Consultant

Job Description

Title: Consultant

Company Name: SERAC-Bangladesh

Vacancy: --

Age: At least 20 years

Job Location: Anywhere in Bangladesh

Salary: Negotiable

Experience:

Published: 2026-05-25

Application Deadline: 2026-05-31

Education:

• Advanced degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Statistics, Public Policy, or related field.

• Age At least 20 years

• Proven experience in MERL framework development and organizational learning systems.

• Experience developing gender transformative strategies and inclusive programming approaches.

• Experience working with NGOs/CSOs and donor-funded projects.

• Strong facilitation, analytical, and report writing skills.

Introduction

SERAC Bangladesh is implementing an Organizational Capacity Development (OCD) Plan under the Space to Lead Project following the Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA). Based on the OCA findings and donor recommendations, strengthening organizational MERL systems and gender transformative programming has been identified as a priority area.

To support implementation of the approved OCD plan, SERAC Bangladesh intends to hire an experienced consultant to strengthen the organizational MERL framework and develop a gender transformative strategy.

Background Information

The Organizational Capacity Assessment identified gaps related to:

• Systematic data collection and reporting

• Evidence-based decision making

• Learning and adaptive management practices

• Gender transformative programming approaches

• Inclusion of men and boys in gender equality initiatives

SERAC Bangladesh seeks technical support to strengthen institutional learning systems and integrate gender transformative approaches into organizational programming and operations.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen SERAC Bangladesh’s organizational Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) system by establishing standardized, evidence-based, and adaptive frameworks and tools.

The consultancy also aims to develop a comprehensive Gender Transformative Strategy that ensures the systematic integration of gender equality, inclusion, and social norm change approaches across all organizational programs, with a particular focus on engaging men and boys.

The assignment will support SERAC Bangladesh in building institutional capacity for data-driven decision-making, organizational learning, and gender-responsive programming, aligned with donor expectations and global best practices.

Scope of Work

MERL Framework Strengthening

The consultant will:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of existing MERL systems, tools, and practices to identify gaps and improvement areas

• Review and update the organizational MERL framework, ensuring alignment with results-based management principles

• Develop a standardized indicator framework (IPTT-style) with clearly defined indicators, disaggregation (sex, age, disability), and data sources

• Design and develop standardized data collection tools (e.g., surveys, monitoring checklists, KII/FGD guides) in both manual and digital formats (e.g., KoBo/ODK-ready where applicable)

• Establish clear reporting systems and templates (monthly, quarterly, project-level, and donor-aligned)

• Develop data management, quality assurance, and validation protocols

• Introduce data visualization and dashboard concepts for tracking progress

• Develop adaptive management and organizational learning guidelines, including structured reflection and learning processes

• Define roles, responsibilities, and workflows for MERL functions within the organization

Gender Transformative Strategy Development

The consultant will:

• Conduct a gender analysis of existing programs, policies, and organizational practices

• Develop a comprehensive Gender Transformative Strategy with clear objectives, outcomes, and indicators

• Integrate gender-transformative approaches into the MERL framework, including gender-sensitive indicators and monitoring mechanisms

• Design strategies for meaningful engagement of men and boys in gender equality initiatives

• Provide practical guidance for mainstreaming gender across program design, implementation, and monitoring

• Develop tools/checklists for gender integration in projects

• Facilitate capacity-building and consultation sessions with staff and stakeholders

• Provide actionable recommendations for institutionalizing gender equality within policies, systems, and programming

Methodology

The consultant will adopt a participatory, inclusive, and evidence-based approach, ensuring ownership and sustainability. The methodology will include:

• Desk review of organizational documents, strategies, reports, and existing tools

• System assessment of MERL practices and gender integration status

• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with staff and stakeholders

• Participatory consultation workshops for co-creation of tools and strategies

• Iterative drafting and validation processes with management and technical teams

• Pilot testing (where feasible) of tools/templates

• Final validation workshop to ensure organizational buy-in

Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

Inception Report

• Detailed methodology, workplan, tools, and assessment framework

MERL System Assessment Report

• Gap analysis and recommendations

Updated Organizational MERL Framework

• Indicator framework with disaggregation

• Results framework aligned with organizational goals

Standardized MERL Tools and Templates

• Data collection tools (survey, KII, FGD, monitoring checklists)

• Reporting templates (monthly, quarterly, donor reports)

• Data quality and validation guidelines

Adaptive Management and Learning Guidelines

• Learning agenda

• Reflection and review mechanisms

• Knowledge management approach

Gender Transformative Strategy Document

• Gender analysis findings

• Strategic framework with measurable indicators

• Engagement strategy for men and boys

• Integration guidelines across programming

Capacity Building & Consultation Reports

• Summary of workshops, feedback, and participation

Final Consultancy Report

• Consolidated outputs

• Practical and prioritized recommendations

• Implementation roadmap

• Capacity Building Training for Staffs

Duration of the Assignment

• The consultancy assignment will be conducted over a period from 21st May, 2026 to 15th June, 2026.

Reporting Line

• The consultant will work closely with the management team of SERAC Bangladesh and report directly to the Deputy Director – Finance & Admin.