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.
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 the 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Analyst will work under the supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist. S/he will also closely work with the ERRD-CHT programme clusters, other UNDP projects, local government, communities, non-government, and civil society organizations.
The Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Analyst is responsible for climate change and disaster risk preparedness and management while leading and providing guidance in developing practitioners’ internal and external knowledge networks in these thematic areas. The incumbent is responsible for disaster risk preparedness and management. S/he will have expertise on climate adaptation and mitigation. S/he will identify integrated approaches with conservation strategies for local implementation. The incumbent will be a vital member of the CHTWCA II team of the ERRD-CHT project and work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist and close collaboration with the ERRD-CHT senior management teams.
Key Functions:
- Development and implementation of relevant policies, strategies, guidelines and partnerships for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management and to mitigate the impacts;
- Conducting assessments to identify vulnerabilities and risks related to climate change and natural disasters. Analysing climate data, trends, and projections to inform risk management strategies.
- Integrating climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction into CHTWCA II planning and implementation processes.
- Organizing training sessions and workshops to enhance the capacity of stakeholders in climate change and disaster risk management. Building the skills of local communities, governments, and organizations to better prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters.
- Engaging with communities to raise conservation awareness about the risks of climate change and the importance of disaster preparedness.
- Supporting relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts to improve resilience to climate change and disaster risks.
- Developing tools, guidelines, and frameworks to facilitate the implementation of climate-resilient strategies.
Measurable Outputs and Performance Indicators:
- Training and workshop facilitation skills with quality training materials development;
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Ability to effectively coordinate with partners in and outside the UN organizations. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and strong leadership qualities;
- Knowledge of UNDP and USAID Rules and Regulations is an advantage.
- Demonstrates openness to change, ability to manage complexities, strong oral and written communication skills and responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
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 Disaster Management, Climate Science, Environmental Science, Management, Natural Resource Management or other relevant field from any recognized University is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of relevant work experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Applicants with a 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 in climate change & disadter risk management issues is required.
- Excellent computer skills in MS Excel, MS Word and PowerPoint and good experience in internet browsing; Good computer typing skills in both languages of English and Bangla.
- Proven experience working on climate change adaptation, environment management, disaster risk management and solutions, community-based forest management, NRM, biodiversity conservation, environment management, or related subjects.
- Relevant working experience with GOB institutions or international Development organizations is an added advantage;
- A good understanding of the GOB policies on forest management, environmental management, water resource management and indigenous peoples in Bangladesh is an added advantage.
- Working Experience and understanding of Forestry, Natural Resources Management, and climate change effects in Bangladesh.
- Experience in facilitating design for public services, social innovation, and translating insights into solutions in the context of climate change.
- Ability to deliver strategic insight and analysis on forestry and watershed management relevant to the development sector and a solid record of managing complex and challenging partnerships with governments and international partners.
- Strong training, facilitation & presentation skills.
- Ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team.
- Demonstrated ability to produce good quality briefs/reports in both English and Bangla;
- Ability to critically review relevant technical materials and recommend appropriate measures to overcome the issues;
- Experience working in the CHT (or any comparable region) 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
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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