About 99.9% of vulture populations have disappeared from South-Asian countries over the last couple of decades. In Bangladesh as well, populations of the White-Rumped Vulture and other resident Gyps vulture have declined drastically, leaving only about 260 individuals. The main reason for this severe decline are the fatal effects of Diclofenac and other veterinary drugs on scavenging vultures.The Government of Bangladesh’s commitment to conserving vultures has been translated into the ban of veterinary Diclofenac drugs in 2010 and further steps have been taken to formally recognize Vulture Safe Zone initiatives.The Bangladesh National Vulture Recovery Committee (BNVRC) has influenced, among other pivotal decisions, the formation of the first two government endorsed Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) in Bangladesh, in December 2014 totaling 47,380.44 sq. km. Currently, the BNVRC also working to ban Ketoprofen and formulate a Vulture Action Plan.IUCN Bangladesh and Bangladesh Forest Department has undertaken a two-year-long initiative from June 2014 to August 2016 funded by The World Bank. The Government-approved Vulture Conservation Teams (VCTs) consist of three tiers ranging from local to district administrations and are comprised of individuals from a cross-section of the community and are directly interlinked with the MoEF and the BNVRC.

The two-year-long initiative has shown encouraging progress by bringing together local people, Bangladesh Forest Department, veterinary drug sector and other stakeholders to conserve vultures through reduction of harmful drug use and habitat improvement. It is crucial to facilitate this forward momentum of motivated collaboration to strengthen vulture conservation initiative that has already started. To build on the milestones achieved, further support is required and the proposed project will play a facilitation role strengthening people's participation in conservation measures, putting legal instruments in place and engaging the Government for the ultimate survival of vulture populations in Bangladesh. Furthermore, and most importantly, the reduction of the remaining harmful drugs and the use of safe drugs will be ensured.The goal of the project is the “effective participatory management of the Vulture Safe Zones with local people and stakeholders to significantly improve the populations of vulture in Bangladesh and consequently improve environmental health by restoring ecological balance.”

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the guidance of the Country Representative, IUCN Bangladesh and the Principal Investigator, this position is responsible for providing necessary support in the field for smooth implementation of the project The Progarm Assistant will undertake the following tasks;

• Assist Principal Investigator and Wildlife Biologist in the implementation of activities according to the project’s annual, quarterly and monthly workplans
• Assist Principal Investigator in maintaining liaison with different stakeholders
• Assist project team to conduct various surveys in the field
• Assist project team to organize meetings and workshops
• Coordinate community based awareness and advocacy programmes
• Assist in drafting monthly, quarterly and special reports on ongoing activities
• Undertake any other tasks that may be assigned as and when deemed necessary.