General
Description of assignment title
Climate and Environment Programme Management Expert
Assignment country
Bangladesh
Expected start date
01/12/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
13. Climate action
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Expert
Host entity
IFAD BGD
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Dhaka
Details
Mission and objectives
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an International Financial Institution and a Specialized United Nations Agency whose mission is to enable poor rural people to overcome poverty and is present in more than 90 countries to develop and finance programmes and projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and incomes.
Context
The Programme Management Specialist will support the implementation of IFAD’s commitment to methane mitigation in the IFAD Bangladesh portfolio through the Reducing Agricultural Methane Programme (RAMP). This role will contribute to the achievement of IFAD’s objectives as part of the Global Methane Pledge partnership. IFAD is strengthening its capacity to respond to the threats to global and country environmental commons while promoting agriculture and rural development in developing countries, through different resources and instruments. The trade-off between agriculture development and climate change presents a unique challenge where the agriculture sector needs to produce more food while reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by food production. The agriculture, forestry and land use sectors contribute 23% of total net anthropogenic emissions (IPCC, 2020). Agricultural methane emissions primarily originate from livestock and rice cultivation. Rapidly reducing methane emissions from the agriculture sector may achieve near-term gains and is an effective strategy to keep the goal of limiting warming to 1.5˚C within reach while yielding co-benefits. As part of the Global Methane Pledge partnership, IFAD is committed to prioritizing methane mitigation in its project portfolio, which already includes a significant share of activities in agricultural sub-sectors relevant to methane emissions. Identifying and building upon lessons learned to reduce methane emissions from the agriculture sector – IFAD aims to apply methods that simultaneously achieve economic development, adaptation, and methane mitigation goals.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Take the lead on implementation of activities under the Reducing Agricultural Methane Program (RAMP) in Bangladesh IFAD Country Office (ICO) • Work closely with the IFAD country team and consultants on the RAMP programme. • Plan and implement awareness raising and capacity building activities on the contribution of methane to GHG emissions, major sources of agricultural methane emissions and paths to methane reduction for implementing partners throughout the IFAD portfolio in Bangladesh • Identify demonstration activities suitable for pilot with a PKSF Partner Organization on Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) of rice under the ongoing IFAD projects and organize field visits and exchange of information including impact on water savings, yield, and emission reduction. • Assist in the preparation of project concept notes, design documents, and risk assessments, with a primary focus on agricultural methane reduction projects in the Bangladesh portfolio. • Prepare knowledge insights, including policy briefs and background evidence, to showcase best practices in methane mitigation that are relevant to the Bangladesh context. • Support IFAD’s engagement with the NDC Partnership and facilitate the integration of NDCs into IFAD Bangladesh Country Strategic Opportunity Paper (COSOP) • Facilitate institutional learning and knowledge management of climate and environment in IFAD funded projects in Bangladesh including sharing relevant experiences and lessons. • Act as a resource person to provide input and feedback to enhance the effectiveness of climate and environment initiatives in IFAD funded projects in Bangladesh. • Perform any other related duties as required by the Country Director.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
7 years of experience in the formulation, monitoring, management, supervision, or evaluation of rural development projects required. Required experience: • Working experience on climate and environment initiatives. • Good knowledge of natural resource management, climate change and climate-related impact on rural development is required. • Proven ability to write and edit clear and concise technical reports and portfolio statistics and to prepare summaries/information materials for different stakeholders and audiences (management, donors, policymakers, etc.) required. Relevant skills and experience : • Professional experience of working in the field is an asset • Previous experience with monitoring instruments of international environment/climate funds such as GEF, LDCF, etc. is an asset.
Area(s) of expertise
Agriculture, Development programmes, Energy and environment
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Bengali, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Agriculture Engineering, Agricultural Economics or related areas is required.
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Building Trust • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Empowering Others • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Knowledge Sharing • Leadership • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Vision • Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another. Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical – hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
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