Consultant for Conducting Baseline survey

The organization’s background

Gender Development Association (GDA) is a leading Gender Rights Non-Profit Association, working throughout Lao PDR since 1991. GDA works to empower women, gender diversity, and disabled people to achieve gender equity through joint action, knowledge sharing, and ending gender-based violence and discrimination.

About the Project

GDA is implementing the project “Combating violence against women and girls and enhancing their access to justice” in Yod Ou and Boun Tai district, Phongsaly Province, supported by Bread for the World (BftW) in Phase II (Nov 2025-Oct 2028). The project aims to eliminate violence against women and girls (VAWG) and improve access to justice for women and girls in remote rural and mountainous areas of Laos. On the one hand, it strengthens women and girls’ self-efficacy to stand up to their rights and justice; on the other hand, it conducts gender education already in schools in an effort to lower future VAWG cases and improve gender equality. It contributes to the Goals No. 3 and 5 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. At the national level, it is in line with the National Plan of Action on Gender Equality (2021-2025) and the National Plan of Action on Violence against Women and Children (2021-2025).

The overall goal of this project is to promote and protect the rights of Lao women and girls. Two sub-objectives of the project are as follows:

• The local community improves its behavior toward VAWG.

Women and girls in the project area have better access to legal aid and counseling services.

Purpose

GDA is looking for individual consultants, teams, or firms for the baseline survey on the Project “Combating violence against women and girls and enhancing their access to justice” in 16 villages and 8 schools in Boun Tai and Yod Ou district, Phongsaly Province. The result of the baseline assessment will be applied in the process of developing the project design and improvement, as well as to be informed to the implementers, the donor, and the involved stakeholders about the level of needed intervention. This survey will focus on assessing the community’s attitudes and behaviors toward VAWG and access to justice, as well as specific issues needed to be addressed in order to eliminate VAWG.

• PurposeGDA is looking for individual consultants, teams, or firms for the baseline survey on the Project “Combating violence against women and girls and enhancing their access to justice” in 16 villages and 8 schools in Boun Tai and Yod Ou district, Phongsaly Province. The result of the baseline assessment will be applied in the process of developing the project design and improvement, as well as to be informed to the implementers, the donor, and the involved stakeholders about the level of needed intervention. This survey will focus on assessing the community’s attitudes and behaviors toward VAWG and access to justice, as well as specific issues needed to be addressed in order to eliminate VAWG.Key Outputs:
  • Inception report, detailing the design and methodology for the baseline study with the initial format of data collection tools and questionnaires. The tools and methodology will need to be submitted to GDA and partners for review and feedback before they are considered for official use;
  • All raw data (quantitative or qualitative data files, transcripts of interviews, FGDs, etc.) should also be submitted to GDA for future use;
  • Draft Narrative Report (first or second draft);
  • Present the key findings of the baseline survey at a consultative workshop.
  • Final Report both in Lao and English. The report should have an executive summary, findings and analysis, and recommendations for further program development.

  Scope of work:

  • To conduct a baseline survey by collecting data to understand the current situation regarding VAWG in the project’s target communities and schools with appropriate and in-depth information, which will provide qualitative and quantitative data against which the impact of the project can be assessed over the next the 3 years;
  • To identify benchmarks and indicators which can be used as a point of reference for monitoring and evaluation of the project;
  • To assess and analyze the current situation of knowledge, attitude, behavior and practice pertaining to VAWG, especially women and girls in the target areas;
  • To provide accurate information for measuring the project impacts and achievements at the end of project;
  • To consistently consult with GDA team throughout of the cycle of implementation.

  Timeline

  The assignment is expected to carry out in April 2026. Actual dates will be agreed with the selected consultant(s).

  Desired Qualifications and Key Competencies:

  • Extensive experience in the evaluation of development projects, and participatory qualitative research in gender equality particularly in VAWG, justice service, or a related areas in the Lao PDR development context;
  • Good experiences in the baseline survey on opinion and in conducting participatory assessments and action research related to violence or gender issues;
  • Expertise and experience in development project design, monitoring and evaluation, and action research;
  • Experience in effective interaction with local and national government institutions and marginalized communities;
  • Well spoken and written communication skills in English and Lao. Knowledge of the ethnic language or context of the local communities is an asset;
  • Excellent analytical and report-writing skills;
  • Capacity to deliver high-quality outputs promptly, be self-directed and efficient, accountable, and responsive to GDA’s brief and oversight.

Application Submission:

Submit your complete application by no later than 16 March 2026, including CV, Letter of Interest and Finance Proposal. Applications must be submitted by e-mail only and as PDF file to email: hr@gdalaos.org, cc: salackchith89@gmail.com, in title: Application – VAWG Project Phase II Baseline Survey consultant.  The only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

For any questions regarding this advertisement, please contact:

Salackchith Sunthorn, Project Manager

Email: salackchith89@gmail.com

Tel: +856 20 29797929