Advocacy Officer

SAINT-Bangladesh is implementing the CLIMB Project to strengthen climate-resilient, inclusive, and gender-responsive WASH governance in coastal areas. The project focuses on civil society engagement, social accountability, community mobilization, and evidence-based advocacy to improve WASH services, particularly for vulnerable populations and women.

WaterAid Bangladesh supported the Civil Society Leadership in Mobilizing for Better WASH (CLIMB) Partnership Programme aims to strengthen climate-resilient, inclusive, and gender-responsive WASH governance in the climate-vulnerable coastal areas of Dashmina Upazila, Patuakhali. SAINT-Bangladesh is implementing the CLIMB Project to strengthen climate-resilient, inclusive, and gender-responsive WASH governance in coastal areas. The project emphasizes advocacy, social accountability, civil society engagement, and improved service delivery for vulnerable populations.

The project focuses on:

• Strengthening civil society capacity
• Promoting participatory governance and social accountability
• Evidence-based advocacy and policy influence
• Improving WASH and health outcomes, especially for women

The Project Officer-Advocacy will lead and support the design and implementation of advocacy, communication, and social mobilization strategies under the CLIMB Project. S/he will work closely with civil society organizations (CSOs), community groups, media, and government stakeholders to promote accountability, influence policies, and strengthen citizen participation in WASH governance.

• Responsibility # 01: Advocacy Planning & Implementation (30%)
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies and action plans aligned with project outputs (SO1, SO2, SO3).
• Support evidence-based advocacy initiatives focusing on WASH, climate resilience, and women’s health.
• Facilitate campaigns, dialogues, public hearings, and community consultations.
• Promote gender-responsive and inclusive WASH governance through advocacy interventions..
• Understanding of and experience in policy dialogue, advocacy meetings, Ward Shavas, open budget sessions, and community–government interface meetings.
• Responsibility # 02: Civil Society Engagement & Capacity Building (20%)
• Strengthen the capacity of CSOs, CBOs, and community leaders on advocacy, social accountability, and WASH governance.
• Facilitate training, workshops, and orientation sessions for civil society actors.
• Promote women’s leadership and participation in WASH-related decision-making processes.
• Support formation and functioning of WASH committees and community platforms.
• Experience in effective relationship building with government agencies, Union Parishads, media representatives, development partners, and civil society networks.
• Responsibility # 03: Stakeholder Coordination & Networking (20%)
• Maintain strong coordination with government stakeholders (DPHE, Union Parishad, Upazila Administration, and Health Departments).
• Build and maintain partnerships with NGOs, CSOs, media, and local influencers.
• Represent the project in coordination meetings, forums, and advocacy platforms.
• Facilitate constructive dialogue between communities and duty bearers. Ensure proper documentation and filing systems (both physical and digital).
• Skills to engage women, youth, ethnic minority communities, and other marginalized groups in local governance and decision-making processes.
• Responsibility # 04: Communication, Campaign & Media Engagement (15%)
• Develop advocacy messages, IEC/BCC materials, case stories, and success stories.
• Engage local media to promote WASH, climate, and health-related issues.
• Support storytelling, documentation, and dissemination of project achievements.
• Organize awareness campaigns and events (e.g., Global Handwashing Day, World Water Day).
• Responsibility # 05: Monitoring, Documentation & Reporting (10%)
• Collect and document advocacy evidence, case studies, and learning.
• Track advocacy outcomes, commitments, and policy influence.
• Prepare regular reports (monthly, quarterly) and support donor reporting requirements.
• Ensure proper documentation in line with MEL and DQA standards.
• Responsibility: 6 ICT & Knowledge Management (5%)
• Use digital tools (KoBo, ODK, ONA) for data collection and reporting.
• Maintain advocacy databases, records, and communication materials.
• Support knowledge sharing and learning across project components.
• Responsibility # 7 Safety, Safeguarding, Gender & Inclusion
• As part of this role, the job holder will be expected to adhere to and support SAINT-Bangladesh’s safety and security-related policies and systems as part of their day-to-day duties and comply, at all times, with safety & security protocols and directives, including reporting. Staff must maintain situational and self–awareness and be aware of the safety – security-related consequences of their actions upon themselves, their team, and the organization.
• SAINT-Bangladesh is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work, including sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct, and expects staff to promote the welfare of children, young people, and adults always. SAINT-Bangladesh expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our Code of Conduct. This is a high priority to ensure that only those who share and demonstrate this commitment are recruited to work with us.
• Promote Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) in all advocacy activities.
• Ensure safeguarding policies are followed and upheld at all levels.
• Promote a safe and respectful working environment free from harassment and abuse.
• 8. Expected Results / Key Outputs Alignment
• Increased community awareness and participation in WASH governance
• Strengthened civil society capacity for advocacy and accountability
• Improved engagement between citizens and duty bearers
• Enhanced media coverage and public discourse on WASH and climate issues
• Evidence-based advocacy influencing policies and resource allocation

• At least 3 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Bachelor of Social Science (BSS)

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, Communication, or related field.

• Age At least 24 years

• Minimum 3 years of experience in advocacy, communication, or social mobilization in the development sector.

• Experience in WASH, climate change, governance, or public health programs is preferred.

• Experience working with CSOs, media, and government stakeholders is an asset.

• 10.. Core Competencies & Skills

• Strong advocacy, facilitation, and networking skills

• Excellent communication and report writing skills (Bangla & English)

• Experience in campaign design and implementation

• Knowledge of social accountability tools and approaches

• Proficiency in ICT and digital data collection tools (KoBo, ODK, etc.)

• Strong interpersonal and team collaboration skills

• 11. Technical Knowledge

• WASH and public health systems

• Climate change and disaster vulnerability in coastal areas

• Gender-responsive and inclusive governance (GEDI)

• Advocacy, policy influence, and communication strategies

• 12.Personal Attributes

• Integrity and professionalism

• Gender-sensitive and culturally aware

• Proactive, creative, and result-oriented

• Ability to work under pressure and in field settings

• Strong commitment to organizational values and safeguarding principles

• 13. Organizational Responsibilities

• Promote organizational values and policies

• Support staff development and performance management

• Ensure compliance with operational standards and procedures

• III. Reporting to:

• Project Manager

• IV. Working Conditions:

• Field-based position with frequent travel within the Upazila

• Regular interaction with communities, civil society, and local authorities

• As per organizational policy and donor budget allocation

Persuasion will highly be discouraged. SAINT-Bangladesh is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. SAINT-Bangladesh will right authority on this requirement process recognize, withdraw and others.SAINT-Bangladesh is committed to first do no harm to children or adult beneficiaries, to respect the rights of all beneficiaries, and to uphold the best interests of children as a primary consideration in all actions and decisions; accordingly all the recruits will go through specific checks and compliance procedures in accordance to its Child Safeguarding, PSEA Policy. SAINT-Bangladesh has zero tolerance towards incidents of violence or abuse against children or adults, including sexual exploitation or abuse, committed either by employees or others affiliated with our work. SAINT-Bangladesh as Child Safe Organization discourages anyone to apply with prior record of conviction related to child neglect, abuse and exploitation.

Interested professionals are requested to submit their CV and Cover letter with a signed, a sealed envelope, copies of all academic certificates, NID, passport size photo image, skill and experience certificates, Valid motorcycle driving license on or before 5:00 PM, 23 June 2026 to HR & Admin, SAINT-Bangladesh, Ohi Bhabon, C&B Road, Barishal-8200. The envelope or Subject must be marked with the title of the assignment.