Caritas Bangladesh is seeking a qualified professional for the position Technical Specialist (Livelihoods & Market Linkage) for its USAID/BHA’s Preparedness and Response Initiatives against Climate Change Effects (PRICCE) and Building Resilience & Inclusion in Disaster Governance & Emergencies (BRIDGE) projects, based in the Caritas Central Office, Dhaka. Caritas Bangladesh (CB) is a national and non-profit development organization operating since 1967. It has its Central Office in Dhaka and eight Regional Offices in Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi and Sylhet. CB is implementing 91 projects covering 201 focusing upazila on eight goals i.e i) Social Welfare and Service of Love for Vulnerable Communities; 2) Ecological Conservation, Climate Justice and Sustainable Food System; 3) Humanitarian Response and Disaster Management; 4) Education, Skill Development and Employment Creation; 5) Health Care, Nutrition and Education; 6) Development of Indigenous Peoples; 7) Integral Human Development; and 8) Institutional Development and Sustainability.

CB is currently implementing the emergency humanitarian response, recovery, anticipatory actions and DRR projects across the country. USAID-funded ‘Preparedness and Response Initiative against Climate Change Effects’ (PRICCE) and ‘Building Resilience and Inclusion in Disaster Governance and Emergencies’ (BRIDGE) are part of CBs broader DRR and emergency programming portfolio and implementing at Galachipa, Kalapara and Rangabali Upazila under Patuakhali District and Barguna Sadar and Patharghata Upazila Under Barguna District. The goal of the PRICCE project is “At-risk communities in Bangladesh increase their resilience to low attention and recurrent natural hazards (including floods, storms, erratic rainfall, and drought)” while the goal for BRIDGE project is to ‘Enhance Disaster Risk Reduction policy and practices, economic recovery, market systems, and agriculture for at-risk communities in the coastal regions of Bangladesh’. In order to ensure quality implementation and on-time achievement of key project activities, particularly those related to Livelihoods, Market Linkage and Financial Inclusion, CB is looking to Technical Specialist (Livelihood) role to support quality and technically sound implementation as per CB, donor and industry standards.

Job Summary:

The Technical Specialist (Livelihood & Market Linkage) will provide technical leadership, analysis and support in the area of livelihoods, markets and SILC interventions of USAID-funded projects in line with CB program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines and industry best practice. The incumbent will work with CB technical and program staff members to advance the delivery of high-quality programming. S/he will be responsible for developing and execution of livelihood strategy, implementation plan & guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures, and necessary tools on promoting and capturing information related to climate smart agricultural techniques and practices, vermi-compost production and sales, livestock promotion, and implementation of SILC activities based on CB and industry best practices in coordination with Head of Disaster Management and National Project Manager-BRIDGE. S/he will also lead to conduct market assessment by engaging project team with support of external consultant/sub-awardee. S/he will provide technical support to Livelihood and Market Linkage Officer during field visits. S/he will also review and finalize livelihoods, market linkage, and SILC related technical documents and learning insights including reports, case studies, fliers, and other relevant documents.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Technical lead in planning and designing the Livelihoods, Market Linkage, and SILC (Savings & Internal Lending Communities) components of USAID/BHA’s BRIDGE and PRICCE Projects.
• Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, including activity descriptions and annual target setting.
• Contribute to budget preparation for Livelihood, Market Linkage, and SILC interventions.
• Develop strategies for livelihood interventions and private sector engagement.
• Assist in the creation of Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS), detailing activities, definitions, means of verification, and other relevant information.
• Create implementation guidelines, technical modules, Standard Operating Procedures, and other necessary tools for the projects.
• Research and analyze technical information from various sources to resolve issues and support the field implementation team in achieving excellence in Livelihoods, Market Linkage, and SILC interventions.
• Build the capacity of technical team members in climate-resilient livelihood practices, market linkage, and SILC through training, coaching and mentoring.
• Undertake regular field visit and provide technical support to Livelihood and Market Linkage Officers for improvement.
• Assist the project team in collecting and analyzing program data, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices to enhance decision-making and contribute to technical excellence.
• Ensure that activities are planned and implemented in accordance with USAID and organizational guidelines and policies.
• Attend internal and external meetings, training sessions, and workshops as assigned by the supervisor.
• Present and clarify the technical aspects of livelihood, market linkage, private sector engagement, and SILC-related activities to donors and external audiences.
• Support the preparation and timely submission of reports and learning insights, including case studies, brochures, flyers, and other learning materials.
• Facilitate the sharing of lessons learned within the team and across other projects in the organization for continuous improvement.
• Assist in developing Terms of Reference (ToR) for market assessments and the hiring of consultants/sub-awardees.
• Support the CB Business Development unit in preparing technical narratives related to Agriculture, Livelihoods, Market, and Financial Inclusion for funding opportunities.
• Provide assistance for emergency programming as needed by the organization.
• Perform other duties as and when needed as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Educational Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in science, preferably in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agri-business, Horticulture, Agronomy, or another relevant subject.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a technical leadership role within Agriculture, Livelihoods, Market Development, and/or Financial Inclusion for NGOs or INGOs.
• Proven experience in coastal livelihood initiatives.
• Experience in engaging with the private sector and financial inclusion.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting market assessments, data analysis, and report preparation.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience working on USAID-funded projects.
• Monitoring and Evaluation experience.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), web conferencing applications, and information management systems.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong representation abilities and facilitation skills.
• Proactive, creative, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management.
• Self-driven and positive to work in a team.
• Can do attitude and able to handle multiple tasks managing priorities.
• Ability to inspire others; to pass his/her skills to others and to motivate them to put them into practice.
• Ability to problem solve and identify resources in the Environment.
• Commitment to work following organizational aims, values, principal and policies.

Required Languages: Strong written and oral command in English/Bangla is required.

Travel: Based in Caritas Central Office, Dhaka with frequent travel throughout the project locations at Barguna and Patuakhali Districts. Up to 50% travel to field offices and field.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal:

Dhaka Central Office: National Project Manager-BRIDGE, Program Coordinators (DM), Program Officer (DM), Technical Specialist-MEAL, Technical Advisor – Gender & Protection, Technical Advisor- Knowledge Management, Sr. Accounts Officer, Manager (HR), Manager (Grants), and Administrative Officer of Caritas Central Office.

Regional Office: Program Officer-DM & Regional Director- Barishal, Chittagong and other regions as appropriate.

Project and Field Offices: Project Coordinator-BRIDGE, Project Officer (PRICCE), DRR & SILC Officer, Livelihood and Market Linkage Officer, MEAL & KM Officer and the other project team members at Project Office level.

External: Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Department of Livestock Service (DLS), Agriculture Research Organizations, Academia, Private sector market actors, Need Assessment Working Group (NAWG), Bangladesh Food Security Cluster etc.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Company Information

Caritas Bangladesh (CB)