Project Manager (Open to Internal & External Applicants)
Organizational Context
UNDP Bangladesh operates within the Resilience and Inclusive Growth (RIG) cluster, focusing on sustainable economic development and environmental resilience. The country, a significant South Asian economy, faces challenges including slow GDP growth, high inflation, and climate vulnerability, despite progress in human development and upcoming LDC graduation. The RIG cluster supports Bangladesh through policy advice, implementation, financing, and capacity building in areas like climate adaptation, natural resource management, and inclusive growth.
Job Purpose
The Project Manager will provide strategic and adaptive leadership for two key projects within the RIG cluster: the Climate Finance Network (CFN) Project and the Strengthening Thematic Bonds Ecosystem in Bangladesh (TBE) project. This role is crucial for ensuring results-based planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, aligning with UNDP's principles, project documents, donor requirements, and government priorities. The position contributes to strengthening sustainable finance frameworks, climate finance governance, and market-based financing approaches for climate adaptation and resilient development in Bangladesh, with a focus on vulnerable regions and communities. The role also involves managing project teams, budgets, partnerships, and ensuring compliance with UNDP standards.
Responsibilities
The Project Manager is responsible for comprehensive project oversight, including results-based planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, ensuring alignment with project documents and annual work plans. This involves managing financial and human resources, adhering to UNDP regulations, and leading the preparation of work plans and budgets. The role includes managing project teams, identifying and mitigating risks, and executing adaptive management strategies. Quality assurance processes, including social and environmental safeguards, are critical. The manager will oversee procurement, maintain project documentation, and facilitate governance mechanisms and reporting to donors and stakeholders. Additionally, the role requires providing technical oversight on climate and sustainable finance, developing stakeholder engagement strategies, building strategic relationships with government and partners, and supporting the strengthening of sustainable finance frameworks. Promoting inclusive financing mechanisms, integrating cross-cutting themes like gender equality, and facilitating knowledge management and communication are also key duties. The position supports resource mobilization efforts by identifying funding sources, preparing proposals, and designing innovative financing strategies.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a Master's degree (or 7 years with a Bachelor's) in project/programme management within the development sector is required, including at least 3 years in a senior managerial role. Demonstrated experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes, managing teams and budgets, and delivering results at scale is essential. Proven experience in climate finance, sustainable finance, or financial sector development is also required. Experience in Bangladesh's development context, locally-led development, and national or direct implementation arrangements is desirable.
Skills
- Project Management (complex, multi-stakeholder) - Financial Management (budgets, forecasting) - Team Leadership - Partnership Building & Management - Stakeholder Engagement & Relations - Climate Finance & Sustainable Finance - Risk Management & Issue Resolution - Strategic Planning & Reporting - Technical Oversight - Knowledge Management & Communication - Resource Mobilization - Policy Support & Advocacy - Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Mainstreaming - Fluency in English and Bengali (written and verbal)