Project Associate (Admin), SSPS Programme II, Dhaka, Bangladesh

## Project Associate (Admin), SSPS Programme II, Dhaka, Bangladesh - Organization:UNDP - United Nations Development Programme 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. Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD 450 billion. Between 2000 and 2019, the economy grew at an average of around 6 per cent per year, accompanied by broad gains in human development. The national poverty rate fell from over 48 per cent in 2000 to about 18.7 per cent in 2022, and the Human Development Index reached 0.685 in 2023, placing Bangladesh in the medium human development category. The country is scheduled to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026. Significant development challenges remain. GDP growth slowed to 3.49 per cent in fiscal year 2024-25, inflation has stayed elevated, and private investment is weak, constraining the economic diversification needed to create decent jobs. Bangladesh is also one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, highly exposed to natural and climate-induced hazards. As the UN's development agency, UNDP has worked in Bangladesh since 1972, partnering with the government to advance democratic governance, climate adaptation, environmental protection, and inclusive growth. This support spans high-quality policy and technical advice, implementation support, development financing, and knowledge sharing. The programme portfolio is organized into two clusters and a Sub-Office in Cox's Bazar; Democratic Governance, and Resilience and Inclusive Growth aligned to the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Each cluster is led by a Cluster Team Leader (functional title: Assistant Resident Representative) and Sub-Office by its head responsible for programme and project quality, results, and effective relationships with implementing partners and donors. Across both clusters, the Operations Team and the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) provide cross-cutting oversight and quality assurance, helping to ensure compliance, delivery readiness, and sound financial and operational management. UNDP Bangladesh's Democratic Governance programme works toward a country that is inclusive, capable, rule-based, accountable, and transparent, so that all citizens can contribute peacefully to national development. It focuses on three areas: strengthening effective and accountable governance that improves equitable access to justice and the rule of law; promoting participatory governance and a strong civil society so that all voices are heard; and advancing the civic, political, and economic empowerment of women and youth. In practice, this work spans support to justice-sector institutions and access to justice including legal aid and community-based dispute resolution such as the Village Courts alongside strengthening local government institutions and decentralized service delivery, advancing human rights, transparency, and anti-corruption, and supporting inclusive, credible electoral processes. UNDP partners with government, civil society, community, and academic institutions to make public institutions more effective, accountable, and responsive, with particular attention to women, youth, and marginalized and minority groups. The Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Phase II (2026-2030), implemented by UNDP Bangladesh in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia, supports the implementation and continued reform of the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS). Building on more than a decade of engagement, the programme addresses persistent challenges in Bangladesh's social protection system, including fragmented delivery, coverage and targeting gaps, limited gender responsiveness, and uneven implementation capacity, particularly at the local level. The programme focuses on strengthening social protection governance and delivery systems, with particular attention to lifecycle-based support for poor and vulnerable populations. Through embedded technical assistance, government-led pilots, improved data and monitoring systems, and evidence-based policy support, SSPS Phase II will advance reforms in governance and local delivery, lifecycle social protection, climate-responsive and shock-adaptive social protection, urban and social insurance linkages, and gender equality and disability inclusion. The programme aims to translate policy commitments into effective, inclusive, and fiscally sustainable social protection that contributes to poverty reduction, human development, employment, and resilience. Duties and Responsibilities The project associate (Admin) will have the following specific duties and responsibilities:Provide Administrative and Operational Support - Support the day-to-day administrative operations of the project to ensure efficient Programme implementation. - Prepare administrative correspondence, official documentation, meeting minutes, and maintain project e-filing and records management systems. - Full compliance with UNDP POPP, rules & regulations, proper planning, supporting follow up of audit; implementation of the effective internal control framework. Ensure Administration by focusing on achievement of the following results - Support logistics, equipment and meeting and training materials and communication with vendors. - Ensures timely delivery of procurement processes for the project - Facilitate timely processing and payment of vendor invoices through the Quantum system, in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures. - Assist the project team for all kinds of project management related activities including liaison with Cabinet Division & different government agencies/UNDP CO/donor partners, NGOs and other key stakeholders, as directed; - Support in planning, organization and coordination of high-level meetings, workshops and result sharing/dissemination events involving appropriate stakeholders; - Provide support in processing and settling Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), travel claims, and other financial claims of staff and service providers in accordance with UNDP rules, policies, and procedures. - Support management of programme vehicles and ensuring timely and efficient vehicle services for programme activities. Support Procurement and Contract Administration - Support the implementation of procurement plans for goods, services, and individual consultants in accordance with UNDP procurement policies. - Facilitate timely and quality procurement of project goods and services in accordance with the Procurement Process Review (PPR) and applicable UNDP rules and procedures. - Coordinate with the Project Manager and Project Analyst (Operations) in preparing and revising the procurement plan in line with the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and project requirements. - Support efficient project procurement through technical bids, financial bids, proposals and contracts following the provisions of the NIM Guidelines. - Support to prepare specifications for the equipment required for procurement in close work with