Background

USAID/Bangladesh has contracted SoCha, LLC to complete a Local Governance Assessment to provide USAID with a comprehensive understanding of opportunities, lessons learned, challenges, and mapping in local governance in Bangladesh. Local governance encompasses the institutions of elected local government, central government, and a range of non-elected organizations at both central and local levels. Additionally, it also includes institutional and individual actors from outside the formal political arena such as voluntary organizations, private businesses and corporations, and the mass media. A SoCha team of three individuals will be completing this assessment by conducting interviews with key stakeholders across various locations in Bangladesh, gathering documentation and synthesizing findings into a report.

Scope of Work

To support the work of the project, SoCha seeks a Logistician/Interpreter whose responsibilities include:

Logistical support:

• Support the assessment team in scheduling interviews and meetings with stakeholders.
• Maintain a comprehensive schedule of activities, including interview appointments, site visits, and other engagements, ensuring optimal time management.
• Collaborate with the assessment team to plan, coordinate, and execute logistical arrangements for their stay in the country, ensuring smooth operations throughout the assignment.
• Arrange and manage accommodations, transportation, and related logistics for the assessment team, adhering to quality standards and budget constraints.
• Liaise with local service providers and vendors to secure necessary resources for the assessment team’s requirements.
• Monitor and troubleshoot any logistical challenges that may arise during the assessment period, promptly finding solutions to minimize disruptions.
• Ensure that all logistical arrangements are aligned with USAID and SoCha’s policies, regulations, and ethical standards.
• Provide ad hoc assistance as required during the assessment, including responding to unforeseen logistical needs.
• Provide note-taking support during interviews and meetings.

Bengali interpretation and translation support:

• Provide interpretation during in-person interviews as needed.
• Provide limited document translation support for selected meeting notes, questionnaires, schedule details, and other matters as needed.
• Advise team on local culture and context.

The tasks outlined above are indicative, but not exhaustive for the role and other tasks may be assigned by the Project Lead or their designee.

Deliverables:

1. Interview schedule booked and communicated to assessment team in an organized format, including details of meeting location and language preferences. Schedule changes, as necessary, which must be shared with the team in a timely fashion. Meeting reminders/confirmations should be sent in advance of all booked meetings.
2. Local language interpretation provided during interviews and meetings, as required.
3. Transport and lodging bookings completed for assessment team in-country travel, with assurance of vendor follow-through.
4. Interview notes from interviews, where requested to do so, must be delivered in electronic format with clear indication of the respondent and date.
5. Translated documents, as requested.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as logistics, international development, business administration, or a related discipline.
• More than five (5+) years of experience in logistical support, event coordination, or similar roles, preferably in an international development context.
• Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Problem-solving aptitude and adaptability to changing circumstances.
• Fluency in English and Bengali.
• Strong plus: Deep understanding of local government institutions and governance processes in Bangladesh.
• Strong plus: More than three (3+) years of experience providing translation and interpretation services, preferably in an international development context.

Level of Effort

Up to 25 days, worked at dates to be determined between January and April 2024.

Location

Bangladesh