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 Plan 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 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 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 (ERRD-CHT 2017-2023), MoCHTA and UNDP, with assistance from several 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 population’s ability to strengthen resilience, development, and governance, which will affect 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.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity II (CHTWCA II), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is part of “Ecosystems Restoration and Resilient Development in Chittagong Hill Tracts (ERRD-CHT)” – a project of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs (MOCHTA). Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity II (CHTWCA II), within ERRD-CHT project, 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.

The  Project Associate will support the Chief Technical Specialist, CHTWCA II, under ERRD-CHT, in managing and implementing all project components.

Key Functions:

• Assist the team in preserving all records, maintaining documents and managing the team documentation.
• Keep all necessary papers on the units, projects, reports, etc.
• Arrange travels i.e. to compile WTP, initiate travel claims, arrange air tickets, vehicles, etc.
• Assist Cluster/Unit members in organizing training, workshops, seminars, etc.
• Assist Chief Technical Specialist in coordinating 3 district offices.
• Assist the team members in monitoring the progress of project activities.
• Process payments for the partners, keep all relevant records and coordinate with district teams related to the fund disbursements, including LOAs and RPAs.
• Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing relevant to the assigned project.
• 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

• Maintaining related documents and database.
• Making budgets and disbursement plans.
• Arranging travels of the cluster members.
• Assisting the Chief and other team members in compiling the monthly reports submitted by the district teams.
• Coordinating with operations clusters to ensure the adequate support to the cluster activities.
• Reviewing payment requests and processing them on time.
• All necessary reports, documents, and records will be availableto the team.
• Proper coordination will be ensured to prepare budgets, disbursement plans, and revisions of plans accordingly.

Institutional Arrangement

This position will report to the Chief Technical Specialist, CHTWCA II, under the ERRD-CHT Project.