TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
Hiring of Consultant for Establishing a Gender and Evidence Unit within the
Community Policing Wing at PARIMAL
Position : Consultant – Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Gender-Transformative Community Policing and Evidence Generation
Organization: BGMS, Consultant will be based at PARIMAL, Bhopal
Duration: Immediate, until 31st December 2026 (Strong Possibility of Extension)
Location: PARIMAL, Community Police Wing, Bhopal with field visits and consultations as required
Background and Rationale
Bhartiya Grameen Mahila Sangh (BGMS) is a non-governmental organization established in 1961, working to improve the lives of women, adolescents, and vulnerable communities. BGMS partners with government departments and development organizations, including UNFPA, to advance gender equality, health, education, and community development initiatives in Madhya Pradesh.
Gender-based violence (GBV), including violence against women and girls, remains a significant concern requiring coordinated institutional responses, gender-sensitive policing, effective community engagement, and evidence-informed policies and practices. Community policing provides an important opportunity to strengthen trust between police institutions and communities, improve access to support services, and promote the prevention of gender-based discrimination and violence.
PARIMAL (Pracademic Action Research Initiative for Multidisciplinary Approach Lab) is an action-oriented research think-and-do tank based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Established as an institutional framework within the state police training academy, it bridges the gap between academic theory and practical, real-world law enforcement and governance. Operating under the DG Research and Policy Cell of the Madhya Pradesh Police, PARIMAL focuses on advancing Evidence-Based Policing and data-driven decision-making
PARIMAL, with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), proposes to establish a Gender and Evidence Unit within its Community Policing Wing. The proposed Unit will serve as a technical platform to strengthen gender-transformative community policing, improve institutional responses to gender-based violence, promote the use of gender-disaggregated data, and facilitate research, learning, and evidence-based action.
As an initial step, a consultant will be engaged until 31st December2026 (Strong Possibility of Extension) to provide technical support in assessing existing systems and practices, identifying institutional needs and opportunities, and co-developing the mandate, priority areas, and operational framework of the proposed Unit in consultation with PARIMAL and relevant police stakeholders.
The consultancy will focus on laying the foundation for the Unit's future functioning and identifying practical interventions that can be taken forward beyond the initial engagement.
2. Objectives of the Consultancy
The overall objective is to provide technical assistance to PARIMAL and its Community Policing Wing in conceptualizing and establishing a functional Gender and Evidence Unit.
The specific objectives are to:
1. Review existing community policing approaches, programmes, institutional mechanisms, and practices relevant to gender equality and GBV prevention and response.
2. Identify gaps and opportunities for integrating gender-transformative approaches into police-community engagement.
3. Assess institutional capacities and requirements for strengthening police responses to violence against women and girls and other forms of gender-based violence.
4. Identify priority research questions, data requirements, and opportunities for evidence generation to inform community policing practices.
5. Develop a proposed mandate, thematic priorities, operating framework, and initial work plan for the Gender and Evidence Unit.
6. Recommend capacity-building, interdepartmental coordination, research partnerships, and knowledge-management mechanisms to support the Unit's effective functioning.
3. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities
The consultant will work closely with PARIMAL, the Community Policing Wing, and relevant stakeholders, with technical guidance from UNFPA as agreed.
A. Gender-Transformative Community Policing
The consultant will:
• Review existing community policing programmes, strategies, training materials, and community engagement practices from a gender perspective.
• Identify opportunities to integrate gender equality, social inclusion, and prevention of gender-based discrimination and violence into community policing initiatives.
• Examine approaches for strengthening engagement with women, girls, adolescents, and other vulnerable or underserved groups.
• Identify promising practices and institutional entry points for improving trust, safety, accessibility, and responsiveness in police-community interactions.
• Develop recommendations for integrating gender considerations into community policing policies, operational practices, and capacity-building initiatives.
B. GBV Prevention and Institutional Response
The consultant will:
• Review existing institutional mechanisms and protocols relevant to the prevention of and response to violence against women and girls and other forms of GBV.
