Consultant for Post-Engagement Assessment of the Shombhabona Programme

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that 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 committed to achieving three transformative results by 2030: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet needs for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to health services and rights, while also promoting gender equality and human rights.

Job Overview:
The consultancy role is centered on leading and conducting the post-engagement assessment and final phase of implementation research for the Shombhabona Programme, which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions designed to change social and gender norms that contribute to child marriage in Bangladesh. The consultant will be responsible for measuring the efficacy of these interventions, providing evidence-based conclusions, and offering strategic recommendations for the sustainability and scalability of successful approaches. The role requires a deep understanding of the socio-cultural context of child marriage in Bangladesh and the ability to analyze complex data to inform programmatic decisions. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Department of Women Affairs, to ensure that the research findings are actionable and relevant to ongoing efforts to combat child marriage.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will lead the post-intervention assessment, which includes reviewing Phase 1 research findings, refining methodologies, developing a comprehensive assessment framework, and updating data collection tools. Responsibilities also encompass designing a sampling framework, overseeing data collection, ensuring data quality, and conducting both quantitative and qualitative analyses. The consultant will evaluate the effectiveness of the programme interventions, assess implementation fidelity, and document lessons learned. Additionally, the consultant will prepare a comprehensive report detailing findings, discussions, and recommendations, and will facilitate a validation workshop to present preliminary results. Regular updates and collaboration with UNFPA staff will be essential throughout the consultancy period.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in social science, gender studies, development studies, or a related field. A minimum of two years of experience in conducting implementation research, particularly in the context of child marriage or social norms change, is required. Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, along with excellent data analysis and report writing capabilities, are essential. Candidates should demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to feedback, as well as strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Experience with comparative and longitudinal analysis is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in social science, gender studies, development studies, or a related field is mandatory for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of social norms and gender issues related to child marriage, as well as for conducting rigorous research that informs policy and programmatic decisions.

Experience:
The position requires at least two years of relevant experience in conducting implementation research, particularly in areas related to child marriage, gender equality, and gender-based violence. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with diverse stakeholders and possess strong analytical skills to interpret complex data sets. Experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies is essential, as is the ability to communicate findings effectively to various audiences.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as the consultant will be required to produce written reports and communicate with stakeholders in English. Knowledge of Bengali is an asset, as it will facilitate engagement with local communities and stakeholders during the research process. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set to commence in the second week of June 2026 and will conclude on December 25, 2026, with a total of 60 working days. The consultant will be expected to deliver all final documents in electronic format, ensuring they are proofread and meet the quality standards set by UNFPA. The consultancy will involve travel to various programme districts, including Bagerhat, Chapainawabganj, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, and Noakhali, with travel and accommodation costs covered by UNFPA. Payment will be structured in three installments based on the delivery of specific milestones, including the inception report, draft report, and final report. Ethical considerations will be paramount, with a commitment to confidentiality and respect for participants' rights throughout the research process.