Position Description

EnCompass LLC is seeking a GESI Specialist (consultant) to support a comprehensive Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis of the USAID Bangladesh Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) Portfolio.

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 Comprehensive Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis of the USAID Bangladesh Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) Portfolio, to comprehensively review and assess its successes and areas for improvement in advancing social inclusion and gender equity. This analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of current activities in promoting the rights and meaningful participation of marginalized groups, including women, youth, ethnic and religious minorities, and gender diverse peoples.

Given the recent political unrest and targeted persecution of minority groups and women in Bangladesh, it is crucial to understand how DRG’s initiatives have addressed these challenges and how they can be adapted to better respond to evolving conditions. In particular, examining their access to information, participation in decision-making spaces, and if they are able to exercise their collective voice in, and are better served by, local and national systems. The GESI Analysis will provide insights into the impact of DRG’s programs on social inclusion and gender equity, identify gaps in response strategies, and offer recommendations for enhancing future interventions. This will ensure that DRG’s efforts are both responsive to current socio-political dynamics and aligned with the goal of fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

• Support the Team Leader on the design and implementation of the GESI Assessment.
• Attend the EnCompass-Upoma onboarding/training on internal standards for processes such as data collection materials, coding, and analysis.
• 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 learning questions, as delegated by the Team Leader.
• Provide inputs and expert analysis on GESI for the development of an inception report, inclusive of methodology, tools, and a timeline as delegated by the Team Leader.
• Support the evaluation team's primary data collection efforts through various means, such as interviews, focus groups, and stakeholder surveys, taking notes and review the notes as per Upoma guidelines and as delegated by the Team Leader.
• Ensure that data collection methods are ethical, thorough, and sensitive to gender dynamics.
• Ensure data collection tools are translated into local dialect/s.
• Lead the development of the assessment’s field plan per guidance from the team leader.
• Support the coding of qualitative data, applying thematic code techniques to identify patterns, themes, and trends related to gender.
• Conduct data analysis and produce summaries, draft findings, and?draw meaningful conclusions and recommendations to inform the final report, contributing expertise in GESI.

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 Upoma’s Task 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 GESI analysis report.

Period of Performance and Level of Effort (LOE):

The LOE for the GESI Specialist is approximately up to 45 days. The period of performance is from on or about December 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

Travel: The position requires travel to different areas of Bangladesh.

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• An advanced degree in gender issues, international development, social inclusion or related topic.

Experience and Skills

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in gender equity and social inclusion work, with a focus on marginalized communities, including ethnic and religious minorities, and GDP populations.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementation of evaluations, studies, or assessments
• Strong qualitative data analysis skills and experience with coding using thematic coding techniques
• Thorough knowledge of the gender equality and female empowerment context of Bangladesh
• Familiarity with gender mainstreaming principles and tools, as well as standards related to gender equality. Familiarity with USAID’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy (2023) is?preferred
• Excellent time management skills including the ability to deliver high-quality outputs within a limited timeframe
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills in English
• Fluency in Bengali

How to Apply

• Please submit CV and complete the application online.
• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs to write your application materials or to submit answers to screening questions could disqualify your application and/or candidacy

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.