Government Liaison Lead - USAID ClimAct Activity

POSITION TITLE: Government Liaison Lead

ACTIVITY: USAID ClimAct Activity

LOCATION: Dhaka, Bangladesh

GROUP: Environment and Energy

REPORTS TO: Chief of Party

Position Summary:

Winrock International (Winrock) is a non-profit organization that works around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock strengthens the capacity of women, children, youth, civil society organizations, and businesses to actively participate in sustainable development and to positively impact society.

This position will fall under the Environment and Energy (E2) Group is comprised of three units: Ecosystem Services, Clean Energy, and Forestry and Natural Resource Management. The E2 group collaborates closely with other Winrock Groups, including Agriculture, Resilience and Water; Human Rights, Education & Empowerment, The Wallace Center, Domestic Programs, and Corporate Affairs, to identify and implement cutting-edge solutions to climate change. Winrock is a non-profit organization that works around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock strengthens the capacity of women, children, youth, civil society organizations, and the private sector to actively participate in sustainable development and to positively impact society.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded ClimAct activity will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The activity is focused on supporting Bangladesh’s transition to net-zero and climate-resilient development pathways. This involves three key objectives: catalyzing climate-positive shifts in the policy landscape, transforming economic and financial systems, and enhancing governance and citizen engagement.

Essential Duties

Leadership, Strategy, and Impact:

The Government Liaison Lead will act as the main communication link between the program and the Government of Bangladesh’s (GoB) highest levels regarding establishing a conducive working relationship with the project, negotiation and execution of program delivery and strategic objectives, including policy reform and development and governance. He/She serves as the principal contact with relevant Ministries on matters related to technical implementation, including the GoB’s Climate Change Strategy. Coordinates closely with the GoB on all program planning, development, and negotiations. Represents the project, at times, in meetings with GoB officials at high levels. Suggest effective ways and means to catalyze an enabling environment for policy reforms. Participates in negotiations with senior and director-level personnel in GoB Ministries to obtain agreement on Strategic Objective, , counterpart contributions, and changes requested by the two parties to ensure that all activities will be properly implemented. Meets and briefs senior GoB official and accompanies them in their various project related meetings and site visits. The Government Liaison Lead will also ensure compliance with all GoB objectives and strategies and will obtain all necessary approvals required for program implementation.

The candidate will report to the Chief of Party and will coordinate closely with the Team Leader and other component leads in developing, implementing program activities related to climate change and environment.

Education:

BA/BS or Master’s degree in international development, political science, natural resource management, economics, or other related field. A higher degree in relevant fields is preferred.

Experience and Qualifications:

· Minimum of 10 years’ experience working in senior level positions with the government of Bangladesh, including donor coordination.

· Minimum 5 years’ experience in climate change adaptation/mitigation/resilience required and Forestry. Additional years of experience strongly preferred.

· Familiar with the Bangladesh Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change

· Familiar with the Government of Bangladesh national adaptation objectives

· At least five years of overseas experience with technical and/or operational issues related to environment, biodiversity, private sector engagement, natural resource management (water and forests), or related issues strongly preferred.

· Demonstrated technical innovation and leadership in climate change programming, strategic planning, and capacity development.

· Proven experience working closely with government ministries and ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with officials at national and local levels.

· Fluency in English and excellent communication skills (written and verbal).

· Excellent leadership, problem solving, teamwork, interpersonal skills required.

· Willingness to travel throughout Bangladesh

· Demonstrated experience working independently

· Ability to plan, implement and monitor project activities

· Ability to communicate and work effectively with a wide range of counterparts

· Experience preparing written reports using standard computer programs in the Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

OTHER: This position is open to qualified Bangladesh Nationals, only. Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply. Fluency in English and strong written English is required.

Application deadline is September 29, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and Winrock reserves the right to make an offer prior to the closing date. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications at the earliest opportunity.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.

Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization