Team Leader / Principal Investigator

Country: Bangladesh Organization: Magenta FZE Closing date: 23 Oct 2026 Assignment period Up to 15 months from contract signing (Month 1 expected in November 2026); cKMC component in months 1–3 Location Dhaka, Bangladesh, with travel to the study districts and upazilas Reporting to MAGENTA Account Manager Engagement type Deliverable-based (tentative, subject to contract award) Remuneration TBD based on experience MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) agency that specialises in understanding human decision-making processes in order to design relevant and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. We implement programmes across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation. We help social-impact focused organisations across the world, including UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. Whether we are aiming to improve hygiene behaviours in schools or to understand how social norms shape menstrual health practices, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world. Our culture is driven by curiosity, transparency, authenticity and innovation. PURPOSE OF THE SOW This Scope of Work sets out the responsibilities and deliverables of the Team Leader / Principal Investigator (PI) MAGENTA would engage for this study. It is tentative and subject to contract award; nothing is binding before award. The PI would be the senior responsible person for the scientific and technical delivery of the assignment, with overall responsibility for methodology, ethical conduct, research quality and the timely submission of all technical outputs across both components. BACKGROUND MAGENTA is bidding, as lead, for UNICEF Bangladesh's operational research on a pre-conception care package and on the quality of community-based Kangaroo Mother Care. The two are separate studies with separate reports and ethics approvals, delivered by one integrated team. • cKMC quality of care (months 1–3). A non-experimental, mixed-methods review of the UNICEF and Power of Nutrition pilot, where community health workers (CHWs) manage babies of generally 2.0 to 2.5 kg, without complications, at home. It looks at the quality of implementation, caregiver acceptability and adherence, the behaviours behind both, and what scale-up would need. This is the fast component and it sets the pace for the whole contract. • Pre-conception care package (up to 15 months). A non-experimental, mixed-methods operational study that tests the feasibility, acceptability, reach and cost of delivering a pre-conception package through PHC, ANC, community, outreach and urban platforms, with newly married women as the entry point. It does not measure impact. To deliver this initiative, MAGENTA would engage a Team Leader / PI, supported by a Co-PI for each component. The PI and Co-PIs lead the methodology, tools, analysis and reporting. A field research partner, engaged by MAGENTA, contributes to the methodology from the start, then runs the ethics submission, fieldwork and data management. Final sampling is shaped with the field research partner, then agreed with UNICEF and government at inception. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Team Leader/PI would be responsible for the following areas of work. A. Methodology and study design Lead the methodology for both components with the Co-PIs, and hold the final scientific decisions. Apply implementation outcomes (acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, adoption, reach, cost), a quality-of-care lens adapted from the WHO framework for cKMC, and the Behavioural Drivers Model with COM-B for priority behaviours. Run design sessions with the field research partner and use its written input on approach, sampling, sites, tools and field feasibility: in weeks 1–3 for the cKMC protocol, which UNICEF expects within month 1; in month 1 for the pre-conception formative phase; and again before month 7 for the implementation-phase protocol. Lead the inception report for each component, including the study matrix, workplan and implementation assessment framework, and sign off the desk reviews and landscape analyses drafted by the Co-PIs. B. Ethics and safeguarding Lead the drafting of the protocol content for each ethics submission, which the field research partner submits and follows through. Submissions are due by the end of week 2; cKMC approval is expected in about week 5. ERB approval is needed before any fieldwork, including the pre-conception formative phase, and the implementation-phase amendment must be approved before month 7. Approve the referral protocol for danger signs and other safeguarding concerns, and ensure adverse events or safeguarding concerns are reported to UNICEF immediately. C. Team leadership and quality assurance Lead the two Co-PIs and, through them, oversee the field research partner's team: a Data Manager/Biostatistician, a shared pool of 15–20 field researchers across both components (ibcluding field supervisors and a coordinator). Approve tools and consent forms in Bangla with back-translation, and the partner's training plan. Agree MAGENTA's quality standards with the partner in writing before data collection, covering in-field