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Qualitative Research Consultant

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Job Location: 
Dhaka and Comilla, Chittagong, Bangladesh


Time Period:
April-June 2013

Amount of Time:
Approximately 4-5 weeks over 3 months     

Compensation:  
Daily rate to be negotiated based on prior experience            

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) is a non-profit research organization dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls and the promotion of gender equality.  ICRW works with partners to conduct empirical research, build capacity, and advocate for evidence-based, practical ways to change policies and programs.  ICRW has its headquarters in Washington, DC, with regional offices in New Delhi, India and Nairobi, Kenya. 

ICRW seeks an experienced researcher to assist with an assessment of an international NGO’s program in Bangladesh.  The program’s aims are to empower adolescent girls both socially and financially in order to improve their confidence, build their independence and ensure they lead dignified lives.  The program gives adolescent girls an opportunity to gather, socialize, and learn together. It provides them with the following: financial literacy; savings and credit facilities; livelihood training; safe spaces, known as “clubs”, for girls to socialize and training on life-skills.

ICRW is conducting a case study assessment of the program to gain a better understanding of how the program has impacted marriage and childbearing-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The aim of ICRW’s assessment is to:

  • Assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of the program approach in terms of scale, sustainability, and effectiveness.
  • Understand the intended and unintended, positive and negative consequences of this approach, including the program's ability to reach especially vulnerable girls.
  • Map both a basic theory of change and more detailed “pathways to empowerment” for the program to better articulate why and how it fosters resulting outcomes. 

For this case study assessment, ICRW and the consultant will collect and analyze a variety of qualitative and quantitative data sources, including: key informant interviews (KIIs), in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), participatory activities, program documents, process monitoring and evaluation data and secondary data from other sources, and field observation of ongoing program implementation. Key informant and in-depth interviews will be conducted with program leadership and implementation staff, as well as with program participants. Focus group discussions will be facilitated among program participants and non-participants, as well as among mothers of participants and non-participants, and may be conducted with field-level implementation staff alongside community liaisons if appropriate. ICRW and the consultant will collaborate with the partner organizations to develop a more detailed research methodology. 

Primary Duties: 

ICRW seeks the services of an experienced researcher with experience in this region to provide support to the process.  Specifically, the researcher will:

  • Plan and coordinate closely with the ICRW lead researcher leading up to the site visit.
  • Review all project documentation, qualitative research strategy and other preparatory materials, as required.  
  • Provide the research team with insight into the key issues related to early marriage, early childbearing, gender discrimination, children’s rights, and cultural and religious dynamics in the region around Comilla, Chittagong Division.
  • Review and provide feedback to research protocol, including FGD, KII, and IDI guides.
  • Review translation of FGD, KII, and IDI guides from English to Bengali.
  • Assist ICRW lead researcher in workshops and discussions with key staff.
  • Co-lead training with ICRW lead researcher for research team, including translator, note-taker and any other facilitators.
  • Lead pre-testing research protocols prior to data collection.
  • Assist ICRW lead researcher in conducting KIIs with key staff. 
  • Lead FGDs ( about 5 in Comilla or Barura).
  • Lead IDIs (12-16 in Comilla/Barura, Chittagong).
  • Lead participatory activities (1 or 2 in Barura, Chittagong).
  • Support the analysis of qualitative data following data collection, as requested.
  • Help write and review key sections of report, as requested.
Required Skills: 
  • Master’s degree in a related field (sociology, women’s studies, international development, public health or other social science) required; PhD preferred.
  • Significant experience (at least 5 years) with qualitative research design, implementation and analysis.
  • Fluency in English and Bengali.
  • Familiarity with local context, including issues related to early marriage, early pregnancy, adolescent girls, and local language and customs.
  • Experience with gender analysis.
  • Experience working with non-governmental organizations.
  • Ability to travel for multiple days (up to 14) in Bangladesh.
How To Apply: 

Interested consultants should submit a statement of interest, resume and fee requirements to Shana Pereira at contractors@icrw.org with "Qualitative Research Consultant, Bangladesh" in the subject line.