I.            Job Summary:  

CARE is one of the world's leading international humanitarian and development organizations, committed to helping people in poor communities improve their lives and alleviate poverty. Founded in 1945, CARE is working with over 121 countries to fight global poverty and marginalization. CARE has been active in Bangladesh since 1949 and is one of the largest programs in CARE confederation. Women and girls are at the core of all CARE programs because they represent half of the marginalized group, and it is not possible to overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE Bangladesh works to implement programs with long-term impacts that result in sustainable changes for the extreme poor and marginalized communities.

Globally, there is a growing interest and investment in Anticipatory Action (AA) as an approach to reduce potential impacts of anticipated disasters. In Bangladesh, humanitarian and disaster risk management organizations are carrying out various pilots to test, gather evidence, build capacity, and advocate for strengthening the DRM governance and financing system to reduce shocks on vulnerable people and their livelihoods, improve the effectiveness of emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts, and reduce the humanitarian burden. The government of Bangladesh has also included ‘Forecast-based Financing and Action’ (FbF/A) in its recently revised Standing Orders on Disasters (SOD 2019) which shows its willingness to adopt the approach.

From August 2019 to June 2020, the first phase of ‘Supporting Flood Forecast-based Action and Learning in Bangladesh’ - SUFAL Project implemented its activities in three northern flood-prone districts: Kurigram, Gaibandha, and Jamalpur to reduce the impact of floods on communities, improve the effectiveness of emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts, and reduce the humanitarian burden through strengthening the Forecast-based Early Action (FbA) approach to monsoon floods. SUFAL reached 97% of the targeted population through actionable early warning and forecast information. 93% project population took at least one early action individually or collectively and per household average BDT 21,461 was saved by FbA intervention.

In the second phase, Scaling up Flood Forecast-based Action and Learning in Bangladesh (SUFAL II) aims to strengthen FbA by generating longer lead time by developing community-based FbA approach and by pilot linking Forecast based Financing (FbF) to Social Safety Net Programme (SSNP) for financing early action. The project focuses on reducing human suffering in the flood-prone Brahmaputra-Jamuna river basin areas through FbA approach and institutionalizing it in larger level. SUFAL-II is a consortium led by Care Bangladesh with Concern Worldwide, technically supported by Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) and financially supported by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). By keeping communities at the centre and by being participatory in nature, the project assists local government and institutions in taking early action. By strengthening impact-based forecasting through tailored, sector-specific, timely and accurate data, SUFAL-II aims to support community and institutions in decision-making to act ahead of monsoon flood by utilizing suitable finance and resources with available time.

The unique geographic location of north-eastern Bangladesh and its co-existence with the Haor belt make the region vulnerable to flash floods and lightning. When an exceptional amount of rainfall occurs over a short time in the upstream area, it produces rapidly rising and fast-moving river flows and causes flash floods. Therefore, SUFAL II will further address flash floods and lightning, by expanding its geographical coverage to the Haor region. The project will fully implement FbA in three districts: Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrokona; one upazila from each in the Haor, respectively Gowainghat, Dharmapasha and Khaliajuri.

Reporting to the Consortium Coordinator, the “Project Officer- FBA/F” will be primarily responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the forecast-based Action Project. The Project Officer- FBA/F will be working on various workstreams within the project including early warning systems for flash floods and lightening, identification of anticipatory actions to minimize the impacts, integration of vulnerability assessments to help target interventions, organizing and attending workshops, ensuring project deliverables are met on time and according to budget. Moreover, s/he is also will oversee ensuring relevant monitoring and reporting during the lifetime of the project.

II. Responsibilities and Tasks:

% of Time

Responsibility # 1: Strengthen the FbA mechanism at local levels

30%

• Act to achieve the goal and outcomes of the project through mobilizing PNGO staff and local stakeholders and other project resources in the implementation area.
• In close cooperation with the Project Manager, lead the direct implementation of the AA approach for flash floods and lightning in the Haor to achieve planned results.
• Support in Community Risk Assessment, Early Action Matrix development and simulation exercises through participatory ways.
• In coordination with the field team, support the development and testing of the Early Action Matrix by identifying relevant and effective early actions and establishing procedures that allow timely implementation of early actions once a threshold/trigger has been reached.
• Ensure visibility according to ECHO requirements/standards and present information on the project on different occasions.
• Support for Planning, motoring & budgeting as per project design.

