Purpose and Objectives

WorldFish Bangladesh is implementing the GIZ-funded “Strengthening Inclusive Marine Protected Area Management and Community-Based Blue-Economy Livelihoods in Coastal Bangladesh” project across the Nijhum Dwip, St. Martin’s, and Naf MPAs. The project contributes to the broader objectives of the CONNECT (Better Protection of Mangroves, Swamp Forests and Marine Areas) project in Bangladesh by strengthening evidence-based MPA management, inclusive governance, community participation, and sustainable blue-economy livelihoods. The CONNECT project is commissioned and financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The overall objective is to strengthen gender-responsive and inclusive MPA management by developing a practical Gender Action Plan and providing technical guidance for mainstreaming gender across project interventions and capacity-building activities, aligned with the CGIAR–WorldFish gender approach and Environment-Gender-AqFS Framework.

Specifically, the consultant will:

• Develop a practical and evidence-based Gender Action Plan (GAP) to mainstream gender inclusion across project interventions and MPA governance and management processes.
• Conduct gender analysis in relevant MPA contexts, focusing on gender roles, access to and control over resources, knowledge, priorities, participation, decision-making, and power relations among women and men.
• Assess and strengthen gender responsiveness in MPA governance and management, including stakeholder participation, livelihoods, conservation, and management interventions.
• Apply and adapt appropriate gender assessment and scoring tools, and develop practical gender indicators, sex-disaggregated data requirements, and monitoring mechanisms to assess and track progress in gender-responsive MPA management.
• Develop practical gender-responsive capacity-building materials for government officials, MPA managers, community representatives, and co-management actors.
• Strengthen institutional co-ordination of up taking the gender-responsive MPA management approaches through engagement with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders.

Scope of Work

• Review project documents, gender requirements, relevant policies, and existing gender and social information, and develop the assessment methodology, workplan, and tools.
• Conduct gender and social inclusion analyses in relevant MPA contexts through stakeholder consultations and participatory approaches.
• Assess gender responsiveness in MPA governance and management using appropriate gender assessment tools and a Gender Sensitivity Scoring Matrix.
• Identify gender gaps, strengths, and priority actions related to participation, governance, decision-making, power dynamics, and access to and control over resources.
• Develop a practical Gender Action Plan (GAP), including gender-responsive objectives, actions, indicators, and monitoring measures to inform MPA governance and management.
• Develop capacity-building materials and provide technical guidance on gender-responsive MPA management for government and community stakeholders.
• Support stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and institutionalization of gender-responsive approaches within MPA governance and management systems.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Anthropology, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, Fisheries, Environmental Management, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in gender and social inclusion, gender analysis, women’s empowerment, and community development in Bangladesh.
• Proven experience in conducting gender assessments, developing Gender Action Plans, and integrating gender-responsive approaches into programs, policies, or management frameworks.
• Strong understanding of gender equality, social inclusion, participatory approaches, and Bangladesh’s relevant policy and institutional frameworks; experience in fisheries, coastal resource management, protected areas, or community-based development is desirable.
• Demonstrated skills in stakeholder engagement, capacity building, qualitative research, report writing, and communication.

Eligibility, Location and Duration
Interviews are expected to be held in November 2026 and only shortlisted candidates will be notified and expected to attend the interview. The successful candidate should be available to commence in December 2026.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following information online latest by 10 November 2026:

• A brief cover letter outlining relevant experience related to this consultancy requirement.
• A CV highlighting similar past assignments.
• A financial proposal indicating the total cost for the task.

The screening will start immediately, and will continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

Over 40% of WorldFish staff is women with some 30 nationalities represented and contributing to its dynamic multicultural work environment. WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion are valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diversity dimensions. 

People in WorldFish are treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnicity/race, national or social origin, disability, religion, political affiliation, age, family size, marital status or any other form of personal identity.

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage qualified women and men from developing nations to apply.