Project Analyst, Climate Risk Disclosure & Audit

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 - Climate risk disclosure & Audit 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.

Climate Risk Reporting and Transparency

• Develop frameworks and guidelines for climate risk reporting aligned with national policies and international standards.
• Identify, categorize, and quantify climate-related financial risks across sectors to enhance transparency and accountability.
• Support ministries and public entities in incorporating climate risk considerations into their reporting processes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to prepare comprehensive and inclusive climate risk disclosure reports, addressing gender and equity dimensions.

Climate Finance Auditing

• Conduct audits to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of climate-related expenditures and programs, ensuring compliance with established frameworks.
• Work with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG) to update audit methodologies and tools to reflect climate-related priorities.
• Develop indicators and tools for auditing climate-sensitive projects, aligning with national strategies and international best practices.

Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

• Organize training sessions and workshops for government agencies, public entities, and private sector stakeholders on climate risk disclosure and auditing practices.
• Build the technical skills of auditors and financial managers to integrate climate considerations into existing frameworks.

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 

Audit & Investigation – Investigation

• Collection and analysis of evidence - Ability to extract and analyse all relevant types of evidence and be able to draw reasonable inferences and conclusions.

Audit & Investigation - Audit 

• Information technology and information security risks concepts, techniques, and tools - Ability to understand key application and system software, IT infrastructure and IT control frameworks. In the case of Investigators, this extends to using Investigative software.

2030 Agenda: People              

• Gender - Gender responsive Budgeting

2030 Agenda: 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 Sustainability Management, Social Science or Business Administration, preferably in Economics, International Relations, Climate Finance, Environmental Accounting, Finance, Accounting, Development Studies or related disciplines 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 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 at the national or international level in  climate and sustainability related disclosures, impact finance and auditing area is required
• Expertise in climate-social- environmental risks assessment, disclosure; and impact monitoring and auditing frameworks
• Experience in excellent interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to liaise effectively at project management levels.
• Proven experience in communicating and functioning effectively in an international, multicultural environment.
• Experience in strong analytical and auditing skills to evaluate climate-related financial risks
• Experience and proficiency in developing and implementing tools for tracking, reporting, and auditing climate-sensitive projects and expenditures.
• Experience in working in national and international development organization will be added advantage.
• Experience working in and/or with public sector is an asset.
• Proven Ability to 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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