About

The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for an applied research program that supports the following goal: contribute to building a portfolio of evidence in the field of evaluative practice and interventions that employ human rights frameworks and complexity- and culturally- responsive methods, while also strengthening strategic and evaluative frameworks to contribute to the body of global and equitable human rights evaluative practice.

The purpose of this evaluative research is to contribute to the global body of evaluative tools and practice by developing a human rights framework that espouses the principles of “do no (more) harm,” and “nothing about us without us.” Based on the principles articulated, the research should result in an actionable framework for human rights programming and evaluation practices—both of which would bolster democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG) programming and evaluation practices.

This applied research will challenge, test, and refine this theory of change within these contexts of autocratization processes:

• Democratic Erosion/Backsliding: A decline in the quality of democracy within a democratic polity that does not necessarily produce a transition to autocracy.

• Democratic Breakdown: The point at which autocratization processes shift a country from an electoral democracy to electoral autocracy.

• Authoritarian Deepening: Autocratization within existing authoritarian states that further harden or entrench autocratic systems of government.

Funding Information

• Total Funding Floor: $1,780,601

• Total Funding Ceiling: $1,780,601

• Period of Performance: 30-36 months.

Eligibility

• DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.

• Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

Team Requirements

• The implementing partner shall form an expert team consisting of one senior applied Research Team Lead along with three mid-level researchers, a communications or data visualization specialist, and one administrative coordinator. However, there is flexibility to propose an alternative staffing structure with proper justification from the applicant. The following includes illustrative profiles of key background and experience DRL seeks from the implementing partner. Competitive proposals will include an applied Research Team Lead in Key Personnel.

• The team should, as a whole, have knowledge of and expertise in the areas of human and labor rights and democracy, including both practical and academic knowledge of applicable theories, and human rights and labor foreign assistance mechanisms. At least one member of the research team should have experience working in trauma informed approaches. Proposed staff can be based inside the United States and/or in countries relevant to the research to demonstrate experience collaborating with in-country evaluation or research institutions.

• Capability with methods for virtual data collection that allow for secure communication and data storage.

• Experience with a variety of research and evaluation methodologies appropriate for this assignment. The ability to analyze, synthesize and draw conclusions and lessons learned from various sources of data and findings. The research team should have the ability to take complex process and findings and communicate them in way that is accessible to practitioners and policy officers.

• The Research Team Lead will be responsible for final approval of research methodology, tools, and findings prior to presentation to DRL. The Research Team Lead will also be responsible for preparing and managing the drafting of interim and final reports, and related research deliverables; and, preparing briefings to be provided to DRL and partners. The Research Team Lead must be comfortable working in close coordination with DRL, implementing partners, government officials and other donors, and project participants and beneficiaries; and, must possess exceptional organizational and communication skills. The Team Lead should have a minimum of 8 years of designing and implementing research projects, including experience leading a research team. The Team Lead should possess a PhD in a relevant field and have a demonstrated ability of analyzing foreign assistance programming addressing human rights issues. Doctoral education can be used towards experience in designing and implementing research projects. Strong preference is given to individuals with experience conducting research in restrictive settings and with marginalized populations.

• Mid-level researchers will be responsible, with the team lead, for conducting and coordinating the overall research efforts, including the preparation of the research design and methodology and data collection instruments. The mid-level researchers will be primarily responsible for conducting the desk review, conducting data collection, data analysis, writing the draft and final reports, and assisting in the preparation of the briefings to be provided to DRL and partners. The mid-level researchers should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in conducting applied research and at a minimum hold a Master’s Degree in a relevant field. Recently graduated or current students will also be considered for these positions.

• One communication or data visualization specialist: The specialist will assist with the production of copy edits and content in the final products from the research. These produces must clearly communicate recommendations and implications for practitioner and policy audiences in a manner that facilitates learning and understanding. They should also be familiar to approaches to ensure materials are 508 compliant and be prepared to coordinate with the State Department 508 Team.

• One or two administrative assistant(s) or coordinator(s): Personnel in this role will also provide logistical and administrative support to the proposed team. Individual(s) will be responsible for ensuring accessibility for each of the deliverables listed, to include and not limited to: translation of documents into relevant languages and coordinating subtitles and/or sign language interpretation for video.

Post Date: 22-May-2023