UN WOMEN Jobs - 72916- National Consultant -Researcher in Bangladesh

National Consultant -Researcher in Bangladesh

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2017

Application Deadline :

06-Jul-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

4.5 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

About 50% of all international migrants in globe are women, the bulk of who are employed as domestic workers. In 2015, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (UNDESA) estimated that the number of migrants in the world had risen to 244 million and that 48.2 percent of them were women and girls (UNDESA 2016). In Asia, Women's labour migration are driven by several factors like poverty, lack of decent work and sustainable livelihoods, Gender based violence, political instability, climate change and environmental degradation. More and more women are migrating independently as a survival strategy to support their families, communities and eventually their countries of origin.

Migration has shown significant financial benefits through remittances. At the same time, it has also been an empowering experience for women – creating jobs and income, opportunities for choices and independence and opportunities for skills transfer. Despite the benefits, most of the opportunities for women have remained concentrated in the unregulated workplaces in the informal economy. One such service industry is domestic household sector. 11.5 million (17.2%) of the world’s 67.1 million domestic workers are international migrants; 8.4 million (73.4%) of migrant domestic workers are women or adolescent girls (ILO, 2015).

Women workers routinely lack access to labor rights and social protection including social services, receive discriminatory wages and above all lack of opportunities to improve their social economic conditions. Rather continued discrimination, stigmatization, violence and exploitation remain integral part of low skilled women workers’ jobs.

The growing importance of overseas employment for the Bangladesh economy is evident. Remittances rose to over $15 billion in 2015 which is about 8% of gross domestic product (GDP)—up from less than $2 billion in 2000—and have become a major source of foreign exchange earnings. As such, remittances contributed 61% of the recent foreign exchange reserve buildup in 2014–2015 . However, there is very little data about remittances from women migrants or how they use their savings, so there is little recognition of their financial contribution. Study findings indicate that even the low skilled women workers remit between 70 to 80 percent of their income to their families. Migration of women is rising in Bangladesh, women migrants made up 4.12 per cent of all migrant workers from Bangladesh in 2004, with the percentage gradually increasing in the years that followed up to 2013. With relatively sharp rises in 2014 and 2015, women made up 18.66 per cent of all Bangladeshi migrant workers by 2015. In 2016, total migration (from January to December) was 757,731 of which female migration was 118,088, which accounts for 15.58% of total migration. The total female migration from 1991 to June 2016 was 526,479 .

Since 2008, Lebanon was the top destination for Bangladeshi women workers until 2012. In 2013, Jordan was at the top followed by UAE and Lebanon. A study done by UN Women indicates that there are ample of opportunities for women workers to diversify their skills and explore newer opportunities as well as new destinations.

Women from Bangladesh primarily go abroad as low skilled workers and domestic work is the most common employment option for them. The most common problems with domestic work are low pay, long working hours, not enough labor rights protection. Additionally, the positions of domestic workers are influenced by highly personalized relationship with employers in a household adding further risk of abuse and exploitation. Domestic women workers further suffer stigmatization as domestic worker both before and after returning.

The government has a strong role to play in reducing this vulnerability of migrant women workers by exploring the potential for diversification of employment opportunities for women. While the national policies on skills development, women's development, education and overseas employment all have implications for marketable skills enhancement for women. Both the government and the private sector (BAIRA) do not have a reliable source to assess the actual market demand and prepare the supply side accordingly. According to the 7th Five Year Plan of the government of Bangladesh (2017-2021), the skilled labor for overseas employment is to rise from 35% to 50% during the period. To achieve this, a systematic market analysis is surely the first step towards the expansion of market for skilled women labor force in abroad.

Two External market research will be undertaken with the aim to identify demand for additional occupations and to explore new markets opportunity for the employment of Bangladeshi women migrants. The focus of the study is to have an in-depth Gender Equality (GE) analysis of the external markets to enable women migrant access to new skills and markets for economic empowerment.

UN Women will work in close collaboration with Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MOEWOE), Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) and International Labour Organization (ILO) for conducting these two-market researches and gather inputs from the key stakeholder as well. These studies are undertaken as part of a collaboration between UN Women and ILO project titled “Application of Migration Policy for Decent Work of Migrant Workers” funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation(SDC).

[1] https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/190600/overseas-employment-ban-workers.pdf

Duties and Responsibilities

The project will provide support to analyze potential demand and suggest strategies for developing a supply of women applicants for higher value and quality opportunities. In addition, the project will provide training development support to BMET to enable women migrant workers to access training in occupations which they have not previously had access to in destination countries. Towards this, the two-studies aim to identify new employment markets for Bangladeshi women who want to go abroad. Out of two, one study will be done in one selected destination country to find out occupations/trades available where women migrants workers are required, the desirables skills and competencies, the skills accreditation accepted by that country of destination for those occupations and trades. The results/findings of the two researches will be used to develop Pre-departure training modules for aspirant female migrant workers of Bangladesh.

[1]In case of women, there is also a pre-remittance of US$800 that is provided by employers prior to their departure from Bangladesh.

[1] BMET Statistics, 2017, accessed from http://www.bmet.gov.bd/BMET/stattisticalDataAction#, last accessed:

[1] Study on External Market Analysis for Women Migrant Workers under Promoting Decent Work through Improved Migration Policy and its Applications in Bangladesh, UN Women, 2014

The two of the specific studies will be undertaken to deliver two research products on the following areas including:
Research paper-1: External Market Analysis (Country specific)
1.External market analysis in one selected country of destination(CoD) to expand employment opportunities for Bangladeshi women migrant workers to additional trades/ occupation. The consultant to identify one destination country based on criteria, i;e 1st generation priority destination for women, potential for matching with supply opportunities from Bangladesh, standard practice of job contract in the CoD, human rights practices for women in the respective CoD, and practice of CoD in implementing Gender Equality(GE) obligation of the international convention, such as, CEDAW. The study will cover all labour sectors to identify employment demand in the diversified trades/ occupation for women migrant worker in the existing labour market of the respective destination country.

1.1 Prioritizing one country of destination based on criteria and available data corresponding to the overseas employability and suitability for Bangladeshi women worker. The study aim to understand the market needs and prepare aspirant women worker for the market with appropriate skills.

1.2 Identify methods and tools for data collection and analysis, research questions, scope and limitations of the methodology. The development of the methodology should be guided by the need to bring out information for future replication for other destination countries as well as addressing needs for predeparture training for the female migrant worker.

1.3   The country specific market analysis should include, but not be limited to the following information:
a) Current employment scenario in the selected destination country including opportunities for women migrant workers by types of occupation;
b) Current employment scenario for the selected Country of Destination (CoD) including opportunities for women migrant workers in all labor sectors;
c) Information on salary structure and trends for next 3 years (pay projections, labour rights and protections, access to other services/benefits etc.;
d) Entry and employment requirements for women migrant workers to new CoDs;
e) Current rules & regulations for migrant workers and   common human rights practices for women in the Country of Destination;
f)   Diagnosis of risks & vulnerabilities for women workers about occupational safety & health, and other gender based vulnerabilities to find new market in the CoDs;
g) Potential for matching with supply opportunities from Bangladesh for CoDs;
h) Potential effects and implications within the stages of migration cycle, keeping in view that women migrants are benefited from economic opportunities;
i)   Summary and recommendations including a suggestion for formal mechanism to collect and preserve the information and future updating;
j)   Conduct sharing workshops on the draft report prepared on the study with relevant stakeholders for feedback and validation;
k) Finalization of study report;

Research paper-2: External Market Analysis (Occupation specific)

2.External market analysis for selected occupation (non-traditional trade, i;e semi-skilled/ skilled jobs other than domestic work) to explore new corridors for women migrant workers to match with demand of the various destination countries. The Consultant to identify new occupation and study to find new markets/countries are available for this trade/occupation to create employment opportunities for the Bangladeshi women. The occupation specific predeparture training module to develop for the women migrant workers to avail the new opportunities in the countries of destination.

2.1Prioritizing one occupation (preferably non-traditional trade) based on the findings and data available with the previous study done by Government of Bangladesh, UN agencies and other key stakeholders to expand opportunities for women in new trades in various CoDs.

2.2 Identify methods and tools for data collection and analysis, research questions, scope and limitations of the methodology.

2.3 The market research (occupation specific) should include, but not be limited to the following information:

a)   Current employment scenario for the selected occupation/ trade in the Countries of Destination (CoDs) including opportunities for women migrant workers to expand employment market to additional occupation;
b)   Occupation/trade specific information on salary structure and trends for next 3 years (pay projections, labour rights and protections, access to other services/benefits etc;
c)   Entry and employment requirements for women migrant workers to new CoDs for additional occupation;
d)   Current rules & regulations for migrant workers and   common human rights practices for women in the Countries of Destination;
e)   Diagnosis of risks & vulnerabilities for women workers about occupational safety & health, and other gender based vulnerabilities to find new market in the CoDs and new occupation;
f)   Potential for matching with supply opportunities from Bangladesh for CoDs;
g)   Potential effects and implications within the stages of migration cycle, keeping in view that women migrants are benefited from economic opportunities;
h)   Summary and recommendations including a suggestion for formal mechanism to collect and preserve the information and future updating;
i)   Conduct sharing workshops on the draft report prepared on the study with relevant stakeholders for feedback and validation;
j)   Finalization of study report.

1. Duration of Assignment (2 research products):

Expected date of starting from 01 July 2017 and no later than 15 November, 2017;
Total no of working days 60.

2. Supervision and performance evaluation:
The researcher/ Consultant will work closely with Women’s Economic Empowerment team under the guidance of Programme specialist, UN Women; and will be directly supervised by UN Women Programme Coordinator, Women’s Economic Empowerment.

3. Timeframe and deliverables
The entire assignment (2 research products) is for a total of 60 days from its commencement, between 01 July to mid November 2017. The timeframe and deliverables for each of the research products are given below:

4.1 Research paper-1: External Market Analysis (Country specific): External market analysis in one selected destination country to expand employment opportunities for Bangladeshi women migrant workers to additional trades/ occupation.

Tasks :

1.Develop study methodology including prioritized destination country for market research in consultation with UN Wome

2.Prepare data collection tools;

3.Focus Group Discussion with key stakeholders in Bangladesh and one selected Destination Country;

4.Key informants’ interviews with GO and I/NGO officials, private sectors and experts in Bangladesh and abroad;

5.Review of relevant key documents and report;

6.Data analysis and draft report preperation;

7.Validation workshop with key stakeholders;

8.Prepare reports of the study on:

External market analysis in one selected destination country to expand employment opportunities for Bangladeshi women migrant workers to additional trades/ occupation.

Deliverables:

1.Methodology of the study and destination country selected by 7th July, 2017;

2.1st Draft of the Report by 10th of September, 2017;

3.2nd Draft of the report by 15th of October 2017 and Final report by 10th of November 2017

4.2 Research paper-2: External Market Analysis (Occupation specific): External market analysis for selected occupation/trade to explore new corridors for additional occupation for women migrant workers to match with demand of the various destination countries.

Tasks :

1.Develop study methodology including prioritized occupation / trade in consultation with UN Women ;

2.Prepare data collection tools;

3.Focus Group Discussion with key stakeholders in Bangladesh and new countries of destination(CoDs);

4.Key informant’s interviews with GO and I/NGO officials, private sectors and experts in at home and abroad;

5.Review of relevant key documents and report;

6.Data Analysis and draft report preparation;

7.Validation workshop and key stakeholders;

8.Prepare reports of the studies on:

External market analysis for selected occupation/trade to explore new corridors for women migrant workers for additional occupation to match with demand of the various destination countries.

Deliverables:

1.Methodology of the study and occupation selected by 10th of July, 2017;

2.1st Draft Report by 15th of September, 2017;

3. 2nd Draft of the report by 15th of October 2017 andFinal report by 7th of November, 2017.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum Master’s degree on Economics, development studies, public policy or international development or other social science related subject;

Experiences

At least 7 years of experience as lead researcher in employment, market and economic opportunities for women at national and international level;
Proven experience in working on national and international laws, policies related to Migration with Government, CSOs and private sector;
In-depth knowledge and experience on Gender equality analysis and women’s Empowerment issues;
Advanced qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills on research;
Proven ability to produce clear and cogently written research reports;
Excellent English writing and analytical skills;

Language:

Excellent Proficiency in written and spoken English required.

TRAVEL:

5-6 days travel in selected countries of destination may be required. Daily Subsistence Allowance, travel ticket (Airfare) will be provided for travelling outside country as per rules of UN Women.

Application Process:

Interested candidates are requested to submit:

Updated CV;
Personal History Form(P11);
Financial proposal: the financial proposal shall specify a lump sum of total fees with daily rate;

Please use ‘National Consultant -Researcher as the subject heading of your application.

All applicants must include (as an attachment) the CV, P11 and financial proposals. Applications without financial proposal will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. “Personal History Form - P 11” which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employme