Project Associate-Education

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 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 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 a number of 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 ability of the population to enhance resilience, development and governance that impact the 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.

The Project Associate (Education) will be responsible for overall implementation of ‘Women and Girls Empowerment through Inclusive Education’ (WGEIE) in three hill districts. S/he will ensure inclusive education in the targeted schools in three hill districts. S/he will also be responsible for program design and implementation; providing technical support to the programme staffs and project beneficiaries; will closely work with the local implementing partners, Hilll District Councils for coordination, monitoring progress, ensuring quality achievements and results of the program. S/he will capture case studies, prepare different reports and submit, manage central level project database. S/he will represent UNDPs values and mandate and uphold it.

ERRD-CHT, UNDP Project has 3 unit offices in three Hill Districts Khagrachari, Bandarban and Rangamati where project staffs are assigned to coordinate and implement project activities in the district. Gender & Community Cohesion Analyst will be both the Supervisor of Project Associate (Education)

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Project Associate (Education) will be responsible for management of project activities under the close guidance of Gender and Community Cohesion Analyst in coordinating, liaising, planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting in an efficient manner. The incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks:

Planning & management of education program

• Assist to ensure the adolescent girls and women, particularly those from ethnic minorities and including those with disabilities from targeted schools and colleges are benefited from this project initiatives.
• Maintain liaison and work closely with Hill District Councils, district education offices, educational institutions, district administration, teachers & relevant actors in the resolution of problems related to the development and implementation of education program by providing the necessary guidance and direction.
• Provide technical and conceptual support to strategic partners for smooth program implementation as necessary.
• Assist in preparation and maintenance of the inclusive education related program database;
• Provides support to Hill district Councils for planning and implementation of education program by providing the relevant guidance and direction.
• Assist PMR in developing a monitoring system for the education program.

Coordinate and collaborate with key stakeholders: 

• Coordinate with key stakeholders i.e. Hill District Councils, local administration, elected leaders, traditional leaders, civil society etc. in three hill districts for smooth implementation of program activities.
• Facilitate field activities in the three hill districts as per provided guideline;
• Ensure regular coordination meetings at district levels;
• Ensure active participation of GOB representatives and departments, elected leaders and traditional leaders in the program implementation to ensure necessary support to project schools and colleges.

Organize and facilitate Training, Meeting, Workshop, seminar etc.: 

• Organize/facilitate/participate different trainings, meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. to be held at district level to meet the objectives of the project;
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholder and Partners organizations for ensuring proper selection & participation (gender, ethnicity, age, etc) of participants.
• Ensure proper documentations (both programme and finance) of various events.

Monitoring of project activities implemented by Partners (LGI/GO/NGO): 

• Carry out frequent monitoring visit (50%) at different programme activities in three hill districts to ensure achievements and quality results in line with periodical work plans and project targets;
• Share monitoring reports with partners and supervisors for compliance;
• Facilitate/support different committees (Union,Upazila and District) in monitoring field activities and take guidance and accommodate accordingly;
• Produce monthly, quarterly reports on programme activities and progress of the projects and submit to the supervisor with a copy to Cluster M&E focal person.

Data bank of Upazila information:

• Develop and maintain central data base with relevant information of education program.
• Keep shadow budget for fund management of education program.
• Capture periodic case studies or success stories and share;
• Take part in different result assessments/studies for the project;

Partnership and Liaison:

• Liaise and Maintain excellent relationships with government officials, NGOs and all other relevant stakeholders at Upazila level
• Represent SID-CHT, UNDP in upazila level meetings
• Support donor visits, program formulation missions and other official visiting programs.

Synergies at field level with other components of the project: 

• Collaborate with all components of the projects at field level implementation & coordination.
• Any other duties as assigned by the management.

Measurable Outputs and Performance Indicators

• Close coordination between the different programme components ensured;
• coordination meetings organized;
• monitoring visits and reports produced;
• Upazila based project related database maintained with quality.
• Up to date information on issues relevant for the programme available;
• trainings/workshops organsied with quality assured (organsied by her/him or by partners);
• monthly, quarterly reports produced and shared;
• case studies produced and shared;
• Project targets are achieved as per monthly/quarterly/annual plan;
• Important stakeholders are well informed and actively involved in programme implementation

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education is required. OR
• University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in any discipline of Sciences, Social Sciences, Education, Development Studies or relevant related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in managing education projects implemented by national/international NGOs/ Government is required.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Proven experience in education projects is highly desirable;
• Experience in working with UN agencies or international NGOs is desirable
• Experience in monitoring and reporting;
• Experience in organizing events (meeting/workshop etc)
• Working experience in CHT is desirable
• Proven coordination skills with ability to handle multiple activities and multiple stakeholders;

Required Languages: 

• Fluency in speaking, writing and reading both in English and Bangla is required.
• Working knowledge in any of the CHT languages or Chittagonian dialect is desirable.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/19827