Job Description

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

While graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status is a testament to Bangladesh’s developmental progress, it will bring various challenges, requiring adroit policy responses to manage the transition and prepare, especially for the loss of LDC-specific trade preferences. If Bangladesh can successfully navigate and mitigate any adverse implications for its export trade following its graduation from the LDC status, the transition should not precipitate major economic consequences but will rather represent a natural progression in economic development. However, to navigate the transition effectively, Bangladesh must adopt a dual approach: securing extended LDC-type trade preferences as a transitional buffer and bolstering export competitiveness. 

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) will play a crucial role in the post-LDC scenario, despite facing limited resources—encompassing human, financial, and technical capacities—and programmatic support. The IP Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP) – II project, funded by the UK government, aims to bridge these gaps, aligning closely with national priorities for a smooth LDC graduation, particularly on Bangladesh’s trade policy and trade negotiation skills, inter-ministerial coordination on compliance issues, private sector’s competitiveness, and evidence-based policy initiatives.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will also play a crucial role in supporting ongoing growth and economic development and reaping potential benefits from the LDC graduation. In an evolving context, Bangladesh will need to improve investment facilitation, retention, and aftercare services to attract more FDI. This project, through the Research and Analytics Unit (RAU), anchored in the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will also support evidence-based policy reforms for improved investment climate in Bangladesh.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Policy Analyst will work under the supervision of the Project Manager. However, S/he will take technical guidance from the Senior Economic Adviser and Senior Governance Specialist of UNDP Bangladesh. The Project Manager will be responsible for the performance evaluation of the Project Policy Analyst. The Project Policy Analyst will supervise two Research Analysts and Research Expert (IUNV Expert).

The Project Policy Analyst is expected to perform the following duties in coordination and consultation with the Project Manager of IP TEPP-II: 

Ensure the research agenda is implemented efficiently and in accordance with established plans          

• Lead and manage the research agenda of the Research and Analytical Unit (RAU) within government organizations, ensuring alignment with national investment and economic priorities.
• Identify and address critical information and knowledge gaps in priority sectors through evidence-based research and provide actionable insights for investment facilitation.
• Formulate and implement strategic research plans to generate timely, need-based, and action-oriented evidence, strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of institutions such as BIDA and the Ministry of Commerce.
• Assess gaps between laws and practices, identify systemic bottlenecks, and promote good practices to improve inter-agency coordination and enhance the investment climate.
• Develop and disseminate high-quality knowledge and communication products for policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and informed decision-making.

Build strategic partnerships 

• Engage stakeholders through structured dialogues, workshops, and consultations to capture insights on emerging investment challenges (including LDC graduation and global economic shifts), validate findings, and promote uptake of research outputs.
• Promote collaboration and knowledge exchange with partners and stakeholders to ensure synergies and integration across initiatives.

Facilitate knowledge sharing 

• 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. 

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 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies 

Business Direction & Strategy           

• Strategic Thinking - Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
• Effective Decision Making - Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
• Systems 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.

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           

• Working with Evidence and Data - Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision making. 

Data    

• Data Analysis - Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.

2030 Agenda: Prosperity       

• Inclusive Growth - Economic transformation

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics/ Development Studies/Public Policy/Public Administration/Business Administration or any other relevant discipline is required. or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with master´s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in policy research and analysis, and management/coordination of research-driven works. 

Required skills

• Proven ability to provide technical advice and policy support to relevant government institutions for identifying and implementing reforms that promote an enabling investment climate in Bangladesh.
• Experience in developing and disseminating high-quality knowledge products—such as policy briefs, analytical reports, and communication materials—for policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and informed decision-making.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and collaboration, including facilitating dialogues, gather insights on emerging challenges (e.g., LDC graduation, global economic shifts), and promote uptake of research outputs.

Desired skills

• Track record of working with development agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), or other international organizations, demonstrating familiarity with global policy processes and standards relevant to investment promotion in Bangladesh.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including the demonstrated ability to manage and analyse large datasets for policy formulation and administrative improvement.
• Proven track record of excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to produce clear, concise, and influential research outputs tailored for policy audiences.
• Demonstrated capacity to design and implement strategic research plans that produce timely, need-based, and action-oriented evidence to improve institutional efficiency and effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to assess gaps between laws and practices, identify systemic bottlenecks, and recommend practical reforms and good practices to strengthen inter-agency coordination and improve the investment climate. 

Required Languages

• Fluent 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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