Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Bangladesh has been working since 1973 to transform the country’s food and agricultural sectors. It manages several corporate initiatives, national, regional and global projects and programmes under the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), Trust Fund (TF) and Regular Programme (RP) budgets. These projects and programmes respond to priority needs identified by the Government and stakeholders and focus on strengthening capacities, introducing innovative technologies, and enhancing policy frameworks to drive sustainable transformation of agrifood systems.

FAO is supporting the Government of Bangladesh, through the collaboration with the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and it is under the implementation of a Global Environment Facility (GEF-8) financed project focused on the integrated management of Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs). Acting as the GEF Agency, FAO provides technical assistance to advance ecosystem-based conservation, biodiversity restoration, and climate-resilient landscape management in the Jaflong-Dawki, Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Peninsula, and Sonadia ECAs. The project adopts a multi-sectoral and community-driven approach, strengthening institutional and policy frameworks, scaling up nature-based solutions, and promoting inclusive, gender-responsive livelihood options to reduce pressure on natural resources and enhance ecological and socio-economic resilience while delivering global environmental benefits.

Reporting Lines

The National NRM & Field Coordination Specialist is SC-9 level position. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), in collaboration with PPG Team Leader, National PPG Coordinator, and PPG team.

Technical Focus

The position leads field-level coordination of ecosystem-based management and restoration across ECAs, providing technical guidance on sustainable natural resource use, community conservation, and nature-based solutions, while ensuring alignment with national frameworks and GEF and FAO standards.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Ensure effective field-level planning, coordination, and technical oversight of ecosystem-based management, restoration, and community livelihood interventions across the three ECAs.
•     Coordinate day-to-day implementation of project activities across multiple ECAs, acting as the primary technical liaison between FAO, implementing partners, local government agencies, and community institutions.
•     Ensure field activities are delivered in line with approved Work Plans, budgets, and timelines.
•     Support the design and delivery of training programmes on biodiversity conservation, climate resilient livelihoods, and ECA regulations.
•     Provide technical guidance on sustainable management of forests, wetlands, coastal, and terrestrial resources, including mangrove, wetland, and hill ecosystem restoration.
•     Support sustainable fisheries and aquatic resource management and soil and water conservation in fragile landscapes.
•     Support implementation of ecosystem-based management (EbM) and nature-based solutions (NbS) tailored to ECA conditions.
•     Support effective functioning of co-management committees by providing technical and coordination support, including preparation of background materials and documentation for consultations facilitate by FAO with all relevant sectors (like DoE, BFD, DoF, LGIs) and stakeholders, Village Conservation Groups (VCGs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), private sectors, NGOs, community groups, and resource user associations.
•     Ensure gender responsive and inclusive participation, and strengthen staff, local youth groups, women, local or marginalized communities, Forest Conservation Clubs, and VCGs through capacity building, and institutional support.
•     Support participatory planning processes for community conservation action plans, livelihood diversification, and sustainable resource use practices.
•     Provide technical support to establish small marine or bird museum and special conservation (in-situ & ex-situ) of wildlife (like Turtle, Crab, Fish, Bird, Molluscs and others) with scientific protocols.
•     Support for plantation activities in mangrove, sand dune, riverbank, forest and hill areas, as well as local communities.
•     Provide technical support to promotion of alternative renewable energy (solar systems, biogas, ICS, RHC, biochar etc.). 
•     Identify implementation challenges and propose adaptive management measures.
•     Support convergence with other development and conservation initiatives operating in the project areas.
•     Organize and conduct field visits, meetings, workshops for national and international officials at the project sites.
•     Support field-level data collection for M&E, safeguards, and results tracking.
•     Contribute to the preparation of progress reports, case studies, and knowledge products.
•     Perform other functions as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced University degree (minimum Master’s preferred) in Natural Resource Management, Marine Science and Fisheries, Fisheries, Forestry, Environmental Science, Ecology, Agriculture or related disciplines 
•     Minimum 9 (nine) years of field-based experience in natural resource management and ecosystem conservation, community-based or co-management approaches, community mobilization and participatory approaches (PRA, RRA, FGD).
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
National of Bangladesh or resident of the country with valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Proven experience coordinating multi-site field projects, preferably in Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs), coastal, wetland, hill or forest, terrestrial ecosystems in Bangladesh. 
•     Experience working with FAO, UN agencies, DoE, NGOs, GEF-funded or donor-supported projects is highly desirable. Strong practical knowledge of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), EbM, NbS and landscape approaches, restoration techniques for coastal, wetland, terrestrial and hill ecosystems. 
•     Familiarity with GoB climate, environment and biodiversity policies, ECA rules and co-management frameworks, FAO project implementation and reporting procedures. 
•     Demonstrated ability to facilitate the registration and capacity building of VCGs and community-based organizations.
•     Strong analytical writing and stakeholder facilitation skills. 
•     Strong knowledge of communication and documentation standards to ensure project documentation and liaison with stakeholders, government agencies, and project team(s).
•     Problem-solving and decision-making skills to address challenges efficiently.
•     Willingness and ability to travel anywhere within Bangladesh.
•     Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power point, Internet).