Introduction

Reproductive Health Services Training & Education Program (RHSTEP) is a pioneer national non-government organization focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) for more than three decades in Bangladesh. RHSTEP was evolved in 1983 as a special project under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) of the Government of Bangladesh titled MRTSP. In 1989 MRTSP was transformed into an NGO. Considering the increasing need for other reproductive health care, MRTSP stepped forward in 2002 with multifaceted services and a new name 'Reproductive Health Services Training and Education Program - RHSTEP. RHSTEP has extended its activity centers in 20 districts of Bangladesh. Every year approximately 6,00,000 women, and men including youth adolescents, and children reached with different health care services, education, and awareness support through its 23 service delivery centers and 11 youth lead resource center. RHSTEP is registered with Department of Social Welfare and NGOAB of Government of Bangladesh

Midlife transition is a critical phase in a woman’s life, encompassing physical, emotional, psychological, and social changes. Many women face challenges such as menopause, shifting family dynamics, career transitions, and mental health concerns. Addressing these issues through structured training will empower project staff with knowledge, coping strategies, and support systems to better assist women experiencing midlife transitions. This training aims to build awareness and capacity among RHSTEP’s staff to integrate midlife transition support into their programs.

Objectives:

The main objectives of the training are:

• To enhance project staff understanding of the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of midlife transition of women (menopausal period)
• To provide practical coping mechanisms and self-care strategies for women in midlife.
• To equip RHSTEP professionals with knowledge and skills to address midlife transition challenges in their work.
• To promote the integration of midlife transition support into SRHR initiatives of RHSTEP
• To foster a supportive environment for sharing experiences and best practices.
• To conduct a need assessment for the training 

Scope of Work:

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Designing and develop a comprehensive training module in Bangla tailored for project staff on midlife transition.
• Conducting interactive and participatory training sessions on developed module.
• Developing training materials, including presentations, handouts, and case studies, relevant to concerned training issues in Bangla.
• Facilitating discussions on key challenges and solutions related to midlife transition within the SRHR framework.
• Providing post-training follow-up support and recommendations for further learning and integration into SRHR programs.

Deliverables:

The consultant is expected to deliver:

• An inception report outlining the current Midlife Transition of Women landscape within RHSTEP and identifying specific needs and challenge
• A detailed training plan and curriculum in Bangla customized for RHSTEP’s project staff.
• Training materials (PowerPoint presentations, reading materials, exercises, etc.) in Bangla.
• Conducting at least two batches of training for 4 days with 40-50 participants
• A final report summarizing the training outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for integrating midlife transition support into SRHR initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience:

The consultant should have:

• A minimum of MBBS, MSC in Clinical Psychology, MSC in Public Health or in a subject to the related field.
• Proven experience in conducting training on women’s health, gender empowerment, or psychological well-being, preferably within the SRHR sector.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.
• Experience in working with SRHR professionals and diverse groups of women.
• Knowledge of local and cultural contexts related to midlife transition and SRHR is an advantage.

Timeline

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 10 days commencing on date of signing agreement. The specific timeline for each deliverable will be mutually agreed upon between RHSTEP and the selected consultant(s) upon contract signing

Application Process

Interested consultants are requested to submit:

• A detailed proposal outlining their approach to the training, including methodology and timeline
• A financial proposal detailing consultancy fees and other relevant costs
• CV(s) of the consultant or consulting team, highlighting relevant experience
• At least two references from previous similar assignments

Applications should be submitted to the Executive Director, RHSTEP mentioning the name of training on the subject line via email to rhstep@gmail.com

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in delivering Advocacy related training
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed methodology
• Clarity and relevance of the proposed timeline
• Cost-effectiveness of the financial proposal
• Ability to meet the specific needs and requirements of RHSTEP

Contractual Arrangements

The selected consultant(s) will enter into a formal contract with RHSTEP outlining the terms and conditions of the consultancy, including deliverables, timeline, payment schedule, and confidentiality agreements

Amendment of Terms

The terms of reference may be amended by mutual agreement between the RHSTEP and the selected consultant, if necessary

RHSTEP reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received.

Application Deadline: 11 May 2025