Annex 1: Terms of Reference (TOR)

The Qualitative Researcher will support Research and Development Solutions (RADS) in generating rigorous, gender-responsive qualitative evidence to inform women’s economic empowerment programming, policy advocacy, and research outputs. The role focuses on understanding women’s lived experiences, structural barriers, care economies, labor participation, entrepreneurship, and access to services across diverse socio-economic contexts.

1. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

A. Qualitative Research Design and Implementation

The Qualitative Researcher will:

• Design and implement qualitative research aligned with donor-approved theories of change, logframes, and results frameworks related to women’s economic empowerment.
• Develop gender-responsive and ethically sound qualitative research tools, including KIIs, FGDs, life histories, and participatory methods, in line with UN Women Evaluation Handbook and OECD-DAC quality standards.
• Ensure integration of intersectional perspectives, capturing the differentiated experiences of women by age, disability, socio-economic status, migration status, and location.
• Support data collection processes, including training and supervision of qualitative facilitators, and monitoring adherence to safeguarding, consent, and data protection protocols.

B. Data Analysis and Evidence Generation

The Qualitative Researcher will:

• Conduct rigorous qualitative data analysis using thematic, narrative, and framework approaches, ensuring transparency and auditability of findings.
• Contribute to triangulation of qualitative findings with quantitative or administrative data where applicable.
• Identify key gendered constraints, enabling factors, and pathways of change relevant to women’s economic participation and agency.

C. Writing, Reporting, and Knowledge Products

The Qualitative Researcher will:

• Lead or contribute to the preparation of donor-compliant outputs, including research reports, learning briefs, policy briefs, and gender analysis notes.
• Support development of peer-reviewed manuscripts, evaluation reports, and evidence products for policy and advocacy audiences.
• Contribute to proposal development, including qualitative methodology sections, gender analysis components, and learning agendas.
• Translate qualitative evidence into accessible, human-centered narratives for dissemination and stakeholder engagement.

D. Coordination, Learning, and Representation

The Qualitative Researcher will:

• Coordinate with government counterparts, civil society organizations, women-led groups, and international partners to validate findings and support uptake of evidence.
• Participate in donor meetings, learning events, and dissemination workshops as required.
• Support adaptive management by feeding qualitative insights into program review and learning processes.

2. Qualifications & Experience

A. Education

• Master’s degree or higher in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Specialized training or coursework in gender analysis, qualitative research methods, feminist research approaches, or women’s economic empowerment will be considered an asset.

B. Professional Experience

• Minimum 2–3 years of progressive experience in qualitative research, with a strong focus on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing qualitative studies, including key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), life histories, and participatory research methods.
• Proven experience working on donor-funded programs, preferably with UN Women, FCDO/DFID, World Bank, KOICA, USAID, or other multilateral/bilateral donors.
• Experience conducting gender analyses, formative research, or evaluations related to women’s labor force participation, informal economy, care work, entrepreneurship, or financial inclusion.
• Prior experience working with government counterparts, civil society organizations, and women-led groups is highly desirable.
• Field-based research experience in low- and middle-income or fragile contexts will be considered a strong asset.

C. Technical Skills and Competencies

• Strong command of qualitative data analysis techniques, including thematic, narrative, and framework analysis.
• Experience using qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo, Atlas.ti, Dedoose, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate intersectional and rights-based approaches in research design and analysis.
• Solid understanding of donor requirements related to research ethics, safeguarding, informed consent, and data protection.
• Ability to triangulate qualitative findings with quantitative or administrative data is an advantage.

D. Writing and Communication Skills

• Excellent analytical writing skills, with proven experience producing donor-quality research reports, policy briefs, learning notes, and evaluation outputs.
• Experience contributing to peer-reviewed publications and proposal development is highly desirable.
• Ability to translate complex qualitative findings into clear, accessible, and policy-relevant narratives for diverse audiences.

E. Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
• Working knowledge of Urdu or Pashto is a strong asset.