Background
Climate change, manifesting in the form of intensified cyclones, storm surges, and sea-level rise (SLR), is accelerating saltwater intrusion into the freshwater resources of the coastal belt of Bangladesh. Climate change-induced soil and water salinity is projected to adversely impact freshwater dependent agricultural livelihoods (leading to loss of productivity or livelihoods) as well as the availability and quality of drinking water in the vulnerable coastal communities. Furthermore, given the crucial role that women play in water security and household level resilience, and their socio-economic marginalization, the climate change-induced threat to agricultural livelihoods and drinking water security of the affected coastal communities disproportionately affects women and girls.
Therefore, the key objective of the proposed project is to support the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) in strengthening the adaptive capacities of coastal communities, especially women, to cope with impacts of climate change-induced salinity on their livelihoods and water security. GCF resources will be combined with GoB co-financing to address information, technical, financial and institutional barriers to implementing and managing resilient livelihoods and drinking water solutions for the vulnerable communities in the Southwestern coastal districts of Khulna and Satkhira. An estimated 719,229 people (about 245,516 direct and 473,713 indirect) will benefit from the proposed project interventions.
The proposed project will empower target communities, especially women, as ‘change-agents’ to plan, implement, and manage resilient livelihoods and drinking water solutions. The project will enable those communities to address climate change risks on livelihood and drinking water security to promote synergistic co-benefits. It will enhance the adaptive capacities of these communities in the face of worsening impacts of climate-change induced salinity on their freshwater resources which in turn adversely affect livelihood and drinking water requirements. GCF resources will be invested in promoting a diversification from currently non-adaptive, freshwater-reliant livelihoods of small-scale farmers, fishers, and agro-labourers towards climate-resilient agricultural livelihoods. GoB co-financing is leveraged to support adoption and scale of these alternative, climate-resilient agricultural livelihoods through strengthened value-chains and market linkages for their long-term viability in the face of increasing salinity and extreme weather. The project also utilizes GCF and GoB resources to support investments in and management of climate-resilient drinking water solutions to secure year-round, safe drinking water supplies for the targeted communities. Access to reliable, safe drinking water enables the communities, especially women and girls in targeted households, to invest the resulting time and cost savings and health co-benefits in enhanced livelihoods and income generating and/or educational opportunities. In turn, the enhanced incomes and livelihoods will enable the communities to sustain the investments in the drinking water supply solutions in the long-term. Finally, through investments in institutional capacities, knowledge dissemination and evidence-based learning, the project will enable pathways for replication and scale of project impact to secure livelihoods and drinking water across the vulnerable districts of the southwest coast of Bangladesh. The project yields significant environmental, social (including gender), and economic co-benefits including enhanced integrity of coastal ecosystems and freshwater resources; improved gender norms and women empowerment; and increased income and health benefits, estimated at USD15 million and USD4 million respectively over the project lifetime.
The project contributes towards GoB’s achievement of priorities outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and its climate change strategies. The project objective speaks to the top five key near-term areas of intervention identified by the INDC to address adverse impacts of climate change including: 1) Food security, livelihood and health protection (incl. water security); 2) Comprehensive disaster management, 3) Coastal Zone Management, including Salinity Intrusion control, 4) Flood Control and Erosion protection, 5) Building Climate Resilient Infrastructure. Directly aligned to six of the fourteen broad adaptation actions prioritized by INDC, the project is implementing improved EWS, supporting climate resilient infrastructure, Tropical cyclones and storm surge protection, stress-tolerant variety improvement and cultivation, and Capacity Building at Individual and institutional level to plan and implement adaptation programmes and projects.
Under the direct supervision of the National Project Manager (NPM), the Water and Sanitation Analyst will lead the planning, development, and execution of new initiatives in the water supply and sanitation and rural/municipal infrastructure development and management and support relevant sector governance reforms.
Duties and Responsibilities
This position will be supervised by the National Project Manager, “Enhancing adaptive capacities of coastal communities, especially women, to cope with climate change induced salinity” Project (Annex: Signed Project Document /Recruitment Plan 2024 supporting for this position).
