Bangladesh: Project Officer, SIDA Programme on Environment and Climate Change (Bangladesh Nationals)

May 16, 2021 | UNDP
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The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations and advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a strategic collaboration framework agreement (2020-2023) with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to support integrated programming and the strengthening of organizational capacities. This framework agreement forms the basis for the Sida Programme on Environment and Climate Change (Sida Programme). The Sida Programme is designed to help UNDP deliver better external country results in line with its Signature Solutions. It supports the need for strengthened internal capacities to achieve UNDP’s overall sustainable development (SD) vision for poverty eradication through a more integrated, coherent approach to the environmental and climate dimensions of its Strategic Plan. Sustainable development challenges cannot be addressed as separate siloed problems and solutions. Rather, complex challenges, including poverty eradication, gender equality, climate action, and natural resource management, are all connected and must be addressed in a strategic, multifaceted manner.

The Programme is grounded in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the emerging post-2020 global Biodiversity Framework and linked multilateral environmental conventions and agreements, as well as the challenges and opportunities around the COVID-19 pandemic response. It includes an overarching priority on poverty eradication and an understanding of the many direct links between multidimensional poverty and natural resource management.

To address development challenges in an integrated manner, the Sida Programme builds stronger coordination and synergies at the global, regional and country levels across four complementary thematic areas. The four main thematic areas are:

  • Sustainable management and use of ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural capital;
  • Sustainable water and ocean governance;
  • Scaling up climate action for SD; and
  • Sustainable Food Systems nexus.

The Programme also builds stronger coordination and synergies across a closely linked set of cross-cutting themes on gender equality and women’s empowerment, conflict sensitivity, and finance.

This Sida Programme’s Theory of Change recognizes that to advance a more integrated, programmatic and strategic approach that strengthens the environmental dimension of UNDP’s SD vision while leveraging synergies across all areas of the Strategic Plan, a range of capacities at the systems, institutional and individual level need to be strengthened and leveraged at all levels, including in UNDP Country Offices. These include the following internal UNDP capacities:

  • Integrated policy/programme design and management, including coordination across thematic areas;
  • Cross-cutting expertise for technical assistance, including social and environmental safeguards and gender mainstreaming;
  • Partnership building including through UNCTs and other multi-stakeholder mechanisms;
  • Knowledge management including data, monitoring, evaluation and continuous learning and communications.

As part of this overall Theory of Change, the Programme will support UNDP COs to achieve integrated results across the Nature, Climate, Energy (NCE) portfolio and the broader country programme. To do this Sida support will also strengthen UNDP’s internal capacities for delivering integrated policy advice and programming support and leveraging silo-breaking expertise within and across its thematic teams.

In line with Bangladesh’s national SD priorities, including its NDC and other Nature-based Solutions, UNDP Bangladesh will focus its Sida-supported intervention on improving nature-based solutions for food, water and livelihood security of climate vulnerable people, including women and children, and to protect biodiversity.

The objective of the pilot is to strengthen Bangladesh’s efforts to achieve integrated, climate-resilient, sustainable and equitable management of marine resources in highly climate vulnerable coastal areas. This project will provide nature-based solutions to food, water and livelihood security of climate vulnerable people including women and children and protect biodiversity and freshwater resources. Focusing on governance, UNDP together with FAO, UNCDF and IFAD will support Bangladesh in creating enabling environments and long-term and comprehensive partnerships for sustainable use and protection of freshwater and marine resources, and the efficient and equitable provision of related services.

Marine Resources (for protecting marine biodiversity, protecting mangrove ecosystem, food security, climate adaptation, enhancing ecosystem services), and rainwater dependent and salinity resilient food production systems (linked to coastal/marine food and livelihood security, food system analysis, climate change adaptation, NDC target in mitigation in agriculture) are the key programmatic entry point of the pilot initiative.

The work plan also prioritizes strengthened UNDP CO capacities to achieve its overall SD vision for Risk Reduction through a more integrated, coherent approach to the environmental and climate dimensions of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) of the UNDP Country Programme. This includes a focus on integrated programming, social and environmental safeguards, gender mainstreaming, knowledge management, communications, and strengthened partnerships, including with the UNCT.

The project wants to achieve following outputs in next three years. These includes:

Output 1: A new sustainable business model for mud crab cultivation and adaptive food system introduced through enhanced capabilities and participation of public and private sector entities to implement low-carbon gender responsive adaptation actions in Bangladesh's revised NDC.

Output 2: Gender concerns integrated and mainstreamed across Nature, Climate, Energy portfolio.

Output 3: Strengthen greater learning, knowledge management and communications related to integrated programming approaches/solutions.

Output 4: Internal capacities strengthened, and programming integrated for improved coordination across the Nature, Climate and Energy portfolio.

Output 5: Social and Environmental Standards implemented across the CO Programme.

UNDP is looking for young talent with passion to contribute to Bangladesh at this exciting and transitional time when country is becoming a middle income and prosperous society; and being recognized as champion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  This is an excellent opportunity for young talent to learn from the country’s top thematic leaders and grow as professionals within the development sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key functions of Project Officer under are:

  • Facilitating the project implementation based on the approved annual work plan.
  • Supporting UNDP’s thought leadership in Nature-Climate-Energy Programming.
  • Assist in UNDP’s Workplan implementation of Internal capacity building on knowledge management, gender mainstreaming, environmental and social safeguarding.

