Helen Keller Intl. Bangladesh

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with communities striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty.  By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting change in their own lives.  Working in more than 20 countries – across Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States – and together with a global community of supporters, we are ensuring every person has the opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.

We are currently seeking Agriculture and Food System Officer based in Sunamganj and Habiganj for the “Transforming Lives through Nutrition” of Helen Keller Intl Bangladesh.

Number of Positions: 02 (two)

COUNTRY PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Starting in 1978 by promoting and implementing Nutrition programs, today, Helen Keller Bangladesh is implementing large scale food and health systems program work in Dhaka, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Sylhet, Sathkhira, Bogura, Pabna and Narayangonj through and with the government of Bangladesh, as well as national and international partners and NGOs, academic and research institutions, and the private sector.

Since its beginning, Helen Keller Bangladesh has worked with over 150 local, international and government partners to establish Enhanced Homestead Food Production (HFP) programs benefiting over 4.5 million people.  We are currently implementing programs to prevent blindness and Neglected Tropical Diseases alongside to programs to improve nutrition and food security that integrate gender-sensitive approaches.

Helen Keller Bangladesh will start to implement “Transforming Lives Through Nutrition” in Sunamganj and Habiganj. This project will focus on Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women, Early & Exclusive breastfeeding, Vitamin A supplementation & Deworming (VAS+D) for children under 5, Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Acute Malnutrition and Agriculture and Food Systems.

Scope of The Position:

The job description of an Agriculture and Food System Officer involves a range of responsibilities related to the homestead food production and consumption of vulnerable peoples through improvement of agricultural and food systems. This position is responsible for ensuring quality program implementation of Agriculture and Food system activities carried out under the Transforming Lives Through Nutrition project (TLTN). S/he will build the capacity of Project Officer and Field Facilitators and Community Nutrition Volunteer of the Implementing partner in best homestead food production practices by continually supporting “learning-by-doing” trainings, providing coaching and mentoring, and conducting follow-up site visits.
  
BASE STATION: Sunamganj and Habiganj

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position plays a key role in ensuring participants’ increased access, availability and utilization of nutritious foods, and increased knowledge, skills and market linkages to expand production and income. Specifically, s/he oversees all horticulture-related components in his/her corresponding upazila. S/he is responsible for carrying out the following duties (but not limited to):

• Assist and guide implementing partner for  key programmatic activities to achieve desired outcomes in agricultural production, Climate resilient Agriculture practices, nutrition and income generation.
• Will work together with District Coordinators with team member’s day-to-day performed activities as per project requirement.

• As a team member contribute to create a dynamic, innovative and challenging work place, which recognize the contributions and diverse skills of all staff;
• Ensure that the projects’ underlying principles and strategies are fully understood by the team members;
• Maintain strong linkages with implementing partners and attend any district or divisional level meetings with relevant govt and other stakeholders mainly  agriculture and Health Department.
• Assist team member that all components of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system are in place and being followed by staff at all levels. Contribute in developing mechanisms to ensure that all the team members become involved and participate in decision-making process relevant to their duties;
• Represent Helen Keller and TLTN project at sub-district level meetings, seminars or workshops with government/non-govt.
• As a team member up-to-date information on all financial aspects of programs with the Project Manager of agriculture and food system section;
• Maintain liaison with international agencies and local NGOs for collaboration on nutrition-oriented agriculture and market-oriented activities at sub district level;
• Work with Head of Food Security and Livestock for developing training manual on Agricultural Practices for homesteading garden with nutrition and improved poultry rearing practices.
• Also Maintain strong linkages with local BARI, and other research stations, DAE and DLS within the sub district.
• Contribute to Prepare technical guidelines, case studies, bulletins, donors progress reports, and other papers as required from agriculture and food system component;
• Assist in preparing quarterly, six monthly, annual reports following donor guidelines.
• Assist to roll out different studies in TLTN project
• Support other organizations, on issues related to Homestead Food Production in TLTN project
• Assist in preparing monthly plan and progress reports.
• Assist Finance Section to ensure proper utilization of sub-grants budget at IP level from agriculture and food system section.
• Any other responsibilities assigned by the Supervisor.

RECRUITMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Education and aptitude:

• Bachelor or Masters’ degree in Agriculture or related field

Job related experience and knowledge:

• 3-4 years of experience in Agriculture and livelihood-related development program.
• S/he should have work experience in participatory program planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation.
• S/he should have experience working with partners (consortium partners, local NGOs and GoB).
• Should have experience of managing nutrition sensitive and nutrition Specific project.
• Experience working with Government and Non-government stakeholders specially with the health and Agriculture department.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, fluency in spoken and written English is a priority.
• Familiar with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Must have valid Motor cycle driving license.

Time required in job to reach effective performance: Probation period – 3 months

To Apply: Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Bangladesh-Recruitment@hki.org by, April 22, 2024  noting the job title in the subject line.

In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity in all its forms is fully valued.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, caste, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Should you need to request an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact us at the email above.