Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Bangladesh has been working since 1973 to transform the country’s food and agricultural sectors. the FAO Representation (FAOBD) manages several corporate initiatives, national, regional and global projects and programmes under the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), Trust Fund (TF) and Regular Programme (RP) budgets. These projects and programmes respond to priority needs identified by the Government and stakeholders and focus on strengthening capacities, introducing innovative technologies, and enhancing policy frameworks to drive sustainable transformation of agrifood systems.
FAO is supporting the Government of Bangladesh, through the collaboration with the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and it is under the implementation of a Global Environment Facility (GEF-8) financed project focused on the integrated management of Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs). Acting as the GEF Agency, FAO provides technical assistance to advance ecosystem-based conservation, biodiversity restoration, and climate-resilient landscape management in the Jaflong-Dawki, Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Peninsula, and Sonadia ECAs. The project adopts a multi-sectoral and community-driven approach, strengthening institutional and policy frameworks, scaling up nature-based solutions, and promoting inclusive, gender-responsive livelihood options to reduce pressure on natural resources and enhance ecological and socio-economic resilience while delivering global environmental benefits.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), in collaboration with PPG Team Leader, National PPG Coordinator and PPG team.
The National Biodiversity Specialist is SC-9 level position.
Technical Focus
The position leads the integration of climate resilience into ECA management by guiding climate risk assessments and translating findings into practical ecosystem-based and nature-based solutions. It supports climate-resilient restoration, policy coherence with national frameworks, and clear documentation of adaptation and mitigation benefits in line with GEF and FAO standards.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Collaborate with the Project Team Leader, National PPG Coordinator and PPG members to develop criteria for identifying project sites.
• Establish biodiversity baselines and define project areas using available literature and data in the ECAs.
• Support technical guidance on sustainable management of forests, wetlands, coastal, and terrestrial resources, including mangrove, wetland, and hill ecosystem restoration.
• Provide technical support to establish small marine or bird museum and special conservation (in-situ & ex-situ) of wildlife (like Turtle, Crab, Fish, Bird, Molluscs and others) with scientific protocols.
• Support the design and delivery of training programmes on biodiversity conservation, climate resilient livelihoods, and ECA regulations.
• Identify potential target locations for the project based on agreed selection criteria and the best available information.
• Collate, analyse, and document all information relevant to biodiversity management in target locations.
• Synthesize information on threats, and recent and projected impacts of biodiversity loss, to recommend effective management and restoration practices for the project.
• Update biodiversity information in the Project Document, including baseline and background sections.
• Contribute recommendations for project interventions in target locations, in consultation with team members and partner institutions.
• Perform other functions as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in natural resources management, environmental sciences, agriculture, plant genetic resources and/or biodiversity conservation and related fields.
• At least 9 (nine) years of relevant professional experience and strong background of relevance to biodiversity and ecosystems in target ECAs or fragile areas.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
• National of Bangladesh.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Strong knowledge of Bangladesh's biodiversity and ecosystems context, including both socio-economic and policy and institutional context.
• Familiarity with national/international environment and biodiversity policies (CBD, KMGBF, NBSAP, NDC, NAP, BCCSAP), FAO-GEF/any GEF project cycle including Theory of Change (TOC), core indicators and focal areas, Global Environment Benefits (GEBs), safeguards and reporting requirements.
• Experience of undertaking participatory biodiversity assessments in ECAs or fragile areas in Bangladesh.
• Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power point, Internet).
• Strong analytical writing and stakeholder facilitation skills.
• Strong knowledge of communication and documentation standards to ensure project documentation and liaison with stakeholders, government agencies, and project team(s).
• Willingness and ability to travel anywhere within Bangladesh.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills to address challenges efficiently.