Oxfam employs more than six thousand people in 90 countries who share a commitment to work together to end poverty and suffering. It is committed to ensure diversity and gender equality within the organization and welcomes applications from women, person with disability and under-represented groups. Oxfam does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on their HIV/AIDS status. The organization has been working in Bangladesh since the War of Independence and has established a permanent country office in 1972. Since then it has responded to all major emergencies in the country. Oxfam’s current program focuses on Economic Justice & Resilience, Gender and Women’s Leadership and Humanitarian Capacity Building and Response.

A simple, inescapable truth underlines everything we do at Oxfam. There’s enough wealth in this world to go around. It’s not unfortunate that people live in poverty. It’s unjustifiable. It’s not their problem. It’s ours too. And with the right support, we can stop poverty and suffering in their tracks. More than 8,000 people already commit their time and talents to our humanitarian and long-term development projects. Now we’re looking for yours.

Oxfam in Bangladesh is seeking a consultancy firm or individual consultant for a consultancy assignment. We invite proposals from interested firms and individuals to undertake this assignment.

Background & Rationale:

Bangladesh has been affected by more than 200 natural disasters over the last three decades. The country’s geographical location next to the Bay of Bengal, low-lying terrain, monsoons, and significant rivers render the country very vulnerable to natural hazards. From 1970-2019, storms have been the most frequent disaster to affect Bangladesh at 52%, followed by floods at 31%, with the remaining disasters being epidemics, earthquakes, droughts, and landslides. In addition, Bangladesh is one of the countries in the world most at risk from the negative impacts of climate change including increases in incidence and intensity of extreme weather events and hazards such as soil salinization, rising sea levels and riverbank erosion. (source: Disaster Management Reference Handbook (2020) – Bangladesh).

There are two types of geographical areas like Coastal and Char basin are most climate change affected in Bangladesh. Poor communities are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and extreme climatic events with environmental degradation.  In a disaster situation early response is very much important to minimize the casualties and the damages to human lives caused (Chandio et al. 2006). 

Disaster Management in Bangladesh is guided by a number of national drivers including plans, policies, and orders. The National DM plans (NPDMs) look at the risks and consequences of disasters and community involvement and integration of structural and non-structural measures. The DM Act 2012 endorses the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) and provides a legal basis. In order to disaster response including adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation there are several Disaster Management Committee (DMC) like Union level DMC, Upazila and District level DMC in Bangladesh.  However, Ongoing disaster management system and policies shows great deficiencies in all phases of disaster management cycles. This lacking shows poor institutional arrangement, lack of capacity, as well as weak collaboration and communication gap between different levels of Government to solve disaster related problems.  
 
The project called “Strengthening Community Preparedness, Rapid Response and Recovery in Bangladesh” is funded by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies and it is a multi-country programme being implemented in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Nepal since October 2020, and has now entered its second phase starting of January 2024. This new phase will end in December 2026, and it is planned to collected data against established indicators on an annual basis.
 
This project aims to ensure that communities affected by recurrent disasters in highly vulnerable areas in Asia have enhanced capacities for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and are better equipped to co-lead on relief and recovery efforts in collaboration with local authorities, with the overall aim of reducing vulnerability and suffering among disaster-prone communities Oxfam in Bangladesh with their partners, SKS Foundation, JAGO NARI & Wave Foundation is implementing the programme in 12 communities in Gaibandha, Barguna and Barisal. This program will achieve three principal outcomes, each of which is designed to address the underlying causes of vulnerability of communities, and shortcomings in the humanitarian preparedness and response systems. 

This midline study for the second phase of the project is intended to assess progress against the benchmark indicators initially identified and agreed upon during the baseline. The evaluation will be carried out collaboratively by Oxfam USA and Oxfam in Bangladesh, under the guidance of the MEAL team from both organizations. The study is scheduled to commence in early June 2025 and will be overseen by the Senior MEAL Officer of Oxfam in Bangladesh.

Project Summary:

Objectives of the Consultancy:

The objective of this midline study is to assess the extent to which the project is progressing toward its intended outcomes and indicators, using the established rubric-based measurement framework. The study will apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess results against the set rubric for each indicator, compare data between baseline and midline stages, and compare progress against baseline benchmarks, and interpret findings in alignment with rubric criteria. It will identify key challenges, enabling factors, and lessons learned, and generate evidence-based recommendations for improving the project’s effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance in the remaining implementation period. In addition, the midline study will document success stories, unexpected outcomes, and emerging practices to support adaptive management, donor learning, and future programming decisions.

Outcome Indicators of the Project:

This outcome monitoring framework is composed of disaster preparedness indicators required by the donor and of country-specific indicators defined by implementing organizations. The baseline data of all these indicators is available in this Excel document: https://oxfam.box.com/s/0mpl4il13662vt5am8bh8k8tzvu4iquo.

