Water Resources Analyst

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
 

The incumbent will serve as the backstop and deputy lead of the overall CHTWCA II activity. In the absence of the Chief Technical Specialist, s/he will serve as the Acting Chief Technical Specialist. S/he will oversee technical operations and financial management of CHTWCA. S/he will be experienced in integrating gender into CHTWCA II. S/he will also strongly focus on coordinating with donors, development partners, and Bangladeshi government counterparts related to CHTWCA II.

The Water Resources Analyst will be a vital member of the Forestry and Watershed management team of the ERRD-CHT project. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist and in close collaboration with the Senior Management Team. The incumbent will function as Deputy Team Lead and be the office in charge (OIC) in the absence of the Chief Technical Specialist.

Key functions:

• Develop and implement relevant policies, planning, and guidelines for sustainable water resource and river management, water use and efficiency, including locally appropriate integrated water resource management approaches and monitoring in the activity sites;
• Provide technical assessment and monitoring systems with relevant indicators for assessing and measuring water quality and quantity due to watershed restoration interventions, including soil and water conservation measures;
• Advise and support the development of Social and Environmental Standards Assessment and ensure implementation of Environmental and Social Management Framework and Gender Strategy related to water quality and risk management measures;
• Ensure effective implementation of water resource management and land-use restoration activities in close coordination with the other technical experts on water management; 
• Contribute significantly to the development of the Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) and the CHT Development Plan; and
•  Act as officer in charge of CHTWCA II in the absence of the Chief Technical Specialist.
• Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the project 
• 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:

• All business processes are initiated on time, according to the approved annual work plans. Annual work plans implemented in coordination with the partners and key stakeholders;
• Planned activities, including IWMP and the CHT Development Plan contributions, delivered with quality and performance as per the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan;
• Training modules, guidelines, and water conservation messages developed and used for the project;
• Act as an office in charge and promptly produce and submit annual and quarterly reports;
• Appropriate water conservation policy issues are identified, and advocacy activities organized;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Knowledge of UNDP Rules and Regulations implemented; and
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and strong leadership qualities.
   

• 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

Business Direction & Strategy    

• Effective Decision Making. ake decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications. 
• Systems 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 information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations 
• Knowledge Facilitation. Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange

Business Management    

• Partnership Management. Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Partnership Management    

• Emerging partnerships. Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships

2030 Agenda: People     

• Gender. Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation