1. Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security. 

UN Women in Bangladesh supports the government in implementing commitments to international normative standards on gender equality and women’s human rights. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2022-2026, UN Women Bangladesh Strategic Note (SN) (2022-2026) defines the organisation’s strategic engagement. The country SN focuses on strengthening the national structures and mechanisms for gender mainstreaming in policies, plans and budgets; supporting efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women; promoting women’s access to decent and safe work; promoting policies and government investment in women’s empowerment and resilience building in the context of climate change, humanitarian crisis as well as other threats to peace and security. UN Women works with a range of stakeholders in Bangladesh including the government, civil society organizations (CSO) and women’s rights/ led organizations (WRO/WLO), organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), youth network/organizations, UN sister agencies and donors, to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.  

Bangladesh faces a significant challenge of violence against women (VAW). According to the national survey on Violence against Women (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 2024), almost two-thirds (70 per cent) of ever-married women experienced one or more such forms of violence by their husband at least once in their lifetime and 54 per cent of women have experienced physical and/ sexual violence in their lifetime[1].  While intimate partner violence is the most prevalent form of VAW, rape and sexual violence in public spaces, specifically on public transport, in educational institutions and at the workplace as well as online/virtual spaces is increasing. 

In terms of the legal framework, the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has enacted legislations such as the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act (2000)[2] , the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA act) 2014;[3] the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act of 2010[4] . Bangladesh also amended certain discriminatory clauses of other key laws to respond the needs of addressing discrimination in accessing to justice for the rape survivors such as Evidence Act (Amendment) 2022. However, implementation gaps contribute to a culture of impunity, with a low conviction rate. Limited accessibility to the justice system, discriminatory attitudes, and underreporting due to prevalent social norms further compound the problem. However, access to quality essential services to gender-based violence (GBV) survivors and effective coordination among state and non-state service providers have exacerbated the challenges of preventing and responding to violence against women. 

Drawing from the lessons learned from past prevention projects and leveraging on the RESPECT framework for prevention programming, UN Women further aims to contribute to the effective implementation of existing sexual and gender-based violence-related laws, policies, and practices at the national and local level, and provide technical support for localisation of gender-responsive budgeting. UN Women also aims to enhance accessibility of the survivor-centred support, through improved coordination among government and non-government service providers leveraging on the learning from implementation of the Essential Service Packages for women and girls subject to violence. 

Under the Ending Violence Against Women portfolio, UN Women is currently implementing a project entitled “Ending sexual and gender-based violence in public spaces, in the context of work and tertiary educational settings in Bangladesh” (ESGBV), in partnership with the European Union (EU). 

The ESGBV project has three key objectives: 

(1) To strengthen enabling environment through policies, systems and improved institutional knowledge, resources, and practices to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in public spaces, including for workplace and tertiary educational institutions. 

(2) To transform harmful social and gender norms and practices.

(3) To strengthen agency and leadership of civil society and women rights organisations. 

Under the first objective, the project contributes to the effective implementation of existing sexual harassment directives and advocate for stronger sexual violence legislation (e.g., the High Court Directive 2009 on sexual harassment, enacting Sexual Harassment Bill) at the national level. Simultaneously, the project will increase the capacities of national and local government administrative bodies and local government institutions by strengthening gender-responsive budgeting, policy implementation and improving the functionality of local and national VAW committees for stronger accountability of government institutions.

Under the second result area, the project aims to improve the institutional culture and practices by increasing awareness and behaviour changes related to social and gender norms that perpetuate sexual harassment and sexual violence in the workplace, in educational institutions and in public spaces, such as the transport sector. 

Under the third result area, the project will invest in feminist approaches to improve the leadership of civil society and WROS at the national and local level for evidence-based advocacy for survivours-centred implementation of laws, and policies and enhance collaboration through a national level prevention forum for cross-learning on prevention programming. 

Therefore, UN Women aims to establish a diverse pool of international consultants for the placement on a retainer pool, accessible to BCO EVAW team. It is seeking technical support from international consultants under the retainer contracts to contribute to provide technical assistance to develop programming and policy guideline & tools , prevention and response models for implementation, programme design for resource mobilization, evidence generation through research, and programme evaluation, particularly supporting the implementation of the ESGBV project as well as the broader Ending Violence Against Women portfolio and targeted activities.

2. Objective of the consultancy 

The overall objective of this consultancy is to provide specialised and high-quality technical and advisory support to BCO EVAW team, that includes development of programming and policy guideline tools, prevention and response models for implementation, programme design for resource mobilization, evidence generation through research(baseline, midline endline, action research etc.), and capacity development of programme partners on VAW prevention and response frameworks and tools. 

