Project Analyst (Data Governance)

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 data limitations hinder evidence-based policymaking and public service improvements. Strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring access to high-quality, disaggregated data are essential for fostering inclusive and effective governance.
 

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.
 

A core focus of the SIPS Project is to strengthen the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) to function as a standard National Statistical Office (NSO). While BBS plays a crucial role in generating national statistics, challenges remain in data collection, harmonization, disaggregation, and sharing. Addressing these gaps is imperative for ensuring data-driven policies that support national development and the “leave no one behind” agenda.
 

The Project Analyst – Data Governance will play a key role in implementing project activities in close collaboration with BBS. The incumbent will support efforts to improve data governance, digitalization, and inter-agency coordination to enhance statistical capacity and evidence-based policymaking. Working closely with BBS and other key stakeholders, the Project Officer-Data Governance will help implementation of the planed activites that includes instititutional capacity building of BBS, and promote other innovative approaches to data collection, analytics, and visualization.
This position presents an exciting opportunity for a dynamic professional to contribute to Bangladesh’s development by ensuring high-quality, accessible, and actionable data for policymaking and governance transformation. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Analyst – Data Governance 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 be responsible for planning 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, Government officials, private sector, non-government and civil society organizations. 

His/her key responsibilities of the role include:

The Project Analyst – Data Governance will play an important role by ensuring seamless project implementation, fostering data-driven governance, and strengthening institutional capacities. The incumbent will contribute directly to Bangladesh’s long-term development and SDG 16 objectives.

Project Implementation and Coordination

• Act as the primary liaison between BBS and the SIPS Project, ensuring effective communication and coordination.
• Contribute in BBS leadership and technical teams in executing institutional capacity-building activities.
• Facilitate the implementation of scheduled and day-to-day project activities under the BBS component.
• Identify potential challenges, risks, and bottlenecks in project execution and provide strategic recommendations for resolution.
• Ensure alignment of BBS-related activities with the broader objectives of the SIPS Project and SDG 16 priorities.

Data Governance and Digitalization

• Closely work with BBS in strengthening data governance frameworks, including policies for data harmonization, sharing, and disaggregation.
• Facilitate and led digital transformation initiatives at BBS, supporting the adoption of innovative data collection, management, and visualization tools.
• Actively contribute the development of standardized statistical methodologies to improve the quality, consistency, and accessibility of national data.

Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building

• Coordinate the translation/adaption/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications, as necessary;
• Contribute to the design and implementation of training programs for BBS personnel to enhance technical and analytical skills.
• Support efforts to modernize BBS operations, including the adoption of good practices in statistical reporting.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to integrate emerging technologies such as AI, big data analytics, and GIS mapping into BBS’s statistical systems.
• Contribute in developing and delivering gender gap analysis and mainstreaming training to promote inclusivity in statistical processes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Advocacy

• Strengthen collaboration between BBS and key stakeholders, including government agencies, UN agencies, academia, and civil society organizations.
• Organize high-level policy dialogues, consultations, and workshops to enhance inter-agency coordination for data-driven decision-making.
• Contribute to the development of policy briefs, research papers, and advocacy materials to promote evidence-based governance. 

Any other Monitoring, Reporting, and Knowledge Management
 

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 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.

Digital    

• 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.
• Data collection. Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).

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.

Partnership management    

• Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding. Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms
• 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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in  Data Science, Statistics, Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies,  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:

• 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 experience at national or international level with development organizations,  donor, INGOs or GoB projects and expertise in  project implementation and partnership focus on governance and policy project. 
• Expertise in digital transformation, and emerging technologies for data accessibility and institutional modernization.
• Experienced in foster collaboration, manage project activities, support institutional capacity-building aligned with governance and development priorities.
• Experienced in project monitoring, evaluation and reporting with skill of new and contemporary statistical best practices;
• Experience in designing and implementing programs engaging government and multi-stakeholder
• Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies
• Experience in project monitoring, evaluation and reporting with skill of new and contemporary statistical best practices;
• Experience in working with National statistical organizations (NSOs)/ Research Organization in statistical reporting and data governance. 
• Ability to introduce innovative approaches to modernize data systems within public institutions 

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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