Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

 Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP Bangladesh’s Democratic Governance programming aims to accelerate effective governance so that all citizens can openly and peacefully contribute to Bangladesh’s development story. It focuses on making the country inclusive, capable, rule-based accountable, and transparent by 1) strengthening effective and accountable governance that responds to the need of people in addressing equitable and improved access to justice and rule of law, 2) strengthening civil society and promoting participatory governance to ensure that the voice of all citizens are heard, and 3) enhancing civic, political and economic empowerment of women and youth.

The Government of Bangladesh, through its 8th Five Year Plan (2021–2025), prioritizes enhancing access to justice under Key Area 2a: Justice and the Rule of Law. The Plan commits to strengthening NLASO’s capacity to reach poor and marginalized groups, fostering partnerships with NGOs and CSOs for broader legal aid coverage, and conducting diagnostic assessments to inform innovative, needs-based legal aid delivery. These efforts aim to reduce case backlogs and ensure inclusive, equitable justice.

As the formal courts in Bangladesh are slow, expensive and overburdened, with a backlog of around 3.8 million cases, it pushes most people to manage petty disputes through informal means, such as shalish. These informal solutions are often biased especially against women and minorities; they are not transparent and often ineffective as they lack enforcement powers. The Village Courts (VCs) were established by the Village Courts Ordinance, 1976 to allow petty disputes to be dealt with by Union Parishads, the lowest tier of local government in rural areas. As the law was not fully implemented, later the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) enacted the Village Court Act, 2006 repealing the Village Court Ordinance, 1976. The Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project (AVCB) began in 2009 as a  pilot project aiming to activate VCs in 351 Union Parishads (UPs) and the second phase (AVCB-II) started in 2016, targeting a further 1,080 Ups which  was completed in June 2022. The final phase  for five years (2022-2027) has been implemented by the Local Government Divisions of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C). 

The project intervention is going on  across all UPs in Bangladesh, excluding CHT (amounting to 4,457 UPs) reflecting the GoB commitment for a national scale-up. It has  three components: first to activate Village Courts in 3,041 Union Parishads in Bangladesh; second to maintain the performance of the 1,416 courts activated under AVCB-I and AVCB-II; and third to ensure the Government has the capacity, resources and ownership to take over the management and oversight of VC services so that the project gains are sustained. 

The project’s Overall Objective is: Increased Access to Justice and Social Harmony for People In Rural Areas of Bangladesh, Especially Women and Disadvantaged Groups.

Specific Objective/Outcome 1:  Duty bearers in Bangladesh provide sustainable, fair and effective resolution for minor disputes in rural areas

• Output 1.1 Duty bearers at national and local levels have improved capacity to ensure Village Courts function fairly and effectively
• Output 1.2 Legal and policy frameworks for Village Courts are reviewed and enhanced
• Output 1.3 Duty bearers in Bangladesh have the resources capacity and ownership to manage and administer village courts after completion of project 

Specific Objective/Outcome 2: People living in rural areas, especially women, the poor and other disadvantaged groups are empowered to access Village Courts to resolve minor disputes

• Output 2.1 Local population  are aware of their local VC and understand  its role and functions
• Output 2.2 Evidence and knowledge sharing on VC functioning enhanced.

There are 5 technical components in the project named Project Coordination, Capacity Development, Advocacy & Communication, Legal Review and Gender and Planning, M&E and Knowledge Management. Involving national institutions like NILG (National Institute of Local Government), BPATC (Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre), JATI (Judicial Administration Training Institute), BPA (Bangladesh Police Academy), etc. the project has a plan to build up the capacity of the institutional stakeholders on village courts. Besides, as a part of implementation strategy NGOs/CSOs are also included to help LGD for grassroots level capacity building, social mobilization and eventually activating village courts under the technical support and supervision of Project Management Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Planning, M&E & Reporting Analyst, the Project Associate (Knowledge Management and Reporting) will support and ensure developing & implementing Knowledge Management and Learning Strategy/plan and preparing progress report

The Project Associate (Knowledge Management and Reporting) will report to National Project Coordinator and work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of Planning, M&E and Reporting Anayst . His or her duty station will be Project Management Unit (PMU) office at Dhaka and will work in close coordination with unit focal of the AVCB III project, LGD and UNDP.

The Project Associate (Knowledge Management and Reporting) will be responsible for the following key functions:

Provide supports in developing and disseminating knowledge and learning:

• Play an essential role to produce success case stories, lesson learned and other publications and document recommendations to be integrated into broader knowledge management efforts;
• Conduct research, involve in data collection, Data Analysis, document and generate knowledge materials to be published in both web-based and printed forms;
• Compile data and inputs from field teams for donor and internal reporting.
• Coordinate with all components and ensure timely collection of information as require for producing results reports and other knowledge product;
• Propose and promote creative solutions for knowledge management in the project and organization;
• Assist Advocacy and Communication component  in enriching and updating web page of the AVCB III Project;

Provide supports in preparing different progress reports

• Work closely with Planning, M&E and Knowledge Management team and provide supports in preparing progress reports ( quarterly, and  annual).
• Develop ToR and supervise the works of the Consultant/consulting firms and provide necessary supports for quality reporting including quality of the data;
• Prepare PPT and briefing notes for high-level meetings 
• Provide logistical/operation support for results and lessons learned exercise and share final document widely

Provide supports in developing and implementing Knowledge Management and Learning Strategy/plan

• Assist in developing Knowledge Management and Learning Strategy/plan in coordination with Advocacy & Communication component 
• Ensure knowledge and information are stored in a safe and effective, and, where required confidential, manner;
• Regular monitoring of KM strategy implementation, contribution to documentation of key lessons learned and good practices for reporting and organizational learning;
• Establish effective networking with relevant networks, organisations and other partners in developing knowledge products related to the VCs and AVCB III Project;

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 Development          

• Knowledge Generation - Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context or responsive to a stated need.
• Knowledge facilitation - Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share , particularly externally.

Business Management           

• Monitoring - Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Programme and policy

• Effectiveness - Performance and Data analysis sharing lessons

2030 Agenda: Peace 

• Governance - Public Administration and local Governance

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

2030 Agenda: People              

• Gender - Gender Mainstreaming

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required, or
• University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Sociology, Social Welfare, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, International Relations or a relevant related field will be given due consideration but not a requirement

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in proven track record and exposure to development project in the areas of knowledge management, Qualitative Research, and Reporting is required.

Required skills

• Research background (experience in conducting or supporting research activities).
• Strong computer skills with proficiency of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Web browsing, with typing skills both in Bangla and English is important; 
• Proven familiarity with data visualization tools and graphic design basics (for infographics).

Desired skills

• Proven ability to develop variety of written materials (Reports, success story, meeting minutes, etc.) for audiences with different levels of understanding 
• Experience in documenting lessons learned and best practices;
• Good knowledge and understanding of information and communications technology.

Required Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken 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.

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.