Technical Director, USAID/Bangladesh Feed the Future Sylhet Agricultural Development Project

POSITION TITLE: Technical Director, USAID/Bangladesh Feed the Future Sylhet Agricultural Development Project

LOCATION: Sylhet, Bangladesh

POSITION SUMMARY:

Winrock International works with people around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock is seeking a Technical Director to lead a dynamic team in implementing an anticipated $25-50M USAID-funded, anticipated 5-year, project to foster an inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth project in the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh.

The Technical Director will be responsible for the technical design, implementation, and partnership strategy for the project. S/he will lead a team to develop strategies to promote a more productive agriculture, livestock, and aquaculture sectors in Sylhet for climate-resilient livelihoods and nutrition, under the leadership of the Chief of Party.

Qualified Bangladesh nationals are strongly encouraged to apply. 

The position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordination

• Identify and manage partnerships with private sector, local government, and complementary donor programs that contribute both sustainable and inclusive benefits to aquaculture stakeholders.

• Identify and manage partnerships that contribute both to sustainable and inclusive growth of private sector partners and to anticipated project results.

Technical

• Provide technical leadership in the project design, implementation, and partnership strategy for the project’s productivity, nutrition, private sector engagement, research, and capacity building interventions.

• Develop strategies and approaches to reach women, youth, and marginalized communities through project interventions.

• Facilitate joint activity design and planning, coordinated implementation, and learning activities.

• Implement diagnostics and assessments for evaluating market opportunities, identifying partners, and designing project partnerships.

• Work closely with the MEL team to ensure streamlined data collection and analysis.

• Understand and manage expected project results, including evaluation of ongoing activities as part of a collaborating, learning, and adapting approach.

• Contribute to knowledge management and sharing activities within the project, with USAID, other implementing partners, the government and general public.

• Work closely with the field team and project staff to develop annual workplans and other deliverables to showcase project success and impact.

Administration and Leadership

• Supervise the technical work of local and expatriate consultants and subcontractors fielded under the program (as assigned).

• Collaborate with grants team to ensure that grants are supporting project technical goals.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education: Master’s Degree or higher in economics, business, agribusiness, agricultural sciences, development, or related field.

Experience:    

• At least 10 years of experience working in agricultural/agribusiness development 

• Knowledge of agriculture, agricultural inputs sector, and markets in Bangladesh, Sylhet preferred 

• Demonstrated experience in business strengthening and value chains, particularly in the agricultural sector 

• Expertise in market system facilitation approaches, including the use of “good practice” principles, behavior-change methodologies, tactics to address incentives and disincentives of market actors, and skills for developing a local system that will sustain agricultural markets over time 

• Proven track record of working with financial service providers, investors, and private sector in agricultural value chains 

• Experience working in the private sector or building capacity of and establishing linkages with private sector 

• Experience developing and managing grants, specifically under USG-funding, preferred

• Strong communication skills 

Skills/Knowledge:      

• Familiarity with productivity frameworks for climate-smart agriculture, livestock, and aquaculture, including tools, strategies, and approaches.

• Familiarity and experience with USG-funded development project, specifically USAID

• Knowledge of food systems challenges and opportunities in Sylhet.

• Strong training design, training delivery, and facilitation skills.

• Strong personnel management skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skill in English required, fluency in Bangla required.

Winrock International seeks to cultivate an environment where all candidates relish equal employment opportunities devoid of discrimination, misconduct, fraud, and abuse. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and Localization guides our practices not just in hiring, but also in staff retention, growth, and policy implementation. This commitment signifies that we value diversity in all its forms including age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, and cultural background. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, recognizing the rich tapestry of the communities in which we live and work.  

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.

Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization