Shelter Coordinator | ActionAid Bangladesh

Job Summary

According to the Population and Housing Census 2022 conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Chattogram Division has a population of 33.2 million people across 7.5 million households. Extreme poverty affects 13.1% of the population. The proportion of youth aged 15–24 increased from 18.2% in 2011 to 19.1% in 2022. Widowed, divorced and separated women account for 8.94%, 0.46% and 0.46% of the population respectively.

Chattogram Division, including Cox’s Bazar, records some of the highest rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence in Bangladesh. The 2024 Violence Against Women survey by BBS, in collaboration with UNFPA, found that 78.5% of ever-married women experienced violence in their lifetime. Despite this, 72.8% did not report incidents, only 6% sought legal support, and half of women were unaware of reporting mechanisms.

To address these challenges, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs operates one One Stop Crisis Centre in Cox’s Bazar and four One Stop Crisis Cells in Ukhiya, Teknaf, Moheshkhali and Kutubdia, located in public hospitals under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. From 2021–2024, the Health and Gender Support Project, funded by the World Bank and supported by UNFPA, strengthened survivor-centred GBV and SRHR services, improved referral systems, and ensured safe and confidential case management. These facilities are now fully functional.

Building on this progress, MoWCA is implementing the Inclusive Services and Opportunities (ISO) project with UNFPA technical support and World Bank financing. The project aims to expand access to comprehensive GBV response, child marriage prevention, and skills development services for Rohingya refugees and host communities across the 11 districts of Chattogram Division.

Within this framework, the MHPSS Officer will work closely with MoWCA and the Department of Women Affairs to ensure quality GBV response services across One Stop Crisis Centres, Cells, Regional Trauma Centres and safe shelters. The Shelter Coordinator will oversee shelter operations, ensure compliance with standards, provide counselling support, build staff capacity on MHPSS, and coordinate survivor-centred services.

Key responsibilities include (not limited to)

Shelter Management (60% of Time)

• Operate 24/7 Shelter services, providing comprehensive care for residents to support their physical and mental well-being.
• Prepare and manage the monthly duty roster for 24/7 operations.
• Ensure residents’ basic needs are met, including food, shelter, medical support, and clothing, adhering to organizational policies.
• Respond effectively to referral requests received via the office hotline, managing the admission, registration, and discharge processes in line with guidelines.
• Supervise Shelter Caregiver in preparing and maintaining care plans for residents, conducting regular client meetings, and ensuring team updates.
• Monitor residents’ individual case files, maintaining accurate documentation, entry registers, and client feedback records in both softcopy and hardcopy formats.
• Ensure timely stock and supply management to support residents’ needs.
• Oversee procurement and financial processes related to the Safe Shelter.
• Communicate with beneficiaries and clients to ensure effective project implementation.
• Coordinate transportation and other logistical needs for residents to access external services.
• Ensure adherence to international best practices, ISO-MoWCA policies, and guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policies.

Staff Management (20% of Time)

• Directly supervise Shelter Caregiver, Cooks, Cleaners and Guards, providing regular monitoring and follow-up on assigned responsibilities.
• Develop and implement an annual capacity-building plan for Safe Shelter staff, facilitating training and orientation sessions.
• Manage staff leave, time sheet submissions, and maintain an up-to-date tracker.

Work Planning & Reporting (10% of Time)

• Prepare and submit monthly and periodic reports of the highest quality to the line manager within specified deadlines.
• Develop and share monthly work plans with the line manager.

Embedding Leadership Practices Across the Team (10% of Time)

• Foster an inclusive and equitable work environment that reflects strong leadership values.
• Encourage team members to address power imbalances and promote collaborative decision-making.
• Serve as a role model by demonstrating empathetic leadership and prioritizing shared accountability within the team.

Impact of the results and deliverables

The main results/deliverables include – but are not limited to

• Survivors receive quality care and services and express their satisfaction.
• Smooth, functional and up-to-date GBV referral services are developed and maintained through strong linkages with relevant stakeholders including hospital authorities, justice, legal, and other social services.
• Survivor-centred referral and GBV data management is ensured.
• Women and girls have improved help seeking behavior, based on their access to information and services – disseminated through the available networks, platforms and community outreach

Relationships

The Shelter Coordinator directly report to the ISO-MoWCA Gender Specialist.

Required Educational Qualification and Experience

• Graduation degree in psychology or in a related discipline
• Minimum 2 years of experience in child protection, GBV, social work, or case management.
• Experience in GBV protection in protracted crises or early recovery is an advantage.
• Experience of working within the Chattogram Division, will be considered highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and IT tools.
• Knowledge of GBV protection systems in Bangladesh, including best practices in GBV and protection case management.
• Experience in adolescent engagement, community engagement, and counseling.
• Demonstrated ability to work with marginalized communities and uphold humanitarian values.
• Strong analytical, planning, and training facilitation skills.
• Fluent in Chittagong and good English proficiency

Application instructions

Only those who meet the above requirements are requested to apply following these instructions:

• The last date of application is 27 February 2026.Due to emergency, recruitment may be on rolling. The interested candidates are requested to apply early before deadline

Please click here to submit your application.

N.B: There is no cost involved with applying for positions at ActionAid Bangladesh. Any solicitation of funds/money from a job applicant should be regarded as fraudulent.