Program Officer

• 2 to 3 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Bachelor`s degree in Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, or a related discipline; a Master`s degree will be an added advantage.

• 2 to 3 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Minimum 2-3 years of relevant professional experience in biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, climate resilience, or livelihoods project implementation.

• Demonstrated experience in field-level coordination of donor-funded projects (UN agencies or similar) is preferred.

• Experience working with the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), Department of Environment (DoE), or in and around protected areas/wildlife sanctuaries is an advantage.

• Experience working in Cox`s Bazar, including in host-community or refugee-response contexts, will be preferred.

• Skills and Additional Job Requirements:

• Strong understanding of community-based natural resource management, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and/or nature-based livelihoods.

• Good analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple field activities simultaneously.

• Strong community mobilization, facilitation, and training skills, with sensitivity to gender and social inclusion.

• Good verbal and written communication and reporting skills in both Bangla and English.

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently and work in remote, hardship field locations.

• Sound interpersonal, negotiation, and diplomatic skills for engaging government departments, community groups, and partner organizations.

• Safeguarding and Ethics- The Program Officer is expected to uphold the organization’s safeguarding policies, ensuring the protection of children and vulnerable groups from any form of abuse, exploitation, or harm.

Location: Ukhiya and Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar

Job Nature: Full-time (Up to 31 October, 2027)

No. of Vacancies: 1

Project Brief:

With support from UNDP under the GEF Small Grants Programme, the organization is implementing SONGHOTI Project in the Cox`s Bazar-Teknaf Peninsula, an ecologically critical landscape facing habitat fragmentation, human-elephant conflict (HEC), and threats to sea turtles and coastal biodiversity. The project expands beehive fencing and establishes a Honey Village, strengthens Elephant Response Teams (ERTs) and early-warning systems, restores wildlife corridors, pilots eco-brick patrol posts, forms a Women-Led Youth Environment Brigade (YEB), and establishes a community-led sea turtle hatchery.

Part I: Job Statement

The Program Officer is responsible for the day-to-day field-level planning, coordination, and implementation of SONGHOTI project activities under the direct supervision of the Technical Manager. The incumbent will coordinate closely with the Bangladesh Forest Department, Department of Environment, community groups (ERTs, YEBs, Honey Village beneficiaries, egg collectors), contractors/vendors, and co-financing partners to ensure that all outputs- habitat and corridor restoration, beehive fencing and livelihood development, ERT and early-warning system strengthening, eco-brick patrol post construction, salt lick and HECRAS water reservoir implementation, and the community-led sea turtle hatchery- are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality and safeguarding standards. The Program Officer will support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting; assist in maintaining strong stakeholder relationships; and contribute to the achievement of the project`s conservation, climate resilience, and livelihood objectives under GEF-SGP OP8.

Part II: Job Responsibilities and Tasks

A. Key Activities:

• Coordinate and support field-level implementation of all project outputs and activities, including beehive fencing and Honey Village establishment, ERT strengthening, community-based early-warning (trip-alarm) systems, eco-brick patrol post construction, wildlife corridor and fodder zone restoration, salt lick establishment, HECRAS-model water reservoirs, and the community-led sea turtle hatchery.

• Support the Technical Manager in developing and updating detailed activity plans, the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), and the Procurement Plan, and track progress against agreed targets and indicators.

• Facilitate the formation, training, and mentoring of Elephant Response Teams (ERTs) and Youth Environment Brigades (YEBs), including coordination of training modules on beekeeping, waste upcycling, climate adaptation, and eco-tour guiding.

• Coordinate community mobilization and beneficiary selection processes for the Honey Village, upskilling trainings, and small-scale Youth-Led Initiatives, ensuring transparency, inclusion of women and youth, and adherence to prequalification criteria.

• Liaise regularly with the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), Department of Environment (DoE), local government, and community institutions to ensure smooth field access, joint planning, and co-management of activities such as corridor restoration and patrol post construction.

• Coordinate with co-financing initiatives- including the SDC-funded Bamboo for Climate Action (B4CA) project and the UNHCR-funded Community Empowerment Promoted through Skills Development Initiatives project- to align plantation, saplings, and infrastructure support and avoid duplication.

• Support procurement and contract management for equipment, materials, and works (e.g., eco-brick structures, HECRAS water reservoirs, ERT equipment) in coordination with organization`s procurement and logistics team, in line with UNDP and organization procedures.

• Support planning and delivery of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and baseline/secondary data review to inform site selection (e.g., sea turtle hatchery location) and activity design.

• Assist in organizing the inception workshop, project closure and knowledge-sharing workshop, and other stakeholder events, fairs, and forums relevant to the project.

• Track project indicators and results (e.g., extent of beehive fencing, hectares restored, number of ERT/YEB members trained, households engaged in honey production) and maintain accurate field-level records to feed into the project`s M&E system.

• Assist in identifying implementation challenges, risks, and gaps in the field and propose practical, timely solutions to the Technical Manager and project management.

• Support the development of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, community resource maps, and documentation (including success stories and the video documentary) in coordination with the Comms team of organization.

• Ensure that all field activities comply with organization and UNDP policies and standards, including environmental and social safeguards, and human rights due diligence (e.g., screening against ineligible activities).

B. Reporting and Coordination

• Support in preparing regular (weekly/monthly) field progress updates and contribute to periodic Technical Reports and Expense Reports for submission to UNDP, in the format required under the Low Value Grant Agreement.

• Support the Technical Manager in preparing the Performance Report, budget revisions, and the Periodic Financing Request (PFR) or equivalent financial documentation.

• Maintain up-to-date activity trackers, beneficiary lists, and supporting documentation for internal organization reporting and for review by the Project Steering Committee, UNDP, and donors.

C. General

• Support the Technical Manager in conducting regular and need-based project team, community, and stakeholder meetings.

• Regularly update the Technical Manager on field progress, risks, and challenges, and ensure timely follow-up and resolution.

• Coordinate field logistics and staff/community safety arrangements in line with organization’s policies and procedures, in coordination with the Procurement Department.

• Foster a positive, inclusive working environment with field staff, community volunteers, and partners, and ensure adherence to safeguarding standards.

• Attend training, orientation, and capacity-building sessions as required, and represent the project in meetings, workshops, and events organized by stakeholders and partners.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities relevant to the position as assigned by the Technical Manager or project/senior management.

• Salary: BDT 55,000/Month (inclusive all)