Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Rangamati
Grade: Junior level – NPSA-8, National Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Water Resource Management
Closing Date: 2024-11-28
Background
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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 incumbent will develop and implement strategies related to an integrated watershed management of the CHT. S/he will be the lead natural resources governance expert in CHTWCA II and will contribute to the planning of activities and advocacy with targeted stakeholders. S/he will integrate 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 Watershed Management Analyst will be a key member of the Watershed management team of CHTWCA II project and work under direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist and close collaboration with the Senior Management Teams. The incumbent will lead Forest and watershed related activities.
Key functions:
Project Implementation and Technical Leadership
Provide technical expertise on watershed management and develop and implement comprehensive watershed management plans aligned with activity goals.
Document best practices, lessons learned, and disseminate knowledge. Support developing various guidelines related to project implementation and capacity development of implementing partners.
Develop detailed work plans, budgets, and timelines for project activities and manage project resources efficiently and effectively.
Integrate gender perspectives into all project activities and ensure that the project benefits the marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Ensure compliance with environmental and social safeguards.
Explore and implement innovative approaches to watershed management by identifying and mitigating potential risks to project implementation.
Guide the project in creating linkages between WASH, livelihoods, and financial institutions to address climate-induced vulnerabilities in the CHT.
Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned area of work.
Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the watershed management.
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 timely, accomplished according to the plan and delivered resources following approved annual work plans.
Training and workshop facilitation skills with quality training materials development.
# of Annual work plans implemented efficiently and effectively in coordination with the CHTWCA partners and key stakeholders.
# of planned activities delivered with quality and performance as per the MEL Plan.
# of training and workshop facilitated for Implementing Partners (IPs) and project staff.
# printing materials i.e. training modules, guidelines, message development and materials prepared and used for the project.
# of standard annual and quarterly reports produced and submitted timely.
# of appropriate policy issues identified, and relevant policy advocacy activities organized.
Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Ability to effectively coordinate with partners in and outside the UN organizations;
Knowledge of UNDP Rules and Regulations is an advantage.
Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and strong leadership qualities;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
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. Take 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.
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. 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 Watershed Management, Environmental Studies or Management, Social Science or relevant discipline is required. Or
First-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national and/or international level in the areas of Natural Resources Management.
Excellent computer skill on MS Excel, MS word and PowerPoint and good experience on internet browsing;
Proven record of experience of working on community-based forest management, participatory NRM, Protected Area co-management, biodiversity conservation, environment management, or integrated watershed management is desired.
Relevant working experience with GOB institutions, or international NGOs is an added advantage.
Demonstrated ability to critically review relevant technical materials and recommend appropriate measures to overcome the issues is an asset.
Experience of working in the CHT (or any comparable region) is an added advantage.
Working Experience and understanding of Forestry, Natural Resources Management, climate change effects in Bangladesh is an asset.
Experience in facilitating design for public services, social innovation, and translating insights into solutions, in the context of climate change is desired.
Proven experience in delivering strategic insight and analysis on forestry and watershed management relevant to development sector; and a solid record of managing complex and challenging partnerships with governments and international partners is desired.
Proven experience and a good understanding on the GOB policies on forest management, environmental management, water resource management and indigenous peoples in Bangladesh is 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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