National Consultant for Policy Assessment (Reintegration for Migrant Workers Project)

Background

Background/Context

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the Centre of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It has been providing strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society organizations and other relevant actors. UN Women in Bangladesh works to provide policy support on gender and migration to the Government of Bangladesh, creates evidence through research, develops tools and builds capacity of key stakeholders to ensure the protection and promotion of the rights of women migrant workers. 

Bangladesh is the sixth-largest country of origin for international labour migration and one of Asia’s major labour-sending countries. Based on the official data available, it is found that during 2013 to 2022, on average 14 per cent of the Bangladeshi migrant workers were women  and 86 per cent were men. On average, approximately 650,000 Bangladeshi migrate for overseas employment every year. Most Bangladeshi women migrant workers work in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. According to BMET data for March 2024, Saudi Arabia (45.13%) is the top destination for Bangladeshi women migrant workers, followed by Oman (10.32%) and Jordan (16.72%). However, the flow of Bangladeshi women migrant workers has shifted to other destinations such as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Italy, Japan, Mauritius, Republic of Korea, and Singapore. Primary reasons for women migrating include escaping poverty, gender-based violence and exploitation and limited domestic employment opportunities. These workers usually come from low-income rural and suburban communities and remit their earnings to support their families back home. While some migrants return home and can reintegrate smoothly, many are unable to convert their migration experience into improved income generation in their home countries. 

Returnee migrants face a variety of challenges while reintegrating into their original communities. Although many migrants return after a successful migration, many fall victims to forced return, fraud, trafficking, and abuse leaving them unable to attain their objective of migration. A failed migration can result in psychological issues, economic and social vulnerability, making reintegration difficult.  Even those with successful migration experiences can remain unemployed or may not be able to utilize the resources gained from their countries of employment due to lack of proper guidance. Challenges related to reintegration became more acute for Bangladeshi returnee workers during the pandemic. 

Migration is a gendered process, impacting women and men differently; this also applies to reintegration. Returnee women migrants are especially vulnerable due to lack of social support emanating from deep rooted social norms and stigma around migration, creating a need for social sensitization in communities of origin. Returnee women are not well accepted in society due to prevalent patriarchal norms and conservative attitude towards women’s mobility. Studies capture difference in attitudes of family members; while they are usually proud about male members of the family who migrated abroad; there is a sense of shame attached to women’s migration. Women therefore continue to face multiple barriers– within their families and communities, upon return.   Women returnee migrants often suffer from severe physical and psychological trauma due to abuse and exploitation they face in the destination country.

As most returnee migrants have worked as domestic workers, their earnings are relatively less than male migrant workers. Additionally, they have limited decision making over their own money/income, as their earnings are mostly controlled by the male members of the family. These contribute to a lack of savings upon their return to their origin country.

The Government of Bangladesh has made significant progress on safe migration, return and reintegration. In 2024, the Government of Bangladesh finalized the draft National Reintegration Policy for Migrants which sets out a framework for the country’s reintegration programming. In 2018 the Wage Earners Welfare Board (WEWB) was established to extend welfare services for returning migrants and their families.  The reintegration and wellbeing of Migrant Workers was integrated into the Ten Point Agenda for the 8th Five Year Plan. A “whole of government” is required to ensure that relevant policies, procedures, plans, and programmes are well implemented to respond to the needs and concerns of returnee migrants.

Other key policy instruments such as the National Women’s Development Policy (NWDP) 2011 has adopted a holistic approach to a Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) The National Action Plan for the implementation of the NWDP-2011 was updated in 2023.  There are two other policies including National Skills Development Policy-2020 (NSDP) and National SME Policy-2019 have critical role to play for the economic reintegration of women returnee migrant workers.  However, they did not offer any specific policy directives and strategies to address the socioeconomic needs of returnee women migrant workers. Therefore, It is crucial to strengthen the alignment of the NWDP, NSDP and SME policy with the National Reintegration Policy for Migrants -2024, once the latter is approved to comprehensively (address the socio-economic needs of women migrant workers upon return to Bangladesh.

