Position Description

EnCompass LLC is seeking a Country Context Specialist (CSS) to support the Mid-Term Evaluation of the Women Thrive Activity in Bangladesh.

EnCompass is implementing the four-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bangladesh Upoma Activity, 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 to conduct a Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) of the USAID-financed Thrive activity in Bangladesh.

USAID’s Women Thrive in Bangladesh (Thrive) aims to address the declining number of women workers in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector and informal sectors in Bangladesh. By partnering with CARE Bangladesh, Thrive implements a comprehensive approach to increase opportunities for decent work for women. This includes professional skills and leadership development through the Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.) program in collaboration with PVH Corp. for RMG sector workers, as well as the formation of women solidarity groups (EKATA) to support informal sector workers. Major challenges to implementation include systemic barriers, gender norms, discrimination, and violence in the workplace. Key successes include the initiation of professional development training, graduation of RMG workers from the P.A.C.E. program, worker promotions, and the mobilization of community-based EKATA groups.

To achieve the program goal and objectives, interventions under Thrive are grouped into the following Intermediate Results for the life of the program:

• Intermediate Result 1: Enhanced Governance and Fiscal Integrity of Institutions.
• Intermediate Result 2: Improved capacity of organizations and leaders to advocate for inclusive growth.
• Intermediate Result 3: Enhanced ability to adapt to and recover from shocks and stressors.

The specific objectives of the MTE are:

• To measure the effectiveness of Thrive’s interventions in increasing opportunities for decent work for women.
• Assess the impact of P.A.C.E. program and EKATA groups on professional development and leadership skills of women workers.
• Evaluate the challenges faced in implementing Thrive and identify strategies for improvement.
• Investigate the sustainability of Thrive’s initiatives beyond the project duration.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

• Support in the review of relevant secondary data, both to inform the Inception Report as well as the final report, integrating secondary data to answer the MTE’s learning questions, as delegated by the Team Leader.
• Collect primary data through various means, such as interviews and focus groups, and stakeholder surveys, ensuring data quality and integrity, as delegated by the Team Leader.
• Provide inputs for the development of an inception plan, inclusive of methodology, tools, and a timeline to execute the MTE, as delegated by the Team Leader.
• Support the evaluation team's primary data collection efforts, ensuring methods are ethical and thorough, as delegated by the Team Leader.
• Support the collection, analysis, and synthesis of secondary data to complement primary data findings, as delegated by the Team Leader.

Deliverables and Timing:

• Inputs for the inception report including work plan, detailed methodology, data collection tools, lists of KIIs and FGDs, outline of the final report presenting the proposed structure of the report, and timeline.
• Inputs for, and co-facilitation of, an in-brief meeting with USAID’s DRG Activity Manager upon arrival in Bangladesh.
• Inputs for, and co-facilitation of, any additional meetings with USAID, if needed.
• Inputs for regular progress reports/updates to the USAID’s DRG Activity Manager.
• Inputs for, and co-facilitation of, out-brief presentation at the end of field work/data collection on key findings and recommendations,
• Inputs for, a comprehensive draft and, after receiving feedback from USAID, final version of the report.

Period of Performance and Level of Effort (LOE):

The LOE for the Country Context Specialist (CSS) is approximately up to 45 days. The period of performance is from on or about June 10, 2024, to November 15, 2024.

Travel:

The position requires travel to Dhaka, Chattogram, Gazipur, Mymensingh, and Narayanganj districts.

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• A master’s degree in international development, gender issues, conflict resolution, political science, or related field is required.

Experience and Skills

• A minimum of 10 years of experience conducting evaluations, studies, or assessments.
• Preference for experience in community development.
• Deep understanding of the socio-economic dynamics of Bangladesh required.
• Proven track record supporting evaluations, with expertise in application of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Experience in gender equality, workforce development, and the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, preferred.
• Excellent communication skills in English are required.
• Fluency in Bengali is not required but preferred.
• Significant knowledge of the gender equality and female empowerment context of Bangladesh, preferred.

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and complete the application. Please, note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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