Terms of Reference
Consultant for Transgender Study

Responsible to: Senior Programme Officer                                                                              
Key relationships: HR and Admin. Officer, ARTICLE 19
Project: Our Voices Our Choices: Women and Youth for Democratic Space (OVOC)
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Duration: From 24th April 2024 to 25th May 2024.

Project Scope:

ARTICLE 19 in collaboration with the Plan International is implementing Our Voices Our Choices: Women and Youth for Democratic Space (OVOC) with the funding from European Commission. 

Inclusive civic space plays a central role in our action, thus, OVOC aims to address the needs and constraints of youth and women in all their diversity including Dalits, sexually diversified people, persons with disabilities and other excluded groups, as they are often at risk of violence and discrimination including exclusion from decision making processes. This project intends to strengthen an enabling environment for youth/women-led civil society participation and engagement in the Asian region. It aims to facilitate CSOs and youth networks as independent actors who hold their governments to account, and to amplify the outcomes they seek in their societies. One of the target groups of this project is transgender people. There is no comprehensive study on transgender people. Studying transgender individuals is imperative for understanding the diverse spectrum of human experiences and advancing societal inclusion. Research in this area facilitates the identification of the unique challenges faced by transgender individuals which will contribute to the development of informed policies and interventions.

Therefore, under the project, ARTICLE 19 South Asia in collaboration with National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh will jointly conduct a study on the human rights of transgender people. The key purpose of this consultancy is to look at the ability of transgender persons to participate in civil society and the obstacles to them doing so. The study will support ARTICLE 19 and National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh to take policy and strategy, prioritize works for the enhancement of the human rights of transgender people in Bangladesh in context of civic engagement and civic participation.

The commissioned consultant/firm will consider the following issues among others while conduct the transgender study.

• Analyse the country context of human rights of transgender community (brief background, attitudes to gender, legal status, etc)
• Analysis of existing laws and policies on transgender
• Socio-economic profile of transgender people (i.e general idea based on case studies)
• Review and analyse the prevalent discriminatory practices i.e. legal, social, economic, identity, health against transgender people
• Examples good initiatives taken in protection/safeguarding of the human rights of transgender people
• Gaps and challenges in promoting and protecting human rights of transgender people in context of civic engagement and civic participation.
• The study report will be in English

Audience:   

The audience for study on transgender individuals encompasses a wide range of stakeholders, including NGOs and Bangladesh Human Rights Commission (BNHRC) etc.

Processes and Methodology (if applicable):
The researcher will use the following methods for collecting data and analysis of the data:

• Study on facts and proves, describe the practical experience of transgender safety and security
• Assess the progress of the pledges made by the government at different national and international platforms in relation to the safety of transgender people. (Such as UN resolutions, UNESCO, UPR, SDGs etc)
• Discuss with transgender people (associations and networks), on the safety of transgender people
• Review existing literature for a clear understanding of the current situation of transgender people
• Assess the role of transgender associations and the government regarding support for their overall safety and security
• Study on government mandates, status of transgender safety and Constitutional rights, recent policy i.e. tax rebate policy, inclusion of third gender in NID

Time-frame of deliverable and milestones:

Fee and Payment Schedule:
An amount of BDT Taka 2,80,000/- (In words: Two Lacs Eighty Thousand) only including VAT and Tax will be payable as honorarium through the A/C payee cheque for this consultancy firm within 10 (ten) working days upon satisfactory services received/completion of work and submission of invoice collated with relevant documents.

First payment – First payment – 40% of the total contract amount, after submitting the draft study and a presentation on the study findings. Which will be Taka 112000/= including VAT tax.

Final payment – Final payment – 60% of the total contract amount, after submission final version of the study based on the feedback provided by the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh, and ARTICLE 19, and all deliverables have been handed over. Which will be Taka 168000/= including VAT tax. 

How to Apply:
Persons/firms wishing to be considered for this consultancy are invited to submit:

1. technical and financial proposal along with a cover letter.
2. resume/portfolio stating relevant experiences, and expertise.
3. a summary of the previous work (samples of previously done similar works)
4. a one pager of your understanding of the assignment.
5. consultancy firms must submit the relevant legal entitlements, such as copy of trade license, copy of BIN certificate or VAT registration and TIN Certificate.

Any other note or condition:

1. Any documents, analysis, report, data frame, tools, formats, checklists, or any information entrusted to or produced in connection with this consultancy shall be handed over to ARTICLE 19. All tasks and assignments shall be strictly the property of ARTICLE 19 and cannot be disclosed or used for any other purpose. This provision shall remain valid even after the completion of the assignment.
2. Other terms and conditions will be governed by the Policies of ARTICLE 19 Bangladesh and South Asia Regional Office as stated time to reference.

Application Deadline 23rd April 2024

Apply here