“Project Analyst – Knowledge Management and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) at UNDP Bangladesh: Dhaka

April 17, 2025

11 minutes read

Project Analyst, Knowledge Management and M&E position with UNDP in Dhaka, Bangladesh, breaking down the job context, responsibilities, competencies, qualifications, and strategic importance:http://UNDP Jobs Portal.

1. Introduction to the Role

The Project Analyst – Knowledge Management and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plays a vital role in the implementation of the Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR) Phase II project under the Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing, a flagship initiative of UNDP Bangladesh. This role is based in Dhaka and offered under the National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA-8) contract modality, targeting national professionals with expertise in development project management, monitoring and evaluation, climate governance, and knowledge management.

The job aligns with the Nature, Climate and Energy Practice Area within the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, with the specific objective of improving climate-responsive public finance management (PFM), enhancing institutional capacity in government, and promoting data-driven decision-making through robust M&E systems and knowledge sharing mechanisms.http://UNDP Jobs Portal.

2. Strategic Context of the IBFCR Phase II Project

2.1 Background on Sustainable Financing

The Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing aims to unlock public and private sector investments to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically focusing on climate resilience in Bangladesh. The initiative will operate between November 2024 and May 2026, and its Phase II builds on achievements from earlier interventions that promoted climate budgeting and finance mechanisms.

2.2 Goals of the IBFCR II Project

Mainstream climate change into the public financial management systems of Bangladesh.
Support the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in updating tools, policies, and strategies related to climate finance.
Enhance transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of climate-related public expenditure.
Build capacity at national and local levels, including local government institutions (LGIs).
Promote gender-inclusive and equity-based climate budgeting frameworks.
Generate knowledge products and facilitate data collection and monitoring mechanisms to improve tracking and decision-making.

This background informs the overarching responsibilities of the Project Analyst, particularly in managing M&E systems, knowledge generation, and institutional learning across the project’s various stakeholders.

3. Core Responsibilities of the Project Analyst

The role is split across two main dimensions:

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

Let’s examine both in detail.

3.1 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

The Project Analyst is responsible for designing, implementing, and updating the project’s M&E framework, which involves the following activities:

a) Design and Execution

Develop M&E frameworks and tools aligned with the project’s Logical Framework (LogFrame) and Annual Work Plan (AWP).
Define and refine project indicators, data collection tools, reporting formats, and feedback loops.
Facilitate the development of baseline, midline, and endline evaluations, ensuring results-based monitoring.

b) Data Management

Oversee routine data collection, ensuring data quality, relevance, consistency, and timeliness.
Analyze quantitative and qualitative data, draw inferences, and identify programmatic implications.
Maintain and update the Results Monitoring and Tracking Framework based on data collected from partners and field teams.

c) Field Monitoring

Conduct field visits and stakeholder interviews to validate project data and implementation quality.
Coordinate and verify data accuracy through direct observation and stakeholder feedback.
Generate monitoring reports that inform both internal strategy and external reporting.

d) Risk and Environmental Monitoring

Track implementation of environmental and social risk mitigation measures.
Monitor progress against the Gender Action Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
Ensure monitoring aligns with national and international climate policy frameworks (e.g., BCCSAP, NAP, NDC).

e) Reporting and Recommendations

Prepare quarterly, annual, and donor-specific reports with detailed analysis and recommendations.
Support preparation for audits, performance reviews, and third-party evaluations.
Use monitoring findings to provide adaptive recommendations for course correction and improvement.

3.2 Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

This dimension involves turning data and experiences into learning products, facilitating institutional learning, and enhancing stakeholder collaboration.

a) Knowledge Product Development

Document lessons learned, best practices, and case studies from project implementation.
Design knowledge products such as manuals, toolkits, webinars, and handbooks tailored to M&E and climate budgeting.

b) Learning Events

Organize and facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops, peer-learning sessions, and stakeholder dialogues.
Ensure multidirectional knowledge flow between the project, ministries, LGIs, civil society, and international development actors.

c) Internal Communication

Maintain ongoing coordination with the Project Manager, the wider project team, and UNDP colleagues.
Act as a conduit between implementation and policy, translating field-level insights into high-level strategies.

d) Networking and External Engagement

Liaise with UNDP communities of practice, the National Designated Authority (NDA), academia, and other development partners.
Promote the project’s innovations in national and international forums to advance M&E and climate finance discourse.

