- Sat Nov 29, 2025 4:11 pm#9370
PREPARING TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION OF SOCIAL NORMS EXPERT – CARE BANGLADESH
1. UNDERSTAND THE ROLE AND CONTEXT
• Read the job description carefully and highlight the four main responsibility areas:
– Strategy and technical lead on harmful social and gender norms (35 % of time)
– Development of GESI technical resources and capacity building (25 % )
– Community engagement and advocacy (20 % )
– Monitoring, learning and knowledge management (10 % )
– Safety, security and safeguarding (5 % )
• Note the project focus: economic acceleration and resilience for NEET youth, especially women in rural and semi‑urban Bangladesh, with an added climate‑resilience component.
• Identify the key cross‑cutting themes you will be expected to integrate: gender equality, youth empowerment, social‑norm change, climate‑responsive livelihoods, and safeguarding (SEA/SH/GBV).
2. MATCH YOUR QUALIFICATIONS TO THE SPECIFICATIONS
• Education – Master’s degree in Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Gender/Women’s Studies, Development Studies or a related field.
• Experience – Minimum 10 years relevant work, specifically:
– Mainstreaming gender and social‑norm change in livelihood or skills‑development programmes.
– Designing and delivering GESI training manuals, toolkits and curricula.
– Conducting participatory assessments on community dynamics, power relations and cultural practices.
– Managing SEA/SH and GBV prevention, response and referral mechanisms.
– Developing monitoring frameworks and indicators for norm‑change outcomes.
• Skills – Strong facilitation, capacity‑building, analytical, documentation and report‑writing abilities; fluency in Bangla and English; proficiency in MS Office.
3. UPDATE YOUR CURRICULUM VITAE
a) PERSONAL DETAILS – full name, contact information, nationality, languages.
b) PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY – a short (4‑5 line) paragraph that positions you as an expert in gender‑transformative social‑norm change, youth livelihood programmes and climate‑responsive development. Mention experience with NEET or similar target groups.
c) KEY COMPETENCIES – list the competencies that map directly to the responsibilities (e.g., “Strategic design of norm‑shifting interventions”, “GESI technical resource development”, “Community mobilisation and advocacy”, “MEL design for social‑norm indicators”).
d) RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE – for each role (last 10‑12 years) include:
– Organisation, location, dates of employment.
– Title and brief description of the position.
– Specific achievements that demonstrate the required experience, using quantifiable results where possible (e.g., “Led gender‑norm assessment covering 2,500 households in Rangpur; findings informed adaptation of livelihood trainings for 1,200 NEET women”).
– Experience with protecting children, women and vulnerable adults (mention any SEA/SH training, grievance mechanisms developed, etc.).
e) EDUCATION – list Master’s degree (include dissertation title if relevant), any additional certifications (e.g., Gender Equality Training, GBV Prevention, Climate‑Resilience).
f) TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS – facilitation, participatory methods, MEL, safeguarding, climate‑change adaptation.
g) PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS – any reports, policy briefs, conference papers on gender norms, youth employment, or climate‑resilient livelihoods.
h) REFERENCES – provide at least two professional references (name, title, organisation, phone, email) who can attest to your work on gender and social‑norm change.
4. CRAFT A TARGETED COVER LETTER
• Address the letter to the hiring manager or “Team Leader – Social Norms Expert”.
• Opening paragraph – state the position you are applying for, where you found the vacancy, and a concise statement of why you are the right fit (e.g., “With over 12 years of experience leading gender‑transformative programmes for NEET youth in Bangladesh, I am excited to contribute to CARE’s EARN Project”).
• Body – three short paragraphs:
1) Highlight your experience designing and implementing social‑norm strategies, citing a concrete example and the impact achieved.
2) Demonstrate your capacity to develop GESI technical resources and deliver participatory trainings, mentioning any manuals or toolkits you have authored.
3) Show your expertise in monitoring and learning, describing indicators you created and how they informed programme adaptation.
• Closing – reaffirm enthusiasm, indicate availability for an interview, and thank the reader.
5. GATHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
– Scanned copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates (Master’s and any relevant post‑graduate diplomas).
– Certificates of training in gender, GBV, SEA/SH, MEL, climate‑resilience.
– Work samples (e.g., excerpts of a gender‑analysis report, a training manual, a monitoring dashboard).
– A signed declaration confirming you have not incurred any costs for the application and that you understand the recruitment procedures.
6. PRE‑INTERVIEW PREPARATION
a) RESEARCH CARE BANGLADESH
– Review CARE’s mission, values, current programmes in Bangladesh, and recent Annual Reports.
– Familiarise yourself with the EARN Project concept note, its logical framework and expected results.
b) REFLECT ON CORE COMPETENCIES
– Prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories for each of the four responsibility clusters. Example topics:
* Conducting a community‑norm assessment that led to revised curriculum for women entrepreneurs.
