National Consultant to Support the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in the Implementation of the Norm-Shift Accelerator Programme

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 mission to promote reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls. The organization emphasizes the importance of data and evidence-based decision-making to achieve its goals, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 aims to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence, while addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's health and rights.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in Bangladesh by developing a comprehensive data system for the Norm-Shift Accelerator Programme. This consultancy aims to create a robust framework for monitoring the programme's progress, evaluating its impact, and facilitating evidence-based decision-making. The consultant will work closely with UNFPA and the Department of Women Affairs to ensure that the data system aligns with the programme's objectives and effectively captures relevant data across various interventions. The position requires a deep understanding of data management, statistical analysis, and the socio-ecological factors influencing child marriage in Bangladesh. The consultant will lead the design and implementation of a centralized database, analytical pipeline, and interactive dashboard to visualize key indicators and outcomes, thereby enhancing the programme's effectiveness and reach.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National IT Consultant will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of developing and implementing the data system for the Norm-Shift Accelerator Programme. Key responsibilities include:

• Requirements Gathering and System Design: Collaborate with UNFPA and the Department of Women Affairs to understand data needs and evaluation frameworks. Develop detailed system architecture and design documents.
• Database Development and Implementation: Design and implement a secure, scalable centralized programme participant database.
• Analytical Pipeline Development: Create an embedded analytical pipeline for descriptive and inferential statistical analyses.
• Data Integration and Interoperability: Develop an interoperable data integration layer to connect multiple source databases.
• Dashboard Development: Create an interactive, real-time dashboard for visualizing programme outputs and impact metrics.
• Implementation Research Data Management: Ensure the system captures data relevant to implementation research.
• Testing, Training, and Documentation: Conduct thorough testing, develop user manuals, and provide training to stakeholders.
• Deliverables include system design prototypes, functional databases, analytical pipelines, dashboards, and comprehensive documentation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters) in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field. They should have a minimum of two years of hands-on experience in programming and data science, with strong skills in Python, R, or similar languages. Experience in database design and management (SQL and NoSQL) is essential, along with proficiency in data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI. Knowledge of statistical analysis and machine learning techniques is required, as well as excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Familiarity with social and market research methodologies is an asset, and candidates should demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to feedback.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Masters) in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field is required for this position. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree may be considered if they have four years of relevant experience. The educational background should include a strong foundation in programming, data management, and statistical analysis.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant experience in programming and data science. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree should have at least four years of experience. Experience should include hands-on work with database design, data visualization, and statistical analysis, as well as familiarity with implementation research methodologies.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as the consultant will be required to communicate effectively with stakeholders and produce documentation in English. Knowledge of Bengali is an asset, as it may facilitate communication with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is expected to last for 80 days over a period of 8 months, starting in the second week of April 2025 and concluding on December 15, 202

• The consultant will work remotely and will not be required to travel. Payment will be made in installments based on the completion of specific deliverables. The consultant must adhere to ethical considerations regarding data confidentiality and intellectual property rights, with all outputs belonging to UNFPA. The position is classified at the NOB level, and UNFPA encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and underrepresented groups.