Furthermore, there are specific policy directives in the National Reintegration Policy to address the socioeconomic reintegration needs of returnee women. However, to ensure economic reintegration of women, coordinated actions are needed from the relevant government ministries. For example, developing skills, creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women migrant workers, the specific policy actions are needed to be develop and integrated in the relevant national policies. It is critical to identify other ministries roles and responsibilities to address gender differential needs of returnee women migrant workers. 

In this context, it is important therefore to analyze the National Skills Development Policy -2020 and National SME policy -2019 from socioeconomic reintegration lens. This will be key to enhancing the economic empowerment of returnee women migrant workers through coordinated interventions national and local level. 

The “Reintegration for Migrant Workers Project” supported by the Government of Switzerland aims to support the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) to establish inclusive and accountable frameworks for reintegration with capable institutions, systems and schemes that can provide services for sustainable reintegration to returnee migrant workers. The project focuses on strengthening the policy framework on reintegration through analysis and revision, supported by action plans to guide implementation and further work to build the capacity of concerned ministries with a view to mainstreaming reintegration into their work and ensuring coordination. The project is implemented by the ILO in close partnership with IOM and UN Women. The project seeks to support the MoEWOE to strengthen the policy framework to respond to the reintegration needs more comprehensively of returnee migrant workers. UN Women as the dedicated entity for gender equality and empowerment of women will provide technical support on gender mainstreaming.

 UN Women Bangladesh is seeking for the services of a National Consultant to conduct the policy assessment of relevant policy frameworks to ensure the needs of women returnee migrant workers are comprehensively addressed in line with the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and national reintegration framework.  Gender Equality is one of the key guiding principles of Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and in line with the Sustainable Development Goal- 5, gender equality and women’s empowerment should be mainstreamed for enhanced welfare and protection of returned migrants. These findings and recommendations will contribute to the development of the National Action Plan (NAP) for Reintegration Policy under the leadership of Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE).

 

The national consultant will work under the   direct supervision of Programme Manager, Women’s Economic Empowerment, UN Women and in close collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Organization for Migration (IOM).

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

 

(1) Desk Review

• Review   existing GE policies with a focus on the NWDP- 2011 and its updated national action plan (2023) of the Government of Bangladesh to identify opportunities and gaps related to socioeconomic reintegration of women returnee from a gender perspective.
• Review the National Skills Development Policy (2020) and to identify opportunities and gaps to address the needs of returnee women migrant workers.

 

(2) Stakeholder Consultation

• Facilitate stakeholder workshops at the national level to gather inputs on diverse issues related to the rights of women returnee migrant workers and identify areas for stronger alignment of the existing policy frameworks and their actions plan with the draft National Reintegration Policy. The workshop will bring together relevant stakeholders from government ministries, CSOs and private sectors amongst others.

(3) Key Informant Interviews  

• Develop questionnaires and data collection tools for collecting qualitative data from relevant key ministries and other stakeholders.
• Collect qualitative data through key informant interviews; this should include Ministries of Industry, Ministry of Education, Women and Children’s Affairs and Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment.

 (4) Data analysis

Conduct a comprehensive analysis based on the secondary review and primary data, to identify opportunities/entry points for integrating the socioeconomic reintegration lens to enhance the economic empowerment of returnee women migrant workers via the three key policies (NWDP, NSDP and SME policy). This should include- Employment and entrepreneurship opportunities; access to services including psycho-social support; capacity building and training amongst others.

 

(5) Validation

Facilitate a multi stakeholders’ workshop for the GoB officials and relevant stakeholders including NGOs/CSOs, Employers’ organization, private sector and trade unions to share the policy recommendations for future action.

 

(6) Report Writing

-Based on the recommendations, finalize the report for dissemination

-Prepare an advocacy paper focusing on policy recommendations.

