The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is conducting a study titled “Understanding Socio-Political Reasons of Sexual Violence in High-Prevalence Districts of Sindh.” The study seeks to analyze underlying socio-political, cultural, and systemic factors contributing to the persistence of sexual violence in selected districts, with the aim of informing future advocacy, programming, and policy reform.

Objective of the Consultancy

To support the research component of the study in Larkana by conducting Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with identified stakeholders, ensuring quality facilitation, accurate documentation, and strict adherence to ethical research standards.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for:

• Conducting FGDs and KIIs

  • 6 Focus Group Discussions with the following groups:

    • Community women (married and unmarried, 18+)

    • Transwomen (18+)

    • Men (community leaders, husbands, brothers, 18+)

    • NGO staff working on SGBV

    • Lawyers and prosecutors

    • Police/Investigation Officers

  • 6 Key Informant Interviews with:

    • Police officers

    • Lawyers/Legal Aid Staff

    • UC/Government officer

    • Service providers/NGOs working on sexual violence

    • Medicolegal Officer (MLO)

    • Transgender community representative

• Ensuring Ethical Research Standards

  • Guarantee confidentiality, informed consent, and safeguarding of respondents.

  • Facilitate discussions in a sensitive and non-discriminatory manner.

• Documentation and Submission

  • Submit complete audio recordings, detailed field notes, and related documentation to LAS research team.

  • Ensure timely submission of all deliverables.

• Coordination

  • Maintain close communication with LAS research team throughout the consultancy period.

Duration & Compensation

• Duration: 1 month (based in Larkana)

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Law, Development Studies, or a related field.

• Prior experience in conducting field research, FGDs, and KIIs, preferably on SGBV or human rights.

• Familiarity with ethical standards in social research, particularly on sensitive topics.

• Strong communication and facilitation skills in Sindhi and Urdu.

• Ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders and maintain professionalism in the field.

Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

• Legal Aid Society (LAS) is committed to the prevention and protection from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). LAS explicitly prohibits its
  staff, associates, partners, consultants, or any other representatives associated with the delivery of its work from:
• Engaging in any form of sexual exploitation or abuse;
• Sexual activity with children (persons below the age of 18), irrespective of a mistaken belief of the age of the child, which shall not amount to a defence.;
• Exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sex, including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour, is prohibited. This includes any exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries of assistance.
• Sexual relationships between LAS staff and beneficiaries of assistance, since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics, undermine the credibility and integrity of the work of LAS and are strongly discouraged.

Proposal Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• Individual Profile
• Technical Proposal outlining approach, methodology, key message content, and timeline
• Financial Proposal with detailed cost breakdown by deliverable
• NOC from your current employer (if any)