* Designing a gender‑responsive monitoring framework that captured attitude change over 12 months.
* Facilitating a high‑visibility advocacy event with local religious leaders that increased female enrollment in vocational training by 30 %.
* Developing a safeguarding protocol that reduced reporting delays by 40 %.
c) ANTICIPATE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
– Explain how you would integrate climate‑resilience modules into skills‑training for NEET women.
– Discuss methods for measuring “norm change” (qualitative tools, focus groups, vignettes, social‑network analysis).
– Describe your approach to safeguarding in mixed‑gender community workshops.
– Outline steps you would take to ensure the participation of hard‑to‑reach families.
d) PRACTICE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
– Prepare concise explanations (under 2 minutes) of complex gender concepts for non‑technical audiences.
– Rehearse answering behavioural questions in both Bangla and English.
7. LOGISTICS FOR THE APPLICATION
– Submit your application through the BDJobs portal before 23:59 hrs on 06 December 2025.
– Ensure all files are in PDF format, named consistently (e.g., “Lastname_Firstname_CV.pdf”, “Lastname_Firstname_CoverLetter.pdf”).
– Double‑check that your contact details are correct; you may be contacted for a short screening call.
8. POST‑SUBMISSION FOLLOW‑UP
– Keep a copy of the submission confirmation email.
– Do not make unsolicited phone calls or send additional documents unless specifically requested (the notice states that personal persuasion will lead to disqualification).
– If you are shortlisted, prepare any additional materials they may ask for (e.g., a detailed work plan or a presentation on a norm‑change case study).
9. ETHICAL AND SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT
– Review CARE’s Code of Conduct and the International Fraud and Safeguarding Policy.
– Be ready to discuss how you have handled SEA/SH/GBV allegations in previous roles, including reporting mechanisms and self‑reflection on lessons learned.
10. FINAL CHECKLIST BEFORE SUBMITTING
☐ CV reflects at least 10 years of relevant experience and matches all required competencies.
☐ Cover letter is tailored to the Social Norms Expert role and mentions key project components (NEET, women, climate).
☐ All educational and training certificates attached.
☐ Work samples illustrate gender‑transformative and norm‑shifting outputs.
☐ Files correctly named, clean, and searchable.
☐ Application submitted before the deadline.
Good luck with your application! Your expertise in gender‑responsive development and community‑driven norm change can make a significant contribution to CARE Bangladesh’s mission and to the lives of NEET youth across the country.
1. UNDERSTAND THE ROLE AND CONTEXT
• Read the job description carefully and highlight the four main responsibility areas:
– Strategy and technical lead on harmful social and gender norms (35 % of time)
– Development of GESI technical resources and capacity building (25 % )
– Community engagement and advocacy (20 % )
– Monitoring, learning and knowledge management (10 % )
– Safety, security and safeguarding (5 % )
• Note the project focus: economic acceleration and resilience for NEET youth, especially women in rural and semi‑urban Bangladesh, with an added climate‑resilience component.
• Identify the key cross‑cutting themes you will be expected to integrate: gender equality, youth empowerment, social‑norm change, climate‑responsive livelihoods, and safeguarding (SEA/SH/GBV).
2. MATCH YOUR QUALIFICATIONS TO THE SPECIFICATIONS
• Education – Master’s degree in Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Gender/Women’s Studies, Development Studies or a related field.
• Experience – Minimum 10 years relevant work, specifically:
– Mainstreaming gender and social‑norm change in livelihood or skills‑development programmes.
– Designing and delivering GESI training manuals, toolkits and curricula.
– Conducting participatory assessments on community dynamics, power relations and cultural practices.
– Managing SEA/SH and GBV prevention, response and referral mechanisms.
– Developing monitoring frameworks and indicators for norm‑change outcomes.
• Skills – Strong facilitation, capacity‑building, analytical, documentation and report‑writing abilities; fluency in Bangla and English; proficiency in MS Office.
3. UPDATE YOUR CURRICULUM VITAE
a) PERSONAL DETAILS – full name, contact information, nationality, languages.
b) PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY – a short (4‑5 line) paragraph that positions you as an expert in gender‑transformative social‑norm change, youth livelihood programmes and climate‑responsive development. Mention experience with NEET or similar target groups.
c) KEY COMPETENCIES – list the competencies that map directly to the responsibilities (e.g., “Strategic design of norm‑shifting interventions”, “GESI technical resource development”, “Community mobilisation and advocacy”, “MEL design for social‑norm indicators”).
d) RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE – for each role (last 10‑12 years) include:
– Organisation, location, dates of employment.
– Title and brief description of the position.
– Specific achievements that demonstrate the required experience, using quantifiable results where possible (e.g., “Led gender‑norm assessment covering 2,500 households in Rangpur; findings informed adaptation of livelihood trainings for 1,200 NEET women”).
– Experience with protecting children, women and vulnerable adults (mention any SEA/SH training, grievance mechanisms developed, etc.).
e) EDUCATION – list Master’s degree (include dissertation title if relevant), any additional certifications (e.g., Gender Equality Training, GBV Prevention, Climate‑Resilience).
f) TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS – facilitation, participatory methods, MEL, safeguarding, climate‑change adaptation.
g) PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS – any reports, policy briefs, conference papers on gender norms, youth employment, or climate‑resilient livelihoods.
h) REFERENCES – provide at least two professional references (name, title, organisation, phone, email) who can attest to your work on gender and social‑norm change.
4. CRAFT A TARGETED COVER LETTER
• Address the letter to the hiring manager or “Team Leader – Social Norms Expert”.
• Opening paragraph – state the position you are applying for, where you found the vacancy, and a concise statement of why you are the right fit (e.g., “With over 12 years of experience leading gender‑transformative programmes for NEET youth in Bangladesh, I am excited to contribute to CARE’s EARN Project”).
• Body – three short paragraphs:
1) Highlight your experience designing and implementing social‑norm strategies, citing a concrete example and the impact achieved.
2) Demonstrate your capacity to develop GESI technical resources and deliver participatory trainings, mentioning any manuals or toolkits you have authored.
3) Show your expertise in monitoring and learning, describing indicators you created and how they informed programme adaptation.
• Closing – reaffirm enthusiasm, indicate availability for an interview, and thank the reader.
5. GATHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
– Scanned copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates (Master’s and any relevant post‑graduate diplomas).
– Certificates of training in gender, GBV, SEA/SH, MEL, climate‑resilience.
– Work samples (e.g., excerpts of a gender‑analysis report, a training manual, a monitoring dashboard).
– A signed declaration confirming you have not incurred any costs for the application and that you understand the recruitment procedures.
6. PRE‑INTERVIEW PREPARATION
a) RESEARCH CARE BANGLADESH
– Review CARE’s mission, values, current programmes in Bangladesh, and recent Annual Reports.
– Familiarise yourself with the EARN Project concept note, its logical framework and expected results.
b) REFLECT ON CORE COMPETENCIES
– Prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories for each of the four responsibility clusters. Example topics:
* Conducting a community‑norm assessment that led to revised curriculum for women entrepreneurs.
* Designing a gender‑responsive monitoring framework that captured attitude change over 12 months.
* Facilitating a high‑visibility advocacy event with local religious leaders that increased female enrollment in vocational training by 30 %.
* Developing a safeguarding protocol that reduced reporting delays by 40 %.
c) ANTICIPATE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
– Explain how you would integrate climate‑resilience modules into skills‑training for NEET women.
– Discuss methods for measuring “norm change” (qualitative tools, focus groups, vignettes, social‑network analysis).
– Describe your approach to safeguarding in mixed‑gender community workshops.
– Outline steps you would take to ensure the participation of hard‑to‑reach families.
d) PRACTICE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
– Prepare concise explanations (under 2 minutes) of complex gender concepts for non‑technical audiences.
– Rehearse answering behavioural questions in both Bangla and English.
7. LOGISTICS FOR THE APPLICATION
– Submit your application through the BDJobs portal before 23:59 hrs on 06 December 2025.
– Ensure all files are in PDF format, named consistently (e.g., “Lastname_Firstname_CV.pdf”, “Lastname_Firstname_CoverLetter.pdf”).
– Double‑check that your contact details are correct; you may be contacted for a short screening call.
8. POST‑SUBMISSION FOLLOW‑UP
– Keep a copy of the submission confirmation email.
– Do not make unsolicited phone calls or send additional documents unless specifically requested (the notice states that personal persuasion will lead to disqualification).
– If you are shortlisted, prepare any additional materials they may ask for (e.g., a detailed work plan or a presentation on a norm‑change case study).
9. ETHICAL AND SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT
– Review CARE’s Code of Conduct and the International Fraud and Safeguarding Policy.
– Be ready to discuss how you have handled SEA/SH/GBV allegations in previous roles, including reporting mechanisms and self‑reflection on lessons learned.
10. FINAL CHECKLIST BEFORE SUBMITTING
☐ CV reflects at least 10 years of relevant experience and matches all required competencies.
☐ Cover letter is tailored to the Social Norms Expert role and mentions key project components (NEET, women, climate).
☐ All educational and training certificates attached.
☐ Work samples illustrate gender‑transformative and norm‑shifting outputs.
☐ Files correctly named, clean, and searchable.
☐ Application submitted before the deadline.
Good luck with your application! Your expertise in gender‑responsive development and community‑driven norm change can make a significant contribution to CARE Bangladesh’s mission and to the lives of NEET youth across the country.
