Terms of Reference for Bangladesh Country Gender Context Analysis

1. Background and Context

Habitat for Humanity is a global non-profit organization established in 1976, dedicated to affordable housing, operating in over 70 countries with the vision of ensuring everyone has a decent place to live. Established in 1999, Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh (HFHIB) focuses on eliminating substandard housing and homelessness by partnering with low-income families to promote stability and self-reliance. HFHIB seeks to bring people together to build homes, communities and focuses on affordable, resilient and decent housing with basic services for the marginalized.  

In its commitment to inclusivity, Habitat for Humanity International Bangladesh ( HFHIB)recognizes that gender equity is crucial for accessing adequate housing and achieving sustainable development goals. To enhance its impact, HFHIB plans to conduct a country gender analysis to identify existing inequalities and biases within its priority sectors of Housing, climate resilience, WASH, DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction and Responses), Advocacy and influencing, Humanitarian Responses and Rohingya Responses Program. This country gender analysis will inform plans to integrate gender equity into all program operations, ultimately advancing HFHIB’s mission of promoting affordable and resilient housing for marginalized communities.

We realise that Gender is a key factor in access to adequate housing, and an important pathway to inclusive development. Attention to gender equity and fairness in our programs and in our organisation is core to achieving our mission.  Therefore, Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh (HFHIB) is embarking on a learning journey to improve the way its programming contributes to gender equity.

Habitat for Humanity International Bangladesh ( HFHIB)intends to make the organization and its program more inclusive focusing on gender equity. In this regard HFHIB has planned to identify a key consultant to guide the Habitat team in conducting a country gender analysis using an Action Learning approach, to strengthen understanding of gender concepts, better understand gender dynamics and identify potential strategies and partnerships to integrate gender equity in all its programs. The consultant will also work with the team to draft a Gender Policy for Habitat for Humanity International Bangladesh.

2. Specific Objectives of the assignment

  • To do a country gender analysis and prepare a report covering rural and urban communities.
  • To develop a gender policy of Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh.
  • To develop a training module for staffs and partners on gender equity in line with the gender policy.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will lead a country level gender context analysis process and stakeholder mapping in order to improve HFHIB’s understanding of gender dynamics in organization and programme operation, and explore ways in which HFHIB and its programming and relationships may better address gender inequity.

  1. Inception Phase:
    1. Review all relevant documentation and prepare an inception report that summarizes objectives, scope, outputs, methodology, and detailed timeline, embedding an action learning approach in the work.
  2. Document Review:
    1. Review HFHIB’s internal documents and relevant gender policies in Bangladesh.
    2. Conduct initial discussions with key staff to gain insight into the organization and its expectations regarding gender equity.
  3. Development of Gender Analysis Tools:
    1. Design appropriate approaches, methods, and tools for gender context analysis.
    2. Define stakeholder levels, including experts, practitioners, and community members, and establish a data management system.
  4. Collaborative Group Work:
    1. Facilitate group sessions with staff to introduce key gender concepts and methodologies.
    2. Coordinate logistics for data collection and analysis activities.
  5. Lead Gender Context Analysis:
    1. Conduct a participatory gender context analysis and stakeholder mapping.
    2. Identify key findings related to:
      1. Changes in social and regulatory contexts affecting housing and gender equity.
      2. Gender dynamics and inequalities in HFHIB’s programming regions.
      3. Differential impacts of climate change on different genders.
      4. Key policies at national and local levels that impact gender equity and women's participation in decision-making.
  6. Implications for Program Design:
    1. Explore strategies for integrating a gender perspective into HFHIB’s programs and partnerships.
    2. Provide recommendations on community engagement, monitoring, evaluation practices, and safeguarding measures.
  7. Organizational Context and Expectations:
    1. Understand HFHIB’s organizational context and expectations regarding gender equity.
    2. Review relevant strategic documents, including the Strategic Business Plan.
  8. Drafting a Gender Policy:
    1. Develop a gender policy that outlines HFHIB’s commitments to gender equity.
    2. Include operational procedures for implementing the policy in programming and organizational processes, along with mechanisms to assess progress.
  9. Capacity Building Workshop:
    1. Design and lead a workshop to build understanding and commitment to gender equity among staff.
    2. Reflect on gender issues within the organization and explore ways to foster a safe and inclusive environment.

