Programme Support Assistant – Circular Economy

Host entity: UNDP

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Project management, programme development, strategy, Communication, advocacy, public information

Application deadline: 23/08/2026

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.

Assignment context

This UN Volunteer assignment will support the Circular Economy Portfolio of UNDP Bangladesh, which promotes a transition towards more resource-efficient, inclusive and sustainable economic models through policy engagement, evidence generation, stakeholder collaboration and innovative approaches. The Portfolio is implementing interconnected activities across Advocacy, Blue Economy and Internal Integration. These include advocacy and sensitisation sessions, circular economy benefit analyses and policy briefs, blue economy cost-benefit analysis and innovation research, communication and campaigning activities, learning circles, workshops and stakeholder consultations.

The UN Volunteer will provide junior-level, on-site programmatic support to the Portfolio team, working under the guidance of the Portfolio Co-Leads and relevant technical colleagues. The assignment will particularly support coordination of meetings and events, stakeholder engagement and follow-up, basic research and information compilation, programme documentation, and tracking of activities across the Portfolio.

Task description

Under the supervision and guidance of the Circular Economy Portfolio team, the UN Volunteer will:

1. Provide programmatic support and Internal Integration work through advocacy sessions, sensitization events, workshops, learning circles, and stakeholder consultations.

2. Support meeting and event preparation, stakeholder coordination, documentation, action-point tracking and routine follow-up with relevant counterparts.

3. Assist with basic research, information compilation and documentation for circular economy benefit analyses, policy briefs, cost-benefit analysis and innovation research.

4. Support communication and campaigning activities through compilation of programme information, evidence, meeting records and relevant materials.

5. Provide day-to-day support in tracking activities, consolidating inputs and maintaining implementation follow-up across different workstreams.

Skills and experience

Required Experience:
• At least 1 year of experience in programme/project support, stakeholder engagement, communications, event coordination, or a related area.
• Experience supporting meetings, workshops, consultations, and events.
• Experience in preparing meeting notes, reports, and other programme documentation.

Relevant Experience:
• Experience in research, data compilation, communications, or stakeholder coordination is desirable.
• Exposure to sustainable development, circular economy, environmental sustainability, blue economy, private-sector engagement, or development programmes is an asset.
• Relevant volunteering, internship, university-based activities, or similar experience is an asset.

Skills and Competencies:
• Good organizational, coordination, and interpersonal skills.
• Basic research, analytical, and documentation skills.
• Good communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work collaboratively, manage multiple tasks, and follow up on assigned activities.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living conditions

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).

Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. 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.

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.