting and committee documentation;
• Inputs to parliamentary bulletins, newsletters, and other knowledge products; and
• Documentation of committee recommendations and follow-up actions.

The specific assignments, priorities, and outputs will be determined by the Research & Library Management Wing in consultation with relevant institutional authorities.