Description of Consultancy

EnCompass LLC is implementing the four-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Upoma Activity in Bangladesh, providing a range of analytical and advisory services in support of USAID’s design, performance monitoring, evaluation, and operational learning and adapting efforts.

Under Upoma, EnCompass has been tasked by USAID/Bangladesh to undertake an assessment of Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) funded early recovery risk reduction and resilience (ER4) and Mission funded disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities in Bangladesh, with recommendations for future program development for USAID Bangladesh HAO ER4 and DRR strategy.

The overall objective of the assessment is to provide evidence-based findings and actionable, prioritized recommendations and options, to inform USAID’s DRR and ER4 strategy as well as Activity management and design. An additional objective is to identify opportunities for USAID/Bangladesh to pursue in the ER4 and DRR space, with a particular focus on gender and disadvantaged groups.

The assessment will answer the following learning questions:

1. What technical approaches funded by HAO have been most effective in reducing risks from disaster, building resilience at the community level, responding to disaster and positively influencing DRR policy?
2. What other initiatives are in place to enhance disaster preparedness and response specially for rapid onset disasters in both rural and urban areas of Bangladesh? What are the current gaps in comprehensive disaster preparedness and response? Where could USAID investment add the most value, and what opportunities exist to bring other actors (i.e. private sector, IFIs, etc) in to fill these gaps? and potential intervention USAID may take to improve resilience?
3. How does Bangladesh collaborate with neighboring countries on disaster risk reduction and early recovery efforts? Is there any room for improvement?
4. Are there specific geographic or thematic areas or programs addressing the unique vulnerabilities of different social groups? What are persistent gaps that pertain in DRR and ER4 either locally, regionally or nationally that USAID needs further attention.

In addressing the above learning questions, the assessment team will give careful attention to gender, diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion; and how the disaster affects men, women, and other vulnerable groups.

Methodology

The assessment will utilize a qualitative method approach involving desk review of relevant documents, Key Informant Interviews (KII), and focus group discussions (FGDs).

The appreciative assessment approach will serve as a cornerstone methodology and will guide data collection and analysis. The Most Significant Change (MSC) technique will also be used to capture impact narratives from the ground level.

The assessment will “triangulate” primary and secondary data, comparing the findings from KIIs and FGDs with those gleaned from the desk review of existing reports, case studies, and relevant literature.

The assessment methodology will consider the combined impact of the interventions. This approach acknowledges the cumulative and interrelated effects of various activities on the community's well-being and development. It also allows the assessment to capture a more holistic view of how USAID's interventions are contributing to the planned outcomes in each area.

In each of the five areas, five FGDs will be conducted: one with community leaders; two female direct beneficiaries; and two with male direct beneficiaries. The two local assessment specialists (one female, one male) will travel to each area together and co-facilitate the sessions with FGDs with local government officials, IPs and NGOs, and community leaders. The FGDs with female beneficiaries and with male beneficiaries will be facilitated by the respective specialist.

In each of the five areas the local assessment will conduct between five and ten KIIs with local government officials, and representatives of IPs and NGOs/CSOs.

KIIs will also be conducted with some key stakeholders at the central level, including the Disaster and other relevant Ministries, major donors in the DRR/ER4 sector, key international NGOs, local NGOs, and potential private sector entities.

KIIs and FGDs will be recorded, with the permission of the participants, and transcribed and translated to English. In the event permission is not given, detailed notes will be taken by one of the assessment specialists.

For both KIIs and FGDs, coverage will include disaster management committees at different levels, volunteers, other management committees, and group leaders

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

• Lead and oversee the planning, data collection process, and the development of high-quality reports.
• Ensure timely submission of all deliverables.
• Engage with USAID/Bangladesh staff, USAID Implementing Partners, and key Dhaka-based stakeholders.
• Lead the preparation and presentation of key findings and recommendations to the USAID/Bangladesh team and other stakeholders.
• Provide expertise in applying innovative qualitative data collection methods, including the appreciative assessment approach and the MSC technique.
• Provide evidence-based findings and in-depth, actionable, prioritized recommendations to guide future programming and policy development.

Deliverables and timing:

• The Team Lead will be responsible for the timely and quality production of the following deliverables:
• An Inception Report including work plan, methodology, data collection tools, and timeline, including a detailed data collection plan for the assessment.
• A summary of the literature review.
• A draft version of the report in Word not to exceed 35 pages (not including annexes and Executive Summary).
• A PowerPoint presentation of preliminary findings and recommendations.
• An interactive co-creation workshop with relevant Mission and IP staff for feedback and validations of the preliminary findings and recommendations.
• An interactive workshop with national and international DRR experts and practitioners to present and discuss the assessment's preliminary findings and recommendations.
• A final version of the report in Word and PDF incorporating feedback received from relevant Mission and IP staff and from national and international DRR experts and practitioners.

Period of Performance: Level of Effort (LOE) is up to 71 days from on or about April 21, 2024, to September 28, 2024.Other duties as assigned.

Travel: This consultancy requires travel to Bangladesh.

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Ph.D. preferred in in fields related to disaster risk management, such as environmental science, geography, urban and regional planning, civil and environmental engineering, or other related field. A minimum of Master’s degree is required.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in leading DRR and resilience sector research, assessments, and evaluations, particularly in qualitative assessments.
• Expertise in gender and inclusive development issues, with a strong track record of published works in peer-reviewed publications.
• Work experience with USAID ER4 sectors.
• Prior experience conducting studies in Bangladesh is preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in innovative qualitative data collection methods, including appreciative assessment and MSC techniques.
• Proven track record in providing evidence-based findings and in-depth, actionable, prioritized recommendations for strategic development and decision-making.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Professional proficiency in English is required.

How to Apply

Please submit CV and complete the application.

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.

For US based positions: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.

If you require accommodations in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete your application, please call 301-287-8700, provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case-basis, and we will call you back within approximately 3 business days.

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