Project Associate (Climate Change)- NPSA 6 (Kurigram); (Borguna); (Bhola)

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 is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP

The Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) is a flagship project of the Government of Bangladesh that has established a nationally recognized model for locally led climate adaptation by channeling climate finance to Local Government Institutions (LGIs) and vulnerable communities through innovative, low-transaction-cost mechanisms. LoGIC will promote local action on climate change adaptation at scale through its’ Initiation Plan (IP) for phase-II. The Initiation Plan (IP) for Scaling the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) will be implemented over a 12-month period as a preparatory phase designed to bridge the gap between the completion of LoGIC I and the development, approval, and launch of LoGIC II. This phase aims to lay the groundwork for the full-scale roll-out of LoGIC II by providing targeted support to the Local Government Division (LGD) and technical assistance to the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

The IP will facilitate the national scaling of the LoGIC model by supporting LGD in institutionalizing the approach, while enabling ERD to initiate and complete critical technical studies, including cost-benefit analyses, feasibility studies, and the development of financing tools and models. It will also ensure the systematic capture of lessons learned and help establish the operational, financial, and institutional foundations required for a sustainable, government-led, and financially viable LoGIC II.

During this phase, the project will provide technical, operational, and policy support for preparing and securing funding for the Development Project Proposal (DPP) and the Project Document (ProDoc) for LoGIC II. It will further support the design of a blended finance model; strengthen institutional memory; promote community engagement; and conduct feasibility assessments related to Nature-based Solutions (NbS), community resilience, and private sector partnerships. Additional efforts will focus on developing models that link vulnerable communities to value chains, and on enhancing institutional, legal, and policy frameworks for improved service delivery and long-term sustainability.

The IP will adopt an adaptive management approach to minimize the impact of political transitions on the initiation of LoGIC II. This will include maintaining flexibility to scale the project with a combination of loans and grants as planned, or to proceed with the Government of Bangladesh’s committed funds alongside development partners’ grants.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change.
Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP

The Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) is a flagship project of the Government of Bangladesh that has established a nationally recognized model for locally led climate adaptation by channeling climate finance to Local Government Institutions (LGIs) and vulnerable communities through innovative, low-transaction-cost mechanisms. LoGIC will promote local action on climate change adaptation at scale through its’ Initiation Plan (IP) for phase-II. The Initiation Plan (IP) for Scaling the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) will be implemented over a 12-month period as a preparatory phase designed to bridge the gap between the completion of LoGIC I and the development, approval, and launch of LoGIC II. This phase aims to lay the groundwork for the full-scale roll-out of LoGIC II by providing targeted support to the Local Government Division (LGD) and technical assistance to the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

The IP will facilitate the national scaling of the LoGIC model by supporting LGD in institutionalizing the approach, while enabling ERD to initiate and complete critical technical studies, including cost-benefit analyses, feasibility studies, and the development of financing tools and models. It will also ensure the systematic capture of lessons learned and help establish the operational, financial, and institutional foundations required for a sustainable, government-led, and financially viable LoGIC II.

During this phase, the project will provide technical, operational, and policy support for preparing and securing funding for the Development Project Proposal (DPP) and the Project Document (ProDoc) for LoGIC II. It will further support the design of a blended finance model; strengthen institutional memory; promote community engagement; and conduct feasibility assessments related to Nature-based Solutions (NbS), community resilience, and private sector partnerships. Additional efforts will focus on developing models that link vulnerable communities to value chains, and on enhancing institutional, legal, and policy frameworks for improved service delivery and long-term sustainability.

The IP will adopt an adaptive management approach to minimize the impact of political transitions on the initiation of LoGIC II. This will include maintaining flexibility to scale the project with a combination of loans and grants as planned, or to proceed with the Government of Bangladesh’s committed funds alongside development partners’ grants.

