- August 29, 2023
- Posted by: strategia
- Category: Humanitarian Jobs
PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT
The overall aim of this consultancy is to support the development of an ASEAN Influencing Strategy for the Social Protection and Labour Rights for Women Workers in the Agri-food Sector Program which is beingimplemented in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam with a regional ASEAN component. The strategy will enable Oxfam and its partners to define a roadmap for national and regional influencing efforts aimed at promoting a more gender-transformative social protection and labour rights agenda to be implemented within the next 3 years. More specifically, the consultant(s) is/are expected to:
- Building on existing strengths and successes identify possible strategic priorities that take into account the current and changing landscape of the ASEAN social protection and labour rights sector. This includes identifying potential areas of thematic/sectorial focus taking into account ASEAN context and trends, as well as Oxfam’s and partners’ priorities and interests.
- Conduct a review of literature and interviews with key informants as part of a deeper analysis into further understanding the ASEAN context in relation to labour rights and social protection, the power brokers and its gatekeepers, its processes and partners and the relevance of its agreements and declaration.
- Examine current and potential opportunities for engaging the ASEAN that Oxfam and partners could explore
- Provide recommendations on how Oxfam and partners can position itself in effectively influencing the ASEAN in relation to social protection and labour right for workers in the agri-food sector, using a bottom up approach (national to regional level)
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Oxfam’s program “Social Protection and Labour Rights for Women Workers in the Agri-food Sector Program” (2022-2026), works with partners across Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, as well as with regional networks, to increase their capacity to influence their governments to put in place more inclusive social protection and labour rights frameworks and instruments for agri-food sector workers.
The program is empowering precarious workers in the highly informal agri-food sector – mostly micro, small, and medium enterprises – in 3 ASEAN member-states (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam) with the aim of addressing their rights, needs, and vulnerabilities through the promotion of 3 pillars of the JSF Decent Work: labour rights at work, social protection, and social dialogue for all. Climate change impacts, economic insecurity, and occupational safety and health of these workers will be addressed by more adequate and shock-responsive social protection measures. Labour law enforcement will be enhanced to upgrade their livelihoods. These workers will be heard by employers and relevant government structures through dialogue and negotiation mechanisms. A particular focus is put on women workers who are impacted differently due to prevalent gender norms constituting additional obstacles to their empowerment, including gender-based violence and time scarcity due to long hours of unpaid care and domestic work. Without gender justice, decent work cannot be achieved.
Following a rights-based and gender-transformative approach, 16 local partners jointly cover the target groups in the 3 countries. They cooperate to empower local groups and their leaders to influence powerholders more effectively. 3 regional partners add value through learning and knowledge building, tapping from experiences in the ASEAN region, while leveraging the relevant ASEAN policy frameworks, in particular those promoting decent work, social protection and gender equality. 9 collaborators, including the local Oxfam offices, support the partners through capacity strengthening, knowledge sharing and brokering cooperation.
The program intends to influence ASEAN-relevant regional bodies to recognize and promote a gender‐transformative and shock‐responsive agenda for social protection and labor rights, in particular in the agri‐food sector. In order to achieve the intended changes, the program is seeking to develop an influencing strategy for ASEAN that will lay the foundation for the influencing efforts in the next 3 years (2024-2026).
SCOPE OF WORK
The research methodology will be defined by the consultant(s) in collaboration with Oxfam during an inception meeting. A review of the relevant literature, desktop research, interviews and a one-day workshop are expected to be conducted as part of the assignment.
Specific tasks related to the scope of work are outlined as:
- Conduct an in-depth analysis of the ASEAN context in relation to labour rights and social protection for agri-food sector workers, identifying relevant policies, frameworks, regulations, declarations and agreements within ASEAN. Additionally, assess the current environment in terms of power brokers and gatekeepers and existing trends when it comes to social protection and labour rights.
- Stakeholder mapping and power analysis – identify and map key stakeholders involved in labour rights and social protection for the agri-food sector, including ASEAN member states, international organisations, networks, trade unions, etc. Analyze the interests, influence, and positions of identified stakeholders with respect to social protection and labour rights, assessing potential allies, opponents, and neutral parties.
