Published: 12:01 AM, 05 November 2026
Irregularities alleged in hiring former bureaucrats as experts for WB-funded project
Serious questions have emerged over the recruitment of highly paid consultants and the outsourcing of 240 personnel under the World Bank-funded Improvement of Urban Public Health Preventive Services Project (IUPHPSP), implemented by the Local Government Division.
Allegations have been raised that several senior consultants, including three former additional secretaries, were appointed despite apparent discrepancies between their academic qualifications, professional experience and the eligibility requirements specified in the projects approved Development Project Proposal (DPP) and recruitment Terms of Reference (TOR).
The controversy also involves claims that recruitment conditions were altered and that some individuals who subsequently secured consultancy positions had participated in preparing recruitment documents and evaluating candidates. Separately, questions have been raised over the recruitment of 240 outsourced employees under a Tk 28.72 crore contract, including 186 positions associated with a specialized dengue and vector research laboratory that has yet to become operational.
Project officials and the consultants concerned have defended the appointments, maintaining that the recruitment process followed the applicable requirements and that the selected individuals possess relevant qualifications and experience.
Among those appointed to senior consultancy positions are Aminul Islam, a former additional secretary of the Local Government Division, as Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist; Dr. Billal Hossain, a former additional secretary of the Ministry of Environment, as Environment Specialist; and Dr. Mohd. Sher Ali, another former additional secretary of the Local Government Division, as Project Management Specialist.
Enamul Haque, whose previous professional experience was primarily in accounting and financial management, was appointed to the position of Behavior Change Communication Specialist. A comparison of their educational records, professional experience and recruitment requirements has raised questions about whether at least three of the four appointees fulfilled all the prescribed eligibility criteria.
According to the project's TOR, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist must hold a master's degree in sociology,
statistics, economics, mathematics, business administration or a related discipline. The position also requires at least 15 years of general professional experience, including seven years of experience in development projects financed by development partners or the government.
Aminul Islam holds a Master of Commerce degree in Accounting from Rajshahi University. His submitted professional records refer to previous responsibilities as a Public Financial Management Specialist, Senior Public Financial Specialist and Senior Local Government Specialist.
However, the documents reviewed for the report did not establish specific experience in monitoring and evaluation, raising questions about whether his professional background fully satisfied the requirements of the position. The TOR for the Project Management Specialist requires a master's degree in management, economics, business administration or a related subject.
Candidates must also have at least 15 years of experience in administration, coordination, supervision and project management. Preference is given to applicants with at least three years of experience in local government and urban development, while practical experience in urban public health management is also required.
Dr. Mohd. Sher Ali, who secured the position, holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Rajshahi University. Although his academic qualification falls within the specified disciplines, questions have been raised about whether his documented professional experience adequately meets the position's specialized requirements.
Sher Ali previously served as an additional secretary in the Local Government Division and was involved in activities connected with the project before his appointment as a consultant. He acknowledged participating in negotiations with the World Bank to secure financing for the project. Speaking to Amar Desh, Sher Ali said he had been a member of the negotiating team and had overseen matters relating to the project while serving as an additional secretary.
He also acknowledged that he had not managed a major project independently. When asked whether his earlier involvement in the project and subsequent consultancy appointment constituted a conflict of interest, he did not provide a response. Alleged Changes to Environment Specialist Requirements Questions have also been raised about modifications to the recruitment conditions for the Environment Specialist position, subsequently filled by Dr. Billal Hossain.
According to the approved DPP, the position required at least five years of experience in the environmental aspects of demand-driven development programmes. The specified experience included preparing and implementing Environmental Action Plans and Environmental Management Plans, as well as participating in development activities aimed at reducing the effects of environmental pollution and climate change on public health.
However, the recruitment TOR reportedly introduced different experience requirements. Under the revised conditions, candidates were required to possess at least 15 years of general professional experience, including six years of experience as an environmental specialist in development partner-funded or government-supported projects.
The changes have prompted questions about why the original conditions were revised and whether the modifications were properly authorized. Project authorities maintain that adjustments to the recruitment requirements were made to address the project's operational needs.
Another appointment under scrutiny involves Enamul Haque, who was selected as a Behavior Change Communication (BCC) Specialist. The original DPP required candidates for the position to hold a master's degree in anthropology or sociology, a qualification in public relations, or a related discipline.
It also specified 15 years of general experience in BCC management within a national or international organization, or 10 years of relevant research experience, along with practical experience in urban public health management. However, the recruitment TOR broadened the educational requirements to include master's degrees in sociology, public relations, psychology, anthropology or any other subject.
According to his résumé, Enamul obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree with second division from Dhaka City College and subsequently completed a Master of Commerce degree at Jagannath College. His professional background includes positions such as accountant, finance and administration coordinator, financial management and accounting specialist, finance manager, regional finance coordinator and finance associate responsible for audit-related work.
The documents examined for the report did not establish 10 years of professional experience in behavior change communication management or related research. Despite these questions, Enamul was appointed to the BCC position. He was also assigned additional responsibilities as Procurement Specialist on June 29.
The IUPHPSP began in July 2023. A recruitment notice for 12 expert positions was issued on December 3, 2024, and the selected consultants joined the project in February 2025. Allegations have emerged that Aminul Islam, Enamul Haque and Sher Ali were directly involved in preparing the TOR, constituting the evaluation committee and organizing the recruitment process before their formal appointments.
According to the allegations, the individuals worked with the project office during its initial stages and participated in preparing documents later used in the recruitment process. The circumstances have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and whether appropriate safeguards were maintained to ensure transparency and impartiality.
>>Alimuzzaman, AA
