Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative 

About the Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative

The Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (“UPGI”) is a global unit of BRAC that was founded in 2016 to build off the success of BRAC’s Ultra-Poor Graduation program in Bangladesh. BRAC UPGI aims to position the Graduation approach as a key driver to eradicate extreme poverty worldwide. It does this by:

• Advocating for uptake of the Graduation approach by policymakers, national governments, multilateral institutions, and non-governmental organizations; and
• Effective adaptation and implementation of the Graduation approach in countries around the world, supported through technical assistance and capacity strengthening for external stakeholders.

In 2002, BRAC pioneered the Ultra-Poor Graduation (“Graduation”) approach in Bangladesh - a holistic intervention to help people lift themselves from extreme poverty - after recognizing that existing poverty alleviation programs were not reaching the poorest people. Through the provision of livelihood assets, cash transfers, and continued mentoring and training, the Graduation approach addresses participants’ multidimensional needs within the local context and helps lift people from extreme poverty into sustainable livelihoods. 

Graduation is an evidence-based, scalable intervention proven to break the poverty trap for the long term. So far, BRAC’s flagship Graduation program has impacted over 2 million Bangladeshi households—totaling over 9 million people. To help eradicate extreme poverty, BRAC UPGI is working to scale globally by integrating Graduation into existing government programs and help 21 million more people lift themselves from extreme poverty by 2030. 

• Assist in the preparation of project documents related to project design, project implementation plan (PIP) Standard operating procedures (SOPs), operations, administrative and financial matters (e.g. project proposals, training manual/module, technical reports, policy briefs, etc.);
• Conduct regular scanning on major national and regional policy issues, trends, and stakeholders and providing insights into emerging issues affecting BRAC UPGI’s initiatives
• Assist Country Lead in overseeing the programmatic aspects and project operations, including administrative and financial matters.
•  Undertake field visits to the programme area and assist in the implementation and field monitoring
• Provide technical assistance during project events, trainings, workshops, and forums, handling logistics and other related activities
• Prepare meeting materials (e.g. talking points, presentations), minutes of meetings and other related documents;
• Assist in maintaining relationships and coordination with Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure (Food Security), World Bank, provincial and local governments and other key stakeholders
• Provide regular reports and updates to BRAC International in concurrence with Country Lead
• Report to Country Lead on the project activities monthly and quarterly
• Facilitating project communications to the Project area
• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the Country Lead

Operations Management & Administration (20%)

•  Management, procurement and administration of office resources including office space, software, subscriptions, computers, hardware, and other related office systems and equipment.
•  Lead the development and systematic management of country level internal policies and their implementation, in alignment with UPGI and BI policies and procedures
• Conduct procurement activities, in collaboration with UPGI and BI teams
• Assist with identification of suitable vendors, collection of price quotes, documentation of procurement process and management of electronic and paper procurement files
•  Manage & prepare service level agreements for the smooth running of project activities
• Maintains a central filing system for required documents and forms.
• Support with identification, selection, recruitment, training and orientation of new staff members Support in organising domestic and international travel for employees, travel documentations and maintaining record of itineraries
• Manage the travel vendor relations, payments and compliances
• Assist employees with travel documentation. Maintain a record of travel itineraries and ensure smooth travel experiences for all employees.
• Support the quarterly reporting to BRAC International’s Executive Risk Management Committee. Serve as Risk Coordinator for UPGI and update risk register for UPGI programs and offices
• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the Country Lead

Financial Management (10%)

• Management of payments and financial record keeping related to office expenses, travel expenses and any other country expenditure. Ensuring that these take place in accordance with the planned budget and ensuring necessary approvals and documentation are in place.
• Organize and process invoices, service orders, and other expense claims to ensure payments and expenditure reporting are up to date.
• Perform monthly accounts reconciliation including (A/R, A/P, Bank, Cash, Prepayments, etc.)
• Manage bank related record keeping and reconciliations.
• Create and update the monthly forecast for regional operating costs and expected travel/activity budgets.
• Consolidate and analyze financial data (budgets, income statement forecasts etc.). Analyze financial data
• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the Country Lead

Support to Country Lead: (5%)

• Provide administrative support to the Country Lead, including managing his calendar, schedule meetings, and handle emails and correspondence.
• Organize and coordinate meetings, conferences, and calls for the Country Lead.
• Manage sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Support learning activities for the team as directed by the Country Lead.

Safeguarding (5%)

• Ensure the safety of team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation to achieve the program’s goals on safeguarding implementation
• Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so

• First Degree or equivalent - Management/Public Administration//Economics/Social Work/Rural development/Urban Development/Development studies strongly preferred
•  Minimum 5 years of experience in project development, policy influencing, advocacy or partners and public relations, preferably in government development programs or Non-Government Organizations
• Experience in supporting international development programs including especially with large programme planning, implementation, budgeting and financial management
• Working and coordination experience with Government programmes
• Significant living and working experience in Ethiopia
• Experience in accounting, compliance and management in development sector is a plus

• Commitment to the vision, mission, and values of UPGI and BRAC
• Experience in programme management processes, including work plan development, monitoring, and updating.
• Good understanding on both rural and urban poverty issues and challenges
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment, adjusting to shifting priorities and challenges.
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the local context, ensuring that all strategies and messages are culturally appropriate and relevant.
• Proficiency in drafting technical reports, program updates, and other documentation, ensuring clarity and consistency.
• Strong skills in liaising with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international partners
• Being proactive, assertive and action-oriented; driven to work without supervision and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Working experience in rapidly growing organizations with an entrepreneurial and audacious spirit will be an added advantage.
• Strong interpersonal/ communication skills;
• Willingness to travel extensively (a minimum of 7 to 10 days in a month)
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong ability to work collaboratively across teams, demonstrating cultural sensitivity, transparency, and fostering values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Previous knowledge or strong interest in global development

BRAC is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation - regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Therefore, our recruitment process includes extensive reference and background checks, self-disclosure of prior issues regarding sexual or other misconduct and criminal records and our values are a part of our Performance Management System.