 

Deliverables:

Deliverable	Expected completion time (due day)	Payment Schedule (optional)
-Inception report with proposed methodology and data collection tools -Desk review of NWDP-2011, National Skills Development Policy-2020 and National SME Policy-2019, Overseas Employment and Migration Policy-2016, draft Reintegration Policy for Migrants-2024 and relevant international and national frameworks and regional best practices.   Deliverables: Inception report with workplan, Desk review report and analysis of relevant policies/strategies.	By 30 September 2024	30% of the payment shall be paid upon submission of deliverables and all acceptance and certified by the UN Women contract administrator
Conduct 5-7 Key Informant Interviews (KII) with the specific ministries including MoW&CA, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Industry, MoEW&OE and its relevant units and departments. Organize  a national level consultation among relevant stakeholders including  government, CSOs, private sectors, trade Unions and employers’ fedarations for gathering/sharing inputs on the policy changes for adessing the needs of women migarnt workers. Deliverables: List of key informants interviewed, concept note, agenda and participants list of national level multi stakeholders’ workshops, workshop report, PowerPoint Presentation (English)   -Prepare an advocacy paper on the assessment of NWDP-2011 and relevant national policies with an analysis and recommendations to address the gender differential needs of women returnee migrant workers.   Deliverables:  A draft advocacy paper (English and Bangla)	By 15 November 2024	30% of the payment shall be paid upon submission of deliverables and all acceptance and certified by the UN Women contract administrator
-Prepare final advocacy paper focusing on policy recommendations for socioeconomic reintegration of vulnerable women returnee migrant workers.   -Facilitate a multi stakeholders’ workshop for the GoB officials and relevant stakeholders including NGOs/CSOs, Employers’ organization, private sector and trade unions to share the policy recommendations for future action. Deliverables: Final advocacy paper, Concept note, agenda and participants list for the workshop and Report	31 January    2025	40% of the payment shall be paid upon submission of deliverables and all acceptance and certified by the UN Women contract administrator

 

Payment schedule

Payment will be processed as per payment schedule and deliverables for the number of days worked based on submission of progress report on tasks completed with deliverables and timesheet; accepted and certified by the contract administrator.

 

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This position will be home based. However, the consultant may be requested to come to the UN Women for meetings and coordination, as required.

 

Travel, Logistics and DSA:

Travel arrangements for the consultant outside Dhaka should be undertaken only upon prior agreement/approval from UN Women. UN Women will organize the travel, and cover travel expenses. The Consultant/SSA shall receive per-diem or DSA and terminals not to exceed the United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s) and actual travel cost. 

 

Supervision and Performance Evaluation:

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Deputy Country Representative, the selected consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager – Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE).

 

Competencies

Core Values: 

• Respect for Diversity 

• Integrity 

• Professionalism 

 

Core Competencies: 

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues 

• Accountability 

• Creative Problem Solving 

• Effective Communication 

• Inclusive Collaboration 

• Stakeholder Engagement 

• Leading by Example 

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:  

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values 

 

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: 

• Technical credibility in migration and gender equality issues. 

• Communications skills in facilitating high level dialogue session with multistakeholder. 

• Consistent approaches to work with energy and a positive attitude. 

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.  

• Ability to deliver the planned results and ensure the quality of the product. 

Required Skills and Experience

a. Education  

– Minimum master’s degree in gender and development studies, economics, public policy and governance, or other social science related subjects.

 

b. Experience 

• At least 10 years’ experience on migration management process and overseas employment, reintegration, welfare of migrants and familiarity with migration policy, laws, rules and regulations concerning international migration.

• Minimum 7 years of proven experience in working on gender mainstreaming and women’s rights issues   with the public and/or the private sector.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in policy advisory support to government and relevant stakeholders on the international development issues. 

 

c. Language Requirement

Strong Proficiency in written and spoken English and Bangla is required.

 

Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on the following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

 

Evaluation criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on the following technical qualification evaluation criteria:

 

Criteria-01; Academic Qualification  – Max Point 10

Criteria-02; Number of years of practical experience on migration management process and overseas employment, reintegration, welfare of migrants and familiarity with migration policy, laws, rules and regulations concerning international migration.  Max Point 30

Criteria-03; Proven experience in working on gender mainstreaming and women’s rights issues   with the public and/or the private sector. Max Point 30

Criteria-04; Number of years of experience in policy advisory support to government and relevant stakeholders on the international development issues. Max Point 20

Criteria-05; Excellent communication and writing skills in Bangla and English. Max Point 10

 

Interested Individual Consultants will submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

To be included as part of the proposal:

• Cover letter outlining relevant work experience and updated CV
• UN Women ;
• Example of related previous work, such as developing training contents and knowledge product. 

 

NB: At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need. If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check).