Background
The Blue Action Fund supported Sustho Sagor (Healthy Ocean) project, implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Bangladesh in partnership with WorldFish, seeks to strengthen a network of ecologically representative Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) across priority habitats in Bangladesh’s seascape. This initiative contributes to national biodiversity goals and global commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14: Life Below Water), and other international frameworks.
As part of this initiative, WCS Bangladesh will conduct Basic Necessities Surveys (BNS) and Knowledge, Attitude & Practices (KAP) surveys. These surveys will be carried out in the coastal proximities of Swatch of No Ground (SoNG), Nijhum Dwip Marine Protected Areas engaging coastal community people.
The Basic Necessities Survey (BNS) is a wellbeing assessment tool designed to:
- Establish a baseline understanding of household-level wellbeing in project communities
- Identify priority needs and livelihood gaps
- Inform the design and delivery of livelihood diversification and support activities
- Measure changes in wellbeing over the life of the project
- Incorporate gender-disaggregated data to understand differences in access, needs, and benefits
BNS findings will guide how conservation and livelihood interventions are structured to support both ecological sustainability and community resilience.
The Knowledge, Attitude & Practices (KAP) survey is designed to:
- Assess community knowledge of marine ecosystems and conservation initiatives
- Understand attitudes toward fisheries management, MPAs, and proposed conservation actions
- Identify behavioral practices related to marine resource use
- Detect barriers to participation in conservation and governance processes
- Measure changes in awareness, perceptions, and practices over time
KAP findings will help refine conservation messaging, outreach strategies, and governance approaches to ensure meaningful community engagement.
Project Overview
The Blue Action Fund supported Sustho Sagor (Healthy Ocean) project aims to strengthen the network of ecologically representative MPAs/OECMs across priority habitats in Bangladesh’s seascape to safeguard globally threatened marine wildlife and sustain coastal livelihoods, including those reliant on coastal small-scale fisheries. We will build on previous efforts to:
- Increase the level of protection and improve the management of two existing MPAs, expand one of the two existing MPAs, and develop one new OECM linking with Bangladesh’s existing MPA network.
- Institutionalize MPA governance and build capacity within the Bangladesh Forest Department and the Department of Fisheries to manage these areas in collaboration with each other and other relevant government agencies and local communities.
- Empower fishers and their communities to have their voices heard and rights respected at the MPA management table, and improve their access to financial institutions and social services; and
- Diversify the suite of livelihood strategies among men and women living in MPA impacted coastal fishing communities.
Activity overview
The selected participants will attend a one-day orientation training, followed by approximately 10 full survey days for the BNS and KAP surveys between 01–12 March 2026. Through the survey, participants will gain practical experience in:
- Household-level data collection in coastal fishing communities
- Conducting structured interviews using standardized survey tools
- Applying gender-disaggregated research approaches
- Community engagement and stakeholder communication
- Data verification and quality assurance
- Participating in preliminary data review and reflection sessions
A one-day training program will be conducted in WCS Dhaka office prior to the survey to ensure high-quality, ethical, and standardized data collection. The training will introduce participants to the objectives and methodologies of BNS and KAP surveys, along with household interview techniques, gender-sensitive and culturally appropriate engagement approaches, and research ethics.
Participants will also receive hands-on guidance on digital data collection tools, informed consent and confidentiality protocols, data quality control, team coordination, and field safety procedures. Practical exercises and mock interviews will be included to ensure readiness for field implementation.
Opportunity
WCS Bangladesh invites motivated students and recent graduates to apply for the training opportunity and potential paid internship positions (subject to selection criteria) in BNS and KAP survey methodologies under the Sustho Sagor (Healthy Ocean) Project. Benefits for selected interns include:
- Travel allowance for the training day
- Daily stipend of BDT 1,000 for each active fieldwork day
- Coverage of food and accommodation during official field deployments
This opportunity will strengthen participants’ skills in applied research, community engagement, and conservation program implementation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Recent graduate or currently pursuing a degree in Development Studies, Sociology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Fisheries, Marine Science, Anthropology, Social Science, or a related field.
- Strong interest in social science research, community wellbeing, coastal livelihoods, and participatory conservation approaches.
- Willingness and confidence to conduct structured household interviews in coastal communities using ethical and gender-sensitive approaches.
- Basic understanding of survey methodologies (e.g., BNS, KAP) and interest in data collection and community-level research.
- Good communication skills in Bangla (knowledge of local coastal dialects will be an advantage) and strong teamwork capacity.
- Prior experience in conducting surveys, socio-economic assessments, community outreach, or field-based research will be considered an added advantage.
Application Process
Applicants must complete the attached form if interested in joining the training and surveys.
Link: Google Form
Deadline: Tuesday, 24th February 2026
Note: Interns must commit full availability for surveys. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.