Cover Letter Addressing Job Responsibilities And Selection Criteria

Cover Letter

It is with great enthusiasm that I express my interest in the position of Research Officer (Outcomes Measurement and Evaluation) at your university. I admire UNSW Business School commitment to build center reputation for research leadership by establishing high quality and thriving research and education environment. With more than 10 years of experience, I have acquired great expertise in formulating project goals, designing research method, analyzing data, meeting deadlines and writing detailed reports while training high-performing research teams. I believe that my professional background, energy and skills would be a great match for this position

I graduated from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2009 and currently pursuing my doctorate thesis entitled “Extreme weather, livelihoods, and gender relations: the experiences of Indigenous and Muslim Sundarbans forest communities in Bangladesh” from Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University jointly funded by the Graduate Research School and Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University.

In 2019, I have obtained a Research Fellowship for a funded research project (USD 10,000) entitled “Understanding Non-Economic Loss and Damage in Post-Disaster Settings in Bangladesh: Evidence from Cyclone Aila” by the Social Science Research Council, Planning Division, the Government of Bangladesh. In 2015 obtained a University Grant Commission’s Fund (USD 1500) for a project titled Political Ecology of Livelihoods of the cyclone Aila survivors’ in the Sundarbans forest society of Bangladesh”. Other than I have also attended many seminars, conferences and scientific meetings, with travel grants application success of 100%.

My teaching experience also reflects a passionate interest in social research. I have over several years of teaching experience at bachelor level and during this time I have continually demonstrated a record of publishing excellent research in a top-tier academic journal. With expertise in formulating lesson plans, innovative educational methods and class management, I have demonstrated my ability to teach students effectively in various learning styles. My passion for creating collaborative educational environments has encouraged me to develop thoughtful and productive graduate students. My current responsibilities include convening the following modules at the graduate level

Working with Communities; Working with Cultural Differences; Ethics in the Social Sciences; Community Management and Organizations; Applied Social Research; Social Research Methods and Understanding Society: School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University

Social Research Methods: School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong.

Gender and Disasters; Gender and Social Actions in South Asia; War and Gender: Critical Perspectives, Advanced Theories in Gender and Cultural Studies: Department of Gender and Development Studies

I passionately believe that research should create a difference and should have a social impact. My research interests lie in the field of border interdisciplinary studies, specifically the transformation of rural and urban livelihoods in terms of climate change-related extreme weather events (tropical cyclones, floods and drought) and their intersectional consequences in reconfiguring gendered relations and sustainable development processes in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. I am also interested in exploring the gendered knowledge in disaster risk reduction of natural resources-dependent communities of Bangladesh and Asia Pacific regions. I have published widely in academic journals as well as through several books. I have done research in the past on a wide range of subjects including ‘Impacts of climatic disasters in the coastal area of Bangladesh; Employment and Social Stability; Climate Change Impacts, on Gender Relations in Bangladesh; Women’s Empowerment through Higher Education; Women’s Involvement in Organic (vegetables) Farming System Activities in Samsung District of North-East Thailand; How does the use of cellular phone commit violence against women and Unheard Narratives of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights(SRHR) of Adolescent Girls of the Holy Cross College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Currently, I am engaged in research exploring "Non-Economic Loss and Damage in Post-Disaster Settings in Bangladesh", funded by the Social Science Research Council, Planning Division, the Government of Bangladesh. I have also presented at several workshops and seminars on Global Studies; International Development; Gender and Cultural Studies and Environmental Social Sciences.

I am also a member of academic and professional networks including American Association of Geographers; Work, Health and Safe Committee of the Liverpool City Campus, Western Sydney University; Development Studies Association; Political Ecology Network; Gender and Disaster Network; Open Anthropology Cooperative; International Association for the Study of Sexuality, Culture, and Visiting Researcher, International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD).

I have extensive knowledge of MS Office programs, data collection, data analysis quality assurance and statistical analysis. My experience includes the formulation of project design, training of new staff, creating a project proposal, coordinating with all team members, preparing reports and handling each project to ensure all project is going according to schedule. My skills include the multi-task approach and to adjust to a different work environment in a fast and timely manner. I have an influential personality and possess strong communication skills.

The following highlights of my education and professional background demonstrate my capability for this role:

Formulating project proposals, schedules, work plans, budgets, funding applications

Organizing and analyzing large data sets

Monitoring project status and progress

Training, and managing research teams

Demonstrating outstanding communication and time management abilities

I am confident that my expertise, multidisciplinary approach, strong organization skills, active participation in different research events, project management of research project, preparation of research funding proposal and strong research background make me an ideal candidate to get this position. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you so much for your consideration.

Sincerely

Sajal Roy