Background
The rise in violent extremism is an undeniable threat to international peace and security, directly affecting peaceful and fragile settings alike. There is a need now more than ever to understand the phenomenon, mitigate its impact and prevent its recurrence. Women and girls are differentially affected by violent extremism. They are often the first victims of violent extremist groups, experiencing horrific violations of their rights, including to education, health care, public life and decision making over their own bodies. UN-led investigations have uncovered a wide range of sexual and gender-based crimes including rape, forced marriage, abductions and sexual slavery, highlighting the use of gender-based crimes as part of the strategic objectives of violent extremist groups. Women are also, however, impacted by counter-terrorism policies which can curtail their rights and impact their quality of life. Increasingly, they are themselves being recruited, forcibly or willingly, to these groups.
In this context, UN Women will commission Social Mapping Study to gain deeper insights into the gender dynamics of extremist violence, including the scale of the situation. This empirical study will provide data to understand why women join and remain in violent extremist groups in Bangladesh, and how they are recruited.
Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives:
- To identify and analyse the key factors that motivate women to join violent extremist groups;
- Analysis of scale of women’s recruitment, how they become sympathizers, informants, and take on combat roles including suicide killings;
- To understand the narratives used for their recruitment, including to support and execute violent attacks and implement extremist agendas;
- To understand if changes in dress code in both gender has any correlation with raising level of extremism.
Scope of the work and main responsibilities:
1.Develop a methodology to achieve the objectives of the study, taking into consideration:
- Review of secondary sources of information including studies carried out by other credible organizations;
- Appropriate sampling methods for quantitative and qualitative data collection including quantitative methods to analyse the composition of the geographical sectors;
- Methods to identify former women extremists to understand the experience of women who have left this role;
- Key Informant Interviews with relevant institutions and organizations as appropriate;
- Ensure standards for informed consent and confidentiality for individual respondents.
2. Based on the agreed methodology, develop questionnaires as needed to collect information. All data collection tools to be shared with UN Women for review, pre-tested, and amended based on input and pre-test;
3.The consultant will analyse the data and conduct additional interviews if required to complete missing or incomplete information. At the end of the assignment, all the filled in questionnaires along with the complete data base must be returned to UNWOMEN;
4.The consultant will prepare a written report setting out the findings of the commissioned study. UN Women will provide comments and feedback to the consultant. The consultant will then integrate the feedback and present the final report to UN Women;
5.During the consultancy assignment, the consultant may be required to periodically appraise and take guidance from UNWOMEN.
Key expected Deliverables:
1. Work plan and proposed methodology and an outline for the final report;
2. - Three in-depth case studies - Filled in questionnaires along with the complete data base;
- Transcripts of FGDs and interviews held with different respondents;
- Records and minutes of different meetings.
3. A Draft report on completion of the study summarizing key findings, technical analysis and recommendations for review by UN Women;
4. Final report.
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:
- A master’s degree in gender studies, law, development, political science, international relations or a related field.
Experiences:
- Experiences in qualitiative and quantitative research;
- Strong knowledge of the UN’s women, peace and security mandate;
- Strong knowledge of the dynamics of violent extremism and strategies to prevent and counter it, particularly in Bangladesh;
- Excellent analytical and writing skills;
- A past publications record is highly desirable.
Language:
- Fluent in English and Bangla.
TRAVEL:
Based on UN Women travel policy ( if required).
Application Process:
Interested candidates are requested to submit:
- Narrative consisting of:
- Approach to this study (max 2 pages);
- Brief experiences in similar kind of research/studies (max 2 pages);
- CVs , P11 and cover letter;
- A financial proposal.
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/employment