Position: CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP AN ASEAN INFLUENCING STRATEGY FOR SOCIAL PROTECTION AND LABOUR RIGHTS PROGRAM (Oxfam)__Deadline:01Aug

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Across regions, from the local to the global, we work with people to bring change that lasts.

OVERVIEW
Start date	02 October 2023
How to apply:	Interested candidates are invited to submit: A proposal for the scope of work (including a budget in a separate file) CV (s) Indicative detailed budget in US Dollars (NET amount) Examples of similar work carried out
Deadline for submission	01 August 2023
Application to be submitted to:	The applicants are expected to submit their applications through the Oxfam recruitment website: https://career2.successfactors.eu/career?company=OxfamNovibP
Assignment location:	Remote – home-based, preferably based in an ASEAN country   The applicant(s) will require to travel to a regional workshop scheduled to be held in Luang Prabang, Laos in November 2023 to collect relevant information.

 

1. 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 Agri-food Sector Program which is being implemented 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 next 3 years. More specifically, the consultant(s) is/are expected to:

1. Building on existing strengthens 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 identify potential areas of thematic/sectorial focus taking into account ASEAN context and trends, as well as Oxfam’s and partners priorities and interests.  

 

2. 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. 

 

3. Examine current and potential opportunities for engaging the ASEAN that Oxfam and partners could explore

 

4. 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)

2. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Oxfam’s program “Social Protection and Labour Rights for Women Workers in 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.

 

3. 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, desk top 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 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 agri-food sector, including ASEAN member states, international organisations, networks, trade unions, etc. Analyse 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 a comprehensive 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.

4. DELIVERABLES

Specific outputs and deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs:

• OUTPUT 1 - A high quality, comprehensive report in 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 workshop to collect data and information from national and regional partners
• OUTPUT 3 - A presentation of the final report to Oxfam and partners in the program.

5. DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Remuneration is based on submission of final deliverables according to the schedule (subject to change).  No payment will be made in advance.

No.	Steps / deliverables	Dates	% payment
1	DELIVERABLE 1 Inception meeting with the consultant(s)	2 October 2023 (1 day)	20% total budget
2	DELIVERABLE 2 Actual research, including review of secondary data, interviews and consultations, and regional workshop	3 – 30 Oct + 1 day workshop on 2nd Nov. (21 working days)	N/A
3	DELIVERABLE 3 1st draft report submission for review and comments	15 November (8 working days)	N/A
4	DELIVERABLE 4 2nd draft report submission fore review and comments	1 December (5 working days)	40% total budget
5	DELIVERABLE 5 Presentation of the 2nd draft	8 December	N/A
6	DELIVERABLE 6 Final report submission	15 December	40% total budget
TOTAL			100%

 

6. METHODOLOGY

The key steps to be followed though not explicit and the detailed modality and work plan will be agreed during consultation meeting include:

• An inception meeting will take place to define the scope of the consultancy with Oxfam team, clarify questions and define the delivery plan.
• The consultant(s) is/are expected to conduct descry research, consult relevant documentations 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 draft report will be made to Oxfam and the national partners.
• Regular meetings will be held with commissioning manager and Oxfam team as necessary.

7. PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

The company/ individual(s) should have the following competencies:

Essential criteria

• Solid understanding on 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 multi-cultural environment or development sector
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Must be fluent in English

 

Desired criteria

• Have understanding of social protection and labour rights context in the region, including regional and international guidelines, frameworks and standards.
• Preferably an ASEAN national
• 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.

8. APPLICATION PROCESS

Submission deadline

Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam no later than 1st August 2023.

Submission instructions

Responses must be submitted electronically through the recruitment website: 

https://jobs.oxfamnovib.nl/job/Phnom-Penh-%28KHM_PHP%29-CONSULTANCY-TO-DEVELOP-AN-ASEAN-INFLUENCING-STRATEGY-FOR-SOCIAL-PROTECTION-AND-LABOUR-RIGHTS-PROGRAM/958760501/

Clarifications

Any questions, remarks or requests for clarification can be sent up to mariana.anton@oxfam.org  before the submission deadline in writing.

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:

Item		Importance
1	Technical proposal / approach paper to conduct the assignment and achieve objectives including methodology, proposed work plan and timelines	Mandatory
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, thus 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]: all technical services and activities e.g. research, report writing, analysis, instrument development costs; travel related costs other costs associated	Mandatory
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.	Mandatory
5	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.	Mandatory
6	Evidence of previous work – examples of similar work with links or attachments to the publications.	Mandatory

 

Evaluation and award criteria

Incomplete applications will not be assessed, only quotations that meet the administrative criteria will be assessed.

Award decisions will be based on best value for money criteria covering both technical quality and price.

Oxfam withholds the right to conduct interviews with one or more potential suppliers before an award decision is made. Purpose of the interview is to seek further clarification on the submitted quotations and learn more about the background and previous experiences of the potential suppliers and their teams.

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