TERMS OF REFERENCE
Consultant for Political Economy Analysis
to inform Oxfam’s current and future programming
Position:Research consultant/s
Type of Contract: Consultancy
Location:Home-based with possible travel to Somaliland
Application deadline:October 20, 2018
Background of the Consultancy
Oxfam has been working in Somalia and Somaliland for over 40 years, predominantly with local and national partners, but also with some direct implementation. Historically and currently, Oxfam has delivered both humanitarian and development programmes with significant focuses on advocacy and local/national civil society development. Thematic areas of programming include gender, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food security, fisheries management, civic engagement, political participation and improving economic opportunities, particularly for women and youth.
In Oxfam’s current country strategy, our vision is of a transformed politically stable and peaceful Somalia. In this future Somalia a stable government will ensure the basic needs of all women and men are met; the economy is growing and those benefits are being shared by all; the rights of women are respected; all people, especially minority groups, women and youth, will be participating in decision making and influencing the policies that impact on their lives; and public and private sector institutions will be accountable and transparent.
After scaling back our programming, Oxfam is in a process of expanding humanitarian and development programming, also with potential to diversify into peacebuilding. Currently, most programming is in Somaliland, but a geographic expansion is being considered.
Purpose of the Consultancy
Considering Oxfam’s intended expansion of programming, a review of our country strategy will be undertaken in early 2019. The primary purpose of this PEA is to provide an in-depth analysis to inform Oxfam’s strategic review and informplanning for the future.
The PEA will need to explore many interconnected areas that are of relevance to Oxfam’s broad scope of work as outlined in the background section above. The PEA also needs to consider and explore the regional variations between Somaliland, Puntland and South Central for all main topics –disaggregated and relational regional analysis is essential.
Scope of the Consultancy
The following are some key indicative areas for analysis (recognising there is significant overlap in the areas) through a lens that considers Oxfam’s current and potential development, humanitarian and peace interventions:
Current context: examination of the current context in the three geographical areas (Somaliland, Puntland and South Central), including political, economic, social and conflict dynamics and the interplay of these dynamics.
Regional dynamics: what are some of the primary regional dynamics (including megatrends and drivers) and how do these impact on the three geographic areas? For example, recent developments in Ethiopia and increasing investment from Middle Eastern countries.
International engagement: examination of the current international engagement in the three geographic areas and how this may evolve in the future, such as peacekeepers, donors and investment.
Future trends: what are some of the likely future trends and how will these impact on the three geographic areas? Political, conflict, environmental and the like.
Humanitarian trends: how will political and economic developments impact on humanitarian needs and response in the future?
Policy environment: what are some of the current and emerging policy trends in the three areas? For example, the sexual offences bill and the emerging federal constitution.
Stakeholders: who are the primary stakeholders in relation to the three geographic areas’ political, social, peace and economic development, and what is there significance?
Civil society: examination of the political economy of civil society in the three geographic areas and the interplay between actors.
Clans: exploring some of the micro and macro clan dynamics, and the impact on politics, economics and society.
Diaspora: exploring the role and significant of diaspora in relation to the political economy of the three geographic regions, including potential changes in the future.
Cross cutting issues: gender, youth, climate change, localisation of aid, advocacy / influencing, and other issues are critical to examine throughout all areas.
Opportunities and challenges: what are some of the main opportunities and challenges in relation to Oxfam’s current and possible future work?
Recommendations: what does the overall analysis mean for Oxfam? This should include clear, strategic recommendations for Oxfam.
It is not expected that every topic can be covered in extensive depth, but each area should be examined in ways that can help inform Oxfam’s strategic thinking and practical programming. Consideration should be given to both micro and macro issues with the PEA including a significant conflict analysis component.
Methodology
The overall methodology of the PEA is the responsibility of the researcher/s, but Oxfam expects an in-depth, evidence-based, critical analysis and wider consultation with various stakeholders including civil society, partners, INGOs, UN agencies and governments in all the three regions. The PEA must deliver informed insights and reflections with practical recommendations that will clearly contribute to Oxfam’s strategic thinking and programmatic implementation. As part of the design, the methodology must be presented and mutually agreed upon before implementation. At a minimum, the methodology must include:
Consultation with key Oxfam staff and partners to ensure the analysis is designed in a way that that will meet required needs.
A thorough literature review that utilises up-to-date data and information from credible sources.
Key informant interviews with a diversity of actors such as governments / local authorities in the three regions, civil society, international institutions and the like. Analysis of community (clan) dynamics is important, but extensive community level data collection is not expected.
Presentation of the PEA for a validation workshop and revisions made according to discussions.
Deliverables of the Consultancy
The researcher/s must deliver the following:
An inception report of no more than fivepages that covers the methodology and some initial contextual analysis.
A draft PEA report of no more than 25 pages, excluding annexes and references.
A validation workshop of the draft report for approximately 15-20 people.
The finalised PEA report of no more than 30 pages, excluding annexes and references.
A PowerPoint presentation of the report for Oxfam to utilise.
Delegation of Responsibilities
The researcher/s are expected to work largely autonomously with Oxfam providing the necessary documentation and contacts to enable a successful and efficient PEA. The following is an approximate division of responsibilities:
Review Consultant/Team
Ideally, arrange all logistics (transport, accommodation, etc.) for the PEA;
Arrange a translator if required;
Conduct data collection without Oxfam accompaniment, except where introductions need to be made. Ideally, the researcher/s willhave extensive contacts already;
Write the draft PEA, present the findings, and make revisions accordingly;
Finalise the PEA and an accompanying PowerPoint presentation; and
Conduct all of the above according to agreed timelines.
Oxfam
Arrange visas and travel authorisations, as required;
Provide relevant information relevant to Oxfam’s work and thinking;
Provide contact details for people relevant to the PEA;
Organise the logistics of the validation workshop;
Respond to adhoc requests; and
Conduct all of the above in a timely and responsive fashion.
Requirements and Selection Criteria for the Researcher/s
The following are minimum requirements that must be met:
Bachelor degree in developmentor conflict studies, social science or related field;
Proven experience conducting PEAs (an example of relevant previous work mandatory and will be kept confidential if required);
Experience in Somalia/Somaliland preferable or at least the Horn of Africa;
Proven advanced understanding of at least some key thematic areas such as peace, gender, youth, localisation, livelihoods, WASH, policy and advocacy, in humanitarian, development and/or transitioning contexts;
Proven advanced understanding of complex contexts, including issues related to armed conflict, state building, federal systems and similar;
Proven gender analysis skills and demonstrated gender sensitivity; and
Advanced English essential and Somali advantageous, although translation can be budgeted if required. If English is not a native language, budgeting for and involving an English copy editor is strongly encouraged.
The review researcher/s will be assessed against the following selection criteria:
The researcher/s capacity against the minimum requirements outlined above;
Demonstrated understanding of the TOR and quality of the proposal to meet the needs of the review to a high standard;
Ability to work autonomously;
Ability to deliver the PEA in a timely fashion; and
Value for money.
Indicative Timeline
The PEA should be completed in less than one month, ideally before the end of 2018. The proposal must outline the timeline for completion of the PEA.
Applications close on October20,, 2018, interviews should be conducted by October 28 and final selection should be completed by October 31.
Application Process and Payment
Proposals for the review must meet the following technical requirements:
Cover letter of no more than one page;
CVs of researcher/s, totalling no more than three pages in total;
Contact details of at least two referees;
Preliminary proposed PEA process, including basic context analysis, methodology, report structure and timeline, totalling no more than three pages;
An indicative budget of no more than one page including all expected costs. An overall fee that incorporates all travel and other costs is favourable, but not mandatory; and
All text in size 12 font, single-spaced and with standard margins.
Applications that fail to meet or exceed (such as submitting too many pages) the above application process technical requirements will be disqualified. A more comprehensive methodology and plan will be required and negotiated upon selection.
Payments: based on the estimated budget, out of pocket expenses will be paid up to a maximum of 40% of the overall fee upon signing of the contract and the remaining 60% or more (if unexpected costs agreed upon)paid upon completion of the review to a satisfactory standard.
All applications should be submitted electronically with the subject title ‘Oxfam in Somalia/SomalilandPEA Application, name of lead consultant’ to:somaliajobs@oxfamnovib.nland dustin.barter@oxfam.org
Any questions should also be directed to both above email addresses.
SOURCE: TERMS OF REFERENCE Consultant for Political Economy Analysis to inform Oxfam’s current and future programming
