The Position:
In Bangladesh, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a critical and pervasive issue. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains widespread for women in Bangladesh, with 70 percent women having experienced at least one form of it โ physical, sexual, emotional, and economic violence as well as controlling behaviours โ in their lifetime.[1]ย For 4 in 10 women, violence had occurred in the past 12 months.ย
Bangladesh recently completed the third round of the VAW Survey in 2024, which provides a comprehensive picture of the prevalence of violence against women and girls, including estimates on help-seeking rates, to guide policymaking. According to the survey, only 15% of survivors seek medical treatment, and legal action is pursued in less than 8% of cases. These rates are consistent with the complex and multifaceted nature of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and the real or perceived consequences of reporting. This reality underscores why using prevalence data and administrative data together is critical for improving both response and prevention interventions.
To support monitoring the effectiveness of policies and the coverage and quality of services available for those survivors seeking help, a safe, ethical and robust system is needed for collecting, storing, analysing, and using administrative data. Critical gaps in the existing systems, used by various government sectors, result in fragmented data, inconsistent reporting and limited opportunities for improving services. Thus, establishing a robust data management system is essentialโboth a practical necessity and an ethical obligation to ensure improved GBV services and respect for survivors.
When systematically collected, managed, and analysed, administrative data can provide valuable insights into trends in reporting cases and the effectiveness of systems to respond. Currently, fragmented data collection, inconsistent reporting mechanisms, and limited capacity for data analysis and overall management hinder the ability to effectively manage GBV cases, allocate resources, and measure the impact of interventions.
In Bangladesh, government sectors that come into contact with GBV survivors and play a role in the national response to addressing GBV, including health, police, justice, and social welfare, currently manage the data they collect in service delivery using different data systems and inconsistent standards. This fragmentation hampers a survivor-centred approach and creates barriers to interoperability, which could improve service delivery and outcomes.
The inter-ministerial coordination committee led by MoWCA will lead the harmonization process and support operationalization of standards and protocols by government agencies involved in GBV data collection, management, reporting, and utilization.
With the support of the World Bank-funded Inclusive Services and Opportunities (ISO) project, a digital platform aligned with UNFPA guidance on safe and ethical use of technology to address GBV will be developed. The development of related guidance and protocols are a prerequisite for this. Consequently, MoWCA has requested UNFPA, through its regular project, to assist with the development of such guidance, protocols, and tools that will form the architecture of the digital platform.
In response to the critical need for a systematic approach to address GBV in Bangladesh, UNFPA Bangladesh is seeking an international consultant to develop and implement a tailored GBV Administrative data management solutions for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA) and a digital platform for Bangladesh Police (BP) that support safe and ethical data practices within each organization, and maximise the potential for interoperability.
The international consultant will jointly work with the government focal persons at MoWCA and Bangladesh Police and the UNFPA technical team in ensuring the systemโs effectiveness, sustainability through capacity development and institutionalizing the system, and alignment with global best practices.
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How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.ย UNFPAโs strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to โbuild forward betterโ, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on womenโs and girlsโ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
You would be responsible for:
The international consultant will be responsible for developing a conceptual framework and survivor-centred data management strategy, ensuring adherence to global standards, recommending enhancements to the existing data management practices, and offering expert guidance to the national consultant and UNFPA administrative data focal to develop a safe and ethical system. Key responsibilities include:
1. Inception, assessments and strategy
Lead the review of relevant existing national, regional, and global tools, materials, and guidelines (e.g., GBVIMS, kNOwVAWdata Pacific Administrative Data Toolkit, Global Technical Guidance, WHO ethical standards, guidance documents prepared by UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office (APRO) and review existing District Health Information System (DHIS, version 2) interface of Ministry of Health and Crime Data Management System (CDMS) of Police to identify common minimum data sets and pathways to interoperability amongst various data platforms/interfaces. Develop the methodology for conducting assessments including data collection and stakeholder consultations based on regional and global standards and in consultation with the national consultant. Work together to prepare the initial drafts of background documents, presentations, and relevant questionnaires for the stakeholdersโ consultation/in-country meetings/workshops/assessment. Prepare and finalize the assessment reports of the Bangladesh Police and review the already conducted assessment report ofย MoWCA.ย Based on the assessment findings, reports of stakeholderโs consultations and guidance from the UNFPA team, develop an inception report/ work plan that details a system architecture, a capacity-building plan, and a clear division of tasks and deliverables between international and national consultants. Lead the development of a conceptual framework and an accompanying strategic plan to harmonize common data sets, standardize definitions, streamline intake forms, and establish survivor centred data-sharing protocols across various sectors like social service, police, health and justice. This will ensure a coordinated and effective approach to GBV data collection, analysis and use across all relevant sectors, operating at both national and local levels.2. System architecture and implementation
