Local recruitment: Student Grants Fellowship on Post-Graduation Research Paper (Bangladesh nationals)

Student Grants Fellowship on Post-Graduation Research Paper

TROSA II: Rivers, Rights and Resilience Project

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Are you a postgraduate student currently engaged in your research or thesis work, with a strong interest in the intersections of Rivers, Rights, and Resilience?

Do you possess a foundational understanding of climate-resilient livelihoods, particularly for vulnerable, natural resource-dependent communities?

Are you passionate about contributing to research and advocacy initiatives focused on inclusive water resource governance and community-led river management?

If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you.

Background:

Bangladesh is located downstream of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river basin, one of the largest and most vital river systems in South Asia. Although only a small portion of the basin flows through the country, it plays a critical role in sustaining the lives and livelihoods of millions, especially those dependent on fishing, farming, and river-based trade. However, due to unequal benefit-sharing, transboundary tensions, and the growing impacts of climate change, freshwater availability is declining while demand continues to rise—making water a growing source of conflict in the region. Oxfam in Bangladesh, through the second phase of its Transboundary Rivers of South Asia (TROSA) project—T2:3R: Rivers, Rights, and Resilience—is launching a Student Fellowship (grants) for five postgraduate students to support research that promotes climate-resilient livelihoods and inclusive water governance for vulnerable, natural resource-dependent communities within the GBM basin.

This fellowship seeks to engage passionate young researchers committed to supporting the lives and rights of riparian communities. As rivers and their management play a vital role both within Bangladesh and across borders, T2:3R recognizes the importance of nurturing empathetic, forward-thinking leaders in the face of growing water-related challenges. The fellowship also emphasizes the need to bridge technology with community knowledge to build a resilient and climate-just society. This initiative offers modest yet meaningful support to emerging youth researchers exploring river-related issues and their impact on people and ecosystems.

Key Objectives:

The T2:3R (Rivers, Rights, and Resilience) initiative aims to foster improved cooperation in the governance of shared water resources and strengthen the climate resilience of riparian communities across the transboundary Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river basins. The program is driven by four core outcomes: (1) strengthening climate-resilient livelihoods of basin communities, (2) promoting inclusive and sustainable management of river ecosystems and biodiversity, (3) enhancing the leadership of civil society—particularly women, Indigenous Peoples, and youth—in influencing water governance, and (4) advancing cross-border cooperation, collaboration, and accountability. Aligned with these goals, the fellowship also seeks to build awareness among youth on river governance within both national and South Asian contexts, promote youth leadership in advocating for community rights over natural resources, and support the development of future water professionals through enhanced knowledge, skills, and networks in the water sector.

Eligibility of the Candidates:

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Must be a Bangladeshi national.
• Currently enrolled in a master’s program or preparing a postgraduate research proposal in subjects such as Fisheries, International Relations, Geography, Environmental Science, Disaster Management, Oceanography, Law, Sociology, Anthropology, or other relevant fields.
• Have a good understanding of Bangladesh’s geo-political issues, especially those linked to water and river systems.
• Comfortable with writing research proposals, reports, and preparing presentations.
• Open to diverse perspectives, respectful of community voices, and eager to work in river-based contexts.

Key Attributes:

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

We offer:

This opportunity will give you an opportunity to make a difference at Oxfam in Bangladesh, to act as key contributor to our work with a group of passionate people who are specialists in their fields. At Oxfam, we believe that every aspect of our work can lead to a positive outcome. If you have the same opinion, together with the ability to meet the challenges involved, this role offers scope for immense personal fulfilment – as well as outstanding opportunities to develop your career.

You can read more about all Oxfam has to offer here.

Location: Bangladesh.

Benefits:

Selected fellows will receive the following support and opportunities:

• A research grant of 150,000 BDT per fellow (inclusive of all fieldwork expenses, VAT, and tax).
• Opportunity to have the final research paper shared across Oxfam’s regional and global platforms.
• Exposure to a broader regional network focused on river governance, climate resilience, and activism.

A 25% VAT and tax will be deducted from the payment associated with the fellowship opportunity.

[Only Bangladeshi Nationals are eligible to apply]

CLICK HERE FOR THE TOR

How to apply:

Interested individuals must submit the application package in a zip file based on the ToR above. Please rename it in your name and upload the application toOxfam at: UPLOAD-HERE.

The package should include:
Applicant must submit the following 5 items as separate documents to be considered for the evaluation process- 

• A cover letter. 
• A CV covering key previous experiences in research works. 
• Sample of previous similar work(s) (if any).
• Provide the name and contact details of at least 2 professional or Academic referees.
• Must be submitted Nomination Paper/NOC from Department Head.
• DO NOT apply if you are already enrolled in any other fellowship. 

Applications that are incomplete or do not comply with the provided instructions will not be considered for the fellowship.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 12 JULY 2025

Note: 

• We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
• All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate safeguarding and counter fraud check, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks .Oxfam International Secretariat also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  
• In line with this Scheme, if a job applicant has been employed by another member of the scheme, we will request information from that organization about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these procedures.
• Applying for positions with Oxfam in Bangladesh does not incur any costs. Any request for payment from parties pretending as Oxfam in Bangladesh should be considered fraudulent.
• Any kind of persuasion in the hiring process is highly discouraged and any attempt of persuasion will be considered as a disqualification.
• Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About Us

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. When disaster strikes, we help people build better lives for themselves, and for others. We take on issues like land rights, climate change and discrimination against women. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can enjoy life free from poverty.

We are an international confederation of 21 organizations (affiliates) plus the Oxfam International Secretariat, working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

All our work is led by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.

Our commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.