Community Mobilization Associate

UNDP has received funding to implement a project titled “Solid Waste Management Support Project for Host & Rohingya Communities in Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh.” The project is a response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh and the resulting pressing need for SWM in both the host communities and refugee camps.

The UNDP’s Solid Waste Management Support Project for Host & Rohingya Communities in Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh targets the protection of women and children, the prevention of diseases, and the promotion of hygiene and proper sanitary standards. It will be implemented in the host and refugee communities. Additionally, the project aims to build the capacity of local government, create immediate and long-term employment, and promote a circular economy while at the same time contributing to a conducive environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of the Solid Waste Management and Catchment Analyst, with a matrix line to the Project Officer and guidance from the Project Development Specialist (PDS)-SWM., the Community Mobilization Associate will have the following scope of work:
• Assist the PDS-SWM and project team in implementing SWM and Cash-for-Work (CfW) activities, as well as addressing community mobilization issues.
• Provide support to implementing partners for the execution of SWM projects in both host and refugee communities, specifically in Teknaf and Ukhiya.
• Assist the project management team in organizing community and beneficiary meetings and liaise with unions and community institutions for effective coordination.
• Collaborate with implementing partners to design and implement community mobilization initiatives within the project area.
• In a nutshell, the Community Mobilization Associate will play a crucial role in engaging with communities, local government bodies, and unions on behalf of the SWM project team.

Job Responsibility (JR) 1: Support project design and implementation 

• Prepare comprehensive schedules and plans for community mobilization activities.
• Engage actively in monitoring project activities, identifying issues, and proposing corrective measures to enhance community mobilization efforts for improved solid waste management (SWM) outcomes.
• Support the project management team and implementing partners to design and monitor community engagement initiatives at the household and market levels, including: 1) promoting waste segregation at its source, 2) executing communication campaigns focused on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), and 3) fostering composting initiatives.
• Serve as the focal point for gender equality and child protection matters within the SWM Project, guiding and monitoring related issues with support from the gender specialist in CXB.
• Fulfill any additional coordination and community engagement responsibilities as required by the project.
• Assist the team in strategizing both interim and long-term solutions for livelihood restoration through waste management initiatives, including the implementation of waste recycling and recovery projects.

Job Responsibility (JR) 2: Monitoring

• Coordinate daily support for project staff and partners involved in community mobilization activities within the camps and host community.
• Support organizing meetings at various levels, including the Municipality, Union, and community forums.
• Conduct field visits to provide on-the-ground support to project staff and ensure effective project implementation.
• Facilitate networking opportunities with scrap dealers at the Union level to enhance project outcomes.
• Support in capacity building of scrap dealers.
• Support the project team in updating the monitoring and record-keeping system.
• Assist in establishing connections between scrap dealers and Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) in both the camps and host communities.
• Identify and report issues and challenges related to community mobilization to the project management team, offering actionable solutions based on monitoring results.; and
• Develop a comprehensive monitoring plan to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of community mobilization and engagement activities, including scheduling, conducting field visits, and reporting.

Job Responsibility (JR) 3: Coordination and Networking

• Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of community-based activities according to LOA and budget plans.
• Facilitate and support the processing of payments to local government allowances for community-based activities.
• Ensure timely communication with the beneficiaries and the UNDP project team.
• Assist in the engagement of the private sector in SWM activities and facilitate connections with relevant stakeholders across all project locations.
• Support establishing networking among the scrap dealers in the host communities, i.e., at the Union level and the Municipalities.
• Support institutional structures like the WATSAN committee to organize/celebrate specific activities.
• Offer support to IPs, IC Consultants, and Consultancy firms operating within the project area and assignments.
• Take the lead in initiating community mobilization activities and collaborate closely with local governments in Ukhiya and Teknaf to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of project activities or emergency response initiatives.
• Any other relevant tasks delegated by PDS-SWM and the Project officer or assigned by the supervisor.

Expected Results:

• Coordination and strong networking established at between project stakeholders and Union authorities.
• Streamlined planning of community engagement activities ensuring project objectives are met efficiently.
• Enhanced effectiveness and efficiency in project management, monitoring and oversight.

Institutional Arrangement

• The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Solid Waste Management and Catchment Analyst (with a matrix to the Project Office).
• The incumbent will collaborate with the SWM team at UNDP Cox’s Bazar and other relevant stakeholders to ensure seamless project implementation.
• The incumbent will regularly coordinate with community structures such as WATSAN (municipality) and union members on a weekly basis, sharing updates with the PDS-SWM for dissemination to the project management team.
• The incumbent will actively participate in and contribute to Union-level meetings on behalf of the project management team.

Education:

• Secondary education is  required. or
• University degreein Social Science, Development studies, Economics, Environment, or relevant related field will be given due consideration, but not a requirement.

 Experience:

• Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) experience in dealing with field-level implementation of environmental-related projects.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems such as ER.

Desired Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in working with development project, international organizations, research institutes, or development organization will be preferable.
• Previous experience in similar positions will be an advantage.
• Experience of working in Cox’s Bazar is an advantage.
• Experience of working with local government (preferably with Municipalities, Union Parishads).
• Experience with developmental Organizations in community mobilization, coordination and/or development.
• Proven ability to coordinate with community members, organize awareness campaigns and meetings with local government authority.
• Good communication, interpersonal and liaison skills/experience.
• Proven Ability to negotiate and troubleshoot relationships with local government authorities and communities.

Language:

• Fluency in both written and spoken Bangla and English.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/18860