Project Coordinator

Responsibilities & Context

Association of Voluntary Actions for Society (AVAS) is a national non-profit, rights-based development organization working since 1998 to improve the lives of vulnerable and marginalized communities across Bangladesh. AVAS implements programs in health, gender equality, child protection, climate resilience, livelihood development, education and humanitarian response through strong community engagement and partnerships with government and international development agencies. The organization is committed to accountability, safeguarding, inclusion and sustainable community development.

Project Summary

Project 1 - Climate Resilience, Livelihoods and Local Governance Project (CRS Signature Programme): AVAS is implementing this 48-month project in four unions (Nilganj, Dhulasar, Latachapoli and Dalbuganj) of Kalapara Upazila, Patuakhali District, with support from Christian Aid. The project addresses the compounding impacts of cyclones, tidal surges, salinity intrusion and erratic rainfall on climate-vulnerable coastal communities, especially women, smallholder farmers, fisherfolk and persons with disabilities. It works across three interlinked outcomes: (1) strengthening climate-resilient, diversified and equitable livelihoods through climate-adaptive agriculture, renewable energy livelihoods, women-led producer groups and market linkages; (2) building locally led early warning, preparedness and shock-responsive support systems to help communities anticipate, withstand and recover from climate-induced disasters; and (3) strengthening inclusive climate governance so that communities, particularly women, can influence Loss & Damage advocacy, climate finance and local governance platforms.

Project 2 - Transforming Women's Economic Lives in Kalapara (WTE Programme): AVAS is implementing this 4-year project (August 2026 - July 2030) across Mohipur and Latachapoli unions of Kalapara Upazila, under Christian Aid's Women Transforming Economies (WTE) Asia Multi-Country Cooperation programme. The project responds to the precarious, informal and gender-unequal working conditions of an estimated 1,000 women and adolescent girls working in the fish Arat (commission agents' shop) economy of Mohipur and Alipur. It works across three outcomes aligned with the WTE Theory of Change: (1) diversified and dignified livelihoods with increased women's control over income and assets, delivered through Women's Economic Hubs, financial literacy and microgrants; (2) safe, fair and gender-responsive working conditions in the Arat economy, through Women Workers' Circles, employer-worker dialogues and a Decent Work Pledge; and (3) strengthened women's collective voice in local and national economic governance and policy processes.

Individual Position Details

Name of Position: Project Coordinator

Location: Kalapara Upazila, Patuakhali District

Reports to: Executive Director, AVAS (with technical liaison to Christian Aid)

Contract Duration: Fixed-term (Project-Based), through the 48-month project period, subject to satisfactory performance and continuation of donor funding

Monthly Salary: BDT 53000/-

Vacancy Type: Full Time

Age Range: 30-50 Years

Application Deadline: 18 September 2026

Position Summary

The Project Coordinator will provide overall leadership, strategic direction and day-to-day management of the Climate Resilience, Livelihoods and Local Governance Project in Kalapara Upazila. S/he will be responsible for ensuring integrated delivery across all three project outcomes, climate-resilient livelihoods, anticipatory action and shock-responsive systems, and inclusive climate governance, while managing the project team, budget, government and donor relationships and ensuring compliance with AVAS and Christian Aid's programme quality, safeguarding and accountability standards.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• 1. Project Leadership & Management
• Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the project across all three outcomes.
• Develop and oversee implementation of annual work plans, procurement plans, and budgets in line with the approved proposal.
• Ensure integrated, quality delivery of climate-resilient livelihood, early warning/preparedness, and climate governance activities.
• Lead risk management, problem-solving and adaptive management throughout the project cycle.
• 2. Technical Oversight & Quality Assurance
• Provide technical guidance and quality oversight to the MEAL Officer, Accounts and Admin Officer, and field-level staff.
• Ensure activities such as women-led producer group formation, early warning system strengthening, and climate governance dialogues are implemented to a high standard.
• Champion the integration of gender equality, social inclusion, and safeguarding across all project components.
• 3. Government & Stakeholder Coordination
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Union Parishads, Upazila administration, Disaster Management Committees and relevant government departments.
• Represent AVAS and the project in coordination meetings, policy dialogues and inception/review events.
• Liaise closely with Christian Aid on technical, financial and programmatic matters.
• 4. Financial & Budget Oversight
• Oversee project budget utilization, working closely with the Accounts and Admin Officer to ensure sound financial management.
• Review and approve expenditures in line with AVAS and donor financial policies.
• Support timely and accurate financial and narrative reporting to the donor.
• 5. MEAL, Reporting & Compliance
• Ensure a functional MEAL system is in place, including baseline/endline data, indicator tracking and quarterly reflection and learning sessions.
• Review and approve high-quality donor reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) prepared with the MEAL Officer.
• Ensure the project's Complaint Response Mechanism (CRM) is functioning and safeguarding concerns are escalated appropriately.
• 6. Team Management & Capacity Building
• Recruit, supervise, mentor and appraise project staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Identify capacity-building needs of the team and facilitate relevant training and coaching.

Skills

Project/Programme Management, Climate Resilience Programming, Team Leadership, Donor Compliance