COMPASS PROGRAM BANGLADESH
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

'Gender and Diversity Specialist/Officer II’

A. BACKGROUND:

USAID Bangladesh and the United States Forest Service International Program (USFS) /IP entered into an inter-agency partnership with USAID Bangladesh to implement the Community Partnerships to Strengthen Sustainable Development (Compass) program. Compass program address natural resource management challenges in Bangladesh through establishing a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), strengthening community capacity and promoting public participation, providing direct technical support to Bangladesh Forest Department, and strengthening the capacity of academic and research institutions in natural resource management and resilience. The Compass Program is seeking a qualified and experienced professional to be the full-time ‘Gender and Diversity Specialist/Officer II’ based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Gender and Diversity Specialist/Officer II will ensure effective integration of gender considerations into different activities of the component of the Compass program, training design and delivery, MEL and Communication strategies, annual work plans, and all other activities. s/he will lead the development and implementation of a gender strategy for the program. Activities that will be undertaken include: Partner’s capacity assessment, capacity building of staff and partner on gender equity and equality, gender analysis, assist implementing partners to develop joint gender policy, integration of gender equity into program intervention strategies, etc.

The US Forest Service mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. As a division of the Office of the Chief of U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Forest Service Office of International Programs (USFS/IP) works in over 90 countries, to promote sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation internationally. By linking the skills of the field-based staff of the U.S. Forest Service with partners overseas, the agency can address the world’s most critical forestry issues and concerns. USFS/IP collaborates with local and international non-governmental organizations, universities, and host country governments. We also collaborate with other U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State. Internationally, programs focus on building institutional relationships between our agency and our in-country partners, enabling continuous collaboration over the long-term.

In collaboration with USAID Bangladesh, USFS/IP has been working in Bangladesh since 2009 and has developed longstanding partnerships in Bangladesh by providing need-based capacity building technical assistance in support of national-level capacity for forest management and monitoring. The Compass program will build on this work and expand to new thematic areas and geographic regions. In this context currently Compass collaborates with local and international non-governmental organizations, universities, and Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD).

B. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION

Position Description

The Gender and Diversity Specialist/Officer II will ensure effective integration of gender considerations into different activities of the component of the Compass program, training design and delivery, MEL and Communication strategies, annual work plans, and all other activities. s/he will lead the development and implementation of a gender strategy for the program. Activities that will be undertaken include: Partner’s capacity assessment, capacity building of staff and partner on gender equity and equality, gender analysis, assist implementing partners to develop joint gender policy, integration of gender equity into program intervention strategies, etc.

The ‘Gender and Diversity Specialist/Officer II’ will support the program with duties and responsibilities including, but not be limited to, the following:

Provide leadership and strategic guidance, Gender Analysis and Advocacy
in the Program Management (60%)

• Effectively integrate issues of gender dynamics across program activities, including trainings, organization development, ensuring that all methodologies and tools used in the program are gender sensitive.
• Provide gender related guidance to all component on yearly work planning and budget development and necessary revision.
• Regularly conduct meetings with staff, partner, review progress, assist in planning.
• Stay abreast of developments in gender and diversity practices.
• Assess challenges and progress on achieving gender and diversity objectives. Incorporate such analysis into a Gender strategy/policy, articulate it in the Compass policy and finalize the policy with leadership team.
• Develop plans on implementation of the Gender strategy considering existing gender gaps.
• Direct team and partner and take appropriate corrective actions to provide for a fair and equitable working environment for women and people of diverse backgrounds.
• Conduct/lead periodic assessments to identify strengths and weaknesses and assist capacity building of Compass and partner organizations’ staff so that they can successfully undertake program responsibilities based on natural resource management.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with external organizations and institutes for knowledge sharing (e.g. in developing a gender & diversity analysis framework);
• Seek buy-in and support from Compass leadership for progressive policies.
• Provide consulting and guide on gender issues to employee and partners.
• Plan events to encourage gender & diversity activities across all components (e.g. International Women's day, Diversity day etc.);
• Partnering with compass components for execution gender and diversity issues.
• Identify various communication platforms.
• Conceptualize awareness and communication material (e.g. posters, banners) focusing on gender role;
• Disseminate communication material to focal points, respective managers/specialist, and field offices for display.
• Provide technical assistance and build the capacity of implementing partner organizations in gender issues.
• Contribute to the development of annual work plans, performance monitoring systems and tools, and writing of progress, quarterly and final program reports.
• Follow-up with Compass component and implementation partners on different selection process to ensure a minimum of 40% in female participants.
• Regular monitoring and reporting on gender mainstreaming issues in YCC trainings & program implementing areas.
• Measure the gender based custom indicators and share findings with the stakeholders, including identification of “potential success stories”, and lead the preparation of gender mainstreaming case studies for dissemination in relevant entities.
• Provide technical support to the Compass components and implementing partners on gender awareness, gender harassment & gender equality mainstreaming.
• Participate in the design and conduct assessment and ensure that results are incorporated into program strategies and approaches.
• Support to Collect & analyze gender sensitive data to report progress of women & men in FLR process.
• Review all programmatic guidelines and action plans to ensure gender mainstreaming is being applied in Compass activities
• Participate in events on gender equality & leadership development for sharing experience/progress made in related field

