Signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997 was a major political achievement marking the end of a protracted low intensity conflict in the region. One of the key government strategies outlined in the 8th Five-Year Plans is to fully implement the provisions of the Peace Accord.  The government also aims at implementing accelerated development activities in the region. Despite these good intentions, CHT still suffers from its remote location, diverse ethnic composition, and limited infrastructure, impacting essential services such education, healthcare, and water access. Despite commitments, the CHT institutions haven’t achieved their full potential due mainly to undefined roles and pending elections, hindering effective service delivery and regional governance. The unique biodiversity of the CHT, including forests, wildlife habitats, and waterbodies, is at risk due to diversion of forest land for population and settlement growth, inappropriate agricultural practices, and climate change.

To continue the momentum of successful implementation of the Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in CHT project (2003–2016) and Strengthening Inclusive Development in CHT (SID-CHT 2017-2023), MoCHTA and UNDP, with assistance from a number of Development Partners, have undertaken a new project titled Ecosystem Restoration and Resilient Development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (ERRD-CHT). The project focuses on enhancing resilient ecosystems, development and governance in the CHT by building community and ecosystem resilience through various development and conservation outputs and activities. Support for resilient livelihoods and micro-enterprises will be combined while conserving ecosystems and biodiversity and improving local governance by empowering local communities, including women and youth and marginalized sections, and institutions in partnerships with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), counterparts, traditional leaders, and development partners.

The ERRD-CHT Project will produce results on four interlinked levels, thereby strengthening the ability of the population to enhance resilience, development and governance that impact the people’s lives and livelihoods. The main objective of ERRD-CHT project is ‘to strengthen gender-responsive resilience and development through improved governance and ecosystems, and adaptive livelihoods with market access.” which will be achieved through the following four Outputs:

Output 1: Improved and resilient forest ecosystems and livelihoods.

Output 2: Enhanced capacity and institutional building of the CHT institutions and strengthened democratic governance with increased people’s participation, responsive communities and more effective service delivery.

Output 3: Inclusive and gender-responsive learning and empowerment among women and girls.

Output 4: Enabled environment for self-reliant youth development and leadership.

The project will be implemented in all 121 Unions of 26 Upazilas in the three Hill Districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban. In the CHT, nearly 100,000 rural- and urban households will directly benefit from the project. It will include the extreme urban and rural poor and vulnerable groups, including women and youth.

The Upazila Facilitating Associate will be responsible for supporting overall programme implementation in assigned upazila(s), planning, coordination, partnership and liaison with stakeholders, monitoring field activities and ensure quality results. S/he will capture case studies, prepare different reports and submit, manage upazila level project database. S/he will represent UNDPs values and mandate and uphold in the concerned upazila/s. S/he will have to maintain communication and take guidance during work in the field from different programme clusters (Livelihoods and NRM unit, Policy and Governance, Gender and Community Cohesion) when needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate with key stakeholders i.e. local administration, elected leaders, traditional leaders, civil society etc. at Upazila, Municipality and Union level for smooth implementation of program activities.
• Facilitate field activities in the Upazilas as per provided guideline;
• Ensure regular coordination meetings at Upazila, Union and community levels to ensure supports to PDCs/CRCs/VCFs/communities;
• Ensure active participation of GOB representatives and departments, elected leaders and traditional leaders in the program implementation to ensure necessary supports to PDCs/VCFs/communities.

Organize and facilitate Training, Meeting, Workshop, seminar etc.:

• Organize/facilitate/participate different trainings, meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. to be held at district, upazila and unions level to meet the objectives of the project
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholder and Partners organizations for ensuring proper selection & participation (gender, ethnicity, age, etc) of participants.
• Ensure proper documentations (both programme and finance) of the events

Support in Monitoring of project activities implemented by Partners (LGI/GO/NGO): 

• Carry out frequent monitoring visit (70%) at different programme activities in the assigned upazila to ensure achievements and quality results in line with periodical work plans and project targets;
• Share monitoring reports with partners and supervisors for compliance;
• Facilitate/support different committees (Union,Upazila and District) in monitoring field activities and take guidance and accommodate accordingly;
• Produce monthly, quarterly reports on programme activities and progress of the projects and submit to the supervisor with a copy to Cluster M&E focal person.

Assist in the development and maintenance of the Upazila information database:

• Develop and maintain upazila data base with relevant information on development issue.
• Keep records of all fund transactions of the communities of respective Upazila.
• Capture periodic case studies or success stories and share;
• Take part in different result assessments/studies for the project;

Support Partnership and Liaison:

• Liaise and Maintain excellent relationships with government officials, NGOs and all other relevant stakeholders at Upazila level
• Represent SID-CHT, UNDP in upazila level meetings
• Support donor visits, program formulation missions and other official visiting programs.

Synergies at field level with other components of the project: 

• Collaborate with all components of the projects at field level implementation & coordination.
• Any other duties as assigned by the PMU.

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

Measurable Outputs and Performance Indicators

• Close coordination between the different programme components ensured;
• # coordination meetings organized;
• # monitoring visits and reports produced;
• Upazila based project related database maintained with quality.
• Up to date information on issues relevant for the programme available;
• # trainings/workshops organsied with quality assured (organsied by her/him or by partners);
• # monthly, quarterly reports produced and shared;
• # case studies produced and shared;
• Project targets are achieved as per monthly/quarterly/annual plan;
• Important stakeholders are well informed and actively involved in programme implementation.

Institutional Arrangement:

District Project Implementation Analyst  will be the direct Supervisor of Upazila Facilitating Associate whereas  Livelihood & NRM Specialist will be his/her line senior manager.

Required Skills and Experience

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database package.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in organizing events (meeting/workshop etc) is an asset.
• Proven experience in integrated multi-discipline community development projects is desirable.
• Experience in working with UN agencies or international NGOs is desirable.
• Experience in monitoring and reporting is desired.
• Working experience in CHT is desirable

Language:

• Fluency in speaking, writing and reading both in English and Bangla is required.
• Working knowledge in any of the CHT languages or Chittagonian dialect is desirable.