COMPASS PROGRAM BANGLADESH
‘Academic and Research Coordination Specialist’
USAID Bangladesh and United States Forest Service International Program (USFS/IP) recently entered into an inter-agency partnership, with funding from USAID Bangladesh, in which USFS/IP will implement the ‘Community Partnerships to Strengthen Sustainable Development’ (Compass) program. Compass will address natural resource management challenges in Bangladesh through establishing a youth conservation corps, strengthening community capacity and promoting public participation, providing direct technical support to Bangladesh Forest Department, and strengthening the capacity of academic and research institutions in natural resource management and resilience. USAID intends to fund Compass for five years, subject to the availability of funding. The Compass Program is seeking a qualified and experienced professional to be the full-time ‘Academic and Research Coordination Specialist’ based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Academic and Research Coordination Specialist will provide expert leadership in the planning, outreach, coordination, development, and management of institutional partnerships with Compass partners, stakeholders and programming. With guidance of the Project Lead, the Academic and Research Coordination Specialist will coordinate the provision of technical services, harmonize efforts support, and maximize synergy and integration between other component or units of the project. S/he will set a positive tone for the component and inspire team to apply results-based approaches for timely delivery of services to the clients we serve including but not limited to timely producing high quality documentation of project’s successes and lessons learned for local and international audiences, as well as quarterly reports.
The US Forest Service mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Through the combination of direct land management, working collaboratively with states, tribes, and private landowners, and providing technical capacity building and education efforts the Agency is involved in the management of 80% of the forested land in the United States.
As a division of the Office of the Chief of U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Forest Service Office of International Programs (USFS/IP) works in over 90 countries, to promote sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation internationally. By linking the skills of the field-based staff of the U.S. Forest Service with partners overseas, the agency can address the world’s most critical forestry issues and concerns. USFS/IP collaborates with local and international non-governmental organizations, universities, and host country governments. We also collaborate with other U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State. Internationally, programs focus on building institutional relationships between our agency and our in-country partners, enabling continuous collaboration over the long-term.
In collaboration with USAID Bangladesh, USFS/IP has been working in Bangladesh since 2009 and has developed longstanding partnerships in Bangladesh by providing need-based capacity building technical assistance in support of national-level capacity for forest management and monitoring. The Compass program will build on this work and expand to new thematic areas and geographic regions.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION:
Issuance Date: 14 November 2020
Application Closing Date: 27 November 2020
Position Title: Youth Conservation Corps Advisor
Level of Efforts: Full Time
Period of Performance: Initially 1 Year; with the possibility of extension
Base Location: Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh with regular travel to field sites
Expected Starting Date: 01 January 2020
Position Description:
The Academic and Research Coordination Specialist will provide expert leadership in the planning, outreach, coordination, development, and management of institutional partnerships with Compass partners, stakeholders and programming. With guidance of the Project Lead, the Academic and Research Coordination Specialist will coordinate the provision of technical services, harmonize efforts support, and maximize synergy and integration between other component or units of the project. S/he will set a positive tone for the component and inspire team to apply results-based approaches for timely delivery of services to the clients we serve including but not limited to timely producing high quality documentation of project’s successes and lessons learned for local and international audiences, as well as quarterly reports.
The Academic and Research Coordination Specialist will collaborate with key academic institutions and Compass stakeholders in Bangladesh to provide technical and financial support in curriculum development and modernize coursework. The aim of this work will be to enhance institutional capacities in preparing students to enter the workforce trained in modern remote sensing and satellite imagery applications; data gathering and analysis techniques in natural ecosystem management and monitoring; REDD+ related activities focused on Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV); and other technology based natural resource management tools. Specific activities would include joint/collaborative research, competitive grants and fellowships programs, in country and international trainings on new technologies and techniques, support in establishing laboratories, upgrading facilities, acquiring materials and equipment, seminars, technical exchanges, USFS Fellowships program, etc. The Specialist must be experienced in conducting knowledge-based assessments, and consultations between stakeholders and partner agencies to initiate these collaborations.
The ‘Academic and Research Coordination Specialist’ will support the program with duties and responsibilities including, but not be limited to, the following:
Program Management (100%)
Ensure that the component identifies and addresses the needs and interests of donor and that the solutions reflect the strategies and design.
Identify and coordinate with potential academic stakeholders in the field of forestry, natural resource management, and community development in order to develop institutional partnerships with relevant stakeholders,
Ensure component operations and field-based activities to ensure efficient and effective planning and implementation of program activities.
Set direction and coordinate development and execution work plans that meet component requirements and address the needs of USFS and USAID.