• Number of communities with a DRR leadership group with relevant skills and knowledge recognized by the community and, where pertinent, the relevant official body
• Number of communities with DRR leadership group whose current membership reflects key socio-demographics of the community (in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, livelihood groups, and others as pertinent to context).
• Number of communities whose DRR leadership group convenes, makes decisions, and implements them without outside assistance
• Number of communities that complete the actions in their disaster preparedness/disaster risk reduction plan, and review and update the plan regularly
• Number of communities where at-risk households/groups (women, youths, and others as pertinent to context) implement DRR measures promoted by the project
• Number of communities in which members obtain, communicate, and act upon EW information in a timely way and improve
• Number of communities where members of all socio-demographic groups feel the disaster preparedness/disaster risk reduction (DRR) plans and systems meet their priority needs
• Number of communities whose risk management plan receives support from local authorities or actors
• Best practices, tools, and experience on DRR in this project are identified, systematized, and disseminated to local governmental and non-governmental actors
• Uptake in non-target communities applying project approach/activities
• Number of local and inter-municipal coordination spaces where local authorities and community members exchange community disaster management plans and practices (cross- learning between UDMCs, number of inclusive disaster management (DM) plans)
• Number and percentage of community actors who presented/showcased/shared their models/tools/approaches/experiences with others within and/or outside the community.
• Number and percentage of people accessing financial and non-financial mechanisms to anticipate and mitigate risks/hazards.
• Number of communities with food and/or fodder bank where households experience less food (rice) shortage and reduce coping mechanisms at times of crisis
• Percentage of targeted vulnerable households in 12 communities reporting alternative resilient livelihood-based support contributed to financially recover from disaster impacts on their assets

Methodological Considerations:

1. Past data collection and analysis
2. Important considerations for this data collection and analysis 

Deliverables, Report and Roadmap of the Study:

1. Deliverables  

The specific deliverables for this study are detailed in the following table.  

2. Proposed Content of the Situation Assessment Report: 

3. Roadmap or Timeframe of the Study:     

The tentative period of the study will be for 45 working days. 

Qualifications and Experience:

The consultancy by an individual consultant or a team that has strong capacity in conducting research study for development and humanitarian issue. Consultants interested in submitting a proposal should have the following criteria: 

• University degree in data analytics, statistics and/or social sciences or possess equal composition of qualified academic background, knowledge, experience and capacity to manage the research study (required). 
• Excellent understanding on disaster risk management and related policy and development issues, in a humanitarian or development context, in Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Preparedness (required). 
• Excellent communication skills to work with a wide range of actors part of the project, and to write clear and concise reports writing (required)
• Experience of working with participatory methodologies and qualitative data collection methods (required). 
• Solid skills in data analysis and using mobile data collection tools and other programs/software to tabulate and analysis qualitative and quantitative data (required). 
• Experience to maintain data security for research purpose and ensuring data protection requirement in place (required). 
• Experience to maintain safeguarding protocol to manage data collection process is meet with safeguarding aspect in properly manner (required). 
• Ability to comply with specific requirements and strict deadlines (preferable). 
• Good knowledge and understanding of the study areas: Gaibandha, Barguna and Barisal.

Budget:

• The maximum cost for the assignment is capped at BDT 1,000,000.00 (Ten Lacs Taka Only), including VAT and all other Government of Bangladesh charges as per the Rules.

Payment Schedule            

• 30% upon submission of the Inception Report.
• 40% upon submission of the Interim Report.
• 30% upon approval of the Final Report.

Evaluation Process:

Please refer to the detailed ToR (Click here) for this assignment.

Noted, the selection committee will evaluate both the technical and financial proposals of the consultants/ firms based on set out evaluation criteria as follows. A cumulative weighted-scoring method will be applied to evaluate the proposal. The award of the contract will be made to the consultant/ consulting firm whose offer has been evaluated and determined as responsive/ compliant/ acceptable with reference to this TOR. 

Along with the technical and financial proposals, the following documents need to be submitted separately:

• For Individual Consultant:
  • A profile/CV of a maximum of 2 pages, highlighting related completed assignments with client names, contact persons, and contact numbers.
  • One-paragraph short CVs for other team members involved in the assignment, highlighting related completed assignments and roles (if applicable).
  • Proof of last two payments/ rates (Please submit in a separate folder and rename the folder as ‘Proof of Payment’).
  • Copies of NID, TIN, BIN, VAT Registration, Trade License, Work Permit, as applicable.
• For Consultancy Firm:
  • A firm profile of a maximum of 2 pages, highlighting completed related assignments with client names, contact persons, and contact numbers.
  • The lead consultant's (who will lead the assignment) maximum 2-page CV, showcasing related assignments completed and specifying the role in each completed assignment.
  • Proof of last two payments/ rates (Please submit in a separate folder and rename the folder as ‘Proof of Payment’).
  • Copies of the firm’s certificate, TIN, BIN, VAT registration, and trade license and any other relevant documents.

The proposals must be sent in English and the submissions must reach Oxfam via email at Ban_Consultancy@oxfam.org.uk with the subject line “Midline Study of ACT II Project”.  

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 13 MAY 2025

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We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks