Terms of Reference (ToR)
for
Youth -Led Action Research Following Feminist Research Principles

Background

The project aims to strengthen young people’s capacity in conducting inclusive, participatory, and gender-responsive action research. Grounded in feminist research principles, including participatory approaches, power-sensitive analysis, ethical safeguards, and meaningful engagement of girls and marginalized youth and inspired by girl-led research methodologies, this initiative will empower young women and youth actors in Cox’s Bazar to design and implement action research that reflects lived experiences, amplifies marginalized voices, and contributes to social change.

This consultancy focuses on building the capacity of youth researchers, supporting girl-led action research initiatives, and ensuring knowledge dissemination at the local level.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The overall objective is to support the design, implementation, and dissemination of girl-led action research initiatives.
Specific objectives include:

• To contextualize training modules based on feminist and girl-led research principles
• To build the capacity of youth researchers through structured training and mentorship
• To mentor the implementation of action research projects led by youth organizations
• To co-facilitate documentation, publication, and dissemination of research findings

3. Scope of Work
The consultant/consultancy firm will undertake the following tasks:

A. Module Contextualization

• Review existing girl-led and feminist research frameworks
• Adapt and contextualize training modules to local context and youth realities
• Ensure modules are participatory, inclusive, and gender-responsive
• The training will also prepare participants to design and lead action research

B. Training Design and Co-Facilitation

• Design a 3-day residential training curriculum on action research led by trained youth researchers
• Co-facilitate training alongside with the ActionAid’s designated team members
• Train a pool of 15 youth researchers from 15 youth organizations and community youth groups and will be selected based on transparent criteria including prior community engagement, interest in research, and representation across gender and communities,
• Ensure practical, hands-on learning approaches

C. Mentorship and Technical Support

• Provide ongoing mentorship to selected 05 research teams/individuals
• Provide technical support 5 youth-led action research projects through:
• Research design refinement
• Data collection and analysis guidance
• Ethical considerations aligned with feminist research principles

D. Documentation and Publication

• Support development and finalization of 5 research reports and deliver in a single publication ensuring quality assurance, ethical compliance, and technical review throughout the process,
• Ensure quality, coherence, and alignment with feminist research standards
• Provide guidance on accessible and inclusive research outputs

E. Dissemination Support

• Support planning and organization of 1 local dissemination event targeting community stakeholders, local authorities, and civil society actors to promote uptake of findings. ActionAid will bear all relevant event management costs directly. The consultant will provide technical support in hosting this event in Cox’s Bazar.
• Co-facilitate presentation of findings by youth researchers
• Ensure stakeholder engagement (community, CSOs, local actors)

4. Deliverables
The consultant is expected to deliver:

1. Contextualized training module/manual
2. Training agenda, facilitation plan and training co-facilitation. ActionAid will organize the training in Cox’s Bazar. All costs regarding the venue, training materials, food, lodging, and project participants’ transport will be borne by ActionAid. Consultant’s administrative and transportation costs should be borne by the consultant.
3. Completion of 3-day residential training for 15 participants
4. Mentorship plan and progress documentation for 5 research teams
5. 5 finalized action research reports in a single publication. The publication cost is included in the consultancy budget.
6. Dissemination event report
7. Final consultancy report summarizing process, outcomes, and recommendations

5. Duration and Budget
The consultancy is expected to be conducted over 12 weeks (2nd week of May to 2nd week of August 2026).
Maximum contract value is BDT 680,000 (including VAT and TAX as per GoB rules.

6. Required Qualifications
The consultant/firm should have:

• Proven experience in feminist research, participatory research, or action research
• Strong understanding of gender, youth empowerment, and social inclusion
• Experience in training design and facilitation, especially with youth
• Demonstrated experience in mentorship and research supervision
• Strong writing and documentation skills
• Experience working with youth-led or community-based organizations

7. Reporting and Coordination

• The consultant will report to Fariha Hossain (Project Manager – EU Peacebuilding, ActionAid Bangladesh)
• Regular coordination meetings will be held to track progress
• All deliverables must be reviewed and approved by the contracting organization

8. Payment Schedule
Payment will be made based on agreed milestones, for example:

• 40% upon signing the agreement and submission of module contextualization and rollout plan
• 30% upon completion of training
• 30% final deliveries and dissemination completion  

Deadline for Proposal Submission: 16 May 2026

• Please click below the link to submit your proposals
  Link: https://jobs.actionaidbd.org/consultancy

Disclaimer: ActionAid Bangladesh reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications without assigning any reason thereof