Job Description

Title: Senior Programme Officer - Micro Watershed Governance

Company Name: Solidaridad Network Asia

Vacancy: Not specific

Job Location: Anywhere in Bangladesh

Employment Status: Full-time

Educational Requirements:
∎ Post-graduate/Master's degree in Agriculture, Water Resource Management, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Science and or any other relevant discipline.

Job Context:
∎ Introduction:
∎ Solidaridad is an international civil society organization with over 50 years of experience in developing solutions to make communities more resilient. Working across 40 countries through seven Regional Expertise Centres (REC), Solidaridad focuses on enabling farmers, miners and workers to earn a decent income, shape their own future, and produce in balance with nature.
∎ Solidaridad in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh has been implementing the `SAFAL for Integrated Water Resources Management (SAFAL for IWRM) project. The project puts forward a community-based water management model for enhancing sustainable use, protection and restoration of micro-watersheds for resilient agriculture through operationalization of IWRM in Southwest Bangladesh. It aims to improve the livelihoods of 90.000 farmers and improve the watershed management on 41.000 Ha of land through rejuvenation of 80 micro-watersheds across 13 Upazilas districted over the 5 Districts of Southwest Bangladesh. The project is pursuing three complementary pathways:
∎ Pathway 1. Micro-watershed rejuvenation and management: In this pathway the project will form and strengthen micro-watershed committees and water user groups to rejuvenate and manage the water structures and the water use for agriculture
∎ Pathway 2. Climate smart and regenerative agriculture: In this pathway the project supports farmers in adopting more efficient, resilient and productive practices through multiple extension methods, information services and partnerships with extension providers.
∎ Pathway 3. Governance for micro-watershed management: In this pathway the project aims through multi-stakeholder action to improve the divisional to local public sector governance context. It will set-up a multi-stakeholder platform with relevant authorities at Division level to identify relevant policy gaps and propose improvements. It will also partner with lower level authorities to support collaboration in support of micro-watershed management.
∎ Employment Type
∎ Project based fixed term: Salary & Other Benefits

Job Responsibilities:
∎ As a Senior Programme Officer for Micro Watershed Governance at Solidaridad, you will play a crucial role in the implementation of the 'SAFAL for Integrated Water Resources Management (SAFAL for IWRM)' project, in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh. This project aims to enhance sustainable water use, protection, and restoration of micro-watersheds for resilient agriculture in Southwest Bangladesh. You will work closely with the Project Team Leader and other team members to ensure the successful execution of the project's objectives across various pathways.
∎ This role requires you to work in a dynamic environment, often with tight deadlines and unpredictable challenges. You must collaborate effectively within a team, communicate and negotiate with various stakeholders, and contribute to enhancing team spirit. Your ability to work in an intercultural environment and proficiency in English will be essential for success in this role.
∎ The position is based in Khulna (with frequent field visit), will report to the Manager- IWRM and will collaborate with the, Programme Personnel, M&E personnel, Partners, and other team members of Solidaridad Network Asia in Bangladesh.
∎ Major Duties and Responsibilities:
∎ Capacity building of Watershed Committee on governance in water management 25%
∎ Identify capacity gap of watershed committee members and defines the areas for improvement to ensure governance in water management.
∎ Develop necessary training material and training guidelines for capacity building of watershed committee members on governance, management, design and implementation of watershed structures.
∎ Organize TOT for field staff (WCF and WCO) to enhance capacity for facilitating training for the Watershed Committee members
∎ Identify suitable interventions to empower women members of the watershed committee to enable them to participate in decision making process and implementation of IWRM system.
∎ Support project team to develop a specific plan for Watershed committee for sustainable maintenance and operation of rejuvenated micro watersheds.
∎ Develop an effective monitoring and follow up mechanism to support watershed committee in ensuring governance in water management
∎ Development of a framework for Multi Stakeholder Platform 15%
∎ Identify potential experts/consultant/consultancy firm for developing a framework for Multi Stakeholder Platform (MSP)
∎ Develop a Term of Reference (TOR) for the Consultant with support from the project team.
∎ Work closely with the consultant and ensure development of a framework for MSP aligning with the objectives as stated in the project documents
∎ Organize workshop/meeting with the Project staff, Senior Management Team and other relevant stakeholders, share the draft framework and finalize the framework incorporating inputs from the meeting and workshop.
∎ Formation and operationalization of Multi Stakeholder Platform 30%
∎ Develop a list of stakeholders in the southwest regions with contact details
∎ Conduct meeting with the stakeholders, explain objectives, structure and roles of MSP in line with the framework.
∎ Organize workshops/meetings with the selected stakeholders to form the MSP
∎ Set up a MSP at southwest level comprising of government officials, public departments, University representatives, civil society organizations, private sectors representatives and local community groups.
∎ Develop a plan of action for the MSP in consultation with the MSP members
∎ Establish linkage among the Watershed committee and MSP
∎ Organize regular meeting to discuss the progress of action plan
∎ Coordinate among the stakeholders for better functioning of the MSP.
∎ Policy mapping on IWRM and development of White Paper on selected policy issues 25%
∎ Undertake a mapping of government policies related to micro watersheds development and management
∎ Analyse the policies to understand the areas of community involvement with specific gender needs with support from MSP and relevant experts.
∎ Organize workshop/meeting with MSP to share the findings of policy issues and to select at least two important policy issues for developing white paper.
∎ Organize necessary workshop/roundtable for policy mapping, policy analysis and development of white papers.
∎ Contribute to develop White Paper on the selected policy issues.
∎ Develop a work plan for policy advocacy
∎ Report writing and documentation 5%
∎ Document the process, learning and challenges
∎ Prepare monthly reports and contribute to prepare different project reports.
∎ Prepare report of different workshops/roundtable and meeting minutes.

