Bangladesh Red Crescent Society
National Headquarters
684-686, Red Crescent Sarak, Bara Moghbazar, Dhaka-1217

Vacancy Announcement

The Red Cross - Red Crescent movement is the largest volunteer organization in the world. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) is a national society of the movement, constituted on 31 March 1973 by the President's Order No. 26 of 1973 with retrospective effect from 16 December 1971. This is the biggest humanitarian organization in Bangladesh. As an auxiliary to the government, the Society provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people over the last 50 years and has undertaken a wide range of activities in humanitarian response, disaster management, climate change adaptation, livelihood, health, capacity building, and in promoting Red Cross/Red Crescent ideals and principles.

Currently, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society is looking for a suitable Bangladeshi national for the following position of Nature Pulse Programme in Barguna district funded by the British Red Cross:

Job Title: Assistant Project Manager – Project Implementation and liaison.

Department : Disaster & Climate Risk Management (DCRM).

No. of position : 01 (One).

Job Nature: Contractual.

Reportable to : Project Manager

Salary Range: Up to BDT. 80,000/ per month (Consolidated).

Duration of contract : Up to 31st December 2025 (with the possibility of extension

based on availability of project funding).

Duty station :  Barguna.

Starting Date : As soon as possible/01 February 2025.

Project Summary:

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), in partnership with the British Red Cross (BRC), is launching the "Nature Pulse" program to enhance the resilience and well-being of coastal communities in the Sundarbans. This program will use nature-based solutions to protect the region’s vital mangrove ecosystems, which act as a "green shield" against climate impacts like cyclones, flooding, and coastal erosion. Through community consultations and engagement, practical activities will be introduced to help restore mangroves while providing alternative livelihoods for locals, reducing their dependency on natural resources. The project aims to improve living conditions and protect the environment, while also building the skills and capacity of community members, local government, and volunteers. Partnerships with national and international organizations will further support mangrove restoration and monitoring. The program will also raise awareness about Climate Justice, helping communities understand their rights and advocate for long-term, sustainable change.

Job Overview:

The Assistant Project Manager for Project Implementation and Liaison will play a critical role in implementing the "Nature Pulse: Empowering Communities for Climate Resilience" project, in the Sundarbans mangrove forest region and the vulnerable coastal communities of Barguna. This position is responsible for coordinating and overseeing field-level activities related to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), livelihood security, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and ecosystem management. The Assistant Project Manager will also liaise between community stakeholders, local government bodies, Bangladesh Forest Office and the project management team to ensure smooth project execution.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Implementation:

  • Planning: Develop a Detailed Implementation Plan and budget for field-level activities in collaboration with the Project Manager and Technical Officers.
  • Field Coordination: Lead field-level implementation of project activities across Barguna, particularly focused on mangrove restoration, climate-resilient livelihoods, WASH, health and disaster preparedness and response.
  • Nature-Based Solutions (NBS): Work closely with local communities to promote NBS such as mangrove restoration, sustainable shrimp farming, and alternative livelihood options (vermiculture, aquaculture, vegetable cultivation etc).
  • Livelihood Security: Support community-driven climate-resilient initiatives aimed at improving livelihood resilience, including skills development in sustainable fishing, fish drying, vermiculture, beekeeping, and aquaculture etc.
  • Ecosystem Protection and vulnerability reduction: Oversee ecosystem restoration efforts in the Sundarbans mangrove forests to reduce vulnerability to salinity intrusion, flooding, and cyclones.

2. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR):

  • Capacity Building: Assist in organizing training and awareness programs on disaster preparedness, including simulation drills for cyclone response etc.
  • Early Warning Systems: Liaise with local authorities to improve the dissemination of early warning information to communities.
  • Community Governance: Facilitate the creation and strengthening of local community group/governance structures for better disaster response and environmental management.

3. WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and health:

  • Health and Sanitation Interventions: Implement WASH interventions aimed at improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene practices in flood and saline-affected areas.
  • Health Awareness: Conduct awareness campaigns on the health risks associated with exposure to saline water and poor hygiene, with a special focus on women, adolescent girls and vulnerable groups.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Liaison:

  • Community Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with local communities (CDMC-Community Disaster Management Committee, WS-Women Squad), ensuring their active participation in project activities.
  • Collaboration with Government and NGOs: Liaise with local government bodies, Forest office, Upazila administration, Zila Administration, NGOs, and other stakeholders to coordinate project activities and ensure alignment with regional development plans.

5. Monitoring & Evaluation and Reporting:

  • Data Collection: Ensure the collection of field data on ecosystem health, livelihood outcomes, and community preparedness to assess project impact.
  • Progress Reporting: Assist in monitoring the project’s progress against established benchmarks and provide input for adaptive management strategies.
  • Feedback Mechanisms/CEA: Develop community feedback mechanisms to ensure the project addresses local needs and challenges.
  • Reporting: Provide periodical reports on field activities, challenges, and progress to the Program Manager.

6. Team Management/team coordination:

  • Provide guidance/coordination to/with Technical Officers (Livelihoods, DRR, WASH, Health, and Nature-Based Solutions), MEAL Officer, as well as Community Organizers, to ensure cohesive program design, implementation and reporting.

Key Qualifications:

  • Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in any of the disciplines of environmental science, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Disaster Management, Social Science, Geography and Environment, or a related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
  • Experience: Minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience in project management and implementation, preferably in fields related to climate resilience, ecosystem management, NBS, DRR, WASH and livelihoods. Previous experience in Sundarbans or coastal areas of Bangladesh is an asset.
  • Skills:
    • Strong understanding of DRR, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), climate-resilient Livelihood, and DRR approaches.
    • Experience in community-level WASH interventions.
    • Proven ability to work in remote and vulnerable regions with diverse stakeholders.
    • Excellent communication, networking, team management, and coordination skills.
    • Knowledge with the cultures of Barguna and coastal communities is an advantage

Key Competencies:

  • Leadership and Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to lead field teams and work collaboratively with local stakeholders.
  • Adaptability: Ability to work in challenging environments and adapt to rapidly changing field conditions.
  • Problem Solving: Creative and solutions-oriented, with the ability to anticipate challenges and mitigate risks effectively.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Respect for and sensitivity towards the socio-economic context of Barguna and the Sundarbans communities.

Apply Instruction:

  • Departmental clearance will be required for internal candidates.

If you think you are competent enough for the position, please apply online before 5:00 pm, January 15, 2025.

BDRCS is an equal opportunity employer. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for interview.