The Water & Sanitation Analyst will be responsible for day-to-day management of the water component’s activity implementation and provide technical support and capacity building issues of water interventions of the GCA project.
Provide Technical Knowledge on Policies, Strategy, and Implementation Planning:
Provide guidance in the implementation of a sustainable water and sanitation strategy with selected district/ Upazilas and relevant implementing partners including DPHE, MoWCA and others; Undertake policy dialogue with governments and other donor organizations on water and sanitation areas, including in the rural development thematic areas, and promote efficient use of resources and encourage participatory approaches to development planning, financing and sustainability; Work closely with project staff, government entities, and other stakeholders to design and implement targeted strategies for the improved community participation in improving the nutritional status of mothers and children through WASH; Lead in the water and sanitation sector and development of rural innovative programs that would accelerate achievement of the project interventions; Lead and provide advice on climate change vulnerability and disaster risk assessments and mitigation for rural areas in relation to water supply and sanitation; Lead in conducting thematic work around the areas of water supply and sanitation and rural development sector in the context of sustainable inclusive economic development, climate adaptation and poverty reduction; Undertake studies and research to promote new technologies, policies and sector assessments throughout the country;Ensures effective management of the Project activities and focuses on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation, achieving the following results:
Ensure that WASH activities are coordinated with the local government, donor and NGOs working in the sector; Ensure that the team proactively manages the overall schedule (constrained within the project time frame); Participate in relevant coordination meetings to present project activities, ensure coordination with other projects, and assure highest quality of project implementation; Liaise and coordinate with development agencies, lead and support water and sanitation and rural development sector operations of the project and key partner (DPHE) in upstream portfolio development work, including targeted sector assessments, diagnostics and roadmaps; Lead in the identification, review and evaluation of water and sanitation projects, including rural development, possibly involving moderate to high levels of risk and complexity, as well as the recommendation of appropriate sector plans and the appropriate loan covenants and action plans. Ensure key technical, economic, financial, institutional and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects; Lead WASH inputs and support to national WASH sector coordination and sanitation policy dialogue. Take the role of mission leader and supervise the work of mission members and ensure the overall high quality of outputs and reports. Serving as the technical lead on all WASH activities;Provides advice on Capacity Building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
Provide technical and capability-building support to selected upazials in the development of water and sanitation measures with consideration of the project and identify opportunities for integrating climate resiliency in water and sanitation-related activities; Lead in conducting capacity building activities in water supply and sanitation sector policies and practices of Executing Agencies (EAs), including rural development;Facilitation of knowledge Sharing and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
Develop and maintain a suitable network in the water and sanitation sector to keep abreast of the latest developments and issues; Substantially contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around water supply and sanitation issues; Lead the design, oversight, and monitoring of WASH activities; Develop and maintain a knowledge database on the water sector covering; the overall structure of the service, the decentralization process, the role of upazila and union parishad entities, a list of key service providers and financiers, investment needs over the short, medium and long term, investment trends and key enabling conditions to increase investments in the sector; and information on best industry practice including the type of technical and operational due diligence needed for project preparation; Contribute detailed and accurate written inputs to fulfill project technical and financial reporting requirements;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 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learningPeople Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated siteCross-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 systemBusiness Development
Human-centered Design. Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving processBusiness Management
Communication. Ability to 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 channelsPartnership 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 understandingGeneral (across the functions)
Event planning and execution. Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.Digital & Innovation
Co-creation. Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together. Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into to them as a source for creativity. Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.2030 Agenda: Peace
Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights. Impact assessment services to countries on stigma, discrimination, gender and human rights concerns / inclusive and rights-based approach to basic services and livelihoodsRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Urban Development, Hydrology, Environmental Science/Management, Public Health, or relevant field is required.Experience:
Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of working experience in UN/GoB/INGOs in the field of WASH related to climate change, environment and rural development. Experience in supporting projects in multiple locations as well as providing on-job support/training to staff; Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills; Experience of working in WASH especially rainwater harvesting systems is highly desirable; Excellent communication skills in English language (written and oral);Required languages:
Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;Equal opportunity
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UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
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