Terms of Reference (ToR)
for
Facilitating a study on the impact of democratic dialogue on the participation of marginalised groups including women and youths in claiming rights and promoting inclusive governance
under the project “Young people at high schools strengthen women's rights and inclusive governance in Bangladesh (YUKTA)”

BMZ Project No.: 5525

1. Introduction

NETZ Partnership for Development and Justice (short: NETZ) is a non-governmental organisation that promotes human rights and justice in Bangladesh with a focus on the most vulnerable and marginalised people to create an enabling environment in the society for demanding good governance, a non-discriminatory society, and social justice. NETZ is seeking to hire a consultant to carry out a study under one of its projects titled “Young people at high schools strengthen women's rights and inclusive governance in Bangladesh (YUKTA)”.  

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) to promote gender equality and inclusive governance in the working areas. The specific objective is that those strengthened HRDs (adult and young) work together effectively to protect the rights of women and girls, prevent gender and identity-based violence and promote inclusive governance. 

The expected results of this project are 1) 4,000 young and 11,880 adult HRDs are strengthened to promote gender equality and inclusive governance in 8 districts and at the national level in Bangladesh 2) Young HRDs at 80 high schools are recognised as important civil society actors for the protection of women's and girls' rights and the prevention of violence; in dialogue with government agencies they make young people's perspectives on inclusive governance visible from local to national level 3) Adult HRDs, organised in 424 CSOs from local to national level, are recognized as important civil society actors for the promotion of gender equality and inclusive governance and cooperate closely with government agencies to this end.

The planned activities of the project mainly targeted 10,520 HRDs at 424 civil society organisations (CSO) at local and regional level and 4,000 young HRDs, 1,280 teachers, and SMC members at 80 schools in 16 sub-districts of Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Joypurhat, Natore, Panchagarh, Dinajpur, Rangpur and Nilphamari districts of Bangladesh. NETZ is implementing the project together with two partner organisations – Manab Kallyan Parished (MKP) and DASCOH Foundation. The project duration is from 01 February 2021 to 31 December 2024.

2. Rationale of the study

This project will significantly contribute to promoting gender equality and inclusive governance in Bangladesh strengthening the capacities of CSOs and building conflict-sensitive cooperation between HRDs and local authorities. The project applies different approaches e.g. democratic dialogue so that marginalised people can claim their rights. The participation of marginalised people in democratic dialogue is not only an opportunity for them but also an instrument of empowerment and raising their voices.

But a lack of institutionalised procedures for the CSOs and community people to claim and monitor rights and entitlements restrict them to be involved in governance processes. So far, no study is available in the project areas, particularly at targeted sub-districts, on the different approaches used for people-centric interventions that address the rights of the socially excluded, extremely poor, and marginalised population in their access to safety net services, access to education and primary health care and the engagement of community people with service providers. Therefore, NETZ is planning to facilitate a study to evaluate the impact of democratic dialogue on the participation of marginalised groups including women and youths in claiming rights and promoting inclusive governance. The findings of the study will help to do policy advocacy for improving local governance.

3. Objectives of the study

The overall objective of this study is to assess the impact and potentials of democratic dialogue in terms of:

• Establishing non-violent cooperation between CSOs and LAs
• Facilitating accountability and transparency of the local authorities
• Creating space for marginalised people for participating in decision making process at local governance
• Engaging women and youths in inclusive governance process as important CS actors

4. Scope of work

4.1 Geographical Coverage

The study must be conducted within the sampling target area of 16 target unions (at least 2 unions per district) under Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Joypurhat, Natore, Panchagarh, Dinajpur, Rangpur and Nilphamari districts and include project participants and other people of their communities at community, union, sub-district and district level.

4.2 Tasks and duties

• Meet with the relevant staff of NETZ and the PNGOs to get a clear idea about the requirements and expectations regarding the study.
• Relevant literature review.
• Developing research design along with methodology for the study and sharing with NETZ for receiving and adjusting feedbacks.
• Visit the study areas to facilitate focus group discussions (FGD), interviews, and meetings.
• Facilitate small group discussions with national-level civil society.
• Presentation and discussion of findings of the draft report with NETZ.
• Finalisation and submission of the study report, including feedback from NETZ.
• Prepare a policy brief on study findings.
• Present the findings in national-level sharing meetings.

5. Required qualifications for consultant

The consultant should have at the minimum the following qualifications:

• Demonstrable expertise in working on human rights, women’s rights, minority rights and governance issues
• Extensive experience in research especially on women’s rights and governance
• Sound knowledge of social science research.
• Sufficient and well-documented publication to prove writing (in English) and analysing skills
• Independent from NETZ, i.e. not related to NETZ.
• Willingness to travel to study areas.
• Intensive involvement in women’s rights activism including different movements to promote and protect the rights of women will be given preference.

6. Expected outputs and deliverables

The consultant will prepare the report reflecting the data gathered from primary and secondary sources. The report will also include an analysis of the findings and the consultants’ interpretation of such data considering the objectives mentioned above. Consultants also deliver a policy brief based on study findings. The report will be in English having a length of approximately between 25-30 pages (single spacing, 12 Times New Roman or 11 Arial, all margins 2.5 cm) and is submitted to NETZ.

7. Time frame

The time for the study comprises a total of 25 working days (including 10 days in the field) to conduct the study and compile the report. The first draft report will be prepared by 2nd week of March 2023 and after incorporating feedback, the final report and policy brief will be prepared by the 30st March 2023.

7.1 Tentative timetable

The study work comprises a total of 25 person-days including 10 days’ field visits (including travel). The consultant will work from the 3rd week of February 2023. The detailed schedule for the study will be finalised in cooperation with the selected consultant on the basis of the following template.

Template for detailed study schedule and quantity structure

8. Remuneration

For the remuneration, an individual agreement will be prepared with the consultant. In addition to the remuneration, NETZ will also pay the cost of travel, accommodation, food, stationeries, and/or any other necessary expenditure on fixed term basis (based on a detailed calculation). The amounts for travel costs will be paid (100%) to the consultant. The consultant will receive 30% of the total remuneration as mentioned in the detailed calculation after signing the ToR. The remaining 30% of remuneration will be paid after submitting the draft report and 40% will be paid after approval of the final report by NETZ. VAT on remuneration will be paid by NETZ and Tax will be deducted from the source of payment of the consultant as per the rules and procedures of the Government of Bangladesh.

9. General conditions

• NETZ reserves the right to disagree with any incomplete work and consequently NETZ may retain the last installment of the remuneration.
• The contracting authorities also reserve the right to amend this contract at any time according to the necessity of the project given prior communication.
• The contract may be terminated if the consultant is found non-compliant to the terms and conditions of the contract.
• The assigned consultant agrees with the Child Protection Policy and Gender Policy of NETZ when signing the contract. During the consultancy, the mentioned safeguarding measures of the policies are complied with.
• NETZ will have the copyright of all results and documents elaborated under this assignment. Any publication also in extracts needs prior approval of NETZ.

10. Proposal Submission

Consultants interested to apply to NETZ are kindly requested to submit pdf copy to the following on or before 16th February 2023 through e-mail. sara@netz-bangladesh.de

• Technical proposal (not more than 4 pages)
• Financial planning (not more than 1 page)
• Most recent CVs of the Researcher (not more than 4 pages)