- Strategy development – develop an influencing strategy that includes specific thematic priorities, clear influencing outcomes, key milestones/what success looks like, and recommend approaches for implementation. Ensure that the strategy considers an intersectional approach.
DELIVERABLES
The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:
- Output 1 – A high-quality, comprehensive report in the English language structured around the list of items indicated in the scope of work, including annexes, title page, and table of contents.
- Output 2 – Co-facilitation of a workshop to collect data and information from national and regional partners which will take place in Luang Prabang between 30 October and 3 November 2023 (1 days workshop)
- Output 3 – A presentation of the final report to Oxfam and partners in the program.
METHODOLOGY
The key steps to be followed though not explicit and the detailed modality and work plan will be agreed upon during the consultation meeting include:
- An inception meeting will take place to define the scope of the consultancy with the Oxfam team, clarify questions and define the delivery plan.
- The consultant(s) is/are expected to conduct descry research, consult relevant documentation or secondary data, program documents, relevant research, etc.
- The consultant(s) is/are expected to collect first-hand data through consultations and interviews with Oxfam offices in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam as well as Asia Regional Platform and program regional partners to help shape the strategy.
- A one-day workshop will be conducted to refine the strategy during the Program Regional Workshop scheduled to be held in Luang Prabang in Laos between 30 Oct 2023 – 3 November 2023 with all national and regional partners from 3 countries (approx. 40 participants).
- The consultant(s) will present early findings to Oxfam Country Offices on a schedule to be agreed upon, for review and deliberation. A presentation of preliminary findings and a draft report will be made to Oxfam and the national partners.
- Regular meetings will be held with the commissioning manager and Oxfam team as necessary.
PROFILE REQUIREMENTS
The company/ individual(s) should have the following competencies:
Essential criteria
- Solid understanding of how the ASEAN works and the respective political context of its member states
- Expertise in developing strategic action plans, theory of change, influencing and advocacy frameworks
- At least 10 years of experience in international program development at the national or regional level
- Academic degree in relevant disciplines, such as public policy, international development, gender, etc.;
- Knowledge of various inter-governmental and regional institutions of the region and civil society networks engaged in decent work, social protection and other relevant issues.
- Robust methodological background in a range of research tools.
- Demonstrated facilitation skills in the context of multi-cultural and multi-partner setting
- Demonstrated high awareness working in a multi-cultural environment or development sector
- Excellent analytical skills
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Must be fluent in English
Desired criteria
- Have an understanding of social protection and labour rights context in the region, including regional and international guidelines, frameworks and standards.
- Preferably based in an ASEAN country
- Experience with integration of a gender lens in development and campaigning work.
- Prior experience in research on influencing strategies for ASEAN would be considered an asset.
How to apply
Submission deadline
Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam no later than 1st September 2023.
Submission instructions
Responses must be submitted electronically through the recruitment website: https://career2.successfactors.eu/career?company=OxfamNovibP
Administrative compliance (list of documents to be submitted)
To be shortlisted for evaluation against award criteria, the following documents must be included in the application:
1. Technical proposal/approach paper to conduct the assignment and achieve objectives including methodology, proposed work plan and timelines
2. Financial offer (price quotation) including budget and pricing:
- All prices must appear in USD (with and without VAT if applicable, e.g for consultancy firms). Pax-payers resident in Cambodia are subject to 15% tax, while non-resident tax-payers are subject to 14% tax. Note that Oxfam will cover the tax fees, the applicant must submit the NET FEE amount.
- The total budget proposed by the Consultant must include all costs that will be invoiced to Oxfam in the financial offer[1]: (i) all technical services and activities e.g. research, report writing, analysis, instrument development costs; (ii) travel-related costs; (iii) other costs associated
3. Curriculum Vitae(s) (CV) of the proposed consultant(s**)**, proving relevant experience and/or qualifications. If multiple people are involved, an outline of roles/ responsibilities also needs to be included.
4. Proof of registration: If applicable, the bidders also must include a copy of their registration and / or document attesting to their registration for the self-employed and the bidder’s registration number, VAT or fiscal number.
5. Evidence of previous work – examples of similar work with links or attachments to the publications.
[1] The following costs will be covered and managed separately by the project: [logistical arrangements for workshop in Luang Prabang, such as venue, accommodation, lunch for the duration of the workshop, workshop supplies]