Additional Requirements:
∎ Minimum 5 years' professional experience in the field of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), community empowerment, stakeholder management and policy advocacy.
∎ Experience in networking and liaison with government and private sector stakeholders with high level of motivational and negotiation skill.
∎ Experienced in training curriculum development on diverse issues with clear understanding on water in agriculture challenges and opportunities of southwest Bangladesh
∎ Experienced in organizing and facilitating workshops, roundtable and meeting with high level of government, private sector and civil society stakeholders.
∎ Good understanding on water resource management related policy issues and capable of conducting policy analysis and policy advocacy.
∎ Basic computer literacy using of Microsoft Office Microsoft Word, Excel, MS Power Point, SPSS & other database programme;
∎ Skills in documentation and reporting
∎ Candidate's Competencies & Attributes
∎ Excellent leadership skill and organizational skills
∎ Work in a fast-paced environment within deadlines that are competing and unpredictable.
∎ Must ensure effective team alignment and coordination between operational and support functions to ensure overall performance;
∎ Ability to work in a team and contribute to enhance team spirit;
∎ Ability to communicate and negotiate with government and private stakeholders
∎ Proven ability to work in an intercultural environment
∎ Effective and efficient communication skills
∎ Proficient in English language.

Salary:
∎ Solidaridad offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with Solidaridad Asia`s pay scales and Service Rules. The benefits package includes provident fund, one festival bonus, gratuities and medical insurance as per the organizational policy.

Job Source: Bdjobs.com Online Job Posting.

Application Deadline: 15 Sep 2023

Company Information:
∎ 7 Sep 2023
∎ Solidaridad Network Asia
∎ Business : Solidaridad Network Asia is a global network organization working on sustainable, resources-efficient and inclusive supply chains. Working across 56 countries through 10 Regional Excellence Centres, Solidaridad Network Asia is facilitating the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound, and profitable supply chains. It invests in farms and land-use approaches to serve the twin goals of increasing production and conserving ecosystems. Solidaridad Network Asia brings together supply chain actors and engage them in innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all.
In Bangladesh with support from the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherland, Solidaridad is implementing the Sustainaable Agriculture, Food Security and Linkages (SaFaL) project in partnership with Uttaran and Jagarani Chakra Foundation JCF), and supply chain actors to develop a viable business model to increase the farm productivity of the smallholders. Solidaridad along with the partners are investing in smallholders? sustainable farm productivity through a shift from self-subsistence to a more business oriented approach for better functioning supply chains connecting farmers to input and output markets. SaFaL is supporting 56,825 smallholder producers on improved farm management through developing their farm business plan and market linkages.


Category: NGO/Development

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