Deputy Project Director, SHOTORKO Project

POSITION TITLE : Deputy Project Director, SHOTORKO project

LOCATION : Dhaka, Bangladesh

DEPARTMENT : Human Rights and Empowerment

STATUS : Full-time; contingent upon continuation of donor funding

REPORTS TO: Project Director - SHOTORKO Project

GENERAL

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. Since the 1980s, Winrock has been working, in partnership with the government of Bangladesh, to strengthen agriculture, aquaculture, trade, safe migration, and natural resource management sectors. Its work also protects human rights and expands inclusive access to economic opportunities.

The U.S. Department of State-funded Strengthening Anti-Human Trafficking Responses for Online Recruitment into Criminal Operations (SHOTORKO) will address trafficking in persons for forced criminality in Bangladesh by strengthening capacities to investigate and prosecute online scamming crimes; improving survivor protection; increasing victim identification and support services to prevent re-victimization; combatting fraudulent recruitment raising awareness and improving online safeguards; and facilitating private-sector partnerships.

Winrock International is recruiting a Deputy Project Director (DPD) for the SHOTORKO project. The DPD will support the project’s overall objective to combat trafficking of Bangladeshis for forced criminality (FC) in online scam operations (OSOs). The project will do so by:

· Strengthening Bangladeshi stakeholder capacities and institutions to investigate and prosecute trafficking in persons (TIP) for FC in OSOs;

· Improving the identification, support, and referrals of TIP for FC in OSOs survivors to tailored protection care reinforcing repatriation, reintegration, and avoiding revictimization;

· Combatting and preventing fraudulent, deceptive employment recruitment for OSOs, increasing awareness of TIP OSO, improving online safeguards; and

· Building effective, durable partnerships that disrupt TIP and reduce OSO expansion.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Deputy Project Director will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of program activities through the 4Ps approach: prosecution, protection, prevention, and partnership. S/he will support the Project Director in ensuring quality implementation of the project activities, coordinating with the implementing partners, maintaining relationships with the government offices, collaborating with the donor, and managing the program team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Deputy Project Director will ensure quality implementation of project activities in coordination with the program team and the operations team. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

· Providing day-to-day guidance to the technical team for meaningful program activities;

· Coordinating with the implementing partners to ensure quality implementation of project activities;

· Monitoring and evaluating the project activities and making adjustments, if needed, based on the feedback from the field;

· Collaborating with the Head of MERL, Communication, and Partnership for quality assurance of the project activities;

· Attending regular partners and stakeholders’ meetings to ensure effective coordination;

· Assisting the project team in preparing reports and producing knowledge products;

· Coordinating with the Director of Finance, Grants, and Administration as well as the Grants, Procurement, and Operations Manager for proper utilization of funds by the implementing partners;

· Collaborating with the operations team to plan, budget, and implement local travel and record required documentation;

· Maintaining regular coordination with the government agencies and officials to seek support and guidance;

· Facilitating government engagement to institutionalize improvements and results for sustainability;

· Assisting the Project Director in maintaining relationship with the government offices and the donor;

· Setting up clear performance goals, reviewing workplans and deliverables, resolving bottlenecks, and supervising and coaching the technical leads to work as one integrated team;

· Directing the project implementation in absence of the Project Director;

· Representing Winrock International and SHOTORKO in government and non-government forums, networks, and meetings; and

· Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

· Master’s in development studies or political science or public administration or anthropology or other relevant social science subject.

Work Experience:

· At least 10 years of experience in the development sector, preferably with international organization;

· Experience in managing and leading programs, specially in the counter-trafficking sector;

· At least 7 years of experience in senior position leading a multidisciplinary team;

· At least 5 years of experience in collaborating with senior government officials and agencies; and

· Knowledge and understanding of the contexts of local NGOs in Bangladesh.

Skills/Knowledge:

· Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork;

· Fluency in oral and written English;

· Willingness to travel regularly within Bangladesh;

· Interest in and enthusiasm for the mission of the SHOTORKO project; and

· Ability to work independently with minimal oversight and manage multiple competing priorities and activities.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible but no later than 21 November 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

This is a local/national position and is not eligible for international allowances or relocation allowances.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal treatment for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.