An exceptional opportunity has emerged for young graduates and emerging researchers in Bangladesh to directly engage with the national parliamentary system, legislative procedures, and policy-making research. Under the framework of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which focuses on 'Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions,' the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat have jointly initiated the Parliament Young Fellowship program. This pilot initiative aims to make the operations of the national parliament more dynamic through data-driven research and modern information management.
Under this fellowship program, selected young researchers will be contracted for a period of six months with the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat. The primary workplace for the selected fellows will be the National Parliament Secretariat located in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. They will directly participate in providing research support to parliamentary committees and preparing policy documents, which is expected to play a crucial role in further strengthening the country's democratic and legislative processes.
Applicants must meet specific educational and professional criteria to be eligible. Candidates must be over 18 years of age and hold Bangladeshi citizenship. In terms of academic qualifications, applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in Law, Public Administration, Business Administration, Parliamentary Studies, Economics, Development Studies, Political Science, or any discipline within the Social Sciences.
Prior professional work experience is not mandatory for this fellowship, providing a significant advantage for fresh graduates. However, candidates must possess fluent written and verbal communication skills in both Bengali and English. Additionally, proficiency in research presentation, Microsoft Office applications, and the accurate and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools are specifically required.
The activities of the selected fellows will be closely supervised. Project managers or analysts from UNDP Bangladesh, alongside relevant senior officials of the Parliament Secretariat, will jointly oversee the work of the fellows. Through this initiative, young professionals will gain practical experience in research and parliamentary affairs meeting global standards, adding a unique dimension to their future careers.
