Background
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The signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997 was a significant political achievement, marking the end of a protracted low-intensity conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). One of the critical government strategies outlined in the 8th Five-Year Plan is to fully implement the provisions of the Peace Accord. The government aims at implementing accelerated development activities in the region. The CHT suffers from its remote location, chronic poverty, 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 forest degradation and 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) project, the Ministry of CHT Affairs (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. The project will include the extreme urban and rural poor and vulnerable groups, including tribal people, 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. CHTWCA II, within ERRD-CHT project, is being implemented to strengthen 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.
The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist and collaboratewith ERRD-CHT programme clusters, other UNDP projects, local government, communities, non-government, and civil society organizations.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Communication Analyst will be a key member of the ERRD-CHT project and will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist and in close collaboration with the UNDP country communication unit. The incumbent will lead communications, visibility and outreaches of the ERRD-CHT project, especially the CHTWCA II funded by the USAID.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Prepare and implement a strategy focused on social behavior change, in consultation with USAID, UNDP, GoB, and other stakeholders.
- Develop and manage annual and quarterly communication work plans with budgets, ensuring effective implementation through CHTWCA teams and partners.
- Design communication strategies to address conflicts involving disasters, communal issues, and human-wildlife interactions that threaten biodiversity.
- Maintain close coordination with USAID’s DOC team to ensure alignment with communication, branding, and marking guidelines.
- Create and enforce communication guidelines for partners to ensure high-quality branding, marking, and activity visibility.
- Develop and run campaigns using local and national champions and youth to promote conservation behavior changes.
- Plan and manage events, media relations, social media, success stories, and reports, ensuring visibility for CHTWCA and related projects.
- 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
- System thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Development
- Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
- Knowledge facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
Business Management
- Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and program performance and results.
- Evaluation: Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks – Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
Partnership Management
- Relationship management: Ability to engage with various public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.
2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness
- Effectiveness: Performance and data analysis and sharing lessons.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communication, Marketing, Journalism, Management, Environmental Studies, Social Science, Development Studies, or any relevant discipline from a reputable University is required, or
- 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 at mid-level in international development Communication for USAID projects is preferable.
- Extensive experience working on ecosystem conservation communication, commitment campaigns, and building a community of practices is desired.
- Relevant working experience with International Development Organization, I/NGOs in CHT is an added advantage.
- Experience with USAID-funded forest and ecosystem conservation communication is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to produce good quality briefs/reports in English and Bangla.
- Excellent computer skills in MS Excel, MS word and PowerPoint, Graphics, and video production.
- Solid understanding of USAID Brand and Marking guidelines, DOC requirements and DEC systems may be desirable.
- Demonstrated experience with managing high-level US missions and relevant delegations is preferable.
- Work Experience and understanding of Forestry, Natural Resources Management, and Climate Change in Bangladesh.
- Experience on Environmental communication related to natural resource management.
- Experience on conservation communication.
- Strong training, facilitation and presentation skills.
- Ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience in using computers, relevant office software packages, and digital platforms for communication.
- The ability to manage partner organizations.
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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