Training Programs and Process Improvement (30%)

• Design, organize, and implement training curriculum and content on different gender and diversity issues (e.g. sexual harassment, women's rights, age discrimination, discrimination against any minority group such as transgenders etc.) to educate staff and partners.
• Conduct training, collect training feedback and modify course content accordingly, if required.
• Work with training consultants on the training content, methodology, and approaches; to ensure that gender is appropriately integrated and addressed in all trainings.
• Prepare annual training calendar on different gender topic and oversee logistics arrangements for training.
• Scan external environment for current thinking on gender & diversity policies, initiatives, and processes.
• Identify areas of improvement in existing policies and implementation activities to improve effectiveness.

Others (10%)

• Coordinate with the MEL Manager in tracking implementation of gender indicators and ensuring performance indicator requirements are met.
• Work closely with MEL and Communications teams to assess the impact of partnerships, training, and capacity building activities.
• Represent gender and diversity items in Compass different forums and events.
• Prepare the budget for programs and initiate the procurement process with the support of finance and operations of Compass Project.
• Promote the Compass gender activities and events in the USAID, Asia Pacific and other national and International Meeting
• Maintain regular contact with of components, partners including Finance Human Resources and Procurement and be available to support them.

C. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

To be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed below:

Education:

Required: Bachelor or an equivalent degree in Social Science or related discipline.
Preferred: Master or an equivalent degree in Social Science or related discipline.

Experience:

• At least 5-7 years of professional experience in development field and at least 2-3 years of experience in partnership and/or gender-related programming.
• Prior experience of working with USAID or USG programs/projects is highly preferred.
• Practical experience in establishing partnership with NGOs, their capacity building and monitoring of partners activities.
• Experience working with youth, rural communities, Government of Bangladesh partners, and academic institutions.

Skills/Competencies:

• Project or program management experience.
• Excellent skills in coaching and mentoring on gender topic, including planning and facilitating training and an ability to influence and facilitate change through high level interpersonal communication.
• Ability to develop strong networks within the youth development, forestry, and natural resources sectors in Bangladesh.
• Adequate knowledge of learning management systems and delivery tools.
• Initiative, creativity, willingness to learn, and ability to juggle multiple tasks independently.
• Must have proven teamwork capacity with a demonstrated track record of working with diverse team
• Strives to keep job knowledge up to date through self-directed study and other means of learning.
• Excellent written and oral communication skill.
• Demonstrated experience of working with a multi-cultural team.
• High proficiency in relevant computer applications e.g. MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS- PowerPoint, and basic skills on internet, photography, photoshop/illustrator are required.
• Strong leadership skills and able to work independently with minimum supervision or guidance.
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work/ task.
• Knowledge on documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.
• Ability and interest in learning new tools to make evidence-based operational decisions.
• Non-discriminatory and gender sensitive.
• Willingness to work in remote rural sites of Bangladesh.

Language Ability:

The incumbent must be proficient in spoken and written English at Level IV (fluent) and must likewise be fully fluent in spoken and written Bangla. English language skill will be tested.

D. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES:

The benefits and allowances for this position would be in line with Compass policy and guidelines, commensurate with the experience, qualification and previous track-record of the successful applicant.

E. INSTRUCTION FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION:

Interested applicants are requested to properly fill in the application form available at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1B-hQJydwoxkQsOSQZDMpxZDRVnz8bwqY7DxiNuoOqZo/edit Applicant must have an active Gmail account to complete the application. In the application form, the interested applicants must provide accurate information to all required fields and attach the following documents listed below:

1. A Cover Letter illustrating applicant's qualifications to meet the requirements for this position. Please use the following naming convention for your file: FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter. The cover letter must be attached either in MS word or in PDF file format.
2. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) with full contact details, specific description of educational background, career experiences, and achievements. Please use the following naming convention for your file: FirstName_LastName_CV. The CV must be attached either in MS word or in PDF file format.

Please note that the interested applicants must submit the applications on or before 11.59 PM 09 October 2021.

The successful applicant will be hired through a local hiring mechanism or through an international contracting mechanism to be employed on the Compass program, as per organizational policy. Applicant will not be hired by, nor an employee of, the US Forest Service. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for further assessment. The applicants who are not shortlisted will not be notified. All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.