Country: Bangladesh
Closing date: 26 Apr 2019
Program Development Specialist,
Obirodh: Road to Tolerance Program,
Chittagong, Bangladesh
Project Summary:
The purpose of USAID's Obirodh: Road to Tolerance Program is to identify and implement small grant activities that understand and challenge the drivers of violent extremism (VE) in Bangladesh. The program is built upon an active learning model that applies research and pilot community programs to test the existing thinking on how to prevent and counter violent extremism (P/CVE) to determine which approaches are most suited for Bangladesh. Although there is a growing body of PVE and VE research and literature, there is limited knowledge and understanding about the specific emerging trends and drivers within Bangladesh. The research will contribute to the design of pilot activities that will remain fast, collaborative, and innovative in addressing VE in Bangladesh.
The program initiated in the fall of 2017 and scheduled to end by the end of 2020. During the final half of implementation, Obirodh intends to focus working closely with local civil society organizations and government counterparts to enhance local understanding of VE and improve their capacity to independently prevent the spread of VE in Bangladesh.
**Please note: Only Bangladeshi citizens are eligible for this opportunity.
Position Summary: The full-time Program Development Specialist (PDS) will be responsible for rapidly generating small grant ideas for possible project funding. Working closely with potential partners/grantees, s/he will prepare concept notes in English, design activities and grants, and coordinate with operations staff and program leadership. S/he will provide M&E support on an ongoing basis for small grant activities. S/he will develop and maintain relationships with respondents to project call for proposals, key partners, local officials, community leaders, and other target groups such as youth, civil society and women. The PDS will also be responsible for regular political and security analysis of their assigned region and conveying that information to the senior management team.
Responsibilities:
- Identify communities and community groups within the area of responsibility where program objectives can be met, and draft activity ideas as concept notes in English.
- Work with target groups/organizations to conceptualize and develop pilot activities and implement pilot grants.
- Prepare grant packages in English for review by the senior program manager.
- Coordinate preparation of grant packages with grants specialists and other staff.
- Conduct site visits with grantees to monitor implementation in order to identify unintended outcomes, underperformance or emerging opportunities. Provide briefs in English to senior management team and prepare notes in grants database.
- Perform regular context monitoring and provide briefs to senior management team.
- Maintain quality control of grants database.
- Support learning manager to lead reflection events and after-action review (ARRs) at grant closeout with grantees and staff.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the senior program officer, deputy chief of party and/or chief of party.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree in social science field.
- At least three (3) years of program development experience working in community mobilization, advocacy, youth development or related area.
- Ability to rapidly and creatively conceptualize ideas for program interventions.
- Advanced English writing skills.*
- Fluency in spoken Bengali and English.
- Ability to take initiative and work autonomously as well as be a team member in a fast-paced environment.
- High energy.
*Please note: As part of the interview process, candidates will be required to do a 30-minute writing sample.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. This position is contingent upon USAID approval.
MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.
PI108764335
How to apply: