Background

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), located in the south-eastern corner with an area of one-tenth of Bangladesh (approx. 5,100 square miles) and with a population of about 1.5 million peoples, is one of the most diverse regions of the country in terms of geography, ethnicity, culture and tradition of the peoples. It is home to 11 ethnic minorities, with each of these groups having their own distinctive language, culture, and tradition. In addition, there are also Bengalees – the dominant ethnic group of Bangladesh.
 
Subsistence agriculture is the main driving force of the CHT economy; depending on the topographic conditions of the districts, the share of agriculture in each gross district product varies between 27% and 41%. The ranges for industry are 12% and 17%. Jhum cultivation (slash and burn) is the main occupation for the indigenous people in the CHT, and this includes crops such as rice, cotton, maize and different types of vegetables. Other economic activities include plough cultivation, horticulture, the raising of livestock and poultry, hunting, gathering and extraction of forest resources (mainly timber and bamboo).
 
The remoteness and inaccessibility of the area are major constraints for marketing of the CHT products. Access to markets for the CHT farmers and producers is constrained due the poor infrastructure and communication. Often they do not have access to up-to-date market information and have a poor bargaining position in relation to middlemen and traders. Consequently they receive only a fraction of the retailing price.
 
The region has remained largely outside the mainstream of development assistance for more than 25 years due to a prevailing insurgency situation in the area, ending with the signing of the CHT Peace Accord in December 1997.
 
UNDP responded to the existing development needs in 2003 with a Preparatory Assistance project, culminating in a full-fledged USD 50 million, 5 year project signed with the Government in 2005: ‘Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in the CHT’.
 
Currently, the project is operating in 16 sub-districts and is engaging with over 2600 communities in small development projects and empowerment (Community Empowerment). Other areas include Capacity Building of CHT institutions, Health, Education and Confidence Building. The main field office is in Rangmati, with two sub-offices in Khagrachari and Bandarban districts, and a policy office in Dhaka.
 
Community Empowerment programme has been being implemented in CHT since 2004. The aim of this programme is to empower the CHT communities in dealing their own development affairs and to improve the socio-economic well-being condition of the community people. The heart of the development vision and strategy for the CHT is the small-scale self-reliant development at community level. Priority is focused on activities that empower the people of CHT, and enable them to take charge of their own development affairs. UNDP-CHTDF is providing catalytic funds, commonly known as Quick Impact Fund (QIF) to the Para (village) Development Committees (PDCs), to implement the small projects. PDCs identify the community needs and upon the needs they prepare community development plans which are implemented by the community people with QIF grants. The programme also involves a process of building capacities of PDC members on technical and management skills essential to continue effective development works. These skills help the community people in managing such resources from other public and private contributors and investors, thereby initiating a self-reliant approach of community-managed resource generation. Moreover the programme is mobilizing the traditional leaders, local government institutions and GoB line authorities to ensure the necessary technical supports – through which, the communities are able to make strong linkages with the service providers and ultimately, that will enable the environment of the outreach governance services in the CHT.
 
The focus of the CEP program activities so far has been on capacity building of community based institutions. The next program phase has started in 2009 and adds to the ongoing program activities support to individual households in enhancing their livelihoods. Farmer field schools will be established to enhance technical capacity at grassroots level and to ensure technical support to farmers and producers in the areas of agriculture, fishery and livestock. The Cultural Industries Program Component supports weaving groups producing traditional CHT textiles in improving designs and production processes, and linking them with national and international markets. Market chain development activities will support farmers and producers in organizing themselves and in receiving fair prices for their products. The program will also include activities to improve the marketing infrastructure through the construction/renovation of collection points and storage facilities.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Project Director and under the direct supervision of the Chief of Implementation the consultant will design a strategy for economic development that is sensitive to the cultures in the CHT, and will outline a work plan for the implementation of the agreed strategy.
 
Activities are expected to include the following;
  • Review of CHTDF economic activities
  • Review of production possibilities in all three districts of CHT
  • Review of Bangladesh marketing practices and possibilities as they relate to produce for CHT
  • Consultations and Stakeholder workshops on potentials and possibilities for further economic development in CHT
  • Agreement with CHTDF/UNDP management on Strategic Options for CHTDF over the next four years.
  • Preparation of summarized work plans for CHTDF.
  • Report on findings and recommendations for the way forward.

Deliverables/Outputs

  • A Review of existing economic development strategies and activities.
  • Design of an integrated strategy for CEP and economic development activities that includes economic development related activities under CEP (Community Funds, Community assets), farmer field schools, market chain development, improvement of marketing infrastructure and cultural industries.
  • Advice on the economic units the program should aim to form/support (cooperatives, associations, entrepreneurs, etc), that match well with the traditional social values of the indigenous people
  • Formulate guidelines on linking communities/groups/farmers/producers with the private sector
  • Outline of work plan 2010-1013
  • Final report incorporating all of the above

Competencies

  • Team work
  • Strong coordination skills
  • Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time and produces quality results to meet established goals
  • Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations
  • Formulates written information clearly and persuasively
  • Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences
  • Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Cultural sensitivity and adoptability

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum educational qualifications and experiences
  • Degree from a reputed university preferably on Marketing, Economics, Management, Agricultural Economics or other relevant field.
  • 10 years working experience in economic development interventions for rural areas
  • 2 years experience in economic development activities with traditional societies in transferring from subsistence agriculture to a monetary economy.
  • Experience in working with indigenous people is an advantage
  • Proven skills in writing high quality reports/documents in English is desirable