Location: Dhaka, BANGLADESH Application Deadline: 26-Mar-07 Type of Contract: ALD International Post Level: ALD-5 Languages Required: English Starting Date: 01-May-2007 (date when the selected canditate is expected to start) Duration of Initial Contract: 1 year Expected Duration of Assignment: 4 years
Background United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and European Commission (EC) Capacity Strengthening Component (CSC) of Rural Employment Opportunities for Public Assets (REOPA)
On completion of Rural Maintenance Programme (RMP), the European Commission (EC) has signed an agreement with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) to support a new project known as the Rural Employment Opportunities for Public Assets (REOPA). This new project aims to support the employment of rural poor women, in public work schemes, benefiting poor households and their rural communities. The main channel for implementing this intervention is through the Union Parishad (UP), the lowest democratically elected bodies in Bangladesh. The overall objective of REOPA is to contribute to long-term sustainable socio-economic development of rural Bangladesh.
REOPA is builds on the basis of best practices, and lessons learnt of two former projects, namely the Rural Maintenance Programme (RMP), co-funded by EC, CIDA, and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), and the Sirajganj Local Governance Development Fund Project (SLGDFP), co-funded by United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and GoB. SLGDFP has led to a larger project, the Local Governance Support Project, which UNDP, UNCDF, EC, and Danida will support in six districts (around 400 unions), with emphasis on learning and innovating newer techniques and models to build the capacity of the Union Parishads and support policy development for local governance.
Purpose / Objective of Capacity Strengthening Team (CST) * The Capacity Strengthening Component (CSC) of REOPA is the UNDP executed project for providing technical support to the Government’s management of REOPA. The main purpose of the CST is to assist the Project Task Force (PTF) of REOPA, which is located within the Local Government Division of Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (M/O LGRD&C) and headed by a National Project Director (NPD).
Composition of CST* The CST will consist of one Project Manager, three long-term national professionals, six district-level officers, and a support staff member. The CST will work in close collaboration with the members of PTF and the staff of LGSP in the field and in LGD in Dhaka.
Duties and Responsibilities The International Team Leader is vested with the overall responsibility for achieving the objectives of the CSC. S/he will devote a substantial part of her/his time to strengthening the capacities of participating Government Organizations as well as NGOs.
The duties and responsibilities of the International Team Leader: • Assisting the LGD in general and the Project Task Force (PTF), in particular in the implementation of REOPA, including the provision of technical expertise • Assisting the PTF in administrative, preparatory and ancillary tasks relating to planning, monitoring, and reporting on REOPA components, procurement, and financial management • Supporting to REOPA’s general activities and its partners and stakeholders, based on the identified needs of LGD, participating (Local Government Institutions) and NGOs • Assisting the PTF in establishing and delivering relevant capacity strengthening activities • Taking an active part in the inception activities of REOPA • Establishing an effective M&E system to assess achievement of REOPA objectives and identify problem affecting project performance • Preparing periodic (monthly/six monthly/annual) monitoring reports as required by UNDP and ensuring other necessary technical and financial reporting of the CST • Maintaining good co-ordination between the PTF and various partners involved • Networking with other organizations to identify the best practices and enable their introduction, adaptation, and use by REOPA • Working in close harmony with MLGRDC (LGD), LGSP (LIC) team, NGOs, UNDP, EC and the national/international consultants. • Maintaining liaison and linkages with various service providing organizations and the NGOs working in the similar field. • Ensuring an enabling working environment for all staff so that no workplace harassment, sexual harassment or abuse of authority take place • Assisting in the preparation of REOPA’s Initial Plan of Activities (IPA), Overall Work Plans and Budgets (OWPB), and Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPB) • Assisting in the drafting/establishment of the REOPA Operation Manual • Identifying areas of concern and defining actions to solve them • Ensuring information dissemination • Ensuring visibility of UNDP and EC support
Competencies • Proven managerial skills, especially with regard to finance and human resources • Proven interpersonal and team-management skills, with a commitment to working in cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary teams • Proven research, analytical, organizational, and communication skills • Solid knowledge and experience in community participation, rural development, local governance, women’s empowerment, livelihood issues. Solid understanding of gender equality and gender mainstreaming approach in programmatic and organizational levels is desirable. • Demonstrated ability with regard to awareness of gender issues • Fluency in English, with proven writing skills. • Familiarity with the United Nations and its principles and EC procedures and field activities would be desirable.
Required Skills and Experience • Masters Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or Development Management or related field • A minimum of 15 years relevant work experience is required, including at least five years with an international organization, and at least five years should be in capacity strengthening of Government, private sector and NGO senior personnel in the relevant fields. • Technical expertise related to the engendered planning, management, implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation and information dissemination for projects of similar scope and scale to rural development/poverty reduction is required.
Interested candidates may apply for this vacancy online at: .
