JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Project Officer - Promoting Safe Internet for Children

Sesame Workshop Bangladesh, the proud producer of the popular early childhood development program Sisimpur, is inviting applications from suitable applicants for the above-mentioned position to be filled out immediately. Sesame Workshop Bangladesh is looking for a qualified Project Manager for the project Promoting safe Internet practices and early childhood development content to improve children’s learning quality, who will lead the implementation of the project with the overall vision, leadership, and guidance – internally with project staff and externally with the donor Internet Society Foundation, relevant government partners such as Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, private sector and other relevant stakeholders.

Company Profile

Sesame Workshop Bangladesh (SWB), the organization behind the popular children's program Sisimpur, is the country office of New York based non-profit organization Sesame Workshop. Under the brand name of Sisimpur, SWB has been reaching millions of young Bangladeshi children through TV Channels, Digital Interventions and Outreach Activities at the community level. The brand visibility of Sisimpur is notable and trusted by parents. Sesame Workshop Bangladesh works in collaboration with international donors, public sector and private enterprises to achieve its mission of helping children grow smarter, stronger and kinder. For more information, please visit www.sesameworkshop.org.

Background of the Project

For over 19 years, Sesame Workshop Bangladesh (SWB) has empowered children, families, and educators using media-based educational content, improving learning and health outcomes among the most vulnerable children in Bangladesh. A localized production of Sesame Street, Sisimpur, is the cornerstone of this work, distributed through traditional media outlets and internet-based streaming services. Sisimpur is complemented by digital tools and community outreach programming to support not only educational and health outcomes but encouraging digital literacy across all generations.
 
As one of the grant of Internet Society Foundation comes to an end in 2023, Sesame Workshop Bangladesh proposed a strategic scale up of their existing partnership with the Internet Society Foundation in this new project, with the goal of increasing safe internet use among primary grade students by establishing a school-based model that leverages Sesame Workshop’s unique ability to drive outcomes in children and materials, content, and learnings from the current grant.
 
Sesame Workshop Bangladesh will work in 100 schools in the Mymensingh region to test this model in the new project. These schools received computers with internet access from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the government regulatory entity responsible for internet safety and regulations in Bangladesh and a strategic partner of Sesame Workshop Bangladesh.

About the Position

Project Officer is an entry-level position in SWB country office reportable to the Project Manager – Promoting Safe Internet for Children. The position will closely work with the Project Manager for program planning, budgeting, implementation of ‘Promoting Safe Internet for Children’ project funded by Internet Society Foundation, other relevant programs and business development initiatives of Sesame Workshop Bangladesh.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The Project Officer will be responsible for implementation of the assigned project and other relevant program activities as per design, workplan, and budget. Provided below is a detailed description of the responsibilities:  

Project Management and Implementation:

• Coordinate and ensure the implementation of assigned project/s as per design to achieve the project outcomes
• Prepare, update and execute the project implementation calendar
• Support project budget spending and planning as per timeline
• Work with partners and relevant consultants to implement project activities as per project design
• Support Project Manager in acquiring necessary government approvals if and when required for project implementation
• Support Project Manager to coordinate with donor with assistance from program management team for making sure project activities are delivered as per donor’s requirements
• Coordinate with all third-party agencies and vendors contracted under the project, and all stakeholders of the project for ensuring a smooth operation of the project
• Keep regular communication with project schools and community, and track the uses of delivered content
• Conduct frequent field visits to build relationships with local government stakeholders and other external personnel engaged with the project
• Support the Project Manager in designing program implementation strategy and follow the strategy in project implementation
• Support with organizing and implementing different events and workshops of the project.
• Support to promote the ‘Sisimpur’ e-Learning platform among the parents/caregivers as per approved promotional strategy
• Ensure all project-based materials are distributed to the project locations including primary schools
• Work closely with Admin team for production of the materials as per project requirement

Project Resource Development:

• Coordinate and ensure the project related training and workshops design and implementation as per the project design and as per requirement of field operations
• Work with Content team to ensure production of project materials and coordinate the procurement, and distribution to field level as per the project implementation plan
• Work closely with Content and Creative Services team to support in designing and developing project specific contents.
• Work closely with Social Media team in promoting project activities through Sisimpur Social Media platforms 

Reporting and Documentation:

• Support Project Manager in developing TORs for hiring consultants and assisting to select the right consultant and facilitate the activities with consultant on behalf of the program team.
• Support Project Manager in developing RFPs for hiring agencies and assisting to select the right vendor and facilitate training of enumerators as and when required.
• Support Project Manager to prepare quarterly/half yearly project reports and submit to donor

Monitoring and Research:

• Support monitoring and evaluation team in performing project research and evaluations
• Monitor field level activities, provide guidance to the ground-level staff and volunteers for proper implementation of the project activities
• Support Project Manager to coordinate with donor for project specific documentation, data collection and reporting

Others:

• Assist Finance Team in project specific budgeting and cost reporting
• Assist Project Manager with fund raising initiatives such as scouting potential project calls, meeting potential partners, and developing project proposals/concept notes as part of the Business Development Task Force.
• Perform any other assignments assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications, Competencies and Personal Skills

• Bachelor’s in education, business, economics, development studies or any discipline of social sciences. Candidates with post graduate qualification will be preferred.
• At least 1-2 years of work experience in international development with proven experience in field implementation in marginalized settings
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including ability to present coherent and convincing messages to different audiences
• Ability to interact and collaborate with a broad range of public and private sector and NGO partners

Terms and benefits:

The position offers an attractive remuneration package based on qualification and experiences with other facilities according to the organization policy including festival bonus.

How to Apply:

Kindly send your updated CV along with a cover letter and properly filled out SWB – Employment Application Form to info.sisimpur@sesame.org. The deadline of the application is January 20, 2024. Please get the SWB – Employment Application Form here. Kindly mention the title of the position “Application for Project Officer- Promoting Safe Internet for Children” in the subject line of your email. We will only invite you for an assessment if you are in our shortlist. Good luck!

Disclaimer

Sesame Workshop Bangladesh is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on the business needs, job requirements, suitability of the candidate and funding approval by the donor. Sesame Workshop Bangladesh strictly follows the Child Safeguarding Policy, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of program participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of SWB staff, consultants, visitors to the program and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected from them.