VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

E-Zone HRM Limited is a management consulting group providing one-stop solutions to clients who seek improved and sustainable profitability through the effective use of their people and resources. We specialize in delivering innovative and value added services that promote revenue growth and cost containment.

E-Zone HRM Limited has a formal agreement with one of the United Nations Agency to provide outsourcing services under a third party contract.

E-Zone HRM Limited is now accepting applications from Bangladeshi Nationals for the following vacancies under third party outsourcing contract modality:

Research Officer

Duty Station: PMU Dhaka

Contract Duration: 09 months

Number of Vacancies: 1 (One)

Contract Type:  Contract with E-Zone.

Reporting to: Water and Sanitation Specialist, GCA, UNDP

A. Background:

Climate change, manifesting in the form of intensified cyclones, storm surges, and sea-level rise (SLR), is accelerating saltwater intrusion into the freshwater resources of the coastal belt of Bangladesh. Climate change-induced soil and water salinity are projected to adversely impact freshwater-dependent agricultural livelihoods (leading to loss of productivity or livelihoods) as well as the availability and quality of drinking water in vulnerable coastal communities. Furthermore, given the crucial role that women play in water security and household level resilience, and their socio-economic marginalization, the climate change-induced threat to agricultural livelihoods and drinking water security of the affected coastal communities disproportionately affects women and girls.

Therefore, the key objective of the proposed project is to support the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) in strengthening the adaptive capacities of coastal communities, especially women, to cope with the impacts of climate change-induced salinity on their livelihoods and water security. GCF resources will be combined with GoB co-financing to address information, technical, financial, and institutional barriers to implementing and managing resilient livelihoods and drinking water solutions for the vulnerable communities in the Southwestern coastal districts of Khulna and Satkhira. An estimated 719,229 people (about 245,516 direct and 473,713 indirect) will benefit from the proposed project interventions.

The proposed project will empower target communities, especially women, as ‘change agents’ to plan, implement, and manage resilient livelihoods and drinking water solutions. The project will enable those communities to address climate change risks on livelihood and drinking water security to promote synergistic co-benefits. It will enhance the adaptive capacities of these communities in the face of worsening impacts of climate-change-induced salinity on their freshwater resources which in turn adversely affect livelihood and drinking water requirements. GCF resources will be invested in promoting a diversification from currently non-adaptive, freshwater-reliant livelihoods of small-scale farmers, fishers, and agro-laborers towards climate-resilient agricultural livelihoods. GoB co-financing is leveraged to support the adoption and scale of these alternative, climate-resilient agricultural livelihoods through strengthened value chains and market linkages for their long-term viability in the face of increasing salinity and extreme weather. The project also utilizes GCF and GoB resources to support investments in and management of climate-resilient drinking water solutions to secure year-round, safe drinking water supplies for the targeted communities. Access to reliable, safe drinking water enables the communities, especially women and girls in targeted households, to invest the resulting time and cost savings and health co-benefits in enhanced livelihoods and income generating and/or educational opportunities. In turn, the enhanced incomes and livelihoods will enable the communities to sustain the investments in drinking water supply solutions in the long term. Finally, through investments in institutional capacities, knowledge dissemination, and evidence-based learning, the project will enable pathways for replication and scale of project impact to secure livelihoods and drinking water across the vulnerable districts of the southwest coast of Bangladesh. The project yields significant environmental, social (including gender), and economic co-benefits including enhanced integrity of coastal ecosystems and freshwater resources; improved gender norms and women empowerment; and increased income and health benefits, estimated at USD15 million and USD4 million respectively over the project lifetime.

B. Purpose of the Position:

This is a Full-time Position Stationed at the Project Management Unit (PMU) in Dhaka. Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Water and Sanitation Specialist of GCA, the Research Officer will support the designing of collaborative research independently, conduct field investigations, collect primary and secondary data, and write reports for external dissemination. She/He shall be working closely with the Water and Sanitation Specialist and Knowledge Management Expert as well as team members for ensuring more research-oriented results, reports, and briefs generations for both the national and regional level media outreach.