• Identify gaps in awareness, institutional capacity, referral pathways, coordination, and implementation of relevant guidelines and procedures.
• Assess opportunities for strengthening gender-sensitive and survivor-centred institutional responses.
• Recommend practical tools, guidance documents, training modules, and capacity-building initiatives for relevant police personnel.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen coordination between the police, health services, social welfare institutions, legal aid providers, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Recommend appropriate mechanisms for institutional learning, accountability, and follow-up on identified gaps.
C. Data, Research and Evidence Generation
The consultant will:
• Review the availability, quality, use, and gaps in relevant gender-disaggregated data and institutional information.
• Identify priority research questions related to gender-transformative policing, GBV prevention, community perceptions, institutional responses, and access to services.
• Recommend suitable approaches for assessments, knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) studies, baseline exercises, and other evidence-generation activities, as appropriate.
• Identify potential collaborations with universities, research institutions, government departments, and technical partners.
• Propose mechanisms for ethical data collection, responsible data management, confidentiality, and the protection of sensitive information.
• Develop an initial evidence-generation agenda for the proposed Unit.
D. Evidence-to-Action and Knowledge Development
The consultant will:
• Translate findings from consultations and reviews into actionable recommendations for policy, programming, training, and institutional practice.
• Identify promising practices, innovations, and lessons from community policing and GBV prevention initiatives.
• Develop recommendations for documenting and disseminating learning through evidence briefs, case studies, technical notes, and other knowledge products.
• Propose mechanisms for ensuring that research and evidence inform institutional decisions, programme design, training, and operational improvements.
• Identify opportunities for peer learning, technical exchanges, and collaboration with relevant institutions and partners.
E. Establishment of the Gender and Evidence Unit
As a cross-cutting responsibility, the consultant will:
• Facilitate consultations with PARIMAL leadership, the Community Policing Wing, relevant police representatives, and other stakeholders to determine the needs and priorities of the proposed Unit.
• Develop a draft vision, mandate, objectives, thematic focus, and proposed functions of the Unit.
• Recommend an appropriate institutional arrangement, governance structure, staffing and technical support requirements, and coordination mechanisms.
• Prepare a proposed operational framework, including priority activities, indicative timelines, resource requirements, and potential partnerships.
• Develop a phased implementation roadmap identifying immediate priorities, medium-term opportunities, and areas requiring further technical support.
• Present the proposed framework and roadmap to PARIMAL and UNFPA for discussion and finalization.
4. Expected Deliverables and Timeline
Deliverable Key Components Indicative Timeline
1. Inception Report and Work Plan Understanding of the assignment, stakeholder mapping, methodology, consultation plan, and detailed work schedule Weeks 1–2
2. Institutional Review and Needs Assessment Review of existing approaches, institutional mechanisms, gender and GBV-related practices, data availability, capacity gaps, and opportunities Weeks 3–5
3. Draft Concept and Operational Framework Proposed mandate, objectives, thematic priorities, institutional arrangements, functions, and partnership opportunities for the Gender and Evidence Unit Weeks 6–8
4. Evidence and Capacity-Building Plan Priority research questions, data and evidence agenda, capacity-building priorities, and proposed coordination and knowledge-management mechanisms Weeks 8–10
5. Final Report and Establishment Roadmap Consolidated findings, recommendations, final proposed framework, phased implementation roadmap, indicative resource requirements, and presentation of findings Weeks 11–12
All deliverables will be submitted in English in editable electronic formats. The consultant will incorporate feedback from PARIMAL and UNFPA, as applicable, before finalization. The above timeline is indicative and may be refined in the inception phase in consultation with the organization.
5. Reporting and Coordination Arrangements
The consultant will report to the designated focal person at PARIMAL and coordinate with the Community Policing Wing and relevant institutional stakeholders. Technical coordination with UNFPA will take place as mutually agreed with PARIMAL.
The consultant will be expected to:
• Participate in review and consultation meetings as required.
• Share progress updates and emerging findings at agreed intervals.
• Seek guidance on key institutional decisions and proposed priorities.
• Submit deliverables according to the agreed schedule.
• Incorporate consolidated feedback into the final outputs.
6. Duration and Level of Effort
The assignment will be for a period until 31st December 2026 (Strong Possibility of Extension), subject to the terms of the consultancy contract. The consultant will prepare a detailed work plan during the inception phase, specifying the level of effort required for consultations, document reviews, analysis, preparation of deliverables, and presentation of findings. Any extension of the assignment will be subject to, satisfactory performance, availability of resources, and approval by the competent authority.
7. Required Qualifications and Experience
The consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:
Educational Qualifications
• A postgraduate degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Sociology, Social Work, Public Policy, Development Studies, Criminology, Law, Public Administration, Research, or a related discipline.
• Additional qualifications or specialized training in gender-based violence, gender-responsive governance, policing, research, or institutional capacity development will be an advantage.
Professional Experience
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in gender equality, GBV prevention and response, gender-transformative programming, institutional strengthening, community engagement, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in developing technical frameworks, strategies, guidelines, research studies, or institutional action plans.
• Experience working with police institutions, government departments, law enforcement agencies, justice-sector institutions, or community policing initiatives will be highly desirable.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative research, assessments, KAP studies, data analysis, or evidence-based programme development.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate stakeholder consultations and work with government institutions, civil society organizations, research institutions, and development partners.
• Experience in preparing technical reports, policy briefs, training materials, case studies, or knowledge products.
8. Selection Criteria and Evaluation Process
The selection process will assess the candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, technical understanding. The organization will conduct an interview or technical discussion with shortlisted candidates before final selection. The final selection will be subject to satisfactory verification of qualifications and experience, acceptance of the terms of engagement, and approval by the competent authority.
9. Application and Submission Requirements
Interested and eligible candidates are invited to submit the following documents:
1. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
2. Copies of relevant educational qualifications and professional certifications, if requested.
3. Names and contact details of two professional references.
Applications should be submitted to the designated email address bgmscreates@gmail.com , by the deadline 19th October 2026 as specified. Only shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further assessment.
10. Professional Fee and Payment Terms
The professional fee for the consultancy will be determined based on prevailing industry standards, the candidate’s qualifications, relevant professional experience, demonstrated skills, technical expertise, and suitability for the assignment. The final fee will be mutually agreed upon during the selection process and approved by the competent authority, in accordance with the organization’s approved budget and applicable contractual terms.
11. Confidentiality, Ethics and Safeguarding
The consultant will be required to:
• Maintain strict confidentiality of institutional information, personal data, research findings, and any sensitive information accessed during the assignment.
• Ensure that all consultations, assessments, and research activities follow appropriate ethical standards and institutional approvals.
• Apply a survivor-centred, rights-based, gender-sensitive, and non-discriminatory approach in all GBV-related work.
• Avoid collecting personally identifiable or sensitive information unless necessary, authorized, and supported by appropriate safeguards.
• Ensure that any data collection involving survivors, adolescents, or other vulnerable groups follows applicable consent, assent, safeguarding, and referral requirements.
• Comply with applicable organizational policies on safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, prevention of sexual harassment, and professional conduct.
• Not disclose, publish, or share institutional documents, data, photographs, or findings without prior written authorization.
12. Expected Outcome of the Consultancy
At the end of the three-month engagement, PARIMAL is expected to have:
1. A documented understanding of existing institutional approaches, capacities, and gaps relating to gender-transformative community policing and GBV prevention and response.
2. A proposed mandate and thematic priorities for the Gender and Evidence Unit.
3. An initial operational framework outlining institutional arrangements, core functions, partnerships, and capacity requirements.
4. A prioritized research and evidence-generation agenda.
5. A phased implementation roadmap with proposed activities, timelines, and indicative resource requirements.
6. Practical recommendations for strengthening gender-responsive policing, institutional coordination, knowledge development, and evidence-informed decision-making.
The consultancy will establish the technical foundation for the proposed Unit. Its longer-term institutionalization and implementation will be determined by PARIMAL in consultation with relevant stakeholders and subject to available resources and approvals.