Bangladesh Scoping Consultant

Innovative Human Rights NGO Seeks Bangladesh Scoping Consultant

About Asylum Access

We are human rights advocates who support forcibly displaced individuals and communities as they reclaim their rights, agency and power.

Our unique combination of legal empowerment, policy advocacy and global systems change creates conditions in which refugees can live safely, move freely, work legally and go to school. Our work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts to a sustainable solution that honors refugees’ freedom, dignity and autonomy, and equips them to make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access’ global team and family of local civil society organizations advocate to make human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our national organizations are led and staffed primarily by community members in those countries, and there is strong mutual trust and respect between us and our clients. On the international stage, we work with established institutions to shift the global system to better uphold and promote refugees’ human rights. We can help catalyze and lead systemic transformation because, uniquely among NGOs in the refugee response sector, we focus exclusively on rights and governance.

Department Description

The Partnerships Department is responsible for building and supporting partnerships that help transform the refugee response sector into one that is transparent, accountable, equitable and that ultimately leads to greater respect, protection, and promotion of refugees’ human rights. The Department works together to explore opportunities to partner with local civil society actors including refugee-led organizations around the world as we engage with powerful institutions and processes to make them more inclusive; catalyze campaigns towards greater equity and accountability in the refugee response sector; and partner with local CSOs and RLOs in strategic countries for capacity bridging initiatives that strengthen our collective pursuit of refugee human rights on the ground.

Asylum Access has been building partnerships with CSOs in refugee-hosting countries since 2013. We are deeply committed to meaningful participation, refugee leadership and building equitable partnerships with our local partners, including refugee-led organizations. Our partnerships with CSOs and RLOs span from Colombia, Kenya, Uganda, Lebanon, and Jordan Egypt, Indonesia, including through the Resourcing Refugee Leadership Initiative. Our collaborations with partners include joint advocacy and fundraising, coalition-building and campaigns, and capacity-strengthening initiatives; with the aim of further enabling our partners to achieve their priorities.

Position Description

Asylum Access is looking to explore opportunities for strategic and long-term partnerships with local/national civil society organizations in Bangladesh. To support this exploration, Asylum Access seeks to contract an experienced human rights professional with strong knowledge of refugee issues in Bangladesh and regionally; a deep understanding of the political context in Bangladesh particularly in relation to Rohingyas and Rohingya response; strong research and analytical skills; and good working relationships with key international actors, relevant host community organizations and refugee communities to produce, in collaboration with Asylum Access , the deliverables below. The ideal candidate has research experience on the issue of forced displacement in Bangladesh and the region, and believes deeply in the leadership of national and local civil society, including refugee-led organizations, in advancing refugees’ access to rights and opportunities.

With an understanding of Asylum Access’ existing global and national programs, initiatives, and foundational values, the Consultant will conduct a targeted assessment of Rohingya community needs and existing responses and their effectiveness; key influential actors and stakeholders; national priorities; risks; as well as national, regional, and global opportunities to advance Rohingya protection. Together with a critical assessment of Asylum Access’ strengths/value-add, they will then provide recommendations on whether/if there are any strategic avenues for collaboration between Asylum Access and local organizations, academics and/or community members. The primary objective of any prospective collaboration will be to strengthen the existing priorities, initiatives and/or capacities of local partners that are aimed towards medium to long-term progress.

Key Responsibilities/Deliverables:

1. Design research agenda: this includes conducting meetings with relevant Asylum Access team members to understand the goals of the project and Asylum Access initiatives in the region and globally; reviewing existing internal documents; and designing the scoping methodology and plan. This stage will include identifying 3-4 potential focus areas for the scoping based on Asylum Access’ value add and potential needs, as well as identifying key informants and scoping materials and developing timelines together with relevant colleagues in Asylum Access. Potential areas of focus could include legal empowerment and access to justice, opportunities for international and/or regional advocacy and strengthening initiatives.

2. Undertake research and assessment into needs, risks and opportunities_:_ Through both primary and secondary data collection and research methods, and based on the identified focus areas jointly developed with Asylum Access:

• Summarize the existing secondary data on the needs, challenges, and priorities of Rohingya communities in these identified areas, including existing community-led initiatives and its effectiveness. Conduct additional interviews only where needed;
• In line with (a), identify existing and potential opportunities for medium to long-term progress for the Rohingya response in Bangladesh. This includes:
• Relevant domestic political analysis, as well as influential regional and global processes and windows for progress;
• Conducting a mapping of key external influential actors and stakeholders; their interests and their influence on refugee response in Bangladesh including towards domestic political bodies. These can include (but are not limited to) the UNHCR, World Bank, and influential governments;
• Mapping of potential local partners (local NGOs, CBOs, individuals with lived experience of forced displacement, academics, universities) including an assessment of risks (to potential local partners, as well as to Asylum Access) of engaging in local partnership; and
• In line with the above, identify possible areas /initiatives / projects for Asylum Access to jointly explore together with local NGOs, community-led groups and/or diaspora. Where relevant, identify opportunities for collaboration with regional and global CSO coalitions.

3.  Produce a written report containing recommendations for partnerships: Prepare a set of recommendations for potential avenues for collaboration and partnership between Asylum Access with national and local CSOs and other allies to advance protection. These recommendations should: a) align with Asylum Access’ foundational values of refugee leadership and equitable partnerships, as well as our mission to make human rights a reality for refugees; b) leverage Asylum Access’ comparative advantages; and c) complement ongoing efforts including those by host    community actors and international actors in Bangladesh. This will be an internal document available to Asylum Access only.

Reports to: Director of Partnerships

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 3 years of working experience on forced displacement issues and a detailed understanding of the refugee context and framework in Bangladesh, including the role and positions of key domestic and international actors.
• Proven experience working directly with refugee communities in a trauma-informed manner. Has  existing relationships and trust with refugee leaders and active local NGOs in Bangladesh.
• Upholds the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work and engagement with others.
• Excellent research, drafting, and analytical skills, including analysis of political economy and policy research.
• Effective working relationships with multilaterals, international and local NGOs (including refugee-led organizations). Demonstrated past engagements with international and local NGOs working on refugee issues and human rights in Bangladesh will be viewed favorably.
• Strong initiative and ability to work effectively with high attention to detail.
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills, including effective and proactive communication with colleagues.
• Basic working knowledge of Google Apps (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, etc.).
• Fluent in written and spoken English (fluency in Bengali and Rohingya is a plus). There will be a separate budget allocated for an interpreter if required.
• Experience working with minimal supervision and in a remote capacity.

Salary and Benefits

This is a contractor position. The contractor will be paid on an hourly or daily rate to be agreed between Asylum Access and the contractor. There are no organizational benefits associated with this position.

Hours and Location of Work

This position will ideally be based in Bangladesh, however remote work is also an option. We are open to individuals and organizations with the combination of skills and experience applying for this position. We estimate that this position will require around 125 hours of work, with a final report to be produced by the end of February 2022.

Asylum Access is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value the expertise of those who have experienced displacement, and encourage people with such lived experience to apply.

For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org_._