Mission and objectives

UNOPS has been present in Bangladesh since 2003. In 2014 UNOPS established as formal representation as a response to the UNOPS Executive Board in order to provide more substantial support to the Government of Bangladesh and other clients in the different areas focusing to Resilient Infrastructure Approach, Program & Project Management, Fund Management, Procurement, Human Resources, Financial Management emphasizing on building national capacities, improving resilience of communities with a view of contributing to the implementation of the SDGs.

Context

UNOPS Bangladesh is joining the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in the implementation of 6 medical waste management facilities across climate-vulnerable government hospitals in Bangladesh. The Integrated Medical Waste Program for the Advanced Community Transformation Project is designed to enhance Bangladesh's health system. This initiative focuses on bolstering the medical waste management capacity of six district hospitals by providing essential infrastructure and equipment. By improving the proper management of hazardous medical waste, the program will help mitigate contamination and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. With funding from TAKEDA pharmaceuticals, UNOPS is implementing the project in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Task Description

The GESI & HSSE Associate (Gender Equality & Social Inclusion, and Health, Safety, Security & Environment) will report directly to the Project Manager and work in full coordination with the Project Manager/Deputy Project Manager and other support teams from the Bangladesh office. The incumbent will be primarily responsible for assisting the project team/office in the following tasks: 1. GESI & HSSE Planning, Coordination, and Implementation: • Assist in preparing all HSSE documentation as per UNOPS requirements for review and approval by the Supervisor. • Assist in organizing and facilitating GESI awareness and capacity-building sessions for UNOPS personnel, contractors, and project stakeholders to promote inclusive workplace practices and safeguard standards. • Contribute to the preparation of GESI-related monitoring reports, including analysis of participation, inclusion indicators, and progress against project commitments. • Support the review and updating of HSSE management plans to ensure they remain current and aligned with project needs. • Support the project team in conducting risk assessments and implementing effective preventive and corrective measures for identified HSSE hazards. • Contribute to planning and conducting workplace inspections, ensuring timely closure of findings in coordination with responsible personnel. • Facilitate awareness-raising sessions on HSSE and Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) for project staff, contractors, and stakeholders. • Assist in preparing incident reports, supporting investigations, tracking follow-ups, and ensuring closure of all HSSE incidents and action items. • Assist in preparing reports related to PSEAH matters and support the implementation of Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) initiatives, including awareness-raising sessions, stakeholder engagement, and reporting mechanisms. • Assist in developing monthly HSSE reports and analyze leading indicators to inform decision-making. 2. GESI & HSSE Monitoring and Reporting: • Conduct regular and ad hoc field inspections and monitoring visits to project sites, identifying non-conformities (e.g., unsafe work practices, hazards in excavations, or work at heights) and ensuring their resolution. • Contribute to the preparation of GESI-related monitoring reports, including analysis of participation, inclusion indicators, and progress against project commitments. • Collaborate with project teams to ensure that consultation and grievance mechanisms are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to diverse community needs. • Assist in organizing and participating in regular HSSE meetings with contractors and the UNOPS project team, documenting action items and ensuring timely follow-ups. 3. GESI & HSSE Compliance and Risk Mitigation: • Support efforts to ensure full compliance with UNOPS HSSE requirements across all project phases. • Assist in conducting GESI risk and opportunity assessments to identify potential barriers to participation and inclusion for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups within project contexts. • Assist in implementing measures to minimize hazards and environmental impacts, ensuring adherence to local environmental regulations and international standards. • Assist in monitoring and evaluating contractor compliance with approved HSSE plans and provide recommendations for improvement when needed. In addition to the specified tasks, the incumbent will perform other need-based duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the center 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 centers 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 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. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.