Background

The Human Rights Programme (HRP) is an initiative undertaken by UNDP Bangladesh supported by a consortium of donors. UNDP has developed the Human Rights Programme inter alia to build the capacity of the human rights architecture particularly the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh (NHRC), the law enforcement agencies, CSOs, youths, and others. The NHRC was reconstituted in 2010 by the enactment of the National Human Rights Commission Act (NHRC Act) 2009 in light of the ‘Paris Principles’ with the aim of promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh though it was formally established in 2008. As per the NHRC Act 2009, the key functions and mandate of the NHRC are to raise awareness, human rights education and training, research on human rights issues, monitoring, and investigation of a violation of human rights that seek to resolve the complaints of violations and advising and recommending on human rights issues. UNDP has been a longstanding partner of NHRC since its inception.

The NHRC promotes gender equality and women empowerment in line with its legal mandate and the strategy adopted. It has long been concerned about levels of violence against women and girls in Bangladesh and the lack of a systematic response to this problem. As it is seen, reports have increased enormously during COVID-19 and so it acted decisively by resolving to conduct a National Inquiry into Violence Against Women and Girls with a focus on rape.

A National Inquiry is a good means to address complex human rights situations that are historical and systemic in nature and that require comprehensive examination and reporting. It is a very effective mechanism but a demanding one. The process of a National Inquiry goes beyond a mere study or research on a given topic. The process involves qualitative and quantitative methods and tools that include surveys (Interviews of survivors, perpetrators (Appellate Division upholds the conviction of the Trial Court), and stakeholders), field observation/spot visits, cause-effect analysis, mind mapping, accessibility analysis, and attitude scaling, written submissions from survivors/families and case study analysis. The data or relevant information collected, analyzed and recommendations will be formulated that will consist of the report, published, and widely distributed by the National Inquiry initiative of the NHRC for advocacy and awareness-raising purposes.

At the 90th meeting of the NHRC National Inquiry Committee (NIC) was formed (NHRC Office Order dated 7 January 2021). The NIC includes experts on human rights, investigation, criminology, and gender.

It is perceived that there are many social, cultural, and personal factors associated with the increase of rape cases. Identifying the causes behind the act of rape is an important step in addressing the increased incidences of this crime. These findings can help to plan and implementation of measures and preventive strategies to reduce incidences of rape.  Therefore, it is crucial to identify factors that are causing or contributing to the commission of this crime. The aim of this study is therefore to explore these causal and contributing factors.

Overall Objectives

The overall objective of this consultancy is to assist the National Inquiry with surveys and interviews of convicted perpetrators (in cases where the Appellate Division upholds the conviction of the Trial Court), cause-effect analysis, mind mapping, accessibility analysis, and attitude scaling, and to identify factors that are contributing to the commission of rape

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Data collection by interviewing the perpetrators

Interview 20  convicted perpetrators (in cases where the Appellate Division upholds the conviction of the Trial Court) of rape cases in jails in different geographical locations across the country. Four central jails will be covered for this purpose, namely Dhaka Central Jail, Keraniganj, Dhaka Central Jail Part -II- Male, Kashmir, Gazipur, Mymensingh Central Jail,  and Cumilla Central Jail. It will be ensured that perpetrators from different geographical locations are included during the interview.

Required Method

Exploring the causes behind the action of rape requires an exploratory research approach. A qualitative study is expected to explore these causes. Proposed methods and procedures to be used in collecting data for this research is described below:

Mind map exercise: Explorative qualitative study that aims to explore the causes behind an action requires rigorous planning for achieving the goal. For this purpose, a mind map exercise will be carried out by the research team to develop a topic guide and planning for data collection from the perpetrators (in cases where the Appellate Division upholds the conviction of the Trial Court).

In-depth interview: Primary data source for this study should be in-depth interviews of 20 perpetrators (in cases where the Appellate Division upholds the conviction of the Trial Court) of rape cases. 

Field note: While conducting in-depth interviews, the interviewers shall keep field notes. These notes will document clinical observations of the participant's responses and behavior during the interview session. Field notes will be used as a data source for the study.

The key deliverables include, but are not limited to:

Task 1:

-Submission of an inception report with an action plan.

-Submission of data collected, mind map exercise, and field notes (rough).

Task 2: Data analysis, and drafting report in Bangla.

Task 3: Facilitate validation workshop (expected participants are relevant stakeholders from research institutes, NGOs, INGOs, CSOs, Government Officials, development partners, UN agencies, etc. and the event will be organized by NHRC) incorporate feedback and submit a final workshop report.

1. Details of deliverables linked with payment

Supervision and Performance Evaluation

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Coordinator: National Inquiry on Violence Against Women and Children (National Consultant), and report to the same for the review and feedback of NHRC. The performance of the deliverables and approving payment will be done by the Chief Technical Advisor or the National Programme Coordinator, of the HRP who will provide support to the consultant with all available materials and necessary information for tasks achievement and facilitate the meetings, as and when required.  

Timeframe and deadlines and Duty station

The assignment will be for 35 working days over the period of Two (02) months, duty station is Dhaka with field visits outside Dhaka.

Competencies

Professional Competencies

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.

Behavioral Competencies

• Ability to plan, organize, implement, and report on work.
• Positive and constructive attitude to work, effective problem solving, self-improvement, analysis, and synthesis.
• Openness to change and ability to responds positively to feedback and differing points of view and integrates & updates when necessary; accordingly, adaptability, creativity.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards & maintains confidentiality.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualification

• Minimum Master’s Degree in Clinical Clinical Psychology or Psychological Science or Cognitive Psychology or Behavioral Psychology or Biopsychology or any other related field.

Experience

• 5 years of experience in research, study, analysis, and reporting on Clinical Psychology or Psychological Science or Cognitive Psychology, or Behavioral Psychology, or Biopsychology or a Clinical Psychology Practitioner.
•  Experience in working in domestic and sexual violence victims and perpetrators, diagnosing, and treating people, test personality and intelligence
• Experience working with CSOs/NGOs/INGOs/Government organizations or research institutions or UN agencies/donor agencies/development partners.

Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Bangla language and ability to write reports as required.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Lump sum contracts

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e., whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e., upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. To assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals.

TRAVEL & DSA

No DSA will be paid at the duty station. All envisaged (local-district level) travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit of HRJP and Individual Consultant prior to travel which shall be UNDP’s expenses and the individual contractor shall receive a per-diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rate in such other location(s) and will be reimbursed.

5. EVALUATION

Cumulative analysis:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight; [70]

* Financial Criteria weight; [30]

  Candidates obtaining minimum of 49 points out of 70 points allocated for the technical criteria would only be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Financial Evaluation: (Total obtainable score – 30)

All technically qualified proposals will be scored out of 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals receive points according to the following formula:

p = y (µ/z)

Where:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
µ = price of the lowest-priced proposal
z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

a) Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;

b) Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;

• http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/

c) Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a methodology on how she/she will approach and complete the assignment.

d) Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided

• http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx

e) Suppose an organization/company/institution employs an Offeror and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA). In this case, the Offeror must indicate this at this point and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated into the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.  

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows you to upload a maximum of one document.

Note: The individual consultant who does not submit the above documents/requirements shall not be considered for further evaluation.