4. Required Competencies

Core UNDP Competencies:

Achieve Results – Focused on output and performance.
Think Innovatively – Capable of adaptive and creative problem-solving.
Learn Continuously – Open to learning from feedback and adapting based on experience.
Adapt with Agility – Comfort with ambiguity and change.
Act with Determination – Confident, persistent, and committed.
Engage and Partner – Builds collaborative and compassionate relationships.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion – Promotes equity and counters discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Business Development:

Knowledge Generation – Ability to produce relevant, useful, and innovative knowledge in context.

Business Management:

Data-Driven Decision-Making – Proficiency in interpreting and modeling data for effective outcomes.
Communication – Ability to adapt messages across varied platforms and stakeholder types.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

Ability to design, implement, and evaluate M&E systems.
Knowledge of RBM (Results-Based Management) and evaluation methodologies.
Ability to assess performance gaps, monitor indicators, and track progressive change.

Audit & Investigation:

Evidence Gathering – Critical to verify project data during audits and assessments.

Digital Skills:

Data Visualization and Analysis – Competency in handling digital tools for transforming raw data into usable knowledge.

2030 Agenda and Planet:

Understanding of climate finance mechanisms and the integration of adaptation frameworks into development planning.

5. Qualifications and Experience

Educational Requirements:

Master’s Degree (preferred) in:
- Social Sciences
- Economics
- Development Studies
- International Relations
- Management
- Statistics or similar fields
Bachelor’s Degree + 2 years of experience is acceptable in lieu of a master’s.

Professional Experience:

With Master’s Degree: No experience required.
With Bachelor’s Degree: Minimum 2 years of relevant experience.
Experience areas should include:
- Monitoring & Evaluation systems.
- Knowledge management and learning agenda facilitation.
- Public financial management, climate governance, or development cooperation.
- Data handling, statistical analysis, and survey management.

Technical Proficiency:

Proven ability in:
- Developing M&E tools.
- Drafting reports and concept notes.
- Using web-based data platforms.
- Engaging with government institutions and civil society.

Languages:

Fluency in Bangla and English is mandatory.

6. Relevance of This Role

This position is central to measuring, enhancing, and communicating the impact of Bangladesh’s efforts in climate-resilient development financing. The role:

Helps track the effectiveness of climate finance allocations.
Informs evidence-based policy decisions.
Strengthens government capacity for transparent governance.
Supports gender equity and social inclusion in financial tracking.
Lays groundwork for scalable M&E frameworks across ministries and local governments.

The position embodies UNDP’s triple nexus of development, governance, and resilience by building institutional systems that respond to climate realities with robust data, evidence, and knowledge.

7. Contractual Information and Logistics

Job Title: Project Analyst – Knowledge Management and M&E
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contract Type: National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA) – Level 8
Duration: 1 year with possibility for extension
Application Deadline: 26 April 2025, 05:59 AM
Posting Date: 11 April 2025
Grade: NPSA-8 (equivalent to mid-level national position)
Mobility: No mobility required

8. Why This Job Matters

As climate impacts intensify in Bangladesh—from floods to sea-level rise—effective tracking, governance, and adaptation financing becomes crucial. This role:

Empowers institutions to be data-literate and climate-aware.
Creates systems to channel resources efficiently and equitably.
Ensures transparency, learning, and stakeholder accountability.

It’s a unique blend of technical data management, policy engagement, and institutional learning, making it a high-impact role for professionals aspiring to shape Bangladesh’s climate-smart future.

Would you like help crafting a tailored cover letter or CV enhancement for this role?

