Consultant-Theory of Change Development – Philippines – Manila

Philippine Nationals Only

 

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Background

With the prospective full transition to a new country strategy (2021 to 2025), from the two-year extension (2021-2023) of the previous strategy, Oxfam Pilipinas continues its operationalization of the portfolio system as a key aspect of its new  strategic management framework.  Portfolios represent a looser aggrupation of projects around efforts to address common thematic areas or focus issues with local implementing partners.  With reduced unrestricted funding in recent years to support program-level performance management and learning activities, and more long-term partnerships around sustained impact on poor/vulnerable communities, development of Oxfam Pilipinas’ portfolio-level results frameworks may still need to build on collective analyses of focus issues and agreed change goals, but will have to be less prescriptive in terms of determining fund mobilization and investment priorities, project design, and partners’ implementation roles:

1. Portfolio results and performance monitoring frameworks will have to be more agile and flexible in reflecting emerging/refined strategies, change paths, and change objectives based on a deepening understanding of the focus issues or thematic concerns, emerging innovative approaches or strategies in addressing them, and portfolio insights and lessons harvested from Oxfam Pilipinas’ and partners’ implementation of funded projects.

2. Portfolio ToCs will not have the benefit of a pre-defined and relatively permanent set of allied change agents and program partners that Oxfam Pilipinas aimed to engage before throughout the program implementation plan’s timeframe (and with defined partnership results and indicators in terms of building partners’ capacities and commitment to engage in the Oxfam program). Portfolio ToCs wil have to consider: a) Episodic engagements and contributions of portfolio partners in relation to projects with Oxfam Pilipinas; b) Entry of new partners that bring different value-additions to efforts in addressing the portfolio’s focus concerns; and, c) Assessing the results of Oxfam Pilipinas-supported interventions vis-à-vis partners’ other projects (not Oxfam-supported) to address focus issues (towards informing efforts at better synergy and complementation in achieving target changes).

3. Portfolio ToCs will also need to explore and accommodate more the cross-contributions from projects in other portfolios and how these contributions can be adequately reflected and reported through outcome tracking systems being developed by the Oxfam Pilipinas country team (as available program-level monitoring platforms present some difficulties in terms of capturing and reporting on these cross-contributions to program outcomes).

Given these parameters, and coming from the last yearend assessment (last February 2021), the Oxfam Pilipinas country team recently decided to jumpstart the portfolio-level ToC development process.  In line with this, the team proposes to hire a consultant who will be able to support further design and implementation with portfolio staff and stakeholders.  This ToR outlines the objectives, proposed approaches, key deliverables, and timeline for the said engagement.

Objectives 

The proposed engagement aims to tap both design and facilitation support in relation to Oxfam Pilipinas’ portfolio theory of change development process.  Specific objectives include:

• Levelled off understanding among Oxfam Pilipinas’ staff, partners, and other stakeholders of the theory of change methodology, basic processes, and proposed application within the country team’s portfolios and program support processes, and how the theory serves as a starting point in setting up of the MELSA framework (indicators, work plans, learning agenda, social accountability mechanism) for tracking progress around target results ;
• Collective analysis around focus thematic concerns of identified portfolios, and program support issues, and of how change has happened in the past in connection with efforts to address such concerns and issues, utilizing appropriate analytical frameworks and tools (e.g.. Oxfam’s Gender at Work, Power Analysis, organizational diagnosis frameworks);
• Theories of change (ToCs) are articulated, explicated, and documented for the three (3) Oxfam Pilipinas portfolios and Program Support and Operations Unit (PSOU), addressing the following: what are the changes that they are seeking to achieve to address identified problems or issues; how Oxfam Pilipinas’ staff, partners, and other stakeholders will make such changes happen; who else are they seeking to collaborate with and/or influence to achieve the changes; under what circumstances will change paths work (assumptions); how does current portfolio/program support work compare with formulated ToCs?
• Indicator frameworks are constructed and agreed upon for the four (4) ToCs, outlining and defining concrete measures for tracking and assessing achievement of the identified changes/outcomes, appropriate assessment methods, and monitoring responsibilities.

Key Deliverables

The following major outputs are expected from the contracted consultant – to be delivered in accordance with the objectives and initial parameters outlined above, and in close coordination with Oxfam Pilipinas’ portfolio teams and partners, PSOU, Programs and Partnerships (PAP) unit, and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Social Accountability (MELSA) team.

1. Inception report outlining key agreements from inception meetings with Oxfam Pilipinas country teams and partners, consultant’s assessment and recommendations following review of portfolio and other relevant documents, proposed frameworks, methods, and tools for the ToC development processes, and detailed work plan for the engagement;

2. Detailed programs or designs for proposed sessions (i.e. levelling off on ToC framework, method and processes, context and problem analysis, constructing the theory of change and assessing current portfolio/program support work based on it, identifying indicators) for the three portfolios and PSOU – outlining session objectives, proposed activities, time frame, suggested content and processes, expected outputs, and responsibilities.

3. Documentation of the four (4) theories of change, including underlying problem/issue and context analyses, the change hypotheses narratives, and change indicators.

4. Presentation deck of the 4 ToCs (maximum of 15-20 slides)

5. Final report on the engagement in the form of a learning brief highlighting key points in the process, and major insights and lessons, in a more engaging format for dissemination among portfolio partners and stakeholders, and other Oxfam’s in the confederation.

Qualifications

Prospective candidates for the engagement should meet the following requirements:

1. Previous experiences in designing, conducting/facilitating, and documenting theory of change processes drawing on inputs from various groups – civil society groups, women’s rights organizations, government agencies, private sector, etc. – as participants.

2. Experience on program development, implementation, and/or evaluation with women’s rights organizations (WROs) or other civil society groups working on addressing women’s issues, and promoting women’s rights, economic empowerment, and leadership. Familiarity with thematic issues and programs such as resilient development, renewable energy, disaster risk reduction management and climate change adaptation, sexual and reproductive health rights, gender-based violence, unpaid care work, women’s economic empowerment, women’s leadership, local humanitarian leadership, financial inclusion, safeguarding/protection during emergencies, WASH and EFSVL services provision.

3. Experience in running engaging remote and online learning sessions and workshops with different groups towards facilitating collective understanding and delivery of outputs.

 

4. Track record in producing engaging communication materials and knowledge products, based on experiences and insights from facilitated group processes, catering to various stakeholders (e.g. country program teams, civil society partners, donor partners, etc.)

Application Requirements

1. Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae.  If the consultant is submitting an application in behalf of an organization, a profile of the organization showing their suitability and a letter from the organization’s Director authorizing the applicant to submit a bid in behalf of the organization. If a group of consultants with one lead, submit all Curriculum Vitae of group members

2. Expression of Interest (1-2 pages maximum) which describes the consultant’s relevant experience and expertise, as well as motivation for assignment.

3. Proof of work with cost proposal.

Period of Engagement:  until August 20, 2021

Other Responsibilities

• Adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights.
• Perform priority organizational tasks related to his/her competencies as may be assigned from time to time.

Organizational Values:

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Note: All offers of consultancy will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

In response to Covid-19 if you are offered a role where you are required to travel between countries please ensure you have been briefed by the Hiring Manager about any changes to working or precautions you should take as part of your role.