Project Analyst-Wildlife Crime Control

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 Project Analyst-Wildlife Crime Control will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist of the CHTWCA II under the ERRD-CHT project of UNDP. S/he will closely cooperate and coordinate with the implementing partner, other partners and projects, local government, communities, non-governmental organisations, and civil society organizations.
• The Project Analyst-Wildlife Crime Control will be crucial in combating wildlife crime in the CHT. The incumbent will provide support  for the implementation of CHTWCA II funded by USAID.  S/he will collect and analyze data to assess trends and patterns related to illegal wildlife trade and associated activities. S/he will contribute to planning wildlife and habitat development activities and conservation advocacy with targeted stakeholders. S/he will be a key member of the forest and watershed management team of the CHTWCA II and work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist of the ERRD-CHT project and in close collaboration with the Senior Management Teams. The incumbent will lead wildlife crime control and habitat conservation-related activities.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Gather, analyze, and manage data on wildlife crime, identifying trends, patterns, and hotspots using advanced analytical tools. Based on this information, develop actionable intelligence reports for law enforcement and policymakers, tracking criminal networks through open-source and confidential intelligence.
• Create and manage databases and systems for wildlife crime intelligence sharing and assist in formulating national strategies, policies, and regulations to combat wildlife crime.
• Provide training and technical assistance to national agencies on wildlife crime analysis, investigation techniques, and best practices.
• Develop reports, publications, and policy briefs on wildlife crime control and other relevant matters.
• Enhance international and national cooperation by collaborating with relevant UN agencies such as UNODC, NGOs, and other stakeholders and participating in relevant forums and conferences. Liaise with national authorities and international organizations to share information, intelligence, and best practices in wildlife crime control.
• Prepare detailed reports and document lessons learned, contributing to publications on wildlife crime.
• 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:

• Conducts applied research on wildlife crime control and facilitates report writing, training and workshops with quality materials development;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• 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 UNDP;
• Knowledge of relevant UNDP Rules and Regulations is an advantage.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and strong leadership qualities;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills and responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Criminology, Environmental or Wildlife Sciences, Law or Law Enforcement, Forestry or a related field or other relevant subjects is required, or
• A 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 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 wildlife crime control is required.
• Excellent computer skills in MS Excel, MS word and PowerPoint and good experience in internet browsing; and good computer typing skills in both languages of English and Bangla.
• Experience in crime analysis, law enforcement, or wildlife conservation, with a focus on wildlife crime.
• Working Experience and understanding of Wildlife trafficking, Forestry, and Natural Resources Management in Bangladesh.
• Proven experience working on community-based forest management, wildlife participatory management, and biodiversity conservation.
• A good understanding of the GOB policies on forest and wildlife management, environmental management, and indigenous peoples in Bangladesh is an added advantage;
• Relevant working experience with GOB institutions, or international Development organizations is an added advantage;
• Demonstrated ability to produce good quality briefs/reports in both English and Bangla;
• Experience working in the CHT (or any comparable region) is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in data analysis and intelligence software.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and report-writing abilities.
• Knowledge of international wildlife laws and conventions.
• Ability to deliver strategic insight on wildlife management, the Asian elephant corridor, and challenging partnerships with governments and international partners.
• Strong training, facilitation & presentation skills.
• Ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team.

Required languages:

• Fluency in English and Bangla is required.
• Working knowledge in any of the CHT languages or Chittagonian dialects is desirable.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/22117