Climate change poses threats to the functional integrity of ecosystems, local hydrology, and community livelihood, particularly in the climatic hotspots in the Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs). The government has made impressive progress in developing climate polices, strategies and fund, and recently shaped a process of formulating a macro level National Adaptation Plan (NAP). However, vital gaps remain in establishing AEZs specific strategies, and the capacity of the sub-national and AEZ institutions to formulate and implement these strategies and plans.

This LDCF financed project will make significant contributions to closing the capacity gap between the national  and sub-national  levels by: i) establishing a common knowledge and information sharing platform for the stakeholders in the  AEZs; ii) strengthening the coordination of vertical and horizontal level risk informed integrated decision making; (iii) enhancing the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions and system level capacity in mainstreaming adaptation into policy, planning and budgeting; (iv) strengthening capacities of academic  and research institutions to conduct research and generate data to inform climate change adaptation strategies; v) increasing the technical capacity of relevant local government and sectoral line departments to plan and implement adaptation  interventions, as  well as  provide  climate‐smart  advice and extension  services  to local  communities;  vi) implementing climate‐smart agricultural, fisheries and livestock practices, integrated water resources management and  watershed management measures; and vii) raising public awareness and capacity of local communities on the benefits of an ecosystem‐based approach to climate change adaptation. Overall, the LDCF resources will be used to intensify sub-national and local capacity building, climate actions, innovative adaptation strategies and increase the investments to reinforce national efforts to make Bangladesh a climate resilient nation, in line with its national priorities enshrined into Seventh Five Year Plan, the Delta Plan 2100 and SDG strategies.

The Community Development Assistant will work under overall guidance of National Project Director and Direct supervision of National Project Coordinator and receive guidance for day-to-day project activities from the PMU and District Field Office. They will be responsible for facilitating community mobilization and coordination of all project activities at the site level and will act as focal points for community mobilization.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide Support to the Coordination

• Support coordinate participating agencies/partners at the site level, working with partners’ site-level representatives to implement project activities and complement ongoing activities.
• Assist and participate as a project focal with all concerned Government of Bangladesh (GoB) officials at Upazila and district levels, NGOs, and local government bodies.
• Support to organize and conduct monthly meetings, workshops, seminars, and other meetings in collaboration with Government, Stakeholders, and the District Committee on Environment and Forest Development and Disaster Management, and present monthly progress reports to the partners and PMU.
• Liaise as a project focal with local GoB and non-GoB service providers to establish strong linkages for acquiring services and to undertake advocacy campaigns on policy issues.
• Support organize programs for visitors as required.

Training and Awareness Programmes

• Provide assistance to conduct training courses as per the work plan to AEZs.
• Prepare periodic awareness programs in consultation with team members and partners.
• Assist field-level workers of project partners in organizing awareness programs and workshops at AEZs;

Institutional Development: 

• Help AEZ to build capacity to prepare adaptation initiatives and to access and make the best use of project funds;
• Support AEZs to improve their capacities to effectively raise issues of concern at the local level, and to act as advocates for community members during decision-making processes and to secure necessary support from the service providers.
• Aid and take part in organizing, strengthening AEZs as local adaptation organizations and coordinate with partner in integrating adaptation activities.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Provide assistance to prepare concrete and verifiable targets for project activities,
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual work plans for the project activities and integrate the same with other partners for the site.
• Prepare and submit monthly and all other types of progress reports and case studies on various surveys, good practices, and field programs.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Community Development Assistant will work under the direct supervision of National Project Coordinator of CCA into SD pathways at district level and provide support on programme activities, create strategic partnerships and reaching overall project and programme targets.