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Wetlands and Forestry Analyst

Rangamati

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Rangamati
  • Grade: Junior level - NPSA-8, National Personnel Services Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Agriculture and Forestry
    • Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
    • Natural Resource Management
  • Closing Date: 2024-11-28

Background
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 
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.

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 Wetlands and Forestry Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist of CHTWCA II and will closely cooperate and coordinate with the implementing partners and other projects, ERRD team, local government, communities, non-government, and civil society organizations. 

The Wetlands and Forestry Analyst will be developing and implementing strategies related to an integrated forestry/wetland management of the CHT. The incumbent will provide support for the implementation of CHTWCA II funded by USAID. S/he will be the lead natural resources governance professional in CHTWCA II, contributing to planning activities and advocacy with targeted stakeholders. S/he will integrate the gender lens into the governance mechanisms in CHTWCA II. S/he will be a key member of the Forest and NRM team of ERRD-CHT project and work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist of ERRD-CHT and close collaboration with the Senior Management Teams.  

Key functions:

  • Provides technical expertise and imparts training to stakeholders in forestry, wetland management, and related conservation fields. Conducts applied research and analysis to inform project design and implementation.
  • Ensures project activities align with biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management objectives. 
  • Captures and disseminates project lessons learned and best practices. Builds capacity of project staff and partners
  • Monitors project progress and performance relevant to forest and wetland management.
  • Prepare quarterly and annual reports for UNDP and USAID and conduct monitoring and evaluation to assess impact.
  • Collaborates with government agencies on forest and wetland policy and planning.
  • Complies with financial rules and regulations.
  • The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Measurable Outputs and Performance Indicators: 

  • Training and workshop facilitation skills with quality training materials development;
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Ability to effectively coordinate with partners in and outside the UN organizations;
  • Knowledge of UNDP and USAID Rules and Regulations is an advantage.
  • Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and strong leadership qualities;
  • Focuses on results for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • 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.
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 and technical Competencies:

Business Direction and strategy    

  • Strategic thinking. Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
  • 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 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

  • Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • Communication. Communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience 
    Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels

Partnership management

  • Relationship Management. Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding 
     
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Forestry, Aquatic Resource Management, Environmental Studies or Management, Social Science or other relevant field from any recognized University 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 forestry or wetlands management is required.
  • Excellent computer skills on MS Excel, MS word and PowerPoint and good experience in internet browsing; computer typing skills in both languages of English and Bangla.
  •  A good understanding on the GOB policies on forest and wildlife management, environmental management, water resource management and indigenous peoples in Bangladesh is an added advantage;
  • Relevant working experience with GOB institutions or international Development organization;
  • 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.
  • Proven record of experience working on community-based forest management, wildlife participatory management, biodiversity conservation, environment management, or integrated watershed management;
  • Working experience and understanding of wildlife trafficking, Forestry, Natural Resources Management, climate change effects in Bangladesh.
  • Ability to deliver strategic insight and analysis on forestry and 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.
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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