1.  Facilitating the project implementation based on the approved annual work plan

  • Function as key focal person for the implementation of the work programme for next 3 years;
  • Coordinate with ongoing climate change projects of UNDP and implement the Output 1 of NCE-Work Programme;
  • In a facilitating role, connect dots between different projects and programmes towards building a programmatic approach of NCE in UNDP Bangladesh and UN in Bangladesh;
  • Arrange, participate and follow up on the relevant meetings;
  • Drafting concept notes, presentations, minutes, talking points, project documents and other documents relevant to SIDA work programmes;
  • Assisting in authoring research reports, brief notes, presentations, and other documents;
  • Managing appointments and coordinating with external contributors and agencies;
  • Support in conducting various CO, cluster and high-level mission;
  • Engage with the climate change portfolio of the cluster and provide technical support in design, quality improvement, communication, advocacy etc;
  • Social campaign design for policy advocacy;
  • Secretarial support in meeting, workshops and field.

2.  Supporting UNDP’s thought leadership in Nature-Climate-Energy Programming

  • Assist the Climate Change Specialist in preparing and disseminating high quality opinion pieces and policy briefs related to climate change, food system and nature-based solution issues;
  • Assist the Sundarbans Area Based Programme in developing a coherent approach in southwest;
  • In coordination with UNDP’s Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) and Climate Change Specialist, implement output 4 of NCE-Work Programme;
  • Conduct reviews of literature and documents relevant to the climate change programme;
  • Collection of primary and secondary data and information and analysis on various climate change issues, problems and information;
  • Identify and develop possible areas for partnership with private sector, and universities, research institutions, think tanks, civil society to promote low carbon climate resilient development. 

3.  Assist in UNDP’s Workplan implementation of Internal capacity building on knowledge management, gender mainstreaming, environmental and social safeguarding

  • Work closely with UNDP’s Gender Analyst in mainstreaming gender empowerment In coordination with UNDP’s Gender Analyst, implement the output 2 of NCE-Work Programme;
  • In coordination with UNDP’s M&E Analyst, implement output 3 of NCE-Work Programme;
  • In coordination with UNDP’s Cluster lead for Environment and Energy, implement output 5 of NCE-Work Programme;
  • Regularly monitor and keep an overview on hot-button topics related to the Resilience and Inclusive Growth Portfolio, such as climate change and urbanization;
  • Assist knowledge management of the Resilience and Inclusive Growth Portfolio;
  • Participate in meetings, conferences/ workshops/ roundtable, training, etc. prepare meeting minutes;
  • Managing corporate requirement of planning and reporting for the cluster;
  • Conduct monitoring visits and document lessons and key results;
  • Assist the Climate Change Specialist for preparation of quarterly, annual progress reports, CO ROAR report, Project Quality Assurance (PQA) report etc;
  • Provide logistical support to Cluster, Project Managers, and international consultants in organizing training events, workshops, and seminars;
  • Draft ToRs, support recruitment and procurement of consultants, and coordinate consultants when needed;
  • Communicate regularly with NCE Global and Regional Team leading the SIDA project implementation in HQ and Regional Hub in Bangkok.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Communication

  • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
  • Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
  • Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
  • Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience;
  • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork

  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
  • Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others;
  • Places team agenda before personal agenda;
  • Builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members;
  • Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
  • Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Shares knowledge and experience to the team;
  • Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP Practice Areas;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise

  • Able to perform a broad range of specialized activities aimed at effective and efficient functioning of the project, including data/schedule management, maintenance of protocol, information flow;
  • Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding the position
  • Able to maintain confidentiality and discretion;
  • Able to provide input to business process re-engineering, elaboration and implementation of new data management systems;
  • Has food understanding of international affairs and donors community;
  • Has strong ability to establish, build and maintain effective working relationships with project staff and clients to facilitate the provision of required support, and
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Office tools (especially Word, Excel and Power Point) and use of the internet.

Results-Orientation

  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Demonstrates ability to generate innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Partnering and networking;
  • Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP;
  • Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions;
  • Provides inputs to the development of simple system components;
  • Has ability to organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities;
  • Has ability to handle a large volume of work under time constraints;
  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals.

Client Orientation

  • Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;
  • Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
  • Demonstrates an understanding of client/partner/donor perspective in terms of reporting requirements, and
  • Strives for high quality client – oriented services (internal and external) when making decision and taking actions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Minimum Bachelor’s degree (4 years courses) in environment/geography/geology/soil science/ agriculture/ marine fisheries/climate change/ water resource engineering/ urban and regional planning/disaster science or management or related discipline.

Experience:

  • Preferably 5 years practical experience in the relevant field of climate change or climate finance;
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in UN/INGO/Think Tanks/Research Institutions;
  • Preference will be given to those who have experience and education in the field of climate and disaster related field;
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, (i.e. MS word, excel, PowerPoint etc.) and experience in the use of spreadsheet and database packages are required;
  • Experience in GIS, RS and data science is required;
  • Experience in developing budget will be an added advantage;
  • Experience in statistical analysis (Stata/SPSS) will be an advantage;
  • Experience to work with Python/R Programming will be an asset.

Language Requirements:

  • Excellent knowledge of English and Bangla, both written and verbal.

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Note: UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and people living with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

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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.