Terms of References (ToR)
Consultant hiring for

A Study on the overall situation of Dalit and Adibahsi communities in Bangladesh

Background
Center for Social Activism (CSA) is a network that facilitates activism for promoting progressive discourses in the society in order to build a diverse and tolerant generation that values peoples’ fundamental freedoms and respects Human Rights for All. CSA envisions a democratic world that is free from any kind of discrimination and governed by the principles of justice and human rights. CSA’s mission is to promote progressive discourses to build a tolerant society that embraces diversity and respects human rights.

HEKS/EPER is working in Bangladesh since 1971 to help to reconstruct and providing aids to the war-torn country.  Decades after decades working in this country this organization has been noticed that some marginalized groups are still remaining far behind from the ray and supports of mainstream development. Particularly, they are remaining abandoned from the voice of equal rights for ethnic minorities living in the plain lands Adibashi and groups discriminated based on work and descent (Dalit). In developing and establishing institutional mechanisms and strategies promoting the rights of Dalit and Adibashi, HEKS/EPER is committed to work with the relevant institutions and power hubs who are influential in adopting policies and strategies on all level. HEKS envisioned that the development of a national strategy for these two marginalized and along with it the establishment of necessary institutional mechanisms is considered a major step towards a more inclusive and equal society in Bangladesh.

CSA in partnership with HEKS/EPER will conduct a baseline on the situation and challenges of the marginalized minority groups- Dalit and Adibashi. In developing and improving policies and strategies promoting the rights of Dalit and Adibashi. This study will be tailored to the development of a national strategy and the establishment of necessary institutional mechanisms for these two marginalized minorities aiming for a more inclusive and equal society in Bangladesh.

Dalit and Adibashi community in Bangladesh
Dalit and Adibashis (D/A) belong to the most neglected minorities in the country. They are the distinct victims of religio-ethnic characteristics and socio-economic and political discrimination. In particular, social barriers for Dalit and Adibashis (D/A) are often insurmountable and reinforce their low status by a multitude of factors. Due to the traditional perception of being “polluted” or inferior based on prejudiced concepts of religious purity and “untouchability”, massive discrimination, lacking respect, aggressive and disgracing behavior towards them and sneering at their professional activities and cultural practices are their day-to-day experiences. All of these constitute giant challenges for them to protect their human rights. Further, illiteracy and no or limited resources restraint them from standing up against landlords, moneylenders and biased service providers. They also face restriction in access to education, jobs, medical services, legal services. Even their right to choose where to live, where to work, who and how to worship and who to marry are strongly affected. Isolated life style keeps them off NGO’s development interventions too. Thus they remain behind national development trend and especially get deprived of rights and entitlement. In this context, a study will be commissioned to create an in-depth baseline research on the situation of D/A identifying their existing socio-political-economic reality and challenges. It will create a knowledge base to provide with necessary data to do advocacy with multi-sectoral actors.

Objective of the Study 

  • To identify rights violations of D/A communities and existing socio-political-economic reality and challenges;
  • To assess and review government and non-government services/laws/policies having positive or negative impacts on the life of D/A communities;

Scope of work

  • Desk Review: collect and review relevant documents/policies/laws in relation to the rights of D/A communities;
  • Consultation and Interview: Practical information gathering through conversation with different stakeholders, field research for in-depth understanding by close interaction with communities and duty bearers including representatives from policy makers, local service providers, donors, development agencies & organizations and implementers;
  • Presentation and Document preparation: The consultant will produce a research document and will share through presentation; after incorporation of feedback and comments, the consultant will finalize the document in consultation with CSA and HEKS/EPER.

Organizational Supports

  • CSA and HEKS/EPER shall select the individual consultant by an open call/tender upon the submission of a proposal/expression of interest (EoI) and budget for the research by the Consultant;
  • CSA and HEKS/EPER shall coordinate with the Consultant during the research work and provide time to time guidance, inputs if necessary;

Geographical areas
Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Mymensingh and Sylhet division.

Key responsibilities of the Contract

  • To have a thorough understanding of the areas of the research work and do interview of relevant stakeholders and in- depth analysis;
  • Finalizing the document with technical inputs including references, simple illustration, editing and preparing manuscript, cover design, layout etc.;
  • Deliver the final product with full Copyright to CSA and HEKS/EPER.

Selection Criteria

  • Academic background (Advanced degree in social science/anthropology /law or relevant discipline) and experience (7 years) as a Consultant;
  • Quality and relevance of the technical proposal including detail proposed methodology;
  • Justifiable financial proposal;
  • Quality, creativity and innovation of reference work submitted (at least one document of relevant previous work). 

Deliverables:

  • Weekly time sheet and reporting to CSA during the research period;
  • Actor and information Mapping in consultation with CSA;
  • All of the organized raw data and information;
  • Presentation on the first and second draft;
  • Edited and illustrated manuscript (soft and hard copy);
  • In-depth analysis and preparation of report.

General conditions

  • The Consultant will sign agreement with HEKS/EPER and the payment will be made by the HEKS/EPER as agreed in the work order;
  • The Consultant will complete the Study Report by 60 calendar days after the agreement date;
  • The Consultant will be responsible to mobilize relevant logistics;
  • The Information and actor Mapping will be done in consultation with CSA and all the deliverables will be submitted to CSA;
  • Upon CSA’s confirmation to HEKS/EPER, the payment will be made in one equally divided installment. The final payment will be made after sending the final deliverable and assignment report.
  • Tax & VAT will be deducted as per government rule.

How to apply
Interested individual/Farm must submit the following documents along with Technical & Financial Proposal

  • Technical & Financial Proposal;
  • Consultant’s CV (maximum 2 pages) highlighting related assignment completed, roles in the completed assignment, contract person with e-mail & mobile number or Maximum 2 pages firm profile highlighting related assignment completed including client name, contract person, e-mail and cell number; 
  • Individual Profile (maximum 300 words);
  • Copy of NID and TIN Certificate.  

Application Instruction
Interested person/ agencies/ consultant farms are requested to submit the proposal (both technical and financial) and documents in a sealed
envelope on or before 5:00 PM, 25th September, 2018 to:

 Israt Jahan Biju,
 HEKS/EPER 
 House # 28, 2nd Floor, Road # 11,  Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1209

The Envelop must be marked with the title of the assignment. 
Complete applications should also be submitted electronically to:  israt.biju@heks-eper.org 
For any query please contact:  israt.biju@heks-eper.org