Office/Unit/Project Description: 

As a result of the Rohingya refugee influx to Bangladesh, the population of two Upazilas (sub-districts) of Ukhiya and Teknaf in the southern part of Cox’s Bazar has risen to around 1.5 million people. This has enormously contributed to health and environmental challenges, including under-resourced solid waste management (SWM) services. It is estimated that over 10,000 tons or around 22,000 cubic meters of waste per month is generated in the two Upazilas, which do not have a functioning SWM system. Similarly, the refugee camps generate approximately 140 tons of waste per day.

Solid waste discarded by refugee and host community households, markets both inside and outside the camps, and resulting from the distribution of humanitarian support at random sites lacking management and disposal, is likely to lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhoea and malaria. Environmentally, uncontrolled solid waste also causes contamination to surface and groundwater sources. The situation is usually aggravated during the cyclone and monsoon season.

UNDP has received funding to implement a project titled “Solid Waste Management Support Project for Host & Rohingya Communities in Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh.” The project is a response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh and the resulting pressing need for SWM in both the host communities and refugee camps.

The UNDP’s Solid Waste Management Support Project for Host & Rohingya Communities in Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh targets the protection of women and children, the prevention of diseases, and the promotion of hygiene and proper sanitary standards. It will be implemented in Host and Refugee communities.

Additionally, the project aims to build the capacity of local government, create immediate and long-term employment, and promote a circular economy while at the same time contributing to a conducive environment.

Scope of Work

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Development Specialist- Solid Waste Management (PDS-SWM) and close coordination with the Solid Waste and Catchment Management Analyst of UNDP Cox’s Bazar (CXB), the Project Associate will have the following scope of work:

• Assist the PDS-SWM in formulating and overseeing the coordination of project activities, strategies, and action plans with the relevant stakeholders.
• Organize coordination meetings and workshops related to SWM projects in the areas of responsibility.
• Coordinate with RRRC, ISCG, Government offices, the WASH sector, Project partners, etc., to plan and implement planned projects smoothly.
• Organize activities for the capacity building/development of targeted audiences of the project.
• Document success stories and lessons learned and plan dissemination.
• Coordinate with District, sub-districts, Unions, CiCs, etc., authorities for any possible collaboration.

Job Responsibilities 

1: Substantively participate to the Project Cycle.

• Support the SWM team in designing and implementing project activities with a focus on sustainability.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare updated reports on the project implementation in consultation with the other project team members and share with PDS-SWM.
• Oversee project software activities and guide implementing partner’s staff.
• Keep track of the budget plan for software activities implementation.
• Support implementing partner to plan and implement software activities.
• Keep records of project progress.
• Prepare a work schedule in consultation with PDS-SWM and the implementing partner.
• Provide day-to-day management support to the implementing partners in all locations.
• Establish and maintain efficient communication channels amongst the stakeholders, viz., different camps (CiCs), and the camps’ implementing partners.
• Any other requested task linked to the project or assigned by PDS-SWM.
• Assist the PDS-SWM in coordinating with Local Government/concerned government departments.
• Any other related tasks as specified by the PDS-SWM.

2: Ensure the monitoring of project activities.

• Regular monitoring of project activities.
• Support the project team in developing a project monitoring plan.
• Assist PDS-SWM in ensuring quality assurance of the work and partner milestone requests for the implementation of the projects.
• Liaise and prepare a plan with different camp authorities to coordinate waste transportation to the site.
• Work closely with the Project Engineer to monitor project activities and prepare a response plan for any issues that may be identified.
• Work with the Project Engineer to monitor and ensure Social and Environmental Standards (SES) are addressed during the project.

3: Support capacity building and knowledge sharing

• Ensure coordination with government offices and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to building the capacity of other team members and partner staff to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of the projects.
• Assist the project management team in preparing presentations and briefings, including performance monitoring charts and tables on all the results achieved by the projects, or as deemed necessary for internal or donor reporting.
• Ensure required assessments are done as needed.
• Provide training & progress evaluation to IPs and involve local government authorities in SWM systems.
• Assist in organizing and leading information dissemination, seminars, workshops, and meetings.
• Facilitate “Learning and sharing” workshops for the stakeholders.
• Ensure gender mainstreaming in the M&E and reports.

Expected Results

1. Ensure the coordination system for solid waste management is established.
2. Proper waste segregation is done at the source level, and waste recovery is done at the optimum level.
3. Enhanced local entrepreneurship in waste recovery and recycling, contributing to the circular economy in the area.
4. Sustainability of the established SWM systems is ensured for the long-term impact and viability of project interventions beyond the initial implementation period.
5. Effective and efficient project management, monitoring, and oversight.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Institutional Arrangement

• The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Project Development Specialist- Solid Waste Management in the UNDP sub-office, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
• The incumbent will engage with the SWM team at UNDP Cox’s Bazar and other stakeholders as needed to ensure smooth project implementation.
• The incumbent will prepare project updates monthly and share them with PDS-SWM for the Project Management team.
• The incumbent will participate in and contributing to the SWM working group/WASH sector.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible  

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion  LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination  

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates “win-win” situations

Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding 

Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Results-based Management: Ability to manage programs and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstratable results 

Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication, to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and program performance and results

Required Skills and Experience

Education 

Secondary education is required.

OR

University degree in development studies, management, Environment/sustainable development, or public health will be given due consideration but not a requirement.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative, project experience, experience in environmental management, WASH, and/or development projects is required.

Required Skills

• Experience in working with software, like MS word, PowerPoint presentation, MS excel, etc.
• Experience with public, private, and International Organizations in environmental activities, WASH, or development.
• Experience in working with monitoring activities

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Good communication, interpersonal and liaison skills/experience.
• Proven capability of working in a team.
• Experience in working and engaging with developmental organizations, international organizations, research institutes or development organizations will be preferable.
• Experience of working with the local government.
• Experience of working in Cox’s Bazar is an advantage.
• Knowledge of producing knowledge documents, media, etc.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Bangla is required.

Disclaimer

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Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.

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