Water Stewardship and Systems Strengthening Specialist

Water Stewardship and Systems Strengthening Specialist

Duty Station:  Dhaka based with travel to industrial zones as required.

Contract Duration:  6 months.

Number of Vacancies: 1

Contract Type: Contract with E-zone.          

Contract Start Date:  2^nd June.

Reporting to: Director Program and Policy Advocacy.

A.    Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide technical expertise to support INGO Bangladesh in designing and operationalising Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector-focused water stewardship initiatives that are technically sound, commercially viable, and contribute to climate-resilient and sustainable WASH outcomes. 

More specifically, the assignment aims to:

·         Strengthen engagement and partnerships with key RMG sector stakeholders, including BGMEA, leading factories, and relevant government institutions;

·         Support the co-development of a Water Stewardship Roadmap that aligns industry practices with national priorities and international sustainability standards;

·         Develop and communicate a clear business case for water stewardship that resonates with factory owners and industry leaders;

·         Facilitate early-stage adoption through pilot initiatives, partnerships, and dialogue platforms;

·         Contribute to creating an enabling environment where water stewardship is recognised as both a compliance requirement and a strategic investment opportunity. 

B.    Background

The position works within the RMG domain which emphasizes climate resilience, governance strengthening, and deepening engagement with economic actors (specifically the RMG and textile sectors) whose water use impacts domestic availability and ecosystems. The role will collaborate closely with INGO’s private sector engagement, policy, and programme teams. 

C.     Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Stakeholder Mapping and Strategic Engagement

·         Conduct comprehensive mapping of key actors within the RMG water stewardship ecosystem, including BGMEA leadership, influential factory owners, and relevant government ministries (e.g. Ministry of Commerce, Department of Environment, WARPO).

·         Design and implement a targeted engagement strategy to establish trust and position INGO as a credible and value-adding partner in the sector.

Industry Diagnostics and Market Insights

·         Generate a nuanced understanding of RMG sector practices, constraints, and incentives regarding water use and management.

·         Identify barriers to scaling water-efficient technologies and analyze how buyer expectations influence factory decision-making.

·         Assess how climate risks (water scarcity, salinity and flooding) impact industrial investment decisions.

Water Stewardship Roadmap Development

·         Facilitate the co-development of a sector-wide Water Stewardship Roadmap through multi-stakeholder consultations, synthesising inputs from industry and government actors, and ensuring that the roadmap reflects both practical realities and strategic ambitions.

·         Ensure the roadmap integrates practical industry realities with strategic ambitions for water efficiency and circularity.

Business Case and Investment Framing

·       Develop a clear and compelling business case for water stewardship in the RMG sector, highlighting economic, regulatory, and reputational benefits of improved water management, as well as identifying opportunities for cost savings, risk reduction, and enhanced market access.

·         Explore innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships to reduce upfront investment barriers for factory owners.

Private Sector Mobilisation

·       Engage with selected RMG factories to identify early adopters and facilitate pilot initiatives or Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

·         Focus on demonstrating practical, scalable models that can be replicated across the sector.

·         Engage in periodic WASH investment and dialogue forums to explore opportunities of adopting relevant international water technologies which can be adopted in Bangladesh RMG sector.

D.    Deliverables

Policy Alignment and Knowledge Management

·         Align initiatives with national WASH policies and international frameworks such as the EU CSDDD.

·         Document key insights, case studies, and lessons learned to inform future programming and policy dialogue.

E.    Payment

Water Stewardship and Systems Strengthening Specialist will get BDT 200,000/= (consolidated) pay.

F.    Qualification requirement of the company/institution/organization

Education: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in any discipline, preferably in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.

Experience: experience in industry diagnostics and market analysis within the apparel sector, with a strong understanding of industry dynamics, value chains, and emerging market trends.

 Essential skills

·         Partnership & Stakeholder Management: Substantial experience in engaging with industry associations (e.g., BGMEA, BTMA, BKMEA), senior factory management, and relevant government ministries (e.g., Ministry of Commerce, Environment, WARPO).

·         Strategic Communication: Excellent presentation, communication, and report-writing skills in both Bengali and English. The proven ability to translate complex technical water stewardship concepts into compelling business value propositions for private sector actors or stakeholders.

·         Contextual Understanding: Thorough knowledge of programme implementation, the urban context, and the impact of industrial water use on WASH, including relevant technical, social, and institutional dimensions in Bangladesh.

·         System Strengthening and Sustainability: Deep understanding of system strengthening processes, particularly in relation to industrial water use, sustainability.

·         Technical Expertise: Proven expertise in water stewardship, environmental compliance frameworks (e.g., EU CSDDD), and climate-resilient WASH approaches.

·         WASH Knowledge Base: Solid understanding of technical and institutional issues, challenges related to water, sanitation, and hygiene in developing country contexts.

·         IT Proficiency: Strong computer skills in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint.

Competencies

·         Leadership & Influencing: Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to facilitate market-shaping and strategic influencing within the RMG ecosystem.

·         Problem Solving: Self-motivated with proven organizing and problem-solving abilities, particularly in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes and building alliances.

·         Delivery Focused: Ability to work under pressure, meet strict deadlines in a short-term engagement, and articulate clear goals and action plans.

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

The UN Agencies 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: 21 May 2026

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