This scope of work will provide a structured approach for HFHIB to advance its gender equity initiatives and ensure that it’s programming effectively addresses the needs of marginalized communities.

Key deliverables

Deliverables will include:

  • Inception Report covering the gender context analysis design and plans
  • Country Level Gender Context Analysis Report (including stakeholder mapping)
  • Group discussion with the staffs and the key stakeholders to draft gender policy and related SOP and assessment mechanisms for HFHIB
  • A finalized gender policy document for HFHIB
  • Training module for orienting staffs and partners including gender equity across the program cycle
  • Workshop to share the gender context analysis and policy on gender equity within the organisation

4. Timeline: The timeline for this study is from August 20, 2025, to October 20, 2025.

5. Work Management

The consultant will be accountable to the FOI Specialist, who will oversee and guide the study. This includes facilitating collaboration among Habitat for Humanity International Bangladesh, the consultant, partner organizations, local groups and stakeholders for all fieldwork and onsite activities. All deliverables will undergo a minimum of two rounds of review and revision involving the consultant and key staff from Habitat for Humanity International Bangladesh, as designated by the National Director/ FOI Specialist during the initial phase of this engagement.

6. Consultant Competencies/Experience

  • Demonstrated expertise in gender equity context analysis and program design and experience in the use of an Action Learning approach
  • Familiarity with the shelter, basic services, and financial services sectors in Bangladesh is advantageous.
  • Proven experience working at the community level in Bangladesh, with an understanding of social issues across diverse regions.
  • Track record of leading teams in conducting gender analyses in various contexts, including within organizations.
  • Strong knowledge of key stakeholders involved in gender equity initiatives in Bangladesh.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

7. Apply

Applicants may submit their proposal (both technical and financial) in English along with the CV directly to hr@habitatbangladesh.org using the subject field “Country Gender Context Analysis - [ Consultant’s Name]”. The deadline for submission is 5th August 2025.

The proposal should include:

  • An outline of how your expertise aligns with the requirements for the role.
  • An initial technical approach and methodology for this work outlining the tools and techniques you will employ and their relevance to the objectives.
  • A preliminary work plan showing your grasp of the task with the potential for refinement during the initial phase, including proposed activities, and expected deliverables.
  • Descriptions of previous assignments that reflect your experience relevant to this role.
  • A financial proposal include at least a budget narrative. The cost estimates used to prepare the budget should be presented in BDT. The proposal and costing structure should include (but not be limited to) fixed pricing & deliverables, required hours, travel expenses, etc.
  • Vendors must agree to keep the quoted pricing in their proposals for a minimum of 90 days after proposal submission. The budget should be tied to the scope of work so it is easy to identify how the requirements are being met and at what cost. Costs should also be able to be broken down per area.
  • An affirmation of your commitment to adhering to HFH Bangladesh’s ethical standards, data protection, confidentiality, conflict of interest, and safeguarding policies.
  • Ensure that your application is thorough and demonstrates a clear understanding of the consultant's scope and objectives.

Unless specifically requested, extraneous presentation materials will not be reviewed. Submissions will be evaluated based on the information provided by the deadline and in relation to the described needs and qualifications.

This document is intended to provide a general description of the requirements and scope of the consultancy. It does not represent a contract, and the terms and conditions of any consultancy agreement will be negotiated separately with the selected consultant. The client reserves the right to modify the TOR at any time during the consultancy, subject to agreement with the consultant. The consultant will be expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards and comply with the client's policies and procedures, including those related to data protection, confidentiality, and conflict of interest, and HFHI Safeguarding policy.