CLEAR Global is hiring a
Location: Bangladesh, Bandarban or Khagrachari districts
Travel: To locations to be confirmed in Bandarban or Khagrachari districts; non-travel time will be home-based
Reporting to: Program Manager
Timeframe: April-July 2024 (up to 46 FTE days total)
CLEAR Global is an equal opportunity employer, committed to having a diverse team where individuals of all backgrounds collaborate and learn from one another. We believe we can be most effective with diverse experience and expertise in our team. We recruit on merit, actively seek diverse applicant pools and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, marital or parental status, or sexual orientation, and welcome all types of diversity.
Background
Education in Bangladesh had historically been in Bengali, and there has been limited scope for indigenous children and adults to become acquainted with their mother tongue in written form. In 2010, the government recognised indigenous children’s right to education in their respective mother tongues and updated the National Education Policy with activities to arrange indigenous textbooks and teachers. Since then various initiatives have been taken to implement the policies however the work has not yet reached the desired scale and reach.
CLEAR Global, commissioned by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), has undertaken to investigate language and communication challenges faced by speakers of indigenous languages, focusing on speakers of Marma language in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region. The project is two-fold: a baseline study will be carried out to better understand the communication needs and challenges of the Marma people in Bangladesh, and in parallel, the team will explore how language technology and inclusive digital solutions can improve access to government led initiatives (ICT tools) that aim to increase quality of education through online training and skill development for teachers.
The role
CLEAR Global is looking for Marma language lead and research assistant to support its in-country research in a key role as Marma language expert supporting researchers and CLEAR Global team members. Most tasks will be conducted in person as part of field work in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region in the period April-June 2024, with some additional tasks delivered remotely to support the in-country research and data analysis.
The services to include:
Baseline study
The research will provide a baseline understanding of the community, against which we can measure the success of our work on engaging with and serving the needs of a2i and DFAT Partners. The aims of the baseline research are to identify the specific language use patterns and communication challenges faced by the Marma community in various aspects of daily life and to understand the cultural and social factors that influence language use and communication practices within the Marma community. Alongside remotely conducted research activities, field work will be conducted in person with Marma communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. The research will be delivered by a team of 2 researchers; one providing oversight and expertise remotely, the other delivering the in-country field work.
Expected tasks to support the baseline study and timeframes are as follows:
1-Marma language support to key informant interviews with local and international experts on the Marma community and language
To be completed within 8 weeks of contract start date.
2-Marma language support to focus group discussions to test comprehension and acceptability of terminology and/or information, education
To be completed within 12 weeks of contract start date.
Proposed tasks:
We anticipate the above to require up to 20 days work, with all outputs under the baseline study to be completed by the end of July 2024.
User research
The aim of the user research is to better understand the language barriers teachers are facing in general and as users of the on-line training platforms in particular. Based on data collected through KIIs, Usability Test (Observations), focus group discussions and/or co-creation sessions the CLEAR Global team will be better equipped to identify problem statements and address those by prototyping and testing an appropriate digital solution. Deeper understanding of the community of teachers and various challenges they are facing will also help to identify user personas, journeys and eventually Use Cases where Language AI can help teachers access information.
Expected tasks to support the user research and timeframes are as follows:
3-Marma language support to key informant interviews, usability testing sessions, and focus group discussions/co-creation sessions with Marma-speaking teachers and/or community leaders in Chittagong Hill Tracts region to engage the community in designing community driven and user-centric solutions for language inclusivity
To be completed within 12 weeks of contract start date.
Proposed tasks:
We anticipate the above to require up to 25 days work, with all outputs under the baseline study to be completed by the end of July 2024.
Language technology development
In parallel to and informed by the baseline study, CLEAR Global’s team will be exploring language technology solutions for the Marma language. CLEAR Global’s computational linguist responsible for the development will require inputs from the Marma expert on linguistic aspects that will guide the approach, identify opportunities and constraints in the first phase of the project.
Proposed tasks to support the language technology development:
We anticipate the above to require up to 1 day's work, with all outputs under the baseline study to be completed by mid May 2024.
How to apply
CLEAR Global will accept offers from individual consultants and consulting firms.
To apply for this consultancy please send the following documents:
1-A technical and financial offer to include:
2-Curriculum vitae highlighting experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) and at least three professional references.
Please upload the technical and financial offer as one document under “cover letter” and present the CV(s) of the expert(s) proposed in one document under “CV”.
About CLEAR Global
CLEAR Global helps people get vital information, and be heard, whatever language they speak. We believe that everyone has the right to give and receive information in a language and format they understand. We work with nonprofit partners and a global community of language professionals to build local language translation capacity, and raise awareness of language barriers. Our network of over 100,000 community members translate millions of words of life-saving and life-changing information a year.
Core values
CLEAR Global employees and volunteers passionately believe in the value of this work and take personal responsibility for achieving the mission. CLEAR Global’s mission and organizational spirit embody the core values established in its strategic framework: