CARE Bangladesh

Position Title: Coordinator - Partnership & Innovation

Project: Community Nutrition Health Activity (CNHA)
Number of Positions: 01
Location: CARE Bangladesh Dhaka Office
Duration: Duration of the contract will be up to December 31, 2027.

I. Job Summary:

CARE is one of the world's leading international humanitarian and development organizations, committed to helping people in poor communities improve their lives and alleviate poverty. Founded in 1945, CARE is working over 121 countries to fight global poverty and marginalization. CARE has been active in Bangladesh since 1949 and is one of the largest programs in CARE confederation. Women and girls are at the core of all CARE programs because they represent half of the marginalized group and it is not possible to overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE Bangladesh works to implement programs with long-term impacts that result in sustainable changes for the extreme poor and marginalized communities.

CARE Bangladesh, a non-profit international development organization, is implementing a five year long project on Community Nutrition and Health Activity (CNHA) supported by USAID. Under this CNHA Project, CARE Bangladesh will work with different ministries specially MoHFW of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) at the national, regional and local levels, to improve nutrition status though strengthening community health system and support the effective implementation of the Second National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN2). This will work at multiple levels of local government institutions, specifically with the Nutrition Committees at the district, upazila and union levels – focusing on community health system and strengthening Core Team approach and local nutrition-governance mechanisms. The project will facilitate developing solutions emerging from communities, government line departments, and from the private sector. This project will replicate proven best practices to scale up innovative local governance models for better nutrition outcomes by transforming UDCC to nutrition outcome. Digital solutions related to health and Nutrition services is one of the key strategies to improve nutrition. The project intends to impact on several of the core challenges faced by selected districts in North, Haor, Padma Basin and Coastal of Bangladesh.

CARE Bangladesh seeks a Coordinator - Partnership & Innovation for the USAID funded Community Nutrition and Health Activity (CNHA) project. The position will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh and reports to the Deputy Chief of Party.

The Partnership Innovation Fund (PIF) will invest a certain percentage of the total award value to capacitate, expand, and diversify the pool of local advocates and civil society organizations to improve the quality, equity, and resource-optimization of nutrition and health services, and related social change. The fund’s focus will on women- or youth-led organizations, groups targeting the specific needs of marginalized people, and groups or champions working to address barriers to improved nutrition for women, adolescents, and young children. Community groups, local associations, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, local NGOs, research institutes, and individuals may be eligible to apply, depending on the nature and size of the grant. Through this approach, PIF will expand the reach and resilience of health and nutrition service delivery, increase uptake and demand for quality services, improve social norms around nutrition and Family Planning. The PIF directly aligns with CNHA’s resilience, localization, sustainability, and learning agendas.

The Coordinator - Partnership & Innovation is responsible for operationalizing the Partnership Innovation Fund (PIF) initiative from design, planning to implementation. He/she will work closely with private sector and government relevant departments for the hunting scope of work and multiplying impact of the PIF initiative in the health and nutrition fields. He/she will maintain functional collaboration with consortiums and Local Partner NGOs to roll out the PIF initiative at field level.

The Coordinator - Partnership & Innovation is responsible for operationalizing the Partnership Innovation Fund (PIF) initiative from design, planning to implementation. He/she will work closely with private sector and government relevant departments for the hunting scope of work and multiplying impact of the PIF initiative in the health and nutrition fields. He/she will maintain functional collaboration with consortium and Local Partner NGOs to roll out the PIF initiative at field level.

II. Responsibilities and Tasks:	% of Time
Responsibility # 1: Fund Strategy and Planning	30%
• In collaboration with Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for the innovation fund, defining its investment objectives, target sectors, and risk parameters. Create a roadmap for identifying and evaluating potential investment opportunities. • Identify potential investment opportunities, including startups, early-stage ventures, and innovative projects. Conduct thorough due diligence on potential investments, assessing their innovation, financial viability, market potential, and alignment with the fund's objectives. • With support from the DCOP, present investment opportunities to a fund committee or senior management, providing detailed analysis, recommendations, and risk assessments. Participate in investment decision-making processes and negotiate deal terms with potential investees. • Facilitate to prepare annual planning, monitoring and reporting mechanism, notably in relation to partnership innovation fund including capturing the successes and learnings. • Support the DCOP in all operations including administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting, finance and compliance, property, and oversight of the Innovation Fund. • Ensure program compliance to USAID, CARE and Government policies in CNHA operation. • Ensure adherence to CARE’s standard operating procedures for the innovation funding maintaining CARE’s relevant policy. • Upholding CARE Bangladesh’s values and ensuring programming and organizational principles.
Responsibility # 2: Portfolio and Risk Management	25%
Monitor and manage the performance of existing investments within the fund's portfolio. Continuously evaluate the progress of investee companies, providing support and guidance when necessary to enhance their chances of success. Support through Partnership and Innovation Fund (PIF) initiatives to refine program activities and build additional shock-responsive refinements into project activities as part of resilience of communities and households to potential nutrition shocks. Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with investments. Develop risk management strategies to protect the fund's capital while optimizing returns. Work with MEL team and consortium partners, notably icddr,b in formative research, scoping and ICT solutions which will intersect to enable the program to identify key vulnerable groups as well as, pathways for early warning, mitigation, and response at the community and household-levels. Prepare regular reports for stakeholders and donors, detailing the fund's performance, investment activities, and overall financial health. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and legal requirements.
Responsibility # 3: Networking and Relationship Building	20%
Facilitate effective Information & Communication Management and effective networking and collaboration among community groups, local associations, small and medium-sized Enterprises, local NGOs, research institutes, and individuals involved with PIF. Capacitate, expand, and diversify the pool of local advocates and civil society organizations to improve the quality, equity, and resource-optimization of nutrition and health services, and related social change. Maintain effective relationship with private sector companies, especially with the financial institutions. Support matured startups in relationship building with financial institutions
Responsibility # 4: Innovation Support	20%
Operationalize innovation fund for resilience of communities and households to potential nutrition shocks increased as well as for other program results both to complement and integrate resilience into key program components. Provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and operational support to the startups and projects backed by the innovation fund. Support and guide them overcome challenges and achieve their growth objectives. Stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and developments within the innovation and startup ecosystem. Conduct market research to identify emerging opportunities and potential investment themes. Arrange national level shark-tank and similar funding events to provide support to proof innovative concepts from community level population.
Responsibility # 5: OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AS ASSIGNED	5%
Responsibilities on Safety and Security, Gender and Inclusion and Safeguarding and Child Protection
As part of this role, the job holder must adhere to and support CARE Bangladesh’s Safety and Security policy and systems as part of their day-to-day duties and comply with safety & security protocols and directives, including reporting. Staff must maintain situational and self–awareness and be aware of the safety – security-related consequences of their actions upon themselves, their team, and the organization. CARE is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct, and expects staff to promote the welfare of children, young people, and adults always. CARE expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our Code of Conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate this commitment are recruited to work with us. Gender equality and inclusion are fundamental at CARE, promoting equal rights and challenging discriminatory norms to achieve social justice. We foster an inclusive workplace respecting diverse gender identities, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences through dialogue, training, and diversity initiatives. All CARE staff must uphold ethical standards, following codes of conduct to prevent abuse, including sexual harassment, exploitation, and neglect. Regular monitoring ensures accountability to uphold these principles and support our mission of social justice and poverty alleviation.

III. Reporting to:

Deputy Chief of Party of the Project

IV. Working Conditions:

This is Dhaka based position

V. Qualification:

Master's in business administration or social science or in relevant discipline.
Minimum 08 years professional experience, including donor fund management, capacity building and facilitation in innovative development projects.
Hands on experience with business planning and modeling and human-centered designing.
Relationship management with women- or youth-led organizations, community groups, local associations, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, local NGOs, research institutes and others.
A good conceptual understanding of Health system, National Nutrition Policy 2015, NPAN2 in Bangladesh.
Conceptually strong to understand and analyze program strategies and the underlying causes of malnutrition including gender dimension.
Good networking and liaison skills with counterparts and partners.
Experience in writing concept notes, development of strategies and report writing.
A good understanding of USAID rules and regulations.
Excellent computer skills especially in PPT and friendly with communications channels and digital solutions.
Excellent computer skills especially in MS Excel and experience with using email.
Excellent oral and written English skills.
CARE Core Competencies as noted below:

Candidates need to be highly motivated and committed to CARE Bangladesh’s vision, mission, and long-term development work to significantly improve the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized Candidates must be capable of displaying great learning agility, support and encourage knowledge sharing across projects, for the ultimate benefit of all of CARE’s mission wide initiatives.

Compensation

Monthly gross salary: BDT 179,269 (Negotiable). In addition, CARE offers Provident Fund, Gratuity, Festival Bonus, Leave Encashment, Life and Health Insurance, Working Mother Benefits and Day Care Facilities etc.

Interested candidates meeting the above requirements should apply through CARE Bangladesh’s e-recruitment site: https://career.carebangladesh.org/ on or before September 21, 2024.

Note:

CARE Bangladesh aims to attract and select a diverse workforce ensuring equal opportunity to everyone, irrespective of race, age, gender, HIV status, class, ethnicity, disability, location and religion.
Women are particularly encouraged to apply.
Any personal persuasion/phone-call will result in disqualification of candidature. We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria.
CARE Bangladesh has a non-negotiable policy of ZERO TOLERANCE towards discrimination, harassment and abuse. All employees are expected to abide by the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse & Child Protection Policy of CARE Bangladesh.
Internal and external applicants shall be treated equally in the entire selection process.
To ensure transparent processes during recruitment, internal candidates should discuss potential applications with their Line Managers to ensure endorsement of their applications by respective Line Managers.
There is no cost involved with applying for positions with CARE Bangladesh. Any solicitation of job application costs should be regarded as fraudulent.