WELD 2 Baseline Study Consultant – Philippines – Manila

Philippine Nationals Only

 

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Background

Along with government and other development actors, Oxfam Pilipinas has been at the forefront of continuing efforts to address emerging development and governance concerns within the newly re-constituted Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).  Starting with the BASIC Start project implemented from 2014 to 2017, Oxfam Pilipinas and partners have achieved significant gains in terms of increasing partner communities’ recognition for women’s involvement in local governance and political affairs, and in pushing for a more enabling policy environment for addressing women’s issues and exercising women’s leadership.  WELD 1 (2017 to 2020) built on these gaiins and facilitated strengthening of community women’s groups that engaged local decision-makers and contributed to peace-building and development efforts.

WELD 2 hopes to sustain the earlier initiatives and outcomes from these precursor projects by continuing post-conflict dialogues with regional and local actors towards addressing women’s issues and needs, pushing for more programmatic response to the Women’s Agenda, promoting a more supportive environment for women’s economic empowerment (WEE) especially in the case of internally displaced persons (IDPs), indigenous peoples (IPs), and the most vulnerable communities, strengthening referral pathways and  monitoring systems for delivery of gender-related services, and ensure implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAPWPS) especially particularly for communities that are still affected by conflict.

The project will run for two and a half years, from July 2020 to December 2022.

A baseline study is being proposed to look into the project’s starting points in terms of its target outcomes.  The Oxfam Pilipinas project team, in coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Social Accountability (MELSA) unit, proposes to hire a consultant to assist in further design and subsequent implementation of the research.  The following Terms of Reference (ToR) outlines the objectives, proposed methodologies, and initial work plan for the research.

Objectives for the consultancy

The general objective of the proposed baseline study for WELD 2 will be to gather and analyze key information around current or initial conditions of identified project indicators, particularly at the outcome level.  The said research will have the following more specific objectives:

1. Outline and analyze current condition in the BARMM with regard to recognition of and support to women’s rights and leadership, as reflected in women’s representation in the regional and local governance structures, presence of a more enabling policy framework, provision of relevant and quality support services, and supportive community norms.

2. Analyze existing economic and livelihood programs and support services fo women and girls in the BARMM in terms of providing relevant and adequate assistance towards more resilient and sustained development and economic empowerment of women – identify gains and gaps, and recommend viable strategies for enhanced programs and services.

3. Present a good overview of community norms in relation to recognition and support for women’s rights and leadership roles, including gains in terms of achieving positive shifts, and how these changes continue to facilitate or hinder access to gender-related services by women and girls and other community members, including those with disabilities.

Key Deliverables

The following major outputs will be required from the consultant:

1. An inception report detailing results from proposed document review, key agreements with WELD 2 implementing partners and Oxfam Pilipinas on the parameters for the study, detailed data collection design (including sampling framework) and draft instruments, data protection and management plan, and detailed work plan until report finalization.

2. Detailed training design and conduct of the training for all field-level data collectors and supervisors (i.e. survey enumerators, FGD facilitators, in-depth interviewers), integrating topics on research ethics (including data quality assurance), safeguarding and protection, data privacy and protection, health and safety. Training design will have to be approved by the Oxfam Pilipinas hiring manager, as a key requirement for implementation.

3. Audio recordings, transcripts, and other documentation notes from conduct of proposed FGDs and KIIs. These shall be uploaded in an online Box folder that will be provided by the Oxfam Pilipinas project team (links to Box folder will be shared with consultant).

4. Presentation deck around baseline findings, researchers’ insights, and recommendations to be disseminated by the consutant during the collective validation and sense-making workshop with the WELD 2 partners, Oxfam Pilipinas, and affiliate/donor partners.

5. First draft of the baseline study report integrating the WELD 2 partners’ comments and inputs during the validation and sense-making workshop. Draft to be subjected to review and further inputs by the Oxfam Pilipinas team and WELD 2 implementing partners.

6. Revised and final draft of the baseline report considering and addressing the comments and inputs from Oxfam Pilipinas and WELD 2 partners (final review to check on this).

Qualifications:

Candidates should meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Proven track record in terms of conducting mixed methods researches, with background in conducting phone or online surveys, doing key informant interviews, and running focus group discussions. Experience and excellent skills in terms of carrying out and processing relevant information from document reviews, including quantitative researches involving the use of indeces as a means of measuring and assessing atttudes and behaviour.

2. Experience and competence in designing and carrying out adult-based learning processes, especially around key research skills and protocols, and research implementation.

3. Background in carrying out similar studies for development programs and projects around specific women’s issues like gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), unpaid care work (UCW), and/or involving the promotion of women’s rights and leadership among vulnerable groups and communities within a conflict-setting.

4. Background and knowledge in terms of mainstreaming needs and concerns of people with disabilities in baseline researches and similar formative researches will be an advantage.

5. Ability to meet deadlines and target outputs within a tight time frame.

6. A list of key activities or proposal, linked to the proposed activities, within a scheduled timeframe.

Period of Engagement:   May 24, 2021 until July 31, 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.