Support the government to lead and implement the conceptual framework and recommendations for designing administrative data management system architecture, ensuring alignment with international best practices and the assessment findings. Continuously review and monitor the proposed system design, including safe and ethical data collection tools, storage, and analysis mechanisms in collaboration with the national consultant. Provide technical oversight for interoperability pathways between DHIS2 (currently used by DGHS and DGFP for health and HGBV indicators) and other relevant platforms, specifically MoWCAโs MSPVAW database and the Policeโs CDMS in collaboration with national consultant and UNFPA team.ย Develop a guidance note and/or Standard Operating Procedures for strengthening inter-ministerial collaboration and data governance mechanismsโinvolving the Ministry of Health (MoHFW), Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), Ministry of Home Affairs, and othersโby forming a national task force or working group. This group will work together to ensure that survivor-centred data management and protection principles are robustly applied and GBV-related data is used effectively, in a coordinated way across all sectors.3. Capacity building and institutionalization
Provide remote technical guidance and oversight to software developers, ensuring systems align with the conceptual framework and tools developed for Bangladesh to finalise design, functionalities, safe data storage and promote safety by design principles of UNFPA. Validate system changes, integration of tools within the new platform building upon principles, ethical consideration for the collection, processing, and use of GBV data . Guide the national consultant and software developers to integrate data protection protocol/guideline into MoWCA, Police and explore interoperability with DHIS-2 of MoHFWย consideringย highest level of safety measure and implement the data minimization principles.ย Provide technical leadership to implement the data-sharing and interoperability pathways between DHIS-2 and the other relevant platforms. Lead the development of the core training materials, presentations, and facilitators' notes, integrating international best practices in the management and use of administrative data for GBV. Provide guidance and technical support to the National Consultant and UNFPA admin data focal on delivering the training. Include focal persons from MoHFW (DGHS and DGFP) in the capacity-building plans at both national and sub-national levels, with a focus on data ethics and GBV-related indicators. Additionally, the consultant should orient MoHFW technical staff on cross-platform interoperability and survivor-centered data-sharing practices to ensure effective coordination across sectors. At the end of the consultancy, another workshop (if required) will be organized to validate the recommendations.Duration:
40 working days over four months starting from September 2025.
Place where services are to be delivered:
UNFPA Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka.ย
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Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):
Payment
Deliverables
Percentage
First Payment
Submission of a comprehensive inception report that includes a detailed work plan and methodologies of assessment. Finalized assessment reports for Bangladesh Police and a review of the MoWCA assessment. A draft conceptual framework and strategic plan for harmonizing GBV administrative data.
20%
Second Paymentย
Submission and acceptance of the final versions of the core technical documents, including the comprehensive conceptual framework and strategic plan. A detailed guidance note on system architecture and interoperability pathways. Finalized data collection tools, intake forms, and survivor-centered data sharing protocols/SOPs for MoWCA and Bangladesh Police.ย
40%
Third and Final Payment
Completion of capacity building activities and submission of final consultancy report, including finalized core training materials (presentations, facilitator notes). Co-facilitation of two hands-on training and orientation sessions for MoWCA and Police. A final consultancy report detailing project activities, outcomes, and recommendations for future engagement and system maintenance.
40%
The first payment of 20% will be made upon receipt and acceptance of the first deliverable as per the table of deliverables (electronically); The second payment of 40% will be made upon acceptance of the second deliverable as per the table of deliverables (electronically); The remaining 40% will be made upon approval by the representative and acceptance of the third deliverable as per the table of deliverables (electronically).A detailed project timeline, including specific deliverables and their associated deadlines, will be mutually agreed upon by the consultant and UNFPA. This timeline will be outlined in an inception report to be submitted by the consultant at the commencement of the engagement.
Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity, format and deadline:
All the documents prepared during the assignment are the property of UNFPA Bangladesh. The documents or any part cannot be sold, used, and/or reproduced in any manner without prior written approval of UNFPA. During the consultancy, if additional time is required to complete the assignment beyond the time previously agreed, UNFPAโs written approval will be required. The consultant will have access to all relevant available written/web-based background information necessary for this assignment. The consultant will also have the possibility to organize regular meetings with the UNFPA management and with other relevant stakeholders.Supervisory arrangements:ย
The Gender Unit Chief will be the overall supervisor. For all day-to-day guidance and management, the consultant will report to GBV administrative data focal point, who will be responsible for quality assurance of the deliverables, with support from the respective IP focal points for MoWCA and Police.
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Expected travel:
Duration and Location:
The consultant will be home-based. However, at least two trips with the duration of five working days each are required to Dhaka, Bangladesh, which will be determined upon submission of the inception report. For such travel, the consultant will be eligible to receive UNFPAโs standard Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) following UNFPAโs travel policies.Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
Advanced degreeย in gender studies, public health, social sciences, data science, or any other relevant field. Extensive experience of at least 7 years in designing and implementing GBV administrative data management systems, preferably in the context of Asia/South Asia region. Strong understanding of GBV issues, data collection methodologies, and ethical considerations. Proven ability to build capacity and provide technical assistance to government agencies and other stakeholders. Experience in development of the core training materials, presentations, and facilitators' notes, Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA:
UNFPA will provide all background information and relevant documents to the consultant as well as organize meetings, interviews and other logistics.ย
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Payment Instruction:ย
UNFPA will process the payment in three instalments through Bank transfer as per the deliverables.ย
Required Competencies:ย
Values:
ย ย Exemplifying integrity,ย
ย ย Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,ย
ย ย Embracing cultural diversity,ย
ย ย Embracing change
Core Competencies:ย
ย ย Achieving results,
ย ย Being accountable,
ย ย Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
ย ย Thinking analytically and strategically,
ย ย Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.ย
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.ย
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.