Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS)

Position: Consultant - Research Uptake

About BCAS: Established in 1986, the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) is a leading research and policy institute in the non-government sector of Bangladesh. It is independent, non-profit and specializes in policy analysis, action research and project implementation for sustainable development at local, national, regional and global levels. The overall aim of BCAS is to provide guidance and practical solutions to promote sustainable development, eradicate poverty, improve access of the poor to resources and ensure social justice. BCAS tests dynamic ideas, develops models and gives practical solutions to problems in all areas that fall under the broad themes. These ideas have been replicated by NGOs, government departments, private sectors and UN agencies. 

Background: BCAS is a consortium member of the regional research initiative titled “Himalayan Adaptation, Water and Resilience (HI-AWARE) Research on Glacier and Snowpack Dependent River Basins for Improving Livelihoods”. HI-AWARE is one of the four consortia of the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA). It conducts research and pilot interventions, capacity building and policy engagement on climate resilience and adaptation in the mountains and floodplains of the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river basins. Its overall goal is to contribute to increasing the climate resilience and adaptive capacities of the poor and vulnerable women, men, and children living in these river basins, by using the findings from research and pilot intervention outcomes to influence policy and practice that will improve their livelihoods. The HI-AWARE Consortium is led by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal. The other members are the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) - India, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) - Pakistan; and Alterra-Wageningen University and Research Centre (Alterra-WUR) – the Netherlands. HI-AWARE is focusing its activities in twelve sites, representing a range of climates, hydro-meteorological conditions, altitudes, rural-urban continuum, and socioeconomic contexts, in four study basins: the Indus, Upper Ganga, Gandaki and Teesta. It will undertake research and experimentation in these study basins. In Bangladesh, HI-AWARE is implementing research in the Teesta Floodplain of north-western Bangladesh.

A primary pursuit of the HI-AWARE consortium is to provide decision makers with robust and first hand evidence for people-centered policy making and pro-poor climate smart development. Knowledge shared and delivered to users in appropriate formats and through relevant channels is central to enabling informed decision making. HI-AWARE research uptake will be reflected through changes in adaptation-related policies and practices in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. The research into use activities of HI-AWARE will enable policy makers, practitioners and vulnerable groups to put research outcomes into use to improve livelihood outcomes of vulnerable populations. To put HI-AWARE ‘research into use’ (RiU) with a focus on the Teesta Floodplain in Bangladesh, BCAS will assign a Research Uptake Specialist as consultant. The incumbent will be a specialist in research uptake and communication and will be a member of BCAS HI-AWARE team with whom (s)he will regularly liaise.

Major Responsibilities:

  • Review current policies and gaps in policies (if any) of Bangladesh related to water resources management and poverty reduction in the Teesta river basin and its sub-basins to assess their implications for equity across different categories of uses and users;
  • Develop a stakeholder engagement plan to follow the identification of key stakeholders and evaluation of each stakeholder's role in making and influencing policy;
  • Synergize evidences, convincing cases, and options for actions providing insights into how different practitioners deal with future decision making and inherent uncertainties;
  • Make a plan to engage different types of practitioners in knowledge sharing and knowledge co-creation outlining ways to encourage networking among practitioners and other stakeholders, for example, multi-stakeholder dialogues;
  • Create a country level framework for monitoring the processes and impacts of RiU;
  • Provide inputs in HI-AWARE strategies for influencing policy and practice;
  • Facilitate RiU events in partner countries; and
  • Ensure periodic evaluation and learning of the used strategies.

Deliverables:

  • Policy review reports with recommendations to address identified gaps;
  • HI-AWARE Stakeholder engagement plan in Bangladesh;
  • Finalize HI-AWARE strategies for influencing policy and practice in regular consultations with HI-AWARE RiU Work Group;
  • Report on mechanisms for developing evidences, convincing cases, and options for actions by different practitioners;
  • Practitioners' engagement plan in knowledge sharing and knowledge co-creation outlining ways to encourage networking; and
  • Report on country level framework for monitoring the processes and impacts of Research into Use.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements:

  • PhD in physical or social sciences, e.g., environmental science, geography, sociology, anthropology, political ecology, economic geography, ecological economics, or other related field of social sciences;
  • Previous working experiences on Teesta sub-basin ecosystem and society related research;
  • Sound knowledge and experience in qualitative and quantitative physical or social research and experience working in interdisciplinary teams;
  • At least 10/15 years of work experience in policy related research;
  • Sound knowledge and practical experience in advocating Policies regarding livelihood programs and projects with focus on social issues; and
  • Proven record of research and publication in peer reviewed reputed journals of physical or social sciences related to policy issues.

Skills and Competencies:

  • Knowledge: Sound knowledge and understanding of policy formulation methods and efficient methods of policies uptakeby the relevant authorities;
  • Research: Experience and skills in advocatingissue, region and time specific policies will be a plus point;
  • Management and coordination: Ability to work and coordinate interdisciplinary research in a diverse disciplinary context;
  • Networking/stakeholder management: Ability to develop and maintain a network with relevant institutes and professionals;
  • Results/impact orientation: Proactive approach within and outside the organization to integrate policy dimensions in biophysical and natural sciences research and to seek opportunities to transform output into outcome and impact;
  • Team work: Demonstrated capacity to work in teams with colleagues and collaborators of different disciplines, organizations, and sociocultural backgrounds;
  • Flexibility/innovation: Interest and ability to stay abreast with changing context of research methods and designs with mountain perspective and to find ways to introduce innovative approaches; encourage others to come up with new ideas; actively support the development of a continuous learning culture; and
  • Report and proposal writing: Excellent analytical and writing skills and proven record of publication in reputed peer reviewed science journals.

Duration:
The initial contract of the first six tasks of the consultant will be for 3 months from February to May 2016 which may be further extended upon satisfactory progress till the completion of the project.

Remuneration:
Consultant will get satisfactory salary based on his/her practical skills and experience according to the policy of HI-AWARE.

Gender and Equity Policy:
Qualified and eligible women candidates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. HI-AWARE implements a gender equity policy and is supportive of working women.

Submission of application:
Only individuals meeting the above requirements are requested to send their application along with one copy of “CV” to info@bcas.net with copy to abu.syed@bcas.net mentioning the position applied on the subject line by February 10, 2016. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.