International candidates are particularly encouraged to identify where their strengths lie the most amongst the areas of expertise and competencies listed below. 

Each consultant will be expected to work on specific assignments as required by programme team within their respective expertise.

*Note: The service will be rendered “on call” basis. UN Women does not warrant that the maximum of contract amount will be purchased during the term of the agreement. While on retainer, there is no guarantee of work, and selected consultants retain the right to decline assignments based on their availability and expertise.

3. Description of responsibilities / Scope of work

Under the direct supervision of the Unit Manager, Ending Violene Against Women, there are multiple consultant(s) to be retained who have expertise on the following topics / areas. 

A. Policy Analysis and technical support to National Action Plan: 

• Conduct policy and legal analysis of the laws of Bangladesh, including GBV related ones, from a gender and intersectional lens. 
• Provide technical support to formulation / revise of National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (NAPVAWG) 
• Provide technical support to develop the costing tools for prevention and response approach, including gender responsive budgeting. 

       B. Prevention and Response Programming: 

• Provide specialised technical support to prevention and response interventions including development of project materials such as technical ‘how to’ briefs on prevention and response strategies. 
• Develop guidance document and tools for response and prevention approaches, including social norm change initiatives that can be implemented under the ESGBV project. 

        C. Evidence Generation through Research:

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to understand the situation of GBV in country and inform the GBV prevention and response programming. 
• Conduct human rights-based stakeholder analysis from a gender and intersectional lens. 
• Conduct high quality baseline, midline and endline research under the ESGBV project, following the ethical guidelines established by UN Women. 
• Conduct action research under the ESGBV project. 
• Draft programme documentation and presentations of results informed by learning and assessment process. 

      D. Capacity development of programme partners on VAW prevention and response programming: 

• Develop ‘how to’ toolkit on VAW prevention and response programming for the implementing partners of the EVAW programme. 
• Conduct capacity development sessions with programme partners, especially for government and non-government entities on VAW prevention and response tools. 

       E. Resource Mobilization: 

• Development of project concept notes, and project proposals with results framework and budgeting for joint programming, in align with UN Women Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Policy and Country Programme Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Procedure. 
• Development of pitch deck for resource mobilization. 

     4. Duration of the Assignment: 

The retainer contract will commence on 1 December 2025 and will be valid until 1 December 2028. 

      5. Supervision and Performance Evaluation:

The consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the services delivered. The contract performance shall be evaluated and monitored by the Unit Manager, EVAW. 

       6. Duty Station:

This is a home-based consultancy (retainer). As part of the consultancy, there may be travel related to the scope of the work, which will be paid for separately in accordance with UN Women’s travel policy. 

        7. Competencies:

Core Values:

• Respect for diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies: 

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues 
• Accountability 
• Creative Problem Solving 
• Effective Communication 
• Inclusive Collaboration 
• Stakeholder Engagement 
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework.

Functional Competencies: 

• Technical expertise in the areas of gender equality, gender responsive budgeting, and prevention and response to violence against women. 
• Proven ability to conduct research, provide comprehensive analysis and draft high quality research reports (qualitative and quantitative) and documentation of learning process. 
• Strong mixed method research expertise using gender lens, especially be use of big data with statistical know-how. 
• Excellent analytical skills, especially in the field of policy and legal analysis.
• Ability to lead formulation of programme strategies, national action plan and their implementation plan with costing tools. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communicate effectively with multitude of stakeholders, and ability to take decisions and manage political / cultural sensitivity. 
• Strong planning and organizing skills with ability to identify priority activities and assignments and to use time efficiently
• Strong knowledge of UN Women policies, process and system

      8. Required Qualifications for all candidates: 

I) Education: 

Senior Level: 

• Advanced degree (at least master’s degree) in international development, gender studies, human rights, social science, anthropology, law, economics or related fields. 
• A PhD in social science or a related subject is a plus for senior level position. 

Mid and Junior Level: 

• Advanced degree (at least master’s degree) in international development, gender studies, human rights, social science, anthropology, law, or related fields.

II) Knowledge of gender and VAW:  

• Senior level: Minimum 10 years of demonstrated extensive experience in gender and VAW at the national and international levels is required. 
• Mid-level: Minimum 07 years of demonstrated extensive experience in gender and VAW at the national and international levels is required.
• Junior level: Minimum 05 years of demonstrated extensive experience in gender and VAW at the national and international levels is required.

III) Technical Expertise: 

Applicants can choose one or multiple areas of expertise from the following while applying for the assignment. Please mention in the application letter which areas of expertise and which levels  (Senior/Mid Level/Junior) one is applying for. 