With the support of Project Lead communicate and coordinate with USAID and other stakeholders.
Ensure that program activities are compliant with SOPs and Compass policies.
In collaboration with the management team, ensure that timely remedial actions are taken to mitigate risks.
Represent the component or program to USAID missions and at the country levels.
Assess capacity, training, and partnership needs of academia, and other stakeholders and provide recommendations to Compass management and other technical teams for partnership and capacity building support.
Provide sound technical guidance and facilitate the implementation of all technical cooperation activities with academic partners and other relevant sectoral stakeholders.
Provide consultation and technical support on the development of institutional partnerships and capacity building activities on Compass related activities to relevant communities and stakeholders.
Consult closely with Compass leadership and technical teams to provide inputs to capacity building activities in Compass annual budgeting and work planning sessions.
Maintain ongoing coordination with stakeholders through regular communication, outreach, consultative meetings, and other forms of interaction with Compass academic stakeholders.
Prepare quarterly and annual progress reports for component level activities.
Work closely with other components, MEL and communications teams to create linkages, address challenges, assess impact of partnerships, trainings, and capacity building activities.
Collaborate with and orient Compass technical experts and stakeholders on component activities.
Carry out any other responsibilities as assigned by the Senior Management.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
To be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed below:
Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Forestry science/technology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences/Management or related discipline.
Preferred: A Master’s degree (MSc.) or a doctoral degree (PhD.), or equivalent in Forestry science/technology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences/Management, ecological economics, or related discipline.
Experience:
At least 7 years of work experience in relevant positions with 3- 5 years in a supervisory or managerial role in NRM/forest management, knowledge-based institutional development and/or applied research activities.
Prior experience of working with USAID or USG programs/projects is highly preferred.
Experience working with fostering partnerships, program design and implementation, and capacity building in Bangladesh, preferably in the forestry, natural resource management and environmental programs.
Demonstrated experience in providing expert leadership and guidance across all aspects institutional and partnership development activities, and in the programs/projects of government/non-government/academia and/or donor agencies are required.
Experiences in joint research collaboration, peer review journal publication, academic training program design, research facility development, basic forestry instruments/tools/knowledge development, and organizing international exchange events are preferred.
Skills/Competencies:
Excellent technical and quantitative skills for tracking and analyzing the staff and organizational performance of the program/project using appropriate tools are required.
Strong leadership skills and be able to work independently with minimum supervision or guidance.
Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical aspects related to the position.
Knowledge on documents and analyses of innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.
Demonstrated experience of working with multi-cultural team and providing leadership with professional judgment in cross-cultural and multi-level organizational context.
Proven ability to work in a dynamic environment with GOB and USG agencies, international donors, academic institutions, NGOs, community groups, and other stakeholders.
Experience in motivating and empowering teams to ensure the consistency, timeliness, and quality of program deliverables.
Ability and interest in learning new tools/methods to make evidence-based operational decisions.
Knowledge or experience in forest biometry, statistics, GIS/RS tools, environmental monitoring/assessments, forest/environmental technology will be an added advantage.
Experience in facilitating university partnerships for course modernization or curriculum upgradation or modification will be preferred.
High proficiency in relevant computer applications e.g. MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS- PowerPoint, and basic internet skills are required.
Language Ability:
The incumbent must be proficient in spoken and written English at Level IV (fluent) and must likewise be fully fluent in spoken and written Bangla. English language skill will be tested.
BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES:
The benefits and allowances for this position would be in line with Compass policy and guidelines, commensurate with the experience, qualification and previous track-record of the successful applicant.
INSTRUCTION FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION:
Interested applicants are requested to properly fill in the application form available at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CzsJEk4GbKwKueuYpPqhue_7TOknOLvWPjND5ezC80s Applicant must have an active Gmail account to complete the application. In the application form, the interested applicants must provide accurate information to all required fields and attach the following documents listed below:
A Cover Letter illustrating applicant’s qualifications to meet the requirements for this position. Please use the following naming convention for your file: FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter. The cover letter must be attached either in MS word or in PDF file format.
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) with full contact details, specific description of educational background, career experiences, and achievements. Please use the following naming convention for your file: FirstName_LastName_CV. The CV must be attached either in MS word or in PDF file format.
Please note that the interested applicants must submit the applications on or before 11.59 PM 27 November 2020.
The successful applicant will be hired through a local hiring mechanism or through an international contracting mechanism to be employed on the Compass program, as per organizational policy. Applicant will not be hired by, nor an employee of, the US Forest Service. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for further assessment. The applicants who are not shortlisted will not be notified. All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.
