Short-Term Consultant: Bangladesh Integrated Youth Activity At International Research and Exchanges Board

About IREX:

IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $100 million, works in more than 100 countries worldwide, and a global staff of 600.

Summary of Position:

IREX seeks qualified short-term consultant candidates to drive an assessment to prepare for an upcoming donor-funded youth empowerment program in Bangladesh. The estimated level of effort for this individual is 10 days between July – September 2022. Leveraging an existing network of key local stakeholders and relevant technical expertise in economic empowerment (preferred experience with private sector linkages), the Dhaka-based consultant will identify a wide range of key stakeholders including government, private sector, youth led, and youth serving organizations and conduct meetings to gather contextual inputs to inform the design of the upcoming program as well as identify potential partners and key personnel to drive implementation.

Only citizens of Bangladesh or residents with work authorization will be considered.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Assist in finalizing the assessment framework; develop a shortlist of key stakeholders for consultation and interview questions
• Set meetings, conduct consultations with key stakeholders, and provide regular updates via check-ins with the team in HQ
• Organize and facilitate focus groups, capturing inputs from participants
• Compile notes from each meeting and assessment takeaways in final report
• Remain attentive to context and learnings throughout consultancy and adjust assessment approach if needed
• Conduct desk review of IREX-provided documents to inform assessment
• Develop initial ideas for project design and partnering strategy based on information collected and knowledge of context
• Other duties, as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as education, international development, non-profit management, etc., with at least six (6) years of relevant experience (or bachelor’s degree with 8 years of experience) supporting youth empowerment programs focused on civic education, youth leadership and development, and/or employment/entrepreneurship preferred
• Successful track record of conducting assessments (with strong preference for experience with past USG-funded projects) and/or project design in support of new business development
• Ability to professionally present IREX to key stakeholders on the ground
• A successful track record of working substantially with local organizations and partners
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in Bangladesh
• Strong understanding of the Bangladesh context required
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior government officials, educators, schools, youth-led groups, community officials, civil society, international donors, and other stakeholders
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral skills
• Proven organizational qualities and excellent management skills
• Preferred experience consulting for USAID
• Strong representational and organizational skills
• Fluency in written and spoken English