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.

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, Cox's Bazar, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and Sylhet 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

Job Title: Field Facilitator

Base station: Field Based, any of unions under Bishwambarpur Upazila, Sunamganj District. 08 month

Background: The project aims to create income-generating opportunities for marginalized individuals and communities, particularly women and vulnerable groups, by promoting sustainable and scalable livelihoods. It will provide training, resources, and market linkages to empower 500 participants from economically vulnerable households.

A market assessment will identify local economic opportunities and challenges and select viable income-generating activities (IGAs). Participants will receive training in on and off-farm IGAs, including livestock rearing, vegetable cultivation, poultry farming, and high-value crop production, handicrafts or small-scale enterprises. Training will focus on technical skills, business management, and financial literacy to enable participants to establish small businesses. Conditional cash transfers via mobile banking will support IGA kick-start and expansion.

The project will strengthen community capacity by promoting skills development, collaboration with government and private sectors, and access to financial services. Collection points for produce will improve market aggregation, connecting producers with larger buyers. Field visits will showcase resilient practices, fostering knowledge sharing and inclusivity. Savings and loans groups will offer access to financial services and a safety net.

Ongoing coaching and mentoring, combined with linkages to institutional support systems, including government agriculture extension and livestock and MFIs, will ensure sustained support. Robust monitoring and evaluation will track program quality, outputs, outcomes and impact, promoting long-term economic stability for participants and their communities.

Reports To: Project Manager

Supervises: N/A

Job Responsibilities:
 
The Field Facilitator (FF) serves as the primary contact for communities and participants, representing Helen Keller's project at the community level. Key responsibilities include building rapport with local leaders, supporting participatory rural appraisals, assisting with participant selection and group formation, facilitating sessions, providing training, coaching participants, and monitoring progress.
The FF plays a crucial role in enhancing participants' skills and knowledge across project outcomes, including income generation, production quality, business skills, micro-entrepreneurship, market linkages, savings, and financial service access.

Participant Selection and Group Formation:

• Orient the community on project’s goal, objectives, participant selection process and planned program interventions
• Assist in carrying out the participatory rural appraisal as per protocol - this involves facilitating wealth ranking and comprehensive social mapping exercises
• Assist with the identification and selection and group formation of participants as per criteria

• Orient project participants to off-farm and on-farm IGA interventions, such as training, technical assistance, follow-up support, and conditional cash assistance.
• Assess the condition and needs of the participants assigned to you to assist them in overcoming challenges and successfully achieving program objectives, including improving their wellbeing

Group Sessions/training/Technical assistance

• Conduct training and facilitate discussion sessions with participants in accordance with the intervention plan and related modules
• Provide in person technical assistance to participants: coaching, facilitate guided discussion and help in problem solving
• Utilize capacity development videos, such as ‘how to” videos on agriculture, livestock, leadership etc. as job aids/learning tools for participants
• Link participants with relevant local service providers, input sellers and markets
• Facilitate relationship with local market committee, transporters and other local service providers for smooth function of the initiatives.
• Liaise with the development stakeholders (Government and Non-Government) at union and para level to seek their support in project implementation and achievement of  improved outcomes for the participating families

Work Planning and Reporting

• Prepare weekly/monthly/quarterly work plans in accordance with approved project DIP and carry out planned activities against DIP targets
• Track and monitor progress against work plans to ensure that all activities are on track in terms of number of sessions planned/conducted, etc.
• Prepare achievement report and share with supervisor and relevant TOs/coordinators
• Seek technical support from the relevant technical officers, and administrative support from the Technical Officer as well as Project Manager
• Follow modules/guidelines, etc. to ensure effective delivery of training content and inclusive approaches
• Document lessons learned and success stories
• Participate in any orientation/training organized by program team/management
• Perform any other duty assigned

Accountability:

This position reports directly to the Technical Officer – IGA & Market Development and is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of project activities. A key performance measure will be the ability to contribute significantly to the successful achievement of the project's objectives within the defined framework.

Recruitment Requirements:

Education and Aptitude, Job-related experience and knowledge

1. Education:
2. Minimum Higher-Secondary Certificate (HSC) or Diploma in Agriculture. A bachelor's degree in social science or a relevant discipline is preferred.
3. Working Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in providing training, facilitating sessions, and/or coaching and mentoring participants in the areas of income generation activities, homestead food production, and market facilitation
• Experience working in multi-sectoral programs

Application Process:

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their updated resume and a brief cover letter explaining their interest in the position to Bangladesh-Recruitment@hki.org with "Application for the Position of Field Facilitator " in the subject line by January 15, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submissions are encouraged.

“Helen Keller Intl is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified women and minorities candidates. The organization has a smoke free working environment.”