Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Rangamati
Grade: Junior level – NPSA-9, National Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Environment
Water Resource Management
Closing Date: 2024-11-21
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The 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 as education, healthcare, and water access. Despite commitments, the CHT institutions have not 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 the 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 some 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, strengthening the population’s ability to enhance resilience, development, and governance, impacting 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.
CHTWCA II is embedded under Ecosystem Restoration and Resilient Development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (ERRD-CHT)”- a project of the MOCHTA. Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity II (CHTWCA II), funded for five years by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is being implemented in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). USAID’s CHTWCA II is being implemented with the goal: Strengthened gender-responsive local resilience through an integrated ecosystem management approach of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). CHTWCA II Outcome is to strengthen local resilience through an integrated ecosystem management approach that improves wildlife conservation and the governance of natural resources in the CHT. It has the following four Results (and 11 Interim Results):
Result 1: Strengthened Ecosystem Governance
Result 2: Resilient Livelihoods with Market Systems
Result 3: Mitigated Threats to Biodiversity
Result 4: Reduced Conflict among Communities for Ecosystem Conservation
Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist, ERRD-CHT. S/he will also closely work with ERRD-CHT programme clusters, other UNDP projects, local government, communities, non-government, and civil society organizations.
The Water Resources Analyst will develop and implement strategies related to integrated watershed management of the CHT. S/he will serve as the Project’s key technical person on sustainable water management, use, efficiency, and integrated water resource management approaches. S/he will contribute to the planning of activities and advocacy with targeted stakeholders. S/he will integrate the gender lens into the watershed governance mechanisms in CHTWCA II. The incumbent will provide support for the implementation of CHTWCA II funded by USAID.
The incumbent will serve as the backstop and deputy lead of the overall CHTWCA II activity. In the absence of the Chief Technical Specialist, s/he will serve as the Acting Chief Technical Specialist. S/he will oversee technical operations and financial management of CHTWCA. S/he will be experienced in integrating gender into CHTWCA II. S/he will also strongly focus on coordinating with donors, development partners, and Bangladeshi government counterparts related to CHTWCA II.
The Water Resources Analyst will be a vital member of the Forestry and Watershed management team of the ERRD-CHT project. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist and in close collaboration with the Senior Management Team. The incumbent will function as Deputy Team Lead and be the office in charge (OIC) in the absence of the Chief Technical Specialist.
Key functions:
Develop and implement relevant policies, planning, and guidelines for sustainable water resource and river management, water use and efficiency, including locally appropriate integrated water resource management approaches and monitoring in the activity sites;
Provide technical assessment and monitoring systems with relevant indicators for assessing and measuring water quality and quantity due to watershed restoration interventions, including soil and water conservation measures;
Advise and support the development of Social and Environmental Standards Assessment and ensure implementation of Environmental and Social Management Framework and Gender Strategy related to water quality and risk management measures;
Ensure effective implementation of water resource management and land-use restoration activities in close coordination with the other technical experts on water management;
Contribute significantly to the development of the Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) and the CHT Development Plan; and
Act as officer in charge of CHTWCA II in the absence of the Chief Technical Specialist.
Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the project
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Key Performance Indicator:
All business processes are initiated on time, according to the approved annual work plans. Annual work plans implemented in coordination with the partners and key stakeholders;
Planned activities, including IWMP and the CHT Development Plan contributions, delivered with quality and performance as per the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan;
Training modules, guidelines, and water conservation messages developed and used for the project;
Act as an office in charge and promptly produce and submit annual and quarterly reports;
Appropriate water conservation policy issues are identified, and advocacy activities organized;
Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Knowledge of UNDP Rules and Regulations implemented; and
Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and strong leadership qualities.
Competencies
Core competencies:
Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy
Effective Decision Making. ake decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
Systems Thinking. Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Development
Knowledge Generation. Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations
Knowledge Facilitation. Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange
Business Management
Partnership Management. Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Partnership Management
Emerging partnerships. Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships
2030 Agenda: People
Gender. Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Water Resource Management, Hydrology, Civil Engineering with Water Resources Specialization, Water Modelling, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Management or another related field required. Or
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in place of the Master’s degree.
Experience:
Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of relevant experiences in the field of water resources management
Proven experience in critically reviewing relevant technical materials and recommend appropriate measures to overcome the issues;
Strong ICT skills, including the application of digital tools in day-to-day work.
Experience on land zoning, community forestry rights, and tenure conflict mitigation required
Proven record of experience working on community-based forest management, participatory NRM, Protected Area co-management, biodiversity conservation, environment management, or integrated watershed management is an asset.
Relevant working experience with GOB institutions or international development organizations is an added advantage;
Experience working in the CHT (or any comparable region) is an added advantage.
Working Experience and understanding of Forestry, Natural Resources Management, and climate change effects in Bangladesh is desired.
Knowledge and experience of working with relevant UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Conference of Parties -decisions, and national commitments is an asset.
Experience in coordination of diverse groups of stakeholders, training, facilitation and presentation is desired.
Experience in forestry/watershed management and community-based conservation along with environmental governance is desired.
Strong experience in private sector engagement, donor coordination and Government of Bangladesh relationship is an asset.
Experience on conservation activities with indigenous communities will be an added advantage.
Required languages:
Fluency in English and Bangla is required.
Working knowledge in any of the CHT languages or Chittagonian dialects is desirable.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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