National Consultant to Conduct Formative Assessment to Inform Module Develo at unfpa

Dhaka, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

14 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

16 Mar, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Formative Research, Mixed-Methods Research, Qualitative Data Analysis, Quantitative Data Analysis, Masculinities, Gender-Transformative Programming, Behavior Change, Stakeholder Interviewing, Focus Group Facilitation, Data Mapping, Curriculum Development, Statistical Analysis, Research Design, Report Writing, Contextual Analysis, Project Management

Industry

International Affairs

Description

The Position: Recognizing that 'change begins at home,' The Catalyst Initiative: Transforming Masculinities, Accelerating Equality is a pilot initiative launched by UNFPA Bangladesh in partnership with the Government of Sweden. This initiative represents a strategic shift from treating gender equality solely as an external programmatic output to viewing it as an internal professional competency and ethical imperative. By engaging male staff within the development and humanitarian sector in Bangladesh, the initiative seeks to move beyond compliance-based training to create safe, transformative spaces where participants can reflect on their socialisation, challenge harmful masculine norms, and adopt positive masculinities. By transforming the individuals who design and deliver development programmes, the initiative seeks to catalyze a ripple effect that enhances the gender-responsiveness of the entire sector. Ultimately, the initiative aims to transform development and humanitarian institutions into 'role models', ensuring that internal leadership, policies, and workplace cultures reflect the values of gender equality. The objective of this consultancy is to conduct a formative diagnostic assessment of dominant and subordinate masculine norms that provides the evidence base for transitioning the Catalyst Initiative from a theoretical concept into an impactful, contextually tailored intervention. The specific objectives are: * Identify the specific norms and behavioral determinants, and social expectations that influence how male professionals engage with gender equality, and enact it in the workplace and beyond. * Establish a baseline of current masculine norms and institutional dynamics across individual, relational, and professional domains. * Identify "entry points" and "resistance points" to inform a robust Module Architecture that resonates with the culture and context of 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: The purpose of this consultancy is to lead a formative assessment on dominant and subordinate masculine norms that will inform the transitions of the Catalyst Initiative from a concept to an evidence-based intervention. This assessment will provide the diagnostic data by identifying knowledge gaps, norms and behavioral patterns and practices in regard to masculinities and masculine norms to tailor the training curriculum for male development and humanitarian professionals. The assessment is essential to ensure the training modules are contextually tailored, practically relevant and capable of driving sustainable behavioral change promoting positive masculinities, rather than passive awareness, by identifying specific cultural nuances and workplace dynamics. You would be responsible for: The National Consultant will be responsible for the full lifecycle of the formative assessment, employing a rigorous mixed-methods approach: A. Requirements Gathering and Research Design * Conduct a review of global frameworks and best practices in engaging men in gender equality and GBV prevention in the workplace to ensure the modules are evidence-based. * Design a mixed-methods research framework incorporating quantitative and qualitative tools. B. Primary Data Collection * Implement online and/or offline data collection tools to benchmark baseline attitudes and identify broad knowledge gaps among the target audience. * Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with key stakeholders to identify prevalent norms, behaviors, and practices. * Facilitate Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to explore personal nuances and workplace dynamics, extracting real-world scenarios to inform the modules. * Conduct a review of global frameworks and best practices in engaging men in gender equality in the workplace. * Design the research framework incorporating quantitative and qualitative tools. C. Analysis and Recommendations * Conduct a comprehensive analysis of all collected data (quantitative and qualitative) to map dominant and subordinate masculine norms and institutional dynamics across individual, relational, and professional domains, culminating in the "Norm-Mapping Matrix." * Detail the specific knowledge gaps, behavioral determinants, and social expectations to establish the baseline and address the objectives of the consultancy. * Identify and articulate critical "entry points" and "resistance points" to inform a robust, context-specific module. * Develop a set of actionable, evidence-based recommendations for strengthening and tailoring the Catalyst Initiative's training curriculum to ensure it drives sustainable behavioral change and promotes positive masculinities within the development and humanitarian sector. Deliverables: 1. Inception Report: Finalized methodology, work plan, and research tools (Surveys, KII/FGD guides). 2. Formative Assessment Draft: Preliminary findings and baseline data analysis. 3. Final Formative Assessment Report: Comprehensive analysis of findings, including the "Norm-Mapping Matrix". Duration and working schedule: This consultancy will be for 30 days, spread over two months, starting in the March 2026 and ending on June 30, 2026. Place where services are to be delivered: The services are to be delivered to the UNFPA Country Office. All versions of the final documents should be delivered in appropriate electronic format. Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.): * Inception report and research tools: April 1, 2026 * Formative Assesment Draft: April 30, 2026 * Final Formative Research Report: May 15, 2026 All documents will be submitted electronically via email or a designated file-sharing platform. Supervisory arrangements: The consultant will report to the Programme Analyst- Gender and Child Marriage, UNFPA Bangladesh and work in close collaboration with and guidance from the Chiefs of Gender and Adolescents and Youth unit, and the Deputy Representative of UNFPA Bangladesh. The consultant will provide written updates on a regular basis and organise in-person/online meetings to share work updates, needs and challenges as needed. Expected travel: This consultancy may require travel outside of Dhaka. UNFPA will not bear any costs in relation to travel and accommodation. Qualifications and Experience: Education: Advanced University degree (Ph.D or Masters) in Sociology, Anthropology, Women and Gender Studies, or a related field. Required Experience: * Minimum 2-5 years of experience in conducting formative research on social norms and behavior change. * Demonstrated expertise in using mixed-methods research (qualitative and quantitative). * Expertise in masculinities and gender-transformative programming in the South Asian context. * Strong analytical skills and proficiency in statistical analysis or qualitative data software. * Proven ability to translate complex qualitative data into pedagogical scenarios and module blueprints. * Strong understanding of the development and humanitarian landscape of Bangladesh. * Familiarity with the policies and procedures of UN agencies. * Previous working experience with UN agencies will be considered an asset. Languages: * Bangla and English Required Competencies: Values: * Exemplifying integrity, * Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, * Embracing cultural diversity, * Embracing change Core Competencies: * Achieving results, * Being accountable, * Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, * Thinking analytically and strategically, * Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships. Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA: UNFPA will facilitate introductory meetings with the Reference Group, UN agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the consultant has access to the target participants. The consultant will be responsible for arranging their own laptops and other related equipment. Payment Instruction: 1st Installment (50%): Upon submission of the formative assessment draft. 2nd Installment (50%): Upon submission of the final report. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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 [https://www.unfpa.org/diversity-equity-inclusion] to learn more. Other relevant information or special conditions, if any: Ethical Considerations: The consultant must respect the confidentiality of all data and information obtained during this consultancy, including programme data, beneficiary information, and internal UNFPA documents. This obligation survives the termination of the consultancy. Intellectual Property: All consultancy outputs and intellectual property rights will belong to UNFPA. Confidentiality: The consultant must ensure data privacy and security, complying with UNFPA's policies and relevant data privacy regulations.

Responsibilities

The consultant will lead a formative assessment using a mixed-methods approach to diagnose masculine norms, identifying knowledge gaps and behavioral determinants to inform the tailoring of the Catalyst Initiative's training curriculum for male professionals. This involves designing research tools, collecting primary data through interviews and focus groups, analyzing findings, and developing actionable recommendations for module strengthening.