Background

With a total gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD 430 billion, Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia. Between 2000 and 2019, Bangladesh’s economy registered high GDP growth, averaging around 6% per annum. During this period, there were several notable improvements across different socioeconomic indicators, putting the country on track for a formal graduation from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) in 2026. Bangladesh’s score on the human development index (HDI) increased from 0.49 in 2000 to 0.68, placing it among countries categorized as medium human development. The national poverty rate fell from over 48% in 2000 to less than 19% in 2022. 

Despite the progress, Bangladesh faces several development challenges, and with the current trend, the country is unlikely to meet several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Even before the political crisis in 2024, Bangladesh was grappling with double-digit inflation. According to the latest estimate, GDP is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2025, much slower than the GDP growth in the past. Without an uptick in private investment, the economy cannot diversify, a necessary condition for creating decent jobs. With low social spending and weak capacities, the government is constrained from providing quality services to the people. Bangladesh is also one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and is prone to natural hazards, including climate-induced disasters.   

As the UN’s development agency, UNDP has been in Bangladesh since 1972, promoting democratic governance, climate adaptation, environmental protection and inclusive growth and, helping the country to achieve equitable and sustainable development. UNDP has been a close partner of Bangladesh in co-designing policy solutions, building national capacities, and promoting innovations to help meet its developmental aspirations.   

The Project Associate (ICT & Admin)will be part of UNDP Bangladesh’s Democratic Governance and Institutional Programming (DGIP) and will work under the GoB funded DSA activities of the Livelihoods Support for Urban Poor Communities (LIUPCP) initiative.  Based in Dhaka with possible field visits, the Project Associate (ICT & Admin) will provide technical leadership in ICT systems, infrastructure, and digital solutions. The position will ensure reliable ICT support across project  operations, while facilitating digital tools that enhance coordination with UNDP headquarters, Government counterparts, and city-level partners.

Following the formation of the Interim Government in August 2024, UNDP launched an 18-month Initiation Plan (IP) to support democratic reforms, inclusive development, and strengthened citizen engagement. The DGIP portfolio integrates governance, resilience, and poverty reduction programming,  of GoB-supported (LIUPCP) initiatives. As part of this mandate, ICT systems are critical for ensuring effective project management, transparent reporting, secure communications, and the adoption of UNDP platforms such as Quantum and UNALL to strengthen financial, procurement, and operational processes.

The Project Associate (ICT & Admin) will ensure that projects objectives are supported through secure, reliable, and efficient ICT systems. This includes network administration, web and database management, hardware/software maintenance, and digital tools to facilitate collaboration. By strengthening ICT infrastructure, the officer will improve knowledge sharing, enhance operational efficiency, and support innovative e-governance and data-driven solutions for urban planning, resilience, and citizen engagement

Challenges include limited ICT capacity in municipal institutions, ensuring cybersecurity and data protection, and adapting UNDP’s global systems (Quantum, UNALL, and others) to local contexts. Delivering ICT solutions in areas with weak digital infrastructure requires problem-solving, innovation, and close coordination with national and city-level stakeholders. Balancing day-to-day troubleshooting with long-term ICT capacity building will also be a key challenge.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures implementation of ICT strategies and introduction/implementation of new technologies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Follow corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines and   procedures for the project.
• Support to draft or amend of internal policies and procedures on the use of ICT.
• Communicate regularly with Project  Management and all users of information services and systems .
• Assist to Develope and update of the ICT plan.
• Support to the use of ERP functionality for improved business results and improved client services.

Ensures efficient networks administration focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Operation of network utility procedures defining network users and security attributes establishing directories, menus and drive-mappings, configuring network printers and providing user access.
• Troubleshooting and monitoring of network problems.
• Response to user needs and questions regarding network access such as accessing the project website and Balanced Scorecards etc.
• Maintain of up-to-date parameters of information for the network clients and electronic mail.
• Implementation of backup and restoration procedures for local drives. Maintenance of backup logs. Organization of off-site storage of backups.
• Timely LAN Infrastructure and Internet connectivity upgrade to meet project requirements.

Provides administrative support focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assist in procurement of new equipment for the project supported projects, provision of technical specifications and information on best options in both local and international markets, review of quotations and bids.
• Maintain of an up-to-date inventory of the software and hardware.
• Cost Recovery for IT services provided to projects and other Agencies.
• Provide support for organising workshop, seminar and training programmes.
• Support for procurement, HR and operational management. 
• Provide support of asset register and maintenance for the project.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification and promotion of different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge management and sharing, information provision.
• Recommendation and organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on ICT issues.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, the Project Associate (ICT & Admin) will be responsible to Project Analyst (City Liaison) for supporting all ICT and Admin related activities.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education completed is required. 
• University Degree (bachelor´s degree) in Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic, telecommunication or any other relevant subjects will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement;

Experience:

• Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant ICT experience, including network administration and management of hardware/software, telecommunications equipment, database packages, help desk or website management, or administration is required.

Required Skills:

• Relevant work experience with International Development organizations and Government organizations, including network administration, web management services, management of hardware and software platforms, and Office 360, Zoom, Microsoft team meeting facilities.
• Proven expereince in ensuring IT and Admin Support to project staffs are required including Install and maintain Internet Service and Active Directory for Security and Operation, Office 360, Zoom meeting, ERP-Software.

Desired Skills:

• Proven experience in administrative support, human resources, and procurement operations.
• Prior experience in delivering IT support services, including hardware and infrastructure maintenance, application support, and web design and upkeep. 
• Experience working with Windows-based applications and Oracle software to support finance, procurement, and related departments is desirable. 
• Certifications in hardware and software management are preferred, including Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), and expertise in Network Attached Storage (NAS). 
• Experience working with NGO or INGO is preferred. 
• Proven experience  of using Public Procurement Rules and Act.

Language:

• Fluency in Bangla and English 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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.