Consultant--Human Rights/ Women’s Rights Assessment

Social Impact (SI) is a Washington, DC-area international development management consulting firm. SI’s mission is to improve the effectiveness of international development programs in improving people’s lives. We provide a full range of management consulting, technical assistance, and training services to strengthen international development programs, organizations, and policies. We provide services globally in the areas of monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, project and program design, organizational capacity building, and gender and social analysis. SI services cross-cut all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. SI’s clients include US government agencies such as USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the US Department of State, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and non-profits.

SI is implementing the Bangladesh Democracy and Governance Program Evaluation (BDGPE) project funded by USAID/Bangladesh, whose objective is to provide assessment and evaluation services for the Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG) including democracy and governance sector assessments. ODG has requested BDGPE to carry out a scoping study for the development of human rights programming with a particular focus on prevention of child marriage and domestic violence  The scoping study will 1) examine the feasibility of working with the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) on enforcing and applying the relevant laws; 2) recommend a strategic framework and activities for USAID to assist the GOB; and 3) recommend methods of reducing the prevalence of human rights abuses, with a particular emphasis on prevention of child marriage and domestic violence.

SI is seeking two local consultants/experts for the scoping study.  It is expected that this position will require up to 25 days of LOE for each consultant.  BDGPE will provide all logistical support. Subject to confirmation by USAID/Bangladesh, the assignment will start in April with document review; data collection will be completed by mid-May; report submission to SI by the end of May, and final report to USAID by mid-June (exact dates TBD). 

Responsibilities:

  • Draft a work plan for submission to USAID that will include data sources; data collection protocols; identification of key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs) and other data collection activities; and scheduling of field work in Dhaka and other sites.
  • Identify, collect and analyze documentary sources (academic and policy research, GoB reports; USAID and other donor program reports; surveys, etc.).
  • Conduct data collection in Dhaka and other sites in Bangladesh, to be determined in consultation with USAID.
  • Take detailed field notes from KIIs, FGDs and other data collection activities, for submission to SI.
  • Draft the report and the required appendices
  • Respond to SI and USAID comments, and draft inputs for a final report for submission to USAID.

Qualifications:

  • Knowledge in different research methodologies and at least six years of practical experience in research or program evaluation in the fields,  of human rights, women's rights, domestic violence and similar, with Bangladesh or Asia experience preferred.
  • Graduate (M.A. or Ph.D.) qualifications from a recognized university in a related field, such as law, social sciences, sociology, political science, public administration, or gender studies.
  • Specific technical experience in the field of human rights and protection of women's rights, whether through primary research, policy analysis, program design and management, program evaluation, or sector assessments.
  • Understanding of the rule of law, human rights, domestic violence, child marriage and civil society dynamics in Bangladesh.
  • Prior experience conducting similar assessments/studies on human rights issues in Bangladesh. 
  • Strong critical and analytical writing skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a politically sensitive or conflict environment; and ability and willingness to travel to multiple areas within Bangladesh.

Qualified applicants are requested to submit CVs to: bdgpe@socialimpact.com by 09 April 2015 (Thursday, 16.00 hours BD Time).