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 (HI-CAS) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to enhance resilience and livelihoods of local communities–particularly women, indigenous through springshed 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 the Bandarban and Khagrachari. 

The objective of the project is to 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 group facing water scarcity, land degradation and socio-economic stresses. 

To implement the project Arannayk Foundation is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of ‘Technical Officer–Agrobiodiversity’. 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 Technical Officer–Agrobiodiversity will be  for planning, implementing, and monitoring agrobiodiversity-related interventions under the HI-CAS project, focusing on enhancing food security, climate resilience, and livelihoods of women, Indigenous Peoples, and Local Communities (IPLCs).

SPECIFIC DUTIES

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

• Conduct baseline assessments of agrobiodiversity and livelihood practices in the pilot sites.
• Identify and promote climate-resilient, nutrition-rich, and locally important crops for household and community-level interventions.
• Lead in the establishment and management of household nutritional gardens in project areas.
• Facilitate participatory action research on indigenous and commercially prospective crops, including varietal trials and validation.
• Provide technical guidance for the establishment and functioning of community seed banks and community learning centers.
• Develop training modules and conduct capacity-building sessions on agrobiodiversity management for women’s groups, IPLCs, and local institutions.
• Support integration of indigenous knowledge, traditional practices, and cultural food systems into project design and outputs.
• Collaborate with renewable energy and springshed management teams to design holistic Integrated Adaptation Solution Packages (IASPs).
• Document success stories, case studies, and best practices on agrobiodiversity conservation and use.
• Monitor progress of agrobiodiversity interventions, ensuring alignment with project targets and GESI principles.
• Provide technical inputs for quarterly and annual reports, including data on agrobiodiversity outputs and outcomes.
• Contribute to awareness campaigns, food fairs, and cross-learning visits showcasing agrobiodiversity practices.
• Liaise with local agricultural extension services, research institutions, and NGOs to build synergies and scale up interventions.
• Ensure compliance with Arannayk Foundations/ICIMOD’s environmental safeguards and biodiversity conservation guidelines.
• Ensure regular update and verify the activity summary and monitoring data into the project’s monitoring system as suggested by the MEL unit.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Executive Director, Program Officer MEL & Project Focal Point and project manager as and when required. 

POSITION SPECIFICATION – TECHNICAL OFFICER–AGROBIODIVERSITY

Qualifications & Experience required for the position

Formal/Academic education

Master’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agroecology, Botany, or related field. Specialized training in agrobiodiversity conservation, climate-smart agriculture, or food security is an advantage.

Working experience

• At least 4 years of relevant experience in agrobiodiversity management, climate-resilient agriculture, or natural resource management, with at least one year of working experience in CHT.
• Experience in community-based agricultural development, nutritional gardens, or indigenous crop conservation.
• Proven skills in participatory research, farmer field schools, and extension services.
• Familiarity with CHT context and working with Indigenous Peoples and women’s groups preferred.
• Experience in organizing and conducting training including development of training modules.
• Experience in preparing technical reports, training materials, and knowledge products.

Skill and competencies

• Strong technical knowledge of crop diversity, agroforestry, and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Ability to design and deliver participatory training sessions.
• Good facilitation, communication, and community engagement skills.
• Ability to analyze agrobiodiversity data and apply findings to project planning.
• Proficiency in English and Bangla language. 
• Computer literacy: MS 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.

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.