Background

Aspire to Innovate (a2i) is the Government of Bangladesh’s flagship digital transformation initiative, managed by the ICT Division and Cabinet Division and supported by UNDP. For more than a decade, a2i has been accelerating public sector innovation, improving governance, and making public services more accessible, affordable, and efficient for millions of citizens.

The programme drives whole-of-government reforms through:

Component 1:
Institutionalizing Public Service Innovation & Improving Accountability

Component 2:
Catalyzing Digital Financial Services & Fintech Innovations

Component 3:
Incubating Private Sector–Enabled Public Service Innovation

a2i collaborates closely with ministries, local government, private innovations ecosystems, development partners, and civil society to design and scale citizen-centric digital solutions.

As part of a2i’s mandate to accelerate digital transformation across the Government of Bangladesh, the programme is implementing a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving public service delivery, strengthening digital ecosystems, advancing innovation, and supporting data-driven policy reform. These initiatives span diverse sectors, including governance, education, health, social protection, digital financial services, skills development, and private sector–enabled innovation—and require strong operational and coordination support.

To ensure smooth and timely implementation of activities across all components and projects, including research operations, field logistics, partner coordination, procurement, financial management, reporting, and stakeholder engagement, a2i seeks a Project Analyst (Operations). The incumbent will provide operational, administrative, and coordination support to the programme as a whole, enabling effective delivery of multiple workstreams and ensuring compliance with government and UNDP standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Analyst (Operations) will work under the direct supervision of the International Project Manager, a2i, and in close coordination with the UNDP operations teams. The supervisor will evaluate performance, provide guidance, and approve deliverables.

Under the overall guidance of the International Project Manager of the a2i Programme, the Project Analyst (Operations) will provide comprehensive operational, administrative, and coordination support to ensure the effective implementation of all programme activities across a2i’s various components and projects. This includes supporting initiatives related to public service innovation, digital transformation, digital financial services, skills development, private sector–enabled innovation, research and field operations, capacity-building, and stakeholder engagement. The incumbent will contribute to seamless delivery by ensuring compliance with UNDP and Government procedures, coordinating with implementing partners, and providing operational support across the full spectrum of a2i’s programme portfolio.

I. Delivery Oversight

• Support the Project Manager in tracking programme delivery against budgets, Annual Work Plans (AWPs), and agreed milestones.
• Monitor expenditure trends and delivery progress, flag variances, risks, and delays, and propose corrective actions.
• Consolidate financial and delivery information to support management reviews, planning, and decision-making.
• Track commitments and disbursements to ensure timely implementation.
• Support quality assurance of periodic and donor reports, ensuring consistency between financial data and programme progress.

II. Procurement & Vendor Coordination

• Support the Project Manager in procurement planning and tracking for goods, services, and consultancies across a2i initiatives.
• Coordinate the preparation and review of procurement documents to ensure compliance with UNDP and Government of Bangladesh procedures.
• Track procurement processes, contracts, and vendor performance, flagging risks, delays, and bottlenecks affecting programme delivery.
• Liaise with vendors, implementing partners, research institutions, and service providers to support timely delivery of goods and services.
• Maintain procurement and contract trackers and provide regular status updates to support implementation planning and management decision-making.

III. Administrative & HR Operations

• Support the Project Manager in coordinating recruitment processes, TOR development, contract management, and onboarding for project personnel and consultants.
• Track personnel contracts, extensions, performance review timelines, and related documentation.
• Monitor compliance with administrative systems, HR policies, and operational procedures.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and coordination of support staff to ensure smooth operations.

IV. Logistics, Asset & Event Management

• Manage logistics for field surveys, stakeholder consultations, workshops, dissemination events, and training programmes across all a2i workstreams.
• Coordinate mobilization of research teams, consultants, and local partners, including liaison with government agencies when government support or field-level resources are required.
• Manage inventory, maintain asset registers, support annual asset verification, and ensure proper asset disposal procedures in line with UNDP and GoB guidelines.
• Coordinate travel and transport arrangements for field activities, including facilitation with government counterparts when government vehicles or logistical support are provided.

V. Programme Support & Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate day-to-day operational follow-up for all a2i programme activities and projects across various sectors and components.
• Track progress against workplans, maintain activity trackers, and support monitoring and reporting frameworks.
• Liaise with government agencies, UNDP, development partners, NGOs, private sector actors, and local stakeholders to ensure smooth coordination and implementation of programme initiatives.
• Draft official correspondence, meeting minutes, briefs, and presentations in Bangla and English.
• Support reporting, documentation, visibility products, case studies, and communication of results and lessons learned.
• Maintain knowledge management tools, templates, and digital repositories to support programme delivery and institutional memory.

VI. Travel Coordination

• Coordinate travel for national consultants, government counterparts, and field teams.
• Prepare travel requests, obtain approvals, support visa arrangements (if relevant), and coordinate ticketing.
• Manage DSA calculations, travel settlements, and compliance with UNDP financial rules.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as required for the smooth functioning of the programme.

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
• Effective Decision-Making: Make timely and informed operational and strategic decisions within one’s area of responsibility, considering programme-wide implications for multiple a2i projects.

Communications    

• Digital governance: Understanding of policies, standards and guidelines which govern effective digital communications

2030 Agenda: Peace    

• Governance: Civil society strengthening 

Business Development    

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange. 

Business Management    

• Partnership Management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Finance, or related field is required or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
• CIPS level 3 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in public sector procurement management.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP.

Required skills:

• Experience coordinating procurement, preparing documentation, and managing vendor/service provider relations
• Experience in financial tracking, budget monitoring, and reporting
• Operational and logistical coordination experience, including for field research or multi-partner initiatives

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Experience with government or development programme operations.
• Familiarity with digital transformation, innovation, or e-service projects.
• Exposure to procurement, financial management, and compliance in public sector or donor-funded programmes.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives or high-level events.
• Proficiency in project management and data analysis tools.
• Drafting reports, briefs, and documentation in English
• Asset management, inventory control, and compliance procedures
• Organizing workshops, training, or stakeholder consultations

Required Languages:

• Fluency in Bangla and English (written and spoken)

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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