Mission and objectives

UNOPS has been present in Bangladesh since 2003. In 2014 UNOPS established as formal representation as a response to the UNOPS Executive Board in order to provide more substantial support to the Government of Bangladesh and other clients in the different areas focusing to Resilient Infrastructure Approach, Program & Project Management, Fund Management, Procurement, Human Resources, Financial Management emphasizing on building national capacities, improving resilience of communities with a view of contributing to the implementation of the SDGs.

Context

The “Transforming the Built Environment through Sustainable Materials” project aims to promote circularity, low-carbon materials, and sustainable construction practices in Bangladesh. UNOPS is collaborating closely with HBRI (Housing & Building Research Institute), RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha), PWD (Public Works Department), LGED (Local Government Engineering Department), and other national stakeholders to advance research, capacity development, policy support, and demonstration of low-carbon construction materials. To support these activities, UNOPS seeks a Junior Research & Project Support Consultant who will assist technical experts, support HBRI-led research, and contribute to drafting, reporting, and coordination of project events and engagements.

Task Description

The UN volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close coordination with HBRI (Housing & Building Research Institute), UNOPS experts, and national stakeholders. Key responsibilities include: 1. Research & Technical Support: • Support HBRI in conducting studies and analytical work related to: Green Building Certification development processes, Low carbon and sustainable construction materials, Energy and building modelling, Lifecycle carbon analysis (LCA), Review of literature, standards, building codes, and green rating systems, Assist in primary and secondary data collection, including stakeholder interviews, field observations, and documentation. • Draft research summaries, analytical notes, data tables, and background documents to support technical outputs. 2. Writing Report & Documentation: • Contribute to drafting and editing: Technical reports, Framework and methodology documents, Stakeholder consultation notes, Policy briefs and recommendations, Project briefs, meeting minutes, and presentations, Scripts for project videos, documentaries, and social media content, Support formatting, quality assurance, and finalization of deliverables for submission to national partners and UN agencies. 3. Presentation & Communication Support: • Develop high quality presentations, infographics, visual summaries, and briefing materials for meetings, workshops, and consultations. • Support communication and outreach by preparing short articles, event briefs, and social media content. 4. Project Coordination & Event Support: • Assist UNOPS in planning and organizing events such as: Workshops and seminars, Hackathons, Consultation and stakeholder meetings, Technical/steering committee meetings, Training sessions for SMEs and professionals • Provide logistical and coordination support including: Invitations, schedules, and follow ups, Event materials, attendance sheets, and note taking, Venue coordination and stakeholder communication • Maintain comprehensive documentation and prepare event reports. 5. Administrative & Project Support: • Maintain filing systems, document archiving, and tracking of deliverables. • Follow up with experts and stakeholders on inputs, feedback, and updates. • Support procurement and administrative preparations as required. • Monitor project deadlines and assist the team in meeting multiple priorities. • Provide ad hoc support to UNOPS and HBRI as needed. Expected Outputs: • Research summaries, data sheets, and analytical notes. • High quality drafts of technical reports, methodologies, and policy recommendations. • Professional presentations, visuals, and communication materials. • Accurate meeting minutes and consultation/event reports. • Effective logistical and coordination support for workshops, hackathons, and trainings. • Streamlined collaboration with HBRI, RAJUK, and relevant national stakeholders.

Competencies and values

▪ Accountability ▪ Planning & Organizing ▪ Teamwork ▪ Communication ▪ Creativity & Problem-Solving ▪ Professionalism ▪ Adaptability & Flexibility

Living conditions and remarks

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the center of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centers are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another. Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”