supervision, daily backend monitoring, call-backs to about 10% of survey respondents, audio audits and transcript checks. Ensure findings are triangulated and disaggregated by age, disability and geography. D. cKMC quality of care (months 1–3) Oversee the study in six of the eight pilot upazilas across Noakhali, Bhola, Netrokona and Kurigram, with final sites agreed at inception. Steer the system readiness assessments, records reviews and observations of CHW visits, a caregiver survey of about 230 mainly mothers, a provider survey of about 66, and qualitative work with mothers, fathers, CHWs and managers. Lead the national key informant interviews. Supervise about 25 field days in month 2, then lead mixed-methods analysis of the data package delivered at the end of month 2 or early month 3, and the final report, scale-up recommendations and costing considerations for integration and scale-up within month 3. E. Pre-conception care package (up to 15 months) Oversee formative research in six sites across rural, hard-to-reach and urban or peri-urban settings (months 1–2), and lead the national key informant interviews. Lead the journey mapping, co-creation workshops and message testing with newly married women (months 3–4), and the development of the package, SBC strategy and implementation tools. Oversee implementation-phase data collection in four sites (months 7–10): a client survey of about 300 women, a provider survey and competency assessment of about 80 providers, and service observations. Lead the costed scale-up and sustainability plan with the Co-PI by month 10. Lead the analysis of the final data package and the implementation progress report (by month 12), the draft final package for UNICEF and government review (month 14), and the final validated package, scale-up roadmap and reports (month 15). F. Reporting and knowledge products Author the inception and final technical reports for each component. Lead the policy briefs, learning briefs, scale-up recommendations and manuscript drafts. Ensure every deliverable passes MAGENTA's internal QA review before submission to UNICEF. G. Stakeholder engagement and dissemination Lead three stakeholder workshops and their reports: the cKMC protocol consultation (month 1), the cKMC dissemination workshop and policy dialogue with proceedings (month 3), and the pre-conception consultation and validation workshop (month 6). Represent the study in technical consultations and government review meetings, and engage government counterparts from community to national level in validating findings and recommendations. Beyond specific deliverables, the Team Leader/PI would be expected to attend regular project meetings, including the brainstorm session before the bid is submitted, and deliver presentations to the client as required. REQUIREMENTS Experience • Advanced university degree, preferably PhD, DrPH, or MD with postgraduate training, in public health, epidemiology, implementation science, maternal and newborn health, nutrition or a related discipline. • Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public health, implementation research, maternal and newborn health, LBW/KMC or PHC research. • Proven experience as Principal Investigator or Senior Technical Lead for multi-site operational or implementation research. • Experience designing and leading studies on maternal and newborn health, LBW care, ANC services and PHC systems. • A track record of translating research into technical reports, policy recommendations and peer-reviewed publications. • Experience in Bangladesh or a comparable LMIC health system is highly desirable. Skills • Implementation research, epidemiological methods and health systems research. • Mixed-methods design, analysis and triangulation. • Protocol development, ethical review and research quality assurance. Competencies • Scientific and managerial leadership of multidisciplinary research teams. • Coordination with government, academic and development partners. • Clear, evidence-based communication with policymakers. Languages required • Fluency in English is required. • Working knowledge of Bangla is an asset. WORKING CONDITIONS • Location and travel: ideally Dhaka-based, with travel to the study districts and upazilas for design sessions, training, field supervision, co-creation workshops, validation and dissemination. Travel arrangements and per diem will be managed in line with MAGENTA's travel policy and the agreed project budget. • Ethical review: ERB approval is needed before any fieldwork in either component. Submissions are due by the end of week 2. • Data and safeguarding: all data belong to UNICEF. Adverse events and safeguarding concerns are reported to UNICEF immediately. • Exclusivity and confidentiality: UNICEF may reject related proposals. The Team Leader/PI must not be named in, submit or join another proposal for this tender, and signs a confidentiality agreement before receiving further tender material. • Contract: nothing is binding before award. If MAGENTA wins, a consultancy contract follows, with payment terms agreed at that stage. How to apply Interested, or know someone who'd be a great fit? Apply via: https://recruitcrm.io/apply/17913672843550125780KkX