Responsibility # 2: Stakeholder coordination for successful implementation of the project activities

15%

• Work closely with consortium partners for the effective rollout of the implementation.
• Manage the relationship with Government counterpart ensuring that project objectives.
• Organize meetings/workshops/ orientations with project participants at the institutional level to create a supportive environment for mobilizing support for FbA.
• Maintain constant networking with GO/NGO/Local government departments.
• Support to Identify, develop and test appropriate forecast-based early actions for flash floods and lightning with relevant government departments.

Responsibility # 3: Monitoring, Documentation, Reporting and facilitating financial and administrative activities

25%

• Use the MEAL system appropriate for measuring the impact of the implementation of the early actions in the EAPs and thereby contribute to building evidence for the AA approach and coordinating relevant research work.
• In coordination with consortium members, work closely with Project Managers / Project Officers to ensure that all necessary information is collected and organized for regular monitoring, and to produce substantial evidence against the indicators as was set in the proposal and log frame.
• In coordination with project teams and communication teams of consortium partners, ensure regular documentation of activities and results from the implementation of the AA approach through the collection of case stories, photo stories, video documentation, etc.
• Archiving of Knowledge management information and best practices and sharing regularly with the consortium.
• Support the Consortium team in other tasks related to knowledge management and advocacy as required.
• Prepare project progress reports, activity reports, case studies and other special reports as per project plan and needs.
• Adheres to the project and organization’s administrative and financial rules, policies and regulations.

Responsibility # 4: Partnership management

30%

• As a local representative of CARE Closely work with the local implementing partner’s management team and project team in achieving the set targets of the project.
• Provide strategic and technical support to field teams in ensuring on-time implementation of activities.
• Guide the project team in building a network and mobilisation of stakeholders, planning and implementation the project activities, reporting and documentation.
• Ensure that the PNGO staff adheres to the project and organization’s administrative and financial rules, policies and regulations. Ensure that the staff are kept abreast of the latest changes to the project strategies and activities.

Responsibility # 5 Responsibilities on Safety and Security, Gender and Inclusion and Safeguarding and Child Protection

As part of this role, the job holder must adhere to and support CARE Bangladesh’s Safety and Security policy and systems as part of their day-to-day duties and comply with safety & security protocols and directives, including reporting. Staff must maintain situational and self–awareness and be aware of the safety – security-related consequences of their actions upon themselves, their team, and the organization.

CARE is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct, and expects staff to promote the welfare of children, young people, and adults always.  CARE 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 this commitment are recruited to work with us.

Gender equality and inclusion are fundamental at CARE, promoting equal rights and challenging discriminatory norms to achieve social justice. We foster an inclusive workplace respecting diverse gender identities, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences through dialogue, training, and diversity initiatives. All CARE staff must uphold ethical standards, following codes of conduct to prevent abuse, including sexual harassment, exploitation, and neglect. Regular monitoring ensures accountability to uphold these principles and support our mission of social justice and poverty alleviation.

III. Reporting to:  

Consortium Coordinator under SUFAL-II

IV. Working Condition:  

This position is based in the Haor Based Field Office in Sunamganj District

5. Qualification:

• 3 to 4 years of professional experience in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction.
• Master’s degree in Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Geography, Development or related field.
• Strong project and partnership management skills.
• Experience in managing teams (teams of project staff, volunteers or consultants).
• Experience in implementing donor-funded projects (ECHO experience is an asset).
• Skills in networking, negotiation and persuasion, advocacy and for mainstreaming new concepts and approaches.
• Excellent communication skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively and build relationships at all levels.
• Experience in cooperating with local organizations and capacity building.
• Good understanding of key natural disaster risk reduction issues and DRM framework in Bangladesh.
• Familiarity with the Forecast-based Financing / Action (FbF/FbA) and/or Anticipatory Action agenda, Flash flood and lightning.
• Clear understanding the Hoar context will be an asset.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills in Bangla and English.
• Excellent computer skills (spreadsheets, word, databases and other programmes).
• CARE Core Competencies as noted below: