Climate and Water Governance Expert/Specialist

Climate and Water Governance Expert/Specialist

Duty Station:  Office base- BCO

Contract Duration:  Fixed Term

Number of Vacancies: 01

Contract Type: Contract with E-zone           

Contract Start Date:  Immediate

Reporting to: Director-Programme and Policy Advocacy

A.    Purpose

      The incumbent, being part of policy advocacy team, is responsible to support the overall Organisation in taking forward the climate related policy advocacy agenda supporting implementing the water, sanitation and hygiene and Climate aim. The incumbent’s focus will be to build stronger linkages externally with water, sanitation and hygiene and climate actors especially in the government and (I)NGO sector and Donors for influencing these entities to invest more in climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene.  S/He as a knowledge leader in overall policy and governance related issues of climate change and water, sanitation and hygiene will develop the skills, capacity and knowledge of the Organisation and partner staff to understand the policy and governance perspectives of climate change and water, sanitation and hygiene.  S/He will lead the related policy agendas. As Climate and Water Governance expert, s/he will support the programme and business development department to design and implement impactful projects/programmes with climate resilience centered components in projects. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting/liaising, establishing and maintaining relationship with Government of Bangladesh’s various related ministries (MoEFCC, MoLGRD&C, MoWR, MoP, MoF etc). S/He will work with local and national strategic partners to strengthen the water, sanitation system to deliver climate resilient services.

B. Key Tasks and Responsibilities

a.      Policy advocacy/influencing for Climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene: 

• S/He will work with the government systems that are responsible for climate change and work with/influence to include water, sanitation and hygiene aspects into their policy agenda. 

• S/He will work with/influence other sector actors [INGOs, national NGOs and donors] to design and implement inclusive and effective climate change and water, sanitation and Hygiene related interventions into existing/new programmes/projects and communications. 

• S/He will support the Organisations work to promote ownership and responsibilities for climate resilient water, sanitation by working with GoB entities and decision makers to embed climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene in all aspects of climate change work including systems strengthening, GoB planning and monitoring. 

• S/He will take forward the existing work of the Organisation in relation to climate change and water, sanitation and hygiene related initiatives such as the policy advocacy related work with the various ministries [i.e., MoEFCC, MoWR, MoLGRD&C etc] and networks. 

• S/He will support the advocacy and communication initiative of Organisation to promote the issues around climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene at the national [With GoB, INGOs, NGOs, donors] and international level and within the Organisational structures and especially at the various international climate conferences. 

• S/He will support the process to ensure Organisation’s presence and contribution in different strategic consultative processes related to climate change that arise within and beyond the sector. 

• S/He will support the national water, sanitation and hygiene and Climate budget analysis process and create advocacy/influencing policy briefs.

b.      Programmatic support: 

• S/He will support programmes to integrate policy and governance aspects of climate change and water, sanitation and hygiene into programmes/projects, especially at the local government institutes level (Union Parishad, Municipality and City Corporation). 

• S/He will support programme and campaign staff to design and implement locally owned climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene related campaigns to promote resilient
Water, Sanitation and hygiene services for the climate vulnerable people. 

• S/He will support programmes/projects to design and implement project that promotes climate resilient water and sanitation services. 

• S/He will support programmes to work with water, sanitation  sector service providers to model climate resilient water and sanitation  services, and advocate for increased climate resilient water and sanitation  investments and performance measures in national water, sanitation and hygiene  systems data. 

c.       Capacity Building: 

• S/He will support to build the capacity and knowledge of Organisation’s staff as well as partner staff in matters relating to policy and governance issues of climate change and water and sanitation.

• S/He will support business development department to design and develop impactful projects that promotes universal access to climate resilient water, sanitation  for the citizen of Bangladesh, particularly providing inputs into how policies related to providing access to universal access to climate resilient water and sanitation can be strengthened and how governance structures and mechanisms can be enhanced for universal access to climate resilient water, sanitation for the citizens of Bangladesh.

d.      Networks/Networking Engagements: 

• S/He will facilitate various capacity building, networking and collaborative initiatives (training course, workshop, consultation, campaigns, lobby and advocacy etc.) for programmes and strategic partners and Networks, sector governance and different influencing. 

• S/He will facilitate a process with sector actors responsible for climate change related work, networks and partner Organisations to create an enabling environment so that poor people, especially women, girls, persons with disability and marginalized people will be able to participate in local-level sector planning, budgeting and monitoring mechanisms.

e.      Knowledge Management:

 • S/He will take lead in documenting the learnings of climate and water and sanitation policy and governance related work of programmes/projects of Organisation with inputs from programme colleagues for internal and external circulation. 

• S/He will support partner Organisations to develop their knowledge management skills in relation to water, sanitation and Climate. 

• In addition to above any other responsibilities assigned by the line Manager to be done for the interest of the Organisation.

C.     Payment:

Flexible for deserving candidates with a strong track record and demonstrated credentials.

D. Administrative issues

·         For timely payment by the HR service provider, the Supervisor will forward the certified attendance sheet and confirmation of received deliverables for the respective period.

·         Stationery and other office equipment will be borne by the community mobilizer.

·         The contractor/consultant will be responsible for paying all taxes as per government rules.

E.     Qualification requirement

Educational Qualification: 

Master’s degree, preferably in Environment/Climate Change, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related discipline.

Experience:

·         Minimum of 8 years of experience in policy advocacy related to climate change, with a preference for experience in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.

·         Proven track record in policy advocacy with demonstrated skills and achievements.

·         Extensive experience in policy, strategy, and action plan formulation, including report and article writing, as well as documentation.

·         Strong understanding of climate change and water, sanitation related issues at both national and international levels, including familiarity with government structures, policies, and frameworks related to climate change.

·         Proficiency in climate change terminology, including adaptation, mitigation, loss, and damage, and their interconnection with water and sanitation.

·         Prior experience working with government entities, development partners, or INGOs is highly advantageous.

Professional and Technical Skills:

·         Proven ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while meeting tight deadlines, both independently and within a team environment.

·         Strong analytical skills to assess policies and strategies, identify key advocacy priorities, and align them with Organisational strategic objectives.

·         Competence in coordinating efforts across diverse stakeholders within a multi-sectoral environment.

·         Capacity to work autonomously with minimal supervision while ensuring high-quality deliverables.

·         Expertise in building and maintaining strong relationships with government agencies, stakeholders, and partners while effectively leveraging cooperation across teams and external networks.

·         Skilled in utilizing digital tools, including computers, multimedia projectors, internet platforms, email systems, and widely used software applications.

·         Excellent presentation, facilitation, and writing skills in both Bangla and English.

·         Strong interpersonal communication and networking abilities.

·         Experience in engaging with print, electronic, and social media for advocacy and outreach.

·         In-depth knowledge and expertise in planning, budgeting, and report writing to support effective project execution and policy advocacy.

This position is open for Bangladeshi Nationals only. All candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds can apply for the vacancies. 

The UN Agency prides itself as fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected consultants will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Last Date of Application:  December 09, 2025

No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated according to the merit and with strict confidentiality.