ImpactRoles
Direct from UNV careers
Host entity: UNDP
Volunteer type: National
Areas of expertise: Communication, advocacy, public information, Governance, elections, Knowledge management, research, reporting
Application deadline: 29/10/2026
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.
The Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, through its Research & Library Management Wing, supports parliamentary affairs by providing research, information and knowledge resources. As the 13th Jatiya Sangsad begins its work, the availability of accessible and relevant research materials can contribute to informed parliamentary deliberations and effective institutional functioning.
Building on UNDP Bangladesh’s longstanding partnership with the Bangladesh Parliament, including support for the orientation of newly elected Members of Parliament, the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and UNDP propose to launch the Parliament Young Fellows Programme (PYFP). The pilot programme will provide supplementary support to the Secretariat’s research and knowledge management activities while offering young graduates practical exposure to parliamentary research, legislative processes and public institutions.
Under this initiative, UNDP Bangladesh will engage and administer the UN Volunteers, who will be stationed at the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and support its research and knowledge management activities.
The Fellows will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager/Project Analyst (Parliament), UNDP Bangladesh. In addition, the Fellows will work under the close guidance of designated officials within the Research & Library Management Branch of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat.
Core Areas of Fellowship Engagement:
1. Parliamentary Research and Knowledge Management
The Fellows will support the Research & Library Management branch in producing, organizing, and facilitating access to research and knowledge resources required for parliamentary business.
Responsibilities may include:
• Supporting the preparation of research briefs, legislative background notes, comparative studies, and other research products on issues identified by the Secretariat;
• Reviewing, analysing, and synthesizing information from relevant and credible sources into concise and accessible research outputs;
• Supporting the organization, documentation, and indexing of library and knowledge resources;
• Contributing to the parliamentary knowledge repository, library, and documentation services;
• Supporting the preparation of parliamentary bulletins, newsletters, and other knowledge products, as required; and
• Assisting in the systematic organization, retrieval, and maintenance of parliamentary information and documentation.
The emphasis will be on producing demand-driven, accurate, objective, evidence-based, and accessible research products that respond to identified institutional needs.
2. Parliamentary Standing Committee Support
Through arrangements coordinated by the Research & Library Management Branch, Fellows may provide demand-driven research and documentation support to Parliamentary Standing Committees.
Responsibilities may include:
• Supporting the preparation of committee background papers, research briefs, and issue summaries;
• Conducting desk research and comparative analysis on subjects relevant to committee business;
• Supporting the preparation and organization of materials for committee meetings;
• Supporting the documentation and tracking of committee recommendations and follow-up actions; and
• Preparing legislative background materials and research notes, where required.
The Fellows' role under this component will be limited to research, analysis, and documentation support.
3. Research and Briefing Note Support to Parliamentary Leadership
At the request of the relevant authorities and based on institutional requirements, Fellows may provide research, briefing and documentation support to the parliamentary leadership in relation to parliamentary business and functions. Such support will be coordinated through the Research & Library Management Branch of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and guided by institutional priorities.
Responsibilities may include:
• Supporting the preparation of concise briefing notes and background papers on parliamentary business, including legislative matters, oversight functions, parliamentary procedures, budget-related issues and other topics identified by the relevant authorities.
• Responding to specific research requests through the identification, review, and synthesis of relevant information;
• Supporting research for speeches, statements, and other official communication materials; and
• Providing other research and documentation support related to parliamentary functions.
4. Indicative Outputs and Contributions
Depending on institutional priorities and workload, Fellows may contribute to:
• Research briefs and legislative background notes;
• Comparative research and analytical notes;
• Committee background papers and issue briefs;
• Briefing notes for parliamentary leadership;
• Meeting and committee documentation;
• Inputs to parliamentary bulletins, newsletters, and other knowledge products; and
• Documentation of committee recommendations and follow-up actions.
The specific assignments, priorities, and outputs will be determined by the Research & Library Management Wing in consultation with relevant institutional authorities.
• Good research and analytical skills, including the ability to review information from credible sources and summarize key findings clearly and accurately.
• Strong writing and information synthesis skills, with the ability to prepare concise research notes, briefing papers and other written materials.
• Good written communication skills in both Bangla and English, including the ability to prepare clear and well-structured documents in both languages.
• Demonstrated interest in parliamentary affairs, governance, public policy, law or institutional development.
• Good organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage assigned tasks responsibly.
• Ability to communicate effectively, adapt to different working requirements and work collaboratively in a professional environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and online research tools.
• Ability to use digital tools, including AI-based tools, responsibly and ethically, while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and appropriate verification of information.
• Relevant academic, internship, volunteer, extracurricular, or research experience in parliamentary affairs, governance, public policy, law, institutional development, public administration, or legislative studies will be considered an asset.
• Involvement with youth-led organizations, think tanks, research institutions or student-led initiatives will be an asset.
• Participation in national or international conferences, seminars, policy dialogues or similar events related to governance, public policy, parliamentary affairs or development will be an asset.
Working Arrangements and Professional Standards:-
In carrying out their assignments, Fellows will be expected to:
• Maintain professional integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship in all research and documentation activities;
• Ensure accuracy, objectivity, appropriate source attribution and evidence-based analysis in research products;
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and documents accessed in the course of their assignments;
• Comply with applicable rules, procedures and protocols of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat;
• Work within their assigned responsibilities and seek appropriate guidance where required; and
• Maintain appropriate records of research assignments and outputs to support institutional learning and knowledge retention.
Scope Boundaries and Professional Conduct:-
Given the institutional setting of the Fellowship, Fellows will work within the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat while receiving support under a UNDP-supported pilot programme. Clear professional boundaries will apply to ensure that the Fellowship remains focused on research, analysis, documentation and knowledge support and does not create any perception of political, legislative or representational involvement by the Fellows or UNDP.
Fellows should not:-
• Express or advocate political, partisan or personal positions in the course of their fellowship assignments;
• Engage in political campaigning, lobbying, advocacy or activities that could compromise, or be perceived to compromise, their neutrality;
• Provide legal, political or policy advice in their personal capacity or present their views as the position of the Parliament Secretariat or UNDP;
• Make decisions, determine institutional positions, or provide instructions on behalf of parliamentary committees, offices or authorities;
• Independently represent, speak for or communicate official positions on behalf of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, its committees, parliamentary offices or UNDP;
• Share, reproduce or disclose confidential parliamentary information or documents without appropriate authorization;
• Use their position or access within Parliament for personal, commercial or other unauthorized purposes; or
• Undertake assignments that fall outside the agreed scope of the Fellowship without appropriate authorization.
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is a family duty station and the political, administrative, and economic centre of the country. The Fellow will be based primarily at the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat in Dhaka and will work in close coordination with UNDP Bangladesh under the Parliament Young Fellows Programme. Occasional travel within Bangladesh may be required depending on programme requirements.
The security situation in Dhaka is generally stable, although demonstrations, strikes, and traffic disruptions may occur periodically. All UN personnel are required to comply with United Nations security regulations, complete mandatory security training (BSAFE), and follow UNDSS advisories.
Dhaka offers a full range of accommodation, banking, telecommunications, internet services, and healthcare facilities. Bangladesh is known for its rich cultural heritage and hospitality. Fellows are expected to demonstrate cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and respect for local customs and traditions.
This is a National UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own accommodation and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are covered under the malicious acts insurance plan. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.
Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.
Listing sourced from UNV careers. Applications are handled entirely by the employer.
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