National Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, and its strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and international organizations, to achieve its goals and respond to global challenges, including the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's health and rights.

Job Overview:
The national consultancy service aims to collaborate with UNFPA Bangladesh Country Office (CO) and the Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO) teams to generate evidence and develop strategic frameworks that promote positive masculinities and strengthen the engagement of men and boys in preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) in the region. The consultant will work closely with an international consultant and the UNFPA CO team to collect data and generate evidence that will inform future programming. This role is critical in addressing harmful masculinities and social norms that perpetuate GBV and harmful practices, contributing to a comprehensive regional initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for providing short-term technical assistance, research, and outreach services to support the research and analysis efforts. Key responsibilities include:

• Participating in team planning meetings at the start of the data collection phase and attending at least two meetings with other country consultants and the international consultant to discuss emerging themes.
• Developing a list of key informants for the methodology, making initial contact with these organizations, and scheduling interviews and organizing focus group discussions (FGDs).
• Leading key informant interviews, taking detailed notes, and coordinating, facilitating, and recording FGDs, which may involve travel to four locations: Dhaka, Bandarban, Satkhira/Noakhali, and Gaibandha.
• Identifying key themes and coding notes in a shared spreadsheet at the end of each day of interviews/FGDs.
• Generating a four-page summary of key findings, themes, and recommendations at the national level.
• Participating in a participatory analysis workshop to contribute to qualitative analysis and identify recommendations for the regional strategy.
• Contributing to presentations to stakeholders to validate recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree, preferably at the Master's level, in social sciences or related fields such as Women and Gender Studies, Development Studies, Sociology, or Anthropology. They should have demonstrated prior experience in engaging with masculinity, men and boys, gender integration, and addressing social and gender norms, particularly in relation to child marriage and GBV. Experience working with civil society organizations, international and local development organizations, and academic institutions is essential, along with a strong technical foundation in gender and related areas such as social sciences, public health, or global development. Skills in qualitative and/or mixed methods research, policy development, and effective writing and communication are also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree, preferably at the Master's level, in social sciences or related fields such as Women and Gender Studies, Development Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, or any other relevant discipline is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the social dynamics involved in addressing GBV and CEFM.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in the field of gender studies, particularly in masculinity, men and boys engagement, and gender integration. This includes experience in the prevention and response to child marriage and GBV, as well as addressing social and gender norms. The consultant should have a proven track record of working with civil society organizations, international and local development organizations, and academic institutions, with experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, including interviews and FGDs, and capacity building on gender and women's rights.

Languages:
Fluency in Bangla and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders, as well as for conducting interviews and focus group discussions. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will last for 26 working days, starting from April 1, 2026, until October 30, 2026, contingent upon the successful completion of tasks and deliverables. The consultant will be expected to travel to a maximum of four districts, including Dhaka, Bandarban, Satkhira/Noakhali, and Gaibandha, with all associated travel and accommodation costs covered by UNFPA. Payment will be divided into two installments: 50% upon completion of interviews and the remaining 50% after the completion of the final task. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance, encouraging applications from women and underrepresented groups.