C. Values and Competencies:

Corporate:

1. Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
2. Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Agency. 
3. Excellent interpersonal skills.   
4. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
5. Gender responsiveness and sensitivity to local community especially to climate-vulnerable poor women, men and young girls, and boys.   

Functional:

1. In-depth knowledge of Climate Change, Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Risk, and Scenario Models
2. Design and conduct Research
3. Publish research articles in International Journals
4. Computer literacy, including the ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint & GIS.

D. Specific Roles and Responsibilities:

Being advised by the Water and Sanitation Specialist of GCA, the Research Officer will -

1. Plan quantitative and qualitative research on (but not limited to) (i) resilient drinking water solutions, (ii) Climate Change Adaptation, and (iii) Climate Risk and Scenario Models in light of drinking water Solutions.
2. Conduct literature reviews and share a synopsis among the study team members.
3. Generate primary data through independent field investigations and surveys.
4. Collect necessary secondary data from government authorities, NGOs, and other relevant sources.
5. Analyze the generated and collected data, produce results, and share among the study team members.
6. Organize meetings with the Water and Sanitation Specialist and Knowledge Management Expert of GCA to plan and formulate reports for external dissemination.
7. Draft communication and correspondence pieces of the project based on the research findings.
8. Organize and facilitate seminars to disseminate the findings of the published articles.
9. Support the Knowledge Management Expert of GCA to support in identifying media opportunities and developing appropriate media releases, reports, and articles, and organizing media events.
10. Support the Knowledge Management Expert of GCA to prepare summaries of technical reports and research studies in layman's terms in the above-mentioned fields of research.
11. Support the Knowledge Management Expert of GCA to Engage with national and international public, private and academic research organizations to identify areas of mutual collaboration.
12. Support the Knowledge Management Expert of GCA to review draft reports and provide feedback before dissemination of findings and recommendations to intended audiences.
13. Any Other Business suggested by the Supervisor.

E. Deliverables and Payment Schedule:

The Research Officer will be paid on monthly basis to her/ his individual bank account between the 3-5th of each month by the HR service provider firm (E-Zone) based on her/ his individual contract. The Water Sanitation Specialist of GCA will confirm monthly payment/salary information produced by the HR service provider firm based on the monthly time sheet. The monthly timesheet will be cleared by the Water Sanitation Specialist of GCA. The Research Officer will deliver at least three complete manuscripts for publishing in International Journals.

F. Consultancy Cost:

The selected candidate will receive consolidated package of monthly 75,000 Taka.

• Duration of the Contract of District Coordinator(s):

The initial contract will be for 12 months and extendable upon satisfactory performance and availability of the fund.

• Supervision & Performance Evaluation:

The Research Officer will be supervised by Water Sanitation Specialist of GCA and HR service provider firm (E-Zone) for the performance and required deliverables.

• Deliverables and Payment Schedule:

The Research Officer will be paid on monthly basis to her/ his individual bank account between the 3-5th of each month by the HR service provider firm (E-Zone) based on her/ his individual contract. The Water Sanitation Specialist of GCA will confirm monthly payment/salary information produced by the HR service provider firm based on the monthly time sheet. The monthly timesheet will be cleared by the Water Sanitation Specialist of GCA. The Research Officer will deliver at least three complete manuscripts for publishing in International Journals.

• Leave/Holiday Management:

Leave/holiday of the Research Officer will be managed by the HR service provider firm in support and consultation with the Water Sanitation Specialist of GCA.

G. Qualification requirement:

This position is open for Bangladeshi Nationals only. All candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds can apply for the vacancies.

The UN Agency prides itself as fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected consultants will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Candidates with the required profile and proven experience, who meet these qualifications, are invited to submit their application in English clearly mentioning the Job Title along with a meaningful cover letter, updated CV, recent PP size photographby email to:
jobs.un@e-zonebd.com

Last Date of Application: 4 January, 2023

No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated according to the merit and with strict confidentiality.