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Senior Advisor - Environment and Biodiversity


Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. GIZ invites applications from suitable candidates for the position of a â��Senior Advisor - Environment and Biodiversity â�� for its Project Office based in Khulna.
The Position is responsible for
Managing the component Environment and Biodiversity. Responsibilities in particular include -
  • Managing the component in accordance with the offer and project goals and activities agreed with the partner, team and/or agreements with the superiors;
  • Critically interacting with sub-contractors and validating their reports, bringing the outcome of such reports to the attention of the senior advisor â��evaluation' ;
  • Providing professional advice to partners and cooperates with stakeholders;
  • Facilitating innovation and knowledge management; communicates innovations to a broad target group;
  • Integrating results and experiences into teamwork and the work of all relevant groups.
A.Tasks
1. Coordination and Monitoring
The Senior Advisor for Environment and Biodiversity -
  • Maintains close cooperation to relevant institutions and consultants which could provide technical expertise for dyke/embankment rehabilitation and/or re-enforcement;
  • Supports project monitoring and updates information on project progress; documents and reports regularly on the status of results;
  • Supports and cooperates with Private-Public-Partnership (iPPP) activities with regards to dyke/embankment greening;
  • Conducts media analysis, participates in fora and public hearings on issues directly relevant to the project;
  • Assists with planning, coordinating and documentation of meetings, workshops, seminars and other project activities with a focus on environment and dyke/ embankment rehabilitation;
  • Contributes to PR work and public perception of the project;
  • Assists short-term experts assigned to specific projects in relation to SDBC-Sundarbans.
2. Research
The Senior Advisor for Environment and Biodiversity -
  • Consults and coordinates with the seconded expert, local and/or regional or international institutions, prepares and carries out qualitative research projects (e.g. to identify suitable plants for dyke/ embankment greening);
  • Provides advice to developing survey instruments, field trials, training field staff, organizational preparation in the field, collection and analysis of data;
  • Assists associated institutes, working on project relevant research or monitoring tasks.
3. Knowledge Management
The Senior Advisor for Environment and Biodiversity -
  • Assists in drafting of reports and translations of project relevant documents;
  • Assists in communicating, updating and collecting of information related to the Sundarbans and ECA, with link to Community Based management (CBM);
  • Compiles data on biodiversity in connection to dyke and embankment rehabilitation;
  • Documents and communicates information regarding mangrove and other suitable plants for dyke greening and, keeps and maintains inventory list of fauna and flora;
  • Oversees organization and updating of project documentation, filing systems and the project library;
  • Monitors project results and impact related to Environment and Biodiversity.
4. Implementation of Project Activities
The Senior Advisor for Environment and Biodiversity -
  • Supervises dyke/embankment rehabilitation activities, contracted by the project;
  • Develops training materials for CBM village groups;
  • Organizes and moderates the conduct of basic training for dyke management and environmental issues on village level;
  • Establishes relevant CBM structures and moderates team meetings in connection with CBM.
5. General Obligations
The Senior Advisor for Environment and Biodiversity -
  • Is familiar with GIZ planning, implementation and reporting procedures and their changes;
  • Is familiar with other program components and GIZ-assisted measures, concepts and status of implementation and knows the corresponding experts and staff;
  • Represents the interest of the GIZ-assisted measure and always acts on its behalf;
  • Carries out important tasks for the project, even if these are not explicitly cited in the job description.
6. Other Duties/ Additional Tasks
The Senior Advisor for Environment and Biodiversity -
  • Coordinates mapping of dyke areas with serious defects and rehabilitation/re-enforcement &greening needs;
  • Assists the GIZ seconded expert with technical advice in meetings and workshops related to issues on embankments and biodiversity, dyke greening and other matters with relevance to SDBC-Sundarbans project;
  • Maintains close cooperation with the Forest Department as principal project partner of SDBC â�� Sundarbans and associated government organizations (e.g. DoF, BWDB, DoL) as well as other relevant line agencies;
  • Cooperates with non-government organizations and community based groups or management units (e.g. women, fishermen, farmers' associations) or other community based organizations like co-operatives or water management organizations etc.);
  • Advises in environmental issues and in the development of monitoring tools of biodiversity and relevant activities and programs to consolidate or enhance biodiversity;
  • Coordinates and evaluates survey questionnaires and on site evaluation for obtaining verified information (primary data);
  • Provides background information for relevant project planning and ongoing activities - needs based and focus on environment and biodiversity;
  • Facilitates Up-scaling of improved and/or newly developed training modules within and among the three districts Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira;
  • Evaluates and communicates experiences and results of CBM activities among pilot projects;
  • Leads the preparation of PR Documents and other information brochures;
  • Coordinates activities in preparation to events and conferences;
  • Performs other duties and tasks at the request of management.
B. Required Entry Qualifications and Competencies
Formal Education
  • Masteral degree with focus on coastal environment, forestry (mangroves) and biodiversity or equivalent
Professional Experience
  • At least 5 years working experience in a similar position(s);
  • Basic knowledge for methodology for monitoring and documentation of environmental impacts;
  • Active intercommunication of scientific results, work experience and methodology applied with the national and international institutions and programs relevant in the ECA of the Sundarbans region with a strong emphasis for CBM Community Based Management (CBM);
  • Previous experience in development organizations and specifically with the German International Cooperation (GIZ) will be of added advantage.
Other Knowledge and Additional Competences
  • Excellent command over English and Bengali language, both oral and written;
  • Intuitive problem solving skills;
  • Proficient in computer and internet based applications;
  • Documentation and report writing skills;
  • Communication and organizational skills;
  • Interpersonal skills with team playing attitude;
  • Willingness to up skill as required by the tasks to be performed â�� corresponding measures are agreed with management.
WWe only accept electronic applications. Please send your complete and current CV along with a recent passport size photograph by 31 December, 2012, via email to jobs@gizbd.org with the subject line
â�� Senior Advisor - Environment and Biodiversityâ��- Khulnaâ��No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.