The Position:

The purpose of this national consultancy service is to support the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in the development of a data system for the Norm-shift Accelerator Programme, implemented by the Department of Women Affairs and UNFPA. This data system will serve as a comprehensive tool for monitoring the progress of the Norm-Shift Accelerator programme, evaluating impact, and informing evidence-based decision-making for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh. 

Job Purpose:

Despite Bangladesh’s progress in reducing child marriage rates, the country unfortunately remains among the top ten countries globally with the highest prevalence of this harmful practice. This persistent challenge underscores the deep-seated nature of child marriage, rooted in complex social and gender norms and systemic vulnerabilities. To address this, UNFPA, in close collaboration with the Department of Women Affairs of the MOWCA, has launched ‘Shombhabona-the Norm-Shift Accelerator’, a systems-based programme. This programme operates across multiple layers of the socio-ecological model, acknowledging that child marriage is influenced by factors ranging from social beliefs and behaviours to broader social, institutional, and policy dynamics.  

Shombhabona’s strategic approach involves integrating its interventions on social norm change with two key social protection schemes managed by the Department of Women’s Affairs of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. This integration allows for leveraging existing infrastructure and reaching a vast network of populations across the country. By utilizing established delivery mechanisms, including community-based organizations and local government structures, Shombhabona effectively extends its reach. The programme also extends to secondary schools,  aiming to support adolescent girls and boys to stay in schools until the completion of their secondary education. This focus on school retention is critical, as education is a powerful tool in delaying marriage and empowering girls. 
By strategically targeting harmful gender and social norms through targeted interventions, Shombhabona seeks to drive transformative social change. To effectively measure the impact of these interventions, implementation research will be carried out.  

Under the strategic guidance of the Adolescents and Youth unit of  UNFPA Bangladesh and in close collaboration with the lead Implementation Researcher and the Department of Women Affairs under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the consultant will lead the development and implementation of an integrated data system for programme monitoring and impact analysis. 
This data system will serve as a comprehensive tool for monitoring the progress of the Norm-Shift Accelerator programme, evaluating impact, and informing evidence-based decision-making for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh, UNFPA and its partners.

This system will encompass the following key components:
 

• Centralized Programme Participant Database: This database will serve as a unified repository for demographic, programmatic, and outcome-related data for programme beneficiary management across multiple interventions(including, but not limited to, VWB and Jibikayon). Data entry protocols will ensure data quality, consistency, and adherence to ethical and safe data management practices, including informed consent and data privacy.
• Embedded Analytical Pipeline: This database  will incorporate pre-defined algorithms and statistical models designed to analyze program outputs, outcomes, and impact indicators. The pipeline will facilitate:
• Descriptive statistics for programme monitoring.
  Inferential statistical analyses (e.g., regression, t-tests, ANOVA) to assess programme impact and identify statistically significant changes.
  Implementation research specific analysis, such as fidelity of implementation, and contextual factor analysis.
  The algorithms will be designed to handle the varied data structures and impact evaluation tools used across the five source databases. The analytical methods will be selected in consultation with the Implementation Research lead, ensuring alignment with the programme's monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Interoperable Data Integration Layer: This layer will facilitate the   integration of data from five distinct source databases, addressing potential data heterogeneity and ensuring data harmonization. The system will utilize robust data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes to maintain data integrity during integration. It will be designed to allow for Application Programming Interface connections, for future data sharing, and increased interoperability.
• Interactive, Real-Time Dashboard: This dashboard will visualize key indicators (KP), programme outputs, outcomes, and impact metrics in a user-friendly format. The dashboard will provide stakeholders with real-time access to data, facilitating data-driven decision-making and adaptive programme design and management. It will be designed to display both quantitative and qualitative data, and include data disaggregation, to allow for the analysis of data by relevant subgroups.
• Implementation Research Data Management: The system will be designed to capture and analyse data relevant to implementation research, including process evaluation data, contextual factors, and implementation fidelity. The questionnaires, data collection tools, and data collection timeframe will be defined by the Implementation Research lead, ensuring alignment with the research protocol. The data system will be designed to allow for the capture and analysis of mixed methods research data.

You would be responsible for:

The National IT Consultant will be responsible for the full lifecycle of developing and implementing a comprehensive data system for the Norm-Shift Accelerator Programme. This includes:

Requirements Gathering and System Design:

• Collaborate with UNFPA, the lead Implementation Researcher, and the Department of Women Affairs to fully understand the programme's data needs and evaluation framework.
• Develop a detailed system architecture and design document, outlining the database structure, analytical pipeline, integration layer, and dashboard functionalities.
  Define data entry protocols and ethical data management practices.
• Create a data dictionary specifying variables, definitions, and data types.

Database Development and Implementation:

• Design and implement a centralized programme participant database capable of storing and managing data.
• Ensure the database is secure, safe, scalable, and adheres to data privacy regulations.

Analytical Pipeline Development:

• Develop and integrate an embedded analytical pipeline that includes:
• Algorithms for descriptive statistics.
• Statistical models for inferential analysis (regression, t-tests, ANOVA).
• Algorithms for implementation research-specific analyses (fidelity, contextual factors).
• Ensure the pipeline can handle varied data structures and evaluation tools.
• Work with the lead implementation researcher to ensure the analytical methods are correct.

Data Integration and Interoperability:

• Develop an interoperable data integration layer to seamlessly connect five distinct source databases.
• Implement robust ETL processes to ensure data integrity during integration.
• Design and implement API connections for future data sharing.

Dashboard Development:

• Design and develop an interactive, real-time dashboard that visualizes key indicators, programme outputs, outcomes, and impact metrics.
• Ensure the dashboard is user-friendly and provides data disaggregation capabilities.
• Ensure the dashboard displays both qualitative and quantitative data.

Implementation Research Data Management:

• Design the system to capture and analyze process evaluation data, contextual factors, and implementation fidelity data.
• Ensure the system can handle data from mixed methods research.
• Work with the lead implementation researcher to ensure the data capture aligns with the research protocol.

Testing, Training, and Documentation:

• Conduct thorough testing of the data system to ensure functionality and accuracy.
• Develop user manuals and provide training to relevant stakeholders.
• Document all aspects of the system, including design, development, and maintenance

Please apply and find more information on the vacancy here. The deadline for the application is April 11, 2025.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further consideration.  Female candidates are encouraged to apply.