SENIOR OFFICER, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY

Background

Swisscontact, an independent foundation, was established in 1959 in Switzerland by the notable figures from the Swiss academia and private sector. It is exclusively involved in international development cooperation and has carried out its mandated projects since 1961.

Swisscontact’s working principles include inclusive systems development, learning culture, evidence-based adaptive management, and engaging the private sector. In addition, the organisation’s sustainable criteria comprise gender equality and social inclusion, financial capability, environmental responsibility, and good governance.

Swisscontact is inviting applications from development professionals willing to be part of the team of one of Swisscontact’s flagship projects, Making Markets Work for the Chars (M4C) Project, as the Senior Officer- Knowledge Management and Advocacy. The M4C Project mandated by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Government of Bangladesh. M4C’s aim is to reduce poverty and vulnerability of char households by facilitating market systems that enhance opportunities for income generation. Also, anchoring and institutionalisation is one of M4C’s key mandates, which in practice, envisions the capacity building of its anchoring partner(s), expanding networks by engaging civil society organisations, public departments and institutions and relevant stakeholders to strengthen its advocacy stream of activities.  Also, anchoring and institutionalisation is one of M4C’s mandates, which in practice, envisions the capacity building of its anchoring partner(s), expanding networks by engaging civil society organisations, public departments and institutions and relevant stakeholders to strengthen its advocacy stream of activities.  In this phase, Swisscontact, in collaboration with Rural Development Academy (RDA), Bogura, is implementing M4C in Gaibandha, Kurigram, Rangpur Jamalpur, Lalmonirhaat, and Shariatpur districts.

Position: Senior Officer, Knowledge Management and Advocacy, M4C.

Employment Starts (tentatively):  November 2023

Number of Positions: 1 (one)

Place of Work: Dhaka, Bangladesh with regular visits to the field locations.

Purpose of the Job

This is a key position within the Public Sector Engagement team, reporting to the Senior Manager, Innovation, Knowledge Management and MRM. The incumbent, based in Dhaka with frequent travel to the field (minimum 50%), will broadly be responsible for:

  • Supporting the Manager, Public Sector Engagement in managing public partners and ensuring all the activities related to the project’s anchoring and institutionalization.
  • Designing, implementing, and managing of the project’s relationship with the public sector agencies, development and dissemination of knowledge products and communication materials and organise events, and to assist in overall knowledge management with the assistance of the Senior Manager, Innovation, Knowledge Management and MRM; Cluster Managers; Cluster Officers; Consultants and Implementing Partners team.

Under the guidance of the Senior Manager, Innovation, Knowledge Management and MRM s/he will work closely with the Public Engagement team to accomplish the given duties and responsibilities which are mentioned below.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

  • Develop the M4C’s public sector engagement plan with the assistance of the Adviser, Government Relations and the Manager, Public Sector Engagement, incorporating effective and measurable public sector performance indicators.
  • Identify opportunities to engage the public sector in new initiatives focusing on char development, in collaboration with the Char Development Research Centre (CDRC).
  • Support the involvement of the Char Development Research Centre (CDRC) in market development activities, training, workshops, and relevant local network building.
  • Ensure the proper quality of public-sector led activities and the success of knowledge dissemination campaigns and events carried out on a regular basis.
  • Manage M4C’s communication with relevant public sector stakeholders e.g., Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Department of Livestock Service (DLS) and/or Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) etc. with support from the Manager, Public Sector Engagement and the Manager, Partnership and Grants.
  • Contribute to designated private sector partnership(s) that may involve budget preparation, partnership design and following up on activity progress to achieve the agreed targets.
  • Maintain all public sector engagement contents through Management Information System (MIS).
  • Develop resources relevant to the capacity development of private and public sector actors to achieve all levels of M4C’s strategic objectives relevant to anchoring and institutionalisation.

Skills and Experience

The individual must possess these skills and abilities or explain and demonstrate that s/he can perform the essential functions, using some combination of skills and abilities.

  • 4-5 years’ experience (preferred) working in the development sector is required. The experience should include, but not to be limited to, partnership management, especially the public partners, organising events, preparing knowledge and communication pieces,
  • Excellent writing skills both in English and Bengali will be added advantage.
  • Minimum graduation in any discipline is required, post-graduation will be preferable.
  • Academic training in Agribusiness, Public Administration, International Development, Public Policy, Rural Market Development or Agricultural Science will be an advantage.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to initiate productive working relationships with potential partner organizations.
  • Experience in developing innovative partnerships and engaging relevant public sector actor(s) is preferred. 
  • Proven track records to develop and design communication materials will be an added advantage.
  • Work experience relevant to ensure environmental sustainability will be an advantage.
  • Must be willing to travel to project areas, as and when required.
  • Must be a team player with standard level of gender sensitivity.

Extent of Public Contact and Marketing

The position, as part of the job description, requires extensive contact with stakeholders. However, any agreement proposal/decisions having programmatic and/or budgetary implications must be done in consultation with the Line Manager.

Physical Demands

Field visits play a large part in the incumbent’s activities; as such, it is expected that the incumbent is willing and able to take part in such activities as and when needed and sometimes within short notice.

Working Conditions and Environment

This will be applicable according to the Swisscontact Finance and Operations Manual.

Application details

Please email your detailed CV along with a cover letter (elaborating your competencies for the position and expected salary) to bd.infom4c@swisscontact.org addressing Senior Manager, Business Administration, M4C.

Please mention the exact title of the position applied to in the subject line heading ‘’Application for the Position of Senior Officer, Knowledge Management and Advocacy, M4C’’ of your email. Applications must be submitted on or before 11 November 2023.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for final selection process.

Swisscontact is an equal opportunity employer.

For further information please visit www.swisscontact.org
https://www.swisscontact.org/en/countries/bangladesh/jobs