Individual Consultant for UNPRPD programme

Individual Consultant for UNPRPD programme

Duty Station:  Dhaka (potential visits to other locations as needed)

Contract Duration:  42 working days spread over 2 Months

Number of Vacancies: 01

Contract Type: Contract with E-Zone.          

Contract Start Date:  Immediate

Reporting to: Research and Evaluation Manager

A.    Background and Context

The United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) Fund, established as a Multi-Partner Trust Fund, aims to support the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and advance  disability  inclusion within national strategies. The fund's 2020-2025 Strategic Operational Framework (SOF) focuses on reforming policies, budgets, and services in alignment with CRPD and disability-inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative in Bangladesh reflects a collaborative effort among government agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), civil society, and UN entities such as UNICEF, UNDP, and ILO. The programme seeks to address issues of equality, non- discrimination, and accountability, with special attention to women and girls with disabilities. This joint programming approach is grounded in results-oriented planning to drive CRPD compliance, leveraging established partnerships to foster greater participation of OPDs in national decision- making processes. The programme's geographical and strategic alignment with national priorities reinforces its relevance to Bangladesh's ongoing policy development.

B.    Rationale / Purpose of the evidence activity

The evidence activity in this context is essential to reflect back and learn from the joint programming how the program was grounded creating synergy and adding value through the joint initiative. The rationale for conducting this evaluation is to learn how the meaningful participation of OPDs, particularly women’s rights organizations, in decision-making processes was advanced related to disability-inclusive SDGs. This learning is necessary because current policy frameworks and programs may not fully align with CRPD mandates, and key gaps—especially regarding the discrimination against women and girls with disabilities—persist. The results of the evaluation will inform policy reforms and program design to enhance compliance with international standards and strengthen accountability mechanisms. Given that the programme is at a critical stage of implementation, now is the opportune time to conduct this evaluation to learn to what extent joint initiative contributed to achieve the stated goals and addressed challenges in achieving the results for beneficiaries.

A.    Objectives

This external evaluation aims to assess the achievements of the Joint Program (JP) and its overall contribution to advance the CRPD implementation in Bangladesh. While this is an output level evaluation, it also serves to inform the national stakeholders as well as UNPRPD on the appropriateness of the interventions and learning about how the selected priorities contributed to the outcomes.

Specific learning objectives for the evaluation include the following:

·         Relevance - Evaluate the relevance of the JP intervention in the context of Bangladesh, with a focus on which elements contributed to the Government efforts to advance the CRPD commitments.

·         Effectiveness  -  Examine  the  change  that  occurred  in  the  essential  building  blocks  for  CRPD implementation due to the JP interventions, identifying specific factors that contributed to achieving these changes and opportunities that were pivotal in facilitating change in the country?

·         Effectiveness- Evaluate the contribution of the JP to promoting disability inclusion within the national development/ humanitarian frameworks of Bangladesh?

·         Efficiency- Analyse the multi-partner approach of the JP to achieve the change by determining the level of equity and equality in partner engagement and contribution.

·         Equity- Evaluate the incorporation of gender equality, participation of organizations of persons with disabilities, and the promotion of marginalized groups in the JP.

·         Coherence - Assess the contribution of the JP to UNPRPD objectives and the One-UN approach.

·         Sustainability - Identify key opportunities to expand the JP scope or scale to sustain the policy and/or system level changes initiated by the JP? 

B.    Scope  

The evaluation will cover the implementation phase of the UNPRPD-funded joint programme, focusing on interventions conducted between 2020 and 2025. It will assess activities within Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka and other key regions, with a specific focus on the participation of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and efforts to ensure disability-inclusive SDGs. The evaluation will target key stakeholders, including government agencies, OPDs, and UN partners, to gauge the effectiveness of the programme’s strategic goals.

E.    Schedule of Tasks & Timeline

The duration of the consultancy is expected to be approximately 2 months between October to 1st week of December 2024 (tentatively the assignment will be started from October 2024, but the exact date will be finalized after completion of recruitment process). The UNICEF shall NOT provide office space in Dhaka and necessary logistics (like Laptop, Printer, Paper, internet, local travel, etc.) to carry out day-to-day jobs of the consultant.

The work is expected to be divided into three phases, as summarized below. (Note the specific phasing and  activities shown  below are indicative and  subject  to discussion with the selected consultants.)

F.     Payment

Each consultant will get BDT 17,000 per day.

G.     Administrative issues:

·         For timely payment by the HR service provider, the Supervisor will forward the certified attendance sheet and confirmation of received deliverables for the respective period.

·         Consultants will be located at Dhaka office respectively and report to the Health Specialist, Dhaka on emergency response activities.

·         Each consultant will get BDT 17,000 per day depending on submission of deliverables as a consolidated monthly package which includes lumpsum travel cost, so consultant will not claim any travel cost in addition to this. 

·         Computer and communication will bear by the Consultant. 

·         Stationary and other office equipment will bear by the Consultant.

·         Special priority will be given to those who has experience in working in the same position.

H.    Qualifications & Experience required

·         Education: University degree in social sciences, economics, development studies, disability studies evaluation or related fields, with demonstrated research experience.

·         Experience: Minimum ten years of experience in conducting programme or project evaluations.

ü  Have experience of conducting at least 3 Evaluability Assessments for donor

funded projects.

ü  Have experience of designing PMP/M&E tools for at least 2 projects.

ü  Have expertise in undertaking endline studies or evaluation.

ü  Knowledge and experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.

ü  Previous experience at the national or international level in disability inclusion or UNCRPD related will be an added advantage.

·         Previous experience in similar activities with the UN or INGOs, government.

·         Proficient in Microsoft office applications.

·         Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and support unexpected tasks.

I.     Desirable:

·         Excellent knowledge and skills of reading, writing, and speaking in English.

·         Knowledge and ability to excellent writing skills for research and report and using computer to

generate report.

·         Excellent public speaking and presentation skills

·         Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

·         Must display a high standard of ethical conduct and exhibit honesty and integrity.

·         Gender-disability behaviour and attitude.

·         Able to work under time pressure.

J.  Language Requirements

·         Fluency in Bangla and good English communication skills are required.

This position is open for Bangladeshi Nationals only. All candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds can apply for the vacancies. 

The UN Agency prides itself as fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected consultants will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 

Candidates with the required profile and proven experience, who meet these qualifications, are invited to submit their application in English clearly mentioning the Job Title along with a meaningful cover letter, updated CV, recent PP size photograph by uploading their application in the following link: 

Last Date of Application:  September 24, 2024

No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated according to the merit and with strict confidentiality.