Job Description

Introduction

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance. Our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. For more information, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

Programme Background

In Bangladesh, SNV had initiated an urban water (primarily in Sanitation) programme from 2014 in southern cities and have been proactively engaged at the National level to support urban sanitation initiatives. SNV under the Urban Sanitation Programme with the support from BMGF and DGIS aims to support Local Authorities (Khulna and Gazipur City Corporations, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Jessore and Benapole Paurashavas) to address service delivery challenges in sanitation and advance the sector development, through strategic engagement with Government Agencies and partnering with other experienced civil society and private sector organisations working in the sector.

SNV believes in rethinking, reforming, and enhancing institutional structures to lessen the impact of rapid urbanisation and climate threats. To do this, we must seek ways to improve the governance and practices of the waste management, drainage, and water supply sectors. In Bangladesh, the local government is responsible for water, sanitation, drainage, and solid waste, often needing more local capacities. Private sector engagement is crucial in making cities more sustainable, but accountability and performance still need improvement. SNV has been working with different stakeholders to set up PPPs with more precise rules of engagement and oversight to strengthen performance accountability by adopting a holistic approach to a sustainable urban water cycle. In continuation of this, and in close collaboration with the two responsible national departments – the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) and the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED)- SNV is heading towards a new approach to promoting the Sustainable Urban Water Cycle in Bangladesh. Supporting this, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh has awarded SNV a new project in Bangladesh titled "Transitioning to sustainable urban water cycles in Bangladesh", which has been implemented for four years.

This project's objective is to improve sanitation, solid waste, and drainage water management to protect the health and well-being of around 1.4 million people in 12 cities and towns by increasing access to safe, essential urban services (sanitation, solid waste, and stormwater management). Moreover, the project is supporting improvements in relevant water resource management indicators at the city level over a five-year period.

The project envisages the following six (six) outcomes: to support city-wide inclusive services by professionalising and making urban sanitation and solid waste facilities financially viable.

1. Strengthened capacities to support city-wide inclusive services.
2. Increased professionalization and financial viability of urban sanitation and solid waste services.
3. Strengthened governance, regulation, enforcement, and monitoring capacity.
4. Strengthened performance, integration, and circularity of treatment, reuse, and recycling.
5. More responsive strategic communication towards consumer behaviours.
6. Improved capacity and preparedness for city-level floods and droughts.

The project will work in various geographically and ecologically diverse areas across Bangladesh. Four city corporations and eight paurashavas – grouped into following six clusters. The cities are: Gazipur, Sylhet, Cumilla, and Khulna City Corporation, and Chapainawabganj, Shibganj, Khustia, Joypurhat, Lalmonirhat, Moulvibazar, Chhatak, and Bagerhat municipality. Since the project's success, the Embassy has allowed us to scale our work to two more cities, Chhatogram and Rajshahi, where SNV is already beginning to establish relationships. In Chhatogram, our focus is on Chhatogram WASA, under the current pre-feasibility study led by SNV in partnership with Royal Haskoning consultancy firm.

The project aligns with the long-term Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP) 2100; and related national commitments on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 6 on achieving inclusive and sustainable safely managed sanitation, SDG11 around solid waste and water-related risks, and SDG13 around resilience, adaptive capacity and greenhouse gas emissions.

Context and purpose of the job

The project aims to achieve systems change towards a sustainable urban water cycle (SUWC) at the city level. We follow a systematic process across all interventions to ensure the approach is institutionalised within the LGIs (e.g., City corporations, Paurashavas) and to ensure strong coordination with other relevant agencies. The position requires a dynamic, multitasking, hands-on professional who is passionate about working directly with LGIs (Paurashavas), government institutions, development partners, and the private sector to achieve programme objectives.

The Cluster Coordinator will report to the Governance Advisor.

Job Responsibilities/ Result Areas

• Set up the project at the city level.
• Arranging orientation about the project with stakeholders and facilitating the signing of an MoU with the Chattogram City Corporation.
• Coordinate and stablish solid relationship with the city officials from Chhatogram City Corporation, Chhatogram WASA, and offices from DoE, and other relevant authorities. Initiating the implementation of activities focused on solid waste management and sanitation.
• Support the solid waste implementation plan in Chhatogram, and the demonstration FSTP, especially the link with the private sector and SMEs.
• Support the Advisors in collecting data and coordinating activities with City Officials and stakeholders for sanitation and solid waste activities.

