Project Analyst, Local Government

Background

UNDP Bangladesh will implement the Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing from 15 November 2024 to 14 May 2026. The Sustainable Financing is an initiative for advancing UNDP’s work on sustainable financing across key government agencies and non-government organizations to channel more public and private financing towards achieving the SDGs. The initiative will help advance UNDP Bangladesh’s work with the GoB on mainstreaming climate into budgetary processes and strengthen relevant government entities to enhance climate-responsive public finance management and sustainable financing. 

Under Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing, the outcome, Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR) Phase II project builds on the achievements of Phase I to strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity to integrate climate resilience into its budgeting and financing systems. This phase focuses on promoting climate-responsive public financial management by enhancing governance, improving tools, and strengthening institutional frameworks. The IBFCR II will be instrumental in updating and institutionalizing processes to integrate climate considerations into budgetary practices, strengthening government institutions to advance climate-responsive Public Financial Management (PFM). Specifically, it will support the Finance Division, Ministry of Finance in formulating a climate Finance Strategy, updating existing climate-budget tools and guidelines, building relevant capacities, and enhancing governance for climate-related public finance.

The IBFCR II will integrate climate change considerations into Bangladesh’s planning and budgeting processes by considering climate dimensions into ministry budget management systems and aligning the Annual Development Programme (ADP) with climate change classifications from the Finance Division. The Project will support the Finance Division in updating the climate public finance tracking methodology in line with the national policies such as the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), while incorporating criteria for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and integrating gender and equity dimensions to ensure inclusivity. This updated methodology will be implemented across key ministries through comprehensive training sessions and workshops, embedding gender considerations into public climate finance tracking. Capacity-building initiatives will enhance the skills and knowledge of Finance Division staff and line ministries, enabling the effective implementation of these changes.

The IBFCR II will focus on enhancing governance structures for climate finance by improving monitoring, accountability, and the effectiveness of climate-related expenditures. This includes strengthening the institutional capacity of the Budget Management Committee (BMC) within line ministries, developing monitoring mechanisms, and improving accountability at national and parliamentary levels. A climate finance gap assessment and a tracking mechanism for climate-sensitive data will be developed to monitor the performance of line ministries. The project will also work with the Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (IMED) in improving climate indicators for effective oversight and collaborate with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG) to conduct climate performance audits, update audit curricula, and integrate social audits into government protocols.

The IBFCR II will also support the Local Government Division (LGD) in the integration of climate finance considerations into local government planning and budgeting processes, enhancing the capacity of local authorities to address climate-related challenges effectively. The project will review the legal frameworks for local government institutions (LGIs) to identify climate finance gaps, enhance LGIs’ knowledge of climate policies and resource allocation. A database of climate funding sources for LGIs will be established, with guidelines and KPIs for climate-inclusive planning and budgeting. Tracking methods will be piloted and expanded, while capacity-building ensures LGIs can monitor allocations. An analysis will also identify links between social protection and climate programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Analyst - Local Government will work under the supervision of the Project Manager.

Project Analyst - Local Government will work closely with the Project Manager, Programme lead of the Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing, UNDP operations unit, Programme cluster, Government officials, private sector, and civil society organizations. S/he will be responsible achieving the project’s outputs and outcomes.

Integration of Climate Finance into Local Governance

• Support the integration of climate finance considerations into local government planning, budgeting, and resource allocation processes.
• Review and assess existing legal and policy frameworks for local government institutions (LGIs) to identify and address gaps related to climate finance.
• Develop guidelines, tools, and frameworks to assist LGIs in incorporating climate perspective into their governance structures.
• Facilitate the alignment of local government plans with national climate policies such as BCCSAP, NAP, and NDC.

Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

• Design and deliver training programs and workshops to enhance capacity of LGI officials in climate finance management.
• Foster collaboration between local government entities, community stakeholders, and national agencies to strengthen governance structures.
• Provide technical assistance and advisory support to LGIs for the implementation of climate-related projects and initiatives.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s).

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.

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: 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:

Business Development          

• Knowledge Generation - Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

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 
• Risk Management - Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
• Resource Management - Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity
• Digital Alternative finance - Ability to identify potential alternative forms of finance and mobilise them for the purpose of addressing development challenges. 
• Ability to review the skills, capacities, procedures and protocols that are needed to enable new financial mechanisms. 
• Ability to assess the risks, limitations and implications of using new financial mechanisms. 
• Set up the processes and structures to design, testing and implement new financial mechanisms. 
• Managing outreach and stakeholder engagement Set up the processes and structures to design, testing and implement new financial mechanisms. Managing outreach and stakeholder engagement

2030 Agenda: People              

• Gender - Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation
• Planet Climate - Unlocking finance for climate change adaptation (public and private)

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) from any reputed educational institution, in Public Administration, Political Science, Development Studies, Economics, Environmental Science, or a related field is required, or
• 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:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience with the Local Government Division and institutions focusing on climate change and financing. 
• Capacity-building and stakeholder engagement skills to enhance the capabilities of local government institutions
• Experience and strong understanding of public financial management and resource allocation at the local government level
• Prior experience and proficiency in analysing local governance frameworks and integrating climate finance considerations into local planning and budgeting processes.
• Experience and skill in interpersonal and networking, including the ability to liaise effectively at project management levels.
• Relevant experience and ability to communicate and function effectively in an international, multicultural environment.
• Experience in work effectively in a team.

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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