III-A) Policy Analysis and technical support to the National Action Plan:

• Minimum 4 (junior), 6 (mid-level), and 9 (senior level) years of experience in conducting legal analysis and designing recommendations for policies and measures in GBV related laws and policies.   
• Minimum 4 (junior), 6 (mid-level) and 9 (years) of experience in conducting similar policy tools, costing studies and/or modelling for national action plan for VAW prevention. 
• Experience in conducting gender analysis in different areas with strong expertise on ending violence against women (prevention and response) and the gender responsive budgeting. 
• Excellent analytical skills, especially in the field of policy and legal analysis. 

III-B) Prevention and Response Programming

• Minimum 5 (junior), 7(mid-level), and 9 (senior level) years of experience to develop the project materials such as technical ‘how to’ briefs on prevention strategies and response strategies. 
• Minimum 5 (junior), 7(mid-level), and 9 (senior level) years of experience to develop the project materials on essential services for GBV survivours. 
• Experience in developing guidance document and tools for response and prevention approaches,
• Experience in providing technical support to social norm change initiatives that can be implemented under the ESGBV project.

III-C) Evidence Generation through Research

• Minimum 5 (junior), 7(mid-level), and 9 (senior level) years of experience that combines research and capacity development in gender equality and violence against women (prevention and response) at the national and international levels is required. 
• Minimum 5 (junior), 7(mid-level), and 10 (senior level) years of experience in Quantitative research, including the use of input-output tables, big data modelling, and forecasting techniques and use of visualization tools (e.g. NVivo, Tableau). 
• Minimum 5 (junior), 7(mid-level), and 10 (senior level) years of experience in Qualitative research for informing prevention and response programme design and evidence generation through action research.  
• Experience in drafting high quality of research reports to inform programming and advocacy. 

III-D) Capacity development of programme partners

• Minimum 5 (junior), 7(mid-level), and 10 (senior level) years of experience in development of knowledge products for capacity development/training with international organizations. 
• Experience in conducting training for civil society organizations and feminist grassroot organization on prevention approaches / models such as SASA! Together, Stepping Stones, etc. 
• Experience in turning training materials into interactive learning sessions / modality and documentation of learning process. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communicate effectively with multitude of stakeholders, and ability to take decisions and manage political / cultural sensitivity. 

III-E) Resource Mobilization

• Minimum 5 (junior), 7(mid-level), and 10 (senior level) years of experience in development of project concept notes, proposals including results framework. 
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation with previous international or national organizations. 
• Experience with developing pitch deck for addressing the need of the multiple donors for resource mobilization. 
• Strong planning and organizing skills with ability to identify priority areas for resource mobilization and priorities time and resources efficiently. 

Other Experiences for all candidates: 

Experience working in the Asia and the Pacific region, especially similar context of Bangladesh is an asset. 

Languages: 

Language proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. 

Evaluation criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on the following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

Education Qualification:  10 Point
Experience in gender quality and prevention and response to violence against women with an international or national organization : 10 Point 
Experience in technical expertise mentioned in the “Qualification section from (III-A) to (III-E)”- 40 Point
Experience in the development of knowledge products relevant to technical expertise:  30 Point

Experience working in Asia and the Pacific region or a similar context- 10 Point

Payments: 
Payments for this consultancy (retainer) will be based on the achievement of each assignment and certification that each has been satisfactorily completed. Payments will not be based on the number of days worked but on the completion of each stated assignment within the indicated timeframes. 
 

UN Women does not warrant the maximum number of working days, and the service will be purchased during the Term of the Agreement. The consultant(s) will be engaged under the retainer contract, which facilitates direct engagement of the consultant(s) depending on need and availability within the contract period for a pre-agreed fee.

The consultant can only be engaged through the issuance of Quantum Purchase Order, based on the agreed Contract every time the UN Women wishes to procure the service.

Submission Package includes:

• Indicate the position(s)/ description of work and which level (Senior/Mid-Level/Junior) you are applying for in the application letter as relevant to your previous experiences. 
• Application letter (maximum 1.5 pages) explaining your interest in consultancy by mentioning their strengths lie in the most amongst areas of experience and competencies listed above. 
• Applicants who have been shortlisted will be asked for any other relevant published materials (sample work) to pre-assess the relevance of their experience, such as published reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other relevant materials. These samples must have been authored by the applicant. Alternatively, the applicant should be able to show that they led in the drafting of the same.

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. So, please consolidate all the required documents into one file prior to attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. Please merge all documents into one document to attach.

Statements

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All recruitment/procurement is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified and not considered for further assessment.