The Position:
The purpose of this National Consultancy is to lead and conduct implementation research to assess the effectiveness of the Norm-shiff Accelerator Programme aimed at changing social behaviours and indirect norms that perpetuate child marriage in Bangladesh.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
Despite Bangladesh’s progress in reducing child marriage rates, the country unfortunately remains among the top ten countries globally with the highest prevalence of this harmful practice. This persistent challenge underscores the deep-seated nature of child marriage, rooted in complex social and gender norms and systemic vulnerabilities. To address this, UNFPA, in close collaboration with the Department of Women Affairs, has launched ‘Shombhabona-the Norm-Shift Accelerator’, a systems-based programme. This programme operates across multiple layers of the socio-ecological model, acknowledging that child marriage is influenced by factors ranging from individual beliefs and behaviours to broader social, institutional, and policy dynamics.
Shombhabona’s strategic approach involves integrating its interventions on social norm change with two key social protection schemes managed by the Department of Women’s Affairs of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. This integration allows for leveraging existing infrastructure and reaching a vast network of populations across the country. By utilizing established delivery mechanisms, including community-based organizations and local government structures, Shombhabona effectively extends its reach. The programme also extends to secondary schools, aiming to support adolescent girls and boys to stay in schools until the completion of their secondary education. This focus on school retention is critical, as education is a powerful tool in delaying marriage and empowering girls.
The implementation of this programme offers a unique opportunity to generate crucial insights into the effectiveness of norm-shifting interventions. This implementation research will be pivotal in understanding how these interventions translate into tangible changes in individual and group behaviours, and in achieving measurable changes in indirect and direct norms related to child marriage. By conducting this research, we aim to determine the efficacy of the programme’s norm-shifting strategies, identify barriers and facilitators to change, and track behavioural shifts over time.
The implementation research will be specifically designed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions within real-world settings, a critical factor for a programme focusing on altering social and group behaviour among beneficiaries of social protection schemes. It will move beyond simply measuring outcomes to thoroughly examine the implementation process itself. This will allow for a deeper understanding of how interventions are delivered, what factors influence their success, and how they can be adapted for improved impact. To this end, the UNFPA office in Bangladesh seems a qualified national consultant to lead and conduct this implementation research.
You would be responsible for:
The purpose of this consultancy:
To lead and conduct implementation research to assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at changing social behaviours and indirect norms that perpetuate child marriage in Bangladesh. To provide evidence, and recommendations for improving the implementation and impact of these interventions.The consultant will be responsible for:
1. Research Design, Planning, Methodology
Develop a detailed research protocol, including research questions, methodology, data collection tools, and a timeline that is aligned with programme design. Ensure research design incorporates a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative). Outline the data analysis techniques and plan. Create a plan for ethical considerations.2. Data Collection and Analysis
Lead and conduct data collection of baseline and follow-up data in the programme areas (Bagerhat, Chapainawabganj, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, and Noakhali). Supervise and train data collectors. Ensure data quality and integrity throughout the research process. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate statistical and qualitative analysis techniques. Interpret findings in the context of the programme’s goal and the local context. Analyze the implementation process, identifying barriers and facilitators.3. Reporting and Dissemination
Prepare a comprehensive implementation research report, including Executive summary, Background and context, Methodology, Findings, Discussion and conclusions, and Recommendations. Conduct a validation workshop to discuss preliminary findings. Prepare research reports, policy briefs, and presentations. Develop recommendations for adaptive programme design and scale-up. Build the capacity of staff in implementation research methods.Deliverables:
Inception report: A detailed research plan outlining the methodology, timeline, research protocol, and budget.
Data collection tools: Questionnaires, interview guides, and other data collection instruments.
Cleaned and coded dataset: A well-organized dataset ready for analysis.
Data analysis reports
Draft research report: A comprehensive report presenting the research findings and recommendations.
Validation workshop: To discuss preliminary findings.
Final research report: A revised report incorporating feedback from stakeholders.
Presentation materials: Slides or other materials for presenting the research findings.
Deadlines: Delivery of the inception report and data collection tools is expected around the last week of April 2025. The draft analysis report is expected in July 2025, with all deliverables due by December 25, 2025.
Duration and working schedule: This consultancy will commence in the third week of March 2025 and will end on December 25, 2025. The total number of working days is 60.
Place where services are to be delivered: The service will be delivered to the UNFPA Country Office. All versions of the final documents should be delivered in electronic format, using Microsoft Word.
Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):
All versions of the final documents should be delivered in electronic format, proofread, and spell-checked using the appropriate software, together with one hard copy to the UNFPA Office if possible.
The quality of the deliverables will be evaluated by the Chief – A&Y unit, Programme Specialist.
Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:
The consultant will work closely with the Programme Analyst - Adolescent and Youth, the Technical Officer- Adolescent & Youth, CSO Engagement & MERL, Data Backend and Dashboard Development Associate, under the direct guidance of the Chief, AY, in carrying out the duties detailed above.
The consultant will provide written updates regularly and organise in-person/online meetings to share work updates, needs and challenges as needed.
Expected travel: The consultant will be expected to travel to programme areas of a minimum of 4 districts. UNFPA will bear any costs of travel and accommodation.
Qualifications and Experience:
Advanced University degree in social science, gender studies, development studies, or in an alternative relevant field. At least 2 years of experience in conducting implementation research, preferably in the context of child marriage or social norms change. Excellent understanding of the emerging issues related to child marriage, gender equality, and gender-based violence. Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills. Excellent data analysis and report writing skills. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with proficiency in crafting clear and persuasive content. Flexibility and responsiveness to changes as part of the review and feedback process.Inputs /services to be provided by UNFPA: UNFPA will provide the following support to the Research Consultant:
Access to relevant programme documents and data Introduction to key stakeholders Logistical support for data collection activitiesPayment Instruction:
1st installment: 30% payment upon the delivery of Inception report and data collection tools 2nd installment: 30% payment upon the delivery of Submission of the draft report Final Installment: 40% payment upon the delivery of Submission of the final reportRequired Competencies:
Values:
Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing changeCore Competencies:
Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,Ethical Considerations: The research will be conducted in accordance with ethical research principles, including informed consent, confidentiality, and respect for participants' rights.
Level of the consultant: NOA
Intellectual Property: All research outputs and intellectual property rights will belong to UNFPA
Confidentiality: The Research Consultant will maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained during the consultancy
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.