Career opportunities

BACKGROUND:

Arannayk Foundation, also known as the Bangladesh Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, is a not-for-profit organization established in 2003 through a joint initiative of the Governments of Bangladesh and the United States. Registered under Section 28 of the Bangladesh Companies Act 1994, it promotes the conservation, protection, restoration, and sustainable use of tropical forests across the country. The Foundation provides both financial and technical assistance to various stakeholders engaged in forest and biodiversity conservation, while also implementing projects funded by national and international development partners. 

Arannayk Foundation is going to implement a project titled “Integrated Climate Adaptation Solutions for the Hindukush Himalaya Region (HICAS) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to enhance resilience and livelihoods of local communities–particularly women, indigenous people through spring shed management, renewable energy powered soler irrigation system and climate resilient livelihood. The project will be piloted in two selected sites of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh, planned in Bandarban and Khagrachhari. The project will mainly focus on three activities: a) Renewable energy powered solar irrigation, b) agro-biodiversity and c) springshed management in these hill districts.

The objective of the project is to ensure food security and safe water availability, improve climate-resilient and nature-positive livelihoods of women, indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) in two upazilas of Bandarban and Khagrachari districts by promoting inclusive, watershed-based adaptation practices with biodiversity and climate mitigation co-benefits. It responds to the region’s increasing vulnerability to climate change, particularly affecting marginalized groups facing water scarcity, land degradation and socio-economic stresses. This project will also help to promote sustainable and climate-smart agriculture in those areas.

To implement the project Arannayk Foundation is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of ‘GESI Officer’. Appointment of the selected candidates under this advertisement will be subject to the donor’s approval of the aforementioned project for Arannayk Foundation. However, Arannayk Foundation reserves the right to reject any application and to modify or cancel the entire recruitment process at any point in time without any clarification.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the overall guidance of the Executive Director and the Head of Programs of Arannayk Foundation and the supervision of the Program Officer MEL & Project Focal Point and project manager of the HI-CAS project, the GESI Officer will be responsible for mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion across all project interventions, ensuring that women, Indigenous Peoples, and marginalized groups are equitably engaged, benefit from, and contribute to the HI-CAS project outcomes.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

The main tasks for this position would be, but not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Lead the integration of GESI principles in project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Conduct gender and social analysis at project sites to identify barriers, opportunities, and needs of women, Indigenous Peoples, and marginalized groups.
• Support formation and strengthening of women’s groups, IPLC networks, and inclusive user groups for springshed, renewable energy, and agrobiodiversity management.
• Ensure project activities (trainings, awareness events, cross-learning visits, etc.) meet the minimum participation target of at least 60% women and representation from marginalized and Indigenous communities.
• Develop and implement GESI-responsive bylaws, guidelines, and protocols for community-based institutions.
• Provide technical support to design and implement gender-responsive Integrated Adaptation Solution Packages (IASPs).
• Ensure that indigenous knowledge, traditional practices, and women’s leadership are integrated into project design and decision-making.
• Organize and facilitate gender sensitization and capacity-building sessions for project staff, partners, and community members.
• Support participatory monitoring to track and report quarterly/annually on GESI progress using GESI outcome markers.
• Document success stories, case studies, and lessons learned on women’s empowerment, inclusion, and leadership.
• Collaborate with communication and advocacy unit to develop policy briefs, guidelines, and recommendations with a strong GESI perspective.
• Maintain compliance with ICIMOD and Arannayk Foundation’s policies and procedures.
• Maintain close collaboration with local women’s groups, Indigenous organizations, and sub-national institutions to foster inclusive adaptation practices.
• Contribute to donor reporting by providing quality inputs on GESI indicators, achievements, and challenges.
• Ensure regular update and verify the activity summary and monitoring data into the project’s monitoring system as suggested by the MEL unit.
• Ensure weekly social media content highlighting GESI related interventions and achievements, staff and beneficiary spotlight, etc.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Executive Director, Program Officer MEL & Project Focal Point and project manager as and when required. 

POSITION SPECIFICATION – GESI Officer

Qualifications & Experience required for the position

Formal/Academic education

Master’s with Bachelor's degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, or related field. 

Working experience

• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience in gender mainstreaming, social inclusion, or community-based adaptation projects, with at least one year of working experience in CHT.
• Experience working with Indigenous Peoples, women’s groups, and marginalized communities in Bangladesh (preferably Chittagong Hill Tracts).
• Demonstrated skills in participatory facilitation, gender analysis, and community mobilization.
• Experience in policy advocacy and preparing GESI-related reports, case studies, and knowledge products.
• Familiarity with donor-funded project requirements, especially in safeguarding, anti-harassment, and GESI monitoring.
• Specialized training in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Climate Change Adaptation, or Community Development is an added advantage.

1. Skill and competencies

• Strong understanding of gender equality, social inclusion, and rights-based approaches.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and negotiation skills with diverse groups.
• Ability to analyze gender-disaggregated data and apply it to project design and monitoring.
• Fluency in Bangla and English.
• Competence in Microsoft Office.

Additional requirements

• Should be a good team player.
• Knowledge of local CHT languages.
• Strong ability to work flexibly, managing change and competing priorities.
• Having non-discriminatory and gender-sensitive perceptions along with safeguarding and child protection compliances.
• To protect children and people with disability in connection.
• Respectful of safeguarding policy.
• Qualified women are encouraged to apply.

Application guideline: 

• A cover letter summarizing skills and experiences relevant to this position with motivation to work with the Arannayk Foundation. 
• A precise CV with a passport-sized photograph, following the template provided below: Name, Father`s and Mother`s Name, and address including email and mobile number. 
• Academic Qualification (last in the first order, preferably in a table).
• Training received (only relevant training will be considered). 
• Job Experience (last job in first sequences) 
• Additional qualification if any. 
• Name and address of two referees having work relations and name/address or last line manager. 

Application deadline: 30 September 2025 at 11:59 PM Bangladesh Time.