Mission and objectives

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with Bangladesh ever since its birth and through its remarkable journey from a war-ravaged economy to a middle-income country. It remains a catalyst in Bangladesh’s journey from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. UNDP assists in building institutions and helps strengthen institutional capacities through people-centric, pro-poor, inclusive and sustainable policy making and development governance.

Context

The Social Protection Policy Support (SPPS) Programme responds to a need to reconfigure the existing social protection system. The programme will provide technical assistance, bring global expertise and meet major investment requirements to enable the GoB to roll out a fully functional system in line with the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) and its Action Plan. It will draw on the NSSS, which provides a functional entry point for effecting changes in the wider social protection system via better governance and oversight of the system. The first component of the Programme is the improvement of governance of social protection by helping to build coordination, M&E and reporting functions. It will also strengthen research and analysis capacities in order to build a more effective evidence base for effective policy development. The second component of the programme is to strengthen Social Protection System, with the purpose of developing a modern social protection infrastructure capable of supporting a nationally integrated delivery system for reliable, transparent and developmental GoB social transfers and promote linkages to ensure effective coordination. The two SPPS components will function alongside a piloting delivery component that will enable testing and learning and inform social protection strategy and policy through field-based evidence. The Government of Bangladesh has formulated the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) with the objective of tackling poverty and vulnerability by contributing to human resource development which will have particular focus on child social protection. Therefore, the NSSS adopts the social protection programmes for families with children as the primary challenge. The SPPS Programme supports the government in implementation of the NSSS which recommends child social protection as the most important agenda of social protection reforms. Thus, the development of child social protection and nutritional upliftment has come to be most prominent engagement of SPPS Programme. In view of the above, the SPPS Programme is looking for a young professional (with Bangla and English language proficiency) capable of working collaboratively, having research aptitude on social issues, and with technical expertise of child social protection for a certain period to work directly in the SPPS Programme which operates in different ministries and offices. As an effort to increase its internal capacity, SPPS Programme prefers a qualified young professional with the interest on social development policy, child social protection (with bachelor’s degree preferably with major in child development) who will support Cabinet Division and GED in implementation of NSSS.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of National Project Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support the SPPS team in analysis of the government policy on child social protection in NSSS, Five Year Plans, SDGs and to point out prioritized policy areas for supports. • Assist in developing knowledge products on key emerging issues relating to social protection and other related issue. • Review reports and strategy papers on social protection. • Assist in preparing policy presentation and briefs. • Support and participate to conduct in-depth research and analyse primary and secondary data. • Assist M&E and MIS personnel in collection, review, and analysis of MIS data. • Assist in Administrative Works, provide logistic support during meetings, workshops, field visit. • Prepare meeting minutes, running commentary, support in preparing project reports. • Generate success stories highlighting the impact of social safety nets and SDGs for UNDP, newspapers, websites, and publications. • Create newsletters and one-pagers to keep stakeholders informed. • Any other relevant tasks as assigned by the Project Manager from time to time.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Working with teams • Communication • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity

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 centre 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. 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). 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.