3. Scope of Work:

1. Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation.
• The project Associate (Climate Change) will coordinate the implementation of LOGIC’s components at UP level (i.e. risk assessment, needs assessments, planning and screening, financing mechanisms and budgeting, community consultations, implementation of adaptation measures, and reporting).
• Introduce and explain innovations of the LOGIC IP intervention at local level and facilitate project communications; Support the implementation of participatory Community Risk Assessments (CRA) which will inform the development of local Risk Reduction Action Plans (RRAP).
• Support the implementation of the climate-inclusive local development plans and disaster risk management measures, at district and community level.
• Support mainstreaming gender equality in the project implementation, including in data collection and compilation.
• Ensure effective financial mechanism through audits, field visits and documentation at community groups, cooperative management and green business functioning.
• To establish youth platforms at different levels and ensure youth engagement in LoGIC interventions as a change maker in climate change adaptation initiatives by endorsing their creative ideas and strengthen youth's voice and policy advocacy at local and national levels.
• To ensure integration of climate risk insurance for agri., aquaculture and livestock to build adaptation and resilience of vulnerable communities in terms of local climate drivers and disaster risks.
2. Support partnerships and resource mobilization.
• The Project Associate (Climate Change) will be deployed to the districts and will work with the UPs within the District and Upazila administration. S/he will also closely work with UNDP operations unit, Programme cluster, local government, non-government and civil society organizations.
• Facilitate the participation of community members, particularly those identified as most vulnerable to climate risks, in community risk assessments and in the local development planning process and implementation.
• Support capacity-building strategies and activities and help in identifying knowledge gaps and training needs at community level.
• Develop and strengthen networks and linkages with the govt.’s extension departments (agri., fisheries, livestock, PIO, cooperatives, youth, women affairs) and key stakeholders to ensure support services to project beneficiaries.
• Maintain regular and effective coordination with Local Government Institutions, relevant line departments, backward and forward markets and Local Service Providers for quality project implementation and sustainability.
• Arrange workshop, seminar, capacity building training and consultative meetings for project beneficiaries, LGIs, line departments, market players and CSOs to understand and strengthen climate adaptation initiatives.
3. Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress of project implementation.
• The project Associate will support the monitoring of LOGIC IP project activities, their effectiveness and impact activities;
• Develop and maintain close linkages with relevant sectoral government agencies, NGOs, civil society, and implementing partners of the LOGIC IP project, engaging them when necessary.
• Prepares periodic reports, status reports as required by the LOGIC project in a qualitative and timely manner and prepare quarterly narrative report on programme implementation and financial monitoring report on Community Resilience Fund (CRF).
• Local level advocacy on climate change issues with district administration, Upazila Administration, Union Parishad, Civil Society, NGOs/CSO and other stakeholders on the ground.
• Supervision and monitoring of Upazilla facilitator (UFs) at Upazilla Level and Community Mobilization Facilitator (CMF) at Union level.
• Prepare and consolidate required project reports on a timely basis and in line with monitoring and reporting guidelines and donor requirements.
• Regular monitoring of the process of cooperative functions, green business operations and financial documentation of LoGIC cooperatives along with facing yearly departmental audits for each cooperative.
• Make LoGIC cooperative functional fund mobilization, green business investments and its effective operations along with support proper loan activies with documentations.
• Ensure ATM data collection and update data on cooperative software on regular basis and submit to LoGIC PMU.
• Maintain coordination with relevant financial institutions e.g., govt. banks and private banks to ensure smooth financial transaction and avoid fradulance for cooperative and beneficiary group accounts.

4. Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project.

• Collection of programme data from the field and development of quarterly monitoring report of the district; Facilitation of beneficiary bank account opening.
• Work on insurance of climate adaptive livelihoods and other related works for ensuring financial inclusion of the beneficiaries of community resilience fund (CRF).
• Work on value chain development for the products of the CRF beneficiaries and market linkage along with private sector engagement.
• Strengthening networks and linkages among the stakeholders and other development organization on the ground; Maintaining synergies between CRF and PBCRG activities in the field level.
• Arrange trainings for cooperative leaders and youths on green business, bankability, financial resources, services, market mobilization and investment menu
• Organize workshop for cooperative leaders on organizational development and cooperative investments (green business, loan facility, fund raising, audits an financial documentations etc.) to sustain cooperative activities.
• Collaboration with youth departments for youth platform registration at different levels and capacity building of the youth by departmental trainings.

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

4. 4. Institutional Arrangement:
The Project Associate (Climate Change) will work under the technical guidance and supervision of the Project Coordinator, and overall guidance of the National Project Director/Focal Person. He/She will be deployed to the districts and will work with the UZPs/UPs within the District and Upazila administration. They will also closely work with UNDP-UNCDF operations unit, Programme cluster, local government, non-government and civil society organizations.

Competencies

a. A) 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

b. B) Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Thematic Area Name Definition
General (across the functions) Public relations Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that
individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy
initiatives are supported in reaching the public.
Business Direction & Strategy
Futures & foresight Ability to look at information from the past and present, identify patterns and trends and use them to inform decision making with a long-term view. Being sensitive and able to scan horizons and pick up weak signals of change, explore their potential implications and assess their impact and urgency. Using creativity and imagination to communicate insights in compelling and engaging ways to challenge current mental models; ability to develop scenarios, speculative designs to present future visions or by making it experiential. Being able to
facilitate debate and discussion about possible futures; help people to feel comfortable with the discomfort of uncertainty.
2030 Agenda: People Gender
Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation
Audit & Investigation - General Financial and Managerial Accounting and Finance key concepts Key concepts and principles of financial accounting, interpret financial analysis, managerial accounting, etc.
Business Management Partnerships 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.
Business Management Monitoring and Evaluation Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and
benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
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.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education

• Secondary education is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, or other relevant field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Min. years of relevant Work experiencec and required skill

• Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant professional experience in development projects implemented by national/international NGOs, UN agencies, or government institutions;
Required skills

• Experience in working with government officials at different levels;
Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Work experience in climate change adaptation and resilience-building projects at the local level.
• Experience in climate change issues, adaptation, and vulnerabilities affecting rural Bangladesh;
• Experience in the rural local government system in Bangladesh;
• Experience in planning and budgeting procedures;
• Experience leading implementation of new systems and positively influence staff behavioural and attitudinal change;

Required Language (s): Fluency 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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