City Coordination

• On behalf of SNV, coordinate the activities delivered under the project to the cities in consultation with the respective SNV advisors. Support the relevant city officials in leading and coordinating sanitation, solid waste, and drainage water management activities to achieve the project outcomes. Support the city in establishing a coordination mechanism among city-level stakeholders to jointly set targets for sanitation and solid waste management, align approaches and interventions, and share reports.
• Be the point of contact at the respective cluster cities for Program planning, design, management, and coordination to ensure the successful implementation of the Programme.
• Build report, professional relationships, and close communication and coordination with relevant program stakeholders in the district chapter of the DC Office, WASA, DPHE, LGED, DAE, DoE, local government, civil society, private organisations, and individuals.

Project and process implementation

Acts on areas for improvement within the local internal organisation and processes and provides feedback. Ensures lessons learned are applied in daily practice and takes responsibility for ensuring the quality of the deliverables under her/his jurisdiction.

• • Lead the planned city activities with support from the Component Advisors to ensure a smooth project implementation.
  • Support in designing, organizing, and facilitating different trainings, awareness sessions, meetings, advocacy-related seminars, and workshops.
  • Prepare quantitative and qualitative reports under the overall guidance of the Cluster Coordinator for the cities responsible.
  • Identify potential risk factors/areas and develop appropriate risk mitigation strategies for program implementation.
  • Regular coaching, mentoring, guiding, and accompanying project members and stakeholders for the successful implementation of project interventions.
  • Contribute to development of annual operational and financial plans and timely reports on project progress for the cities.
  • Facilitate the creation of a GESI working environment with the team and take initiative to strengthen team spirit.
  • Support in organising and facilitating field visits for key stakeholders to share experiences and good practices
  • Engage and participate in other activities deemed necessary for project implementation and assigned by the Sector Leader/Project Manager/ Cluster Coordinator.

Analysis & Reporting

Ensures the collection, consolidation, and review of project information across cities in accordance with SNV’s monitoring and evaluation guidelines. With support from the Advisors, set up a data collection system in the cities.

Compliance with policies and procedures

Ensures that all project expenditures are made according to SNV’s internal operations and finance policies. Fully understands procurement and complies with requirements and contracts.

The above list of job responsibilities is not exclusive or exhaustive. The position will be required to undertake any responsibilities assigned by his/her supervisor as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the position.

Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• • Minimum of a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university in any discipline, with preference for Engineering or other relevant technical disciplines.

Desired Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies:

• • Minimum 8 years demonstrated professional skills and experience in development sector for which at least 5 years’ experience in working with LGIs in urban development projects.
  • Clear understanding of urban water cycle issues *sanitation, solid waste managament, policies and programs in the context of Bangladesh.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and ability to deal with high level govt. officials, political leaders or civil society and related stakeholders in a tactful, diplomatic and professional manner.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a high stress, multi-tasking environment.
  • Must be organized, responsible, self-directed, and creative in problem-solving.
  • Proven ability to work independently and make sound decisions with a high degree of objectivity, tact, and diplomacy.
  • Superior ability to take and transcribe minutes of official meetings, summarize discussions, and maintain official records.
  • Considerable knowledge and understanding of the principles of office management and progressive office procedures and systems, and ability to adapt to changing environment.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office at an advanced level and proficiency in the use of various software applications including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, Adobe Acrobat or other.
  • Excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills both in English and Bangla.
  • Effective networking and interaction with public and private organizations, including political parties, youth, and women's organizations, volunteer groups, social forums etc.
  • Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.

Additional Information

Duty station : Chattogram

Contract Duration : 1 (One) year with a possibility of extension depending on performance and availability of funds.

Expected Joining Date As soon as possible.

Working Hours Full time (minimum of 40 hours per week)

Salary & Benefits : Competitive salary and allowances as per SNV in BD salary scale, group life insurance for employee and hospitalization insurance coverage for employee and family member (spouse and children).

How to apply

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by submitting a brief letter of motivation (1 page) and your CV (not more than 3 pages). Your CV should highlight your prior work achievements; it should not be a list of your current or prior job responsibilities.

Please follow the link below and submit your CV and motivation letter through by or before 23 July 2026.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of solicitation by phone or other means will be treated as disqualification of the candidate. SNV is an equal employment provider.