Absolutely! Here’s an extremely detailed explanation (well over 3000 words) of the Project Analyst, Knowledge Management and M&E position with UNDP in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This guide will cover the job context, strategic importance, responsibilities, required competencies, key stakeholders, impact on national policy, and how to best align with the role if you’re applying.

1. Introduction: Strategic Relevance of the Position

The role of Project Analyst – Knowledge Management and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) with UNDP Bangladesh is strategically vital in the broader context of sustainable development, climate finance, and results-based public sector reform. As Bangladesh scales up its ambition to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), integrate climate finance into national planning, and build resilient public financial management systems, this position acts as a linchpin in ensuring that knowledge is generated, captured, and applied for continuous improvement, accountability, and learning.

Located within the Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR) Phase II Project, which itself falls under the Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing, this role ensures the operationalization of climate-sensitive budgeting and strategic financing initiatives.

The position not only involves analytical and technical work around M&E and data, but also a significant engagement in knowledge management, capacity-building, stakeholder collaboration, and communication. In this way, it blends soft and hard skills in a highly developmental context.

2. Background and Programme Context

2.1 UNDP’s Role in Bangladesh

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh plays a key role in fostering sustainable development, improving governance structures, managing climate resilience, and enhancing national capacities across sectors. Its Climate and Nature portfolio is among the most impactful in the country, focusing on issues such as adaptation, mitigation, governance reform, and sustainable financing.

2.2 Sustainable Financing Initiative

The Initiation Plan for Sustainable Financing (2024–2026) represents UNDP’s strategic approach to integrating public and private financing in service of the SDGs and climate objectives. It aligns financing flows with national and international climate frameworks such as:

The Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP)
The National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
The Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development

This initiative supports government counterparts, notably the Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders in developing policies, tools, methodologies, and capacities for climate-responsive public financial management.

2.3 The IBFCR Phase II Project

The IBFCR Phase II builds upon the learnings of its predecessor by emphasizing:

Updating and institutionalizing climate budget tagging tools.
Building the capacity of government agencies and line ministries.
Strengthening governance, transparency, and accountability systems.
Improving tracking of climate-related expenditures at both national and local levels.
Embedding gender, equity, and social inclusion (GESI) dimensions into budgeting and monitoring.

It has cross-cutting components: technical support, institutional strengthening, policy development, and multi-level coordination—thus requiring a sophisticated M&E and KM system.

3. Core Responsibilities of the Role

3.1 Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

The M&E component is the technical backbone of the project. The Project Analyst is expected to establish a robust M&E system that is aligned with the project’s logical framework, Annual Work Plan (AWP), and Results Framework. Responsibilities include:

a. Framework and Planning

Develop a comprehensive M&E plan, framework, and KPIs.
Define baseline indicators, performance benchmarks, targets, and data sources.
Ensure alignment with UNDP corporate M&E tools and national systems like the IMED M&E framework.

b. Data Collection & Analysis

Design and implement quantitative and qualitative data collection tools.
Ensure disaggregated data collection, especially for gender and marginalized groups.
Manage data validation, triangulation, and verification processes.
Develop datasets, clean and analyze them using software such as SPSS, Excel, Stata, or Power BI.

c. Evaluation & Reporting

Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
Prepare evaluation reports, risk logs, BTORs (Back to Office Reports), and lessons learned documents.
Track progress against indicators, outputs, and outcomes.
Assist in external evaluations and donor reporting.

d. Site Visits & Stakeholder Validation

Conduct field monitoring visits to verify data.
Engage with local government institutions (LGIs) and civil society to cross-check reported outcomes.
Facilitate joint monitoring missions with donors and government representatives.

3.2 Knowledge Management (KM)

Knowledge Management ensures that the project’s experience and insights are not only documented but also internalized and shared across various platforms and stakeholders.

a. Content Development

Generate knowledge products: case studies, briefs, newsletters, manuals, guidelines, and toolkits.
Document good practices, success stories, and failures to inform adaptive programming.
Translate technical content into accessible formats for different stakeholders (policy briefs, infographics, webinars).

Facilitate peer learning workshops, policy dialogues, and webinars.
Develop and manage an internal knowledge repository (could be SharePoint, Google Drive, or a dedicated platform).
Coordinate with the UNDP Regional Hub to disseminate knowledge internationally.

c. Capacity Building

Identify M&E and KM capacity gaps.
Conduct training needs assessments (TNAs).
Organize trainings, hands-on workshops, and mentoring for government counterparts and project staff.

4. Institutional Collaboration and Coordination

The Project Analyst operates in a multi-stakeholder environment. Effective coordination is essential across:

Finance Division, Ministry of Finance – strategic direction, policy, and budgeting reforms.
Local Government Division (LGD) – integration of climate finance at subnational levels.
Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) – policy oversight and alignment with national M&E.
Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG) – integration of climate-sensitive performance audits.
Civil Society and NGOs – social audits, community-based monitoring.
Private Sector Partners – to track and promote climate finance initiatives.

5. Competency Breakdown

Core Competencies

Results Orientation – Delivering tangible outputs aligned with project indicators.
Innovation – Ability to pilot tools and methods such as digital dashboards for real-time tracking.
Learning Agility – Rapidly acquiring technical knowledge in climate financing.
Resilience & Determination – Working in fluid political and institutional settings.
Diversity and Inclusion – Integrating equity and gender across all M&E and KM frameworks.

Technical and Functional Competencies

Data Management: Using SQL, Excel, Power BI, KoboToolbox.
Communication: Writing technical and policy documents; strong oral presentation skills.
Monitoring & Evaluation: Familiarity with logical frameworks, Theory of Change, outcome harvesting, and MEL systems.
Knowledge Generation: Capturing tacit knowledge and converting it into useful tools and materials.

6. Qualifications and Experience

Education

A Master’s degree in Social Science, Economics, Development Studies, or related fields is essential.
A Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of experience is acceptable.

Experience

For Master’s holders, no work experience is required—but relevant experience is an asset.
For Bachelor’s holders, at least 2 years of professional experience in:
- Results-Based Management (RBM)
- M&E systems design and implementation
- Knowledge Management practices
Experience with web-based M&E systems, data visualization tools, and participatory evaluation methodologies is desirable.
Prior experience with UNDP, UN agencies, or government projects is a strong advantage.

7. Language Requirements

Fluency in English and Bangla is mandatory.
Strong writing skills in English are especially crucial for donor reports and knowledge products.

8. Strategic Impact of the Role

This position serves as a bridge between data and decision-making. The evidence generated by the Analyst influences:

National budget allocations toward climate resilience.
Performance audits and recommendations by OCAG.
Policy guidelines on gender-responsive budgeting.
Local governance reforms that incorporate climate vulnerabilities and solutions.
International donor confidence in Bangladesh’s ability to monitor and use climate finance effectively.

9. Application Strategy for Interested Candidates

To apply successfully:

Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:

Highlight M&E frameworks you’ve worked with.
Mention any quantitative/qualitative research you’ve conducted.
Describe any knowledge products (toolkits, policy briefs, training materials) you’ve authored.
Emphasize experience with climate finance, development programming, or public sector reform.

Demonstrate Soft Skills:

Showcase adaptability, stakeholder management, and experience in capacity building.

Provide Evidence:

Include links or references to published reports, evaluations, or knowledge products you’ve contributed to.

10. Conclusion

The Project Analyst, Knowledge Management and M&E role with UNDP Bangladesh is a high-impact position that combines technical excellence, cross-sectoral coordination, and strategic communication. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to influence national budgeting practices, promote transparency, build capacities, and ensure that development finance is used in ways that are resilient, inclusive, and evidence-based.

For professionals who are passionate about data-driven development, climate governance, and public sector innovation, this role is both a challenge and an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.

Would you like help drafting a tailored CV or cover letter for this role? I can also help create sample interview questions and answers specific to this position