Company Profile

Oxfam is a rights-based global development organization with more than 70 years of experience in more than 90 countries worldwide. Oxfam’s mission is to end the injustice of poverty and inequality through systemic change and the advancement of political, economic and social rights. Oxfam has been working in Ghana since 1986, managing programs related to food security and livelihoods, universal access to education and healthcare and transparency and accountability in extractive industries (mining, oil and gas).

Oxfam’s experience in Ghana and strong partnerships with government institutions, Ghanaian civil society organizations and NGOs supports the delivery of active and innovative programs and advocacy work seeking to improve the livelihoods of Ghanaians and strengthen citizen accountability. Oxfam in Ghana currently works in 11 out of Ghana’s 16 administrative regions.

Job Description

Consultancy, Baseline Study for Strategic Partnership Initiative for Ghana and West Africa (INT9089)
Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Background
Oxfam is working together and in collaboration with 12 national civil society partners proposed this four-year innovative Strategic Partnership Initiative for Ghana and West Africa (SPII) to address the afore-mentioned systemic barriers in Ghana and beyond. The overall objective of the project is ‘women, young people and communities of Ghana live in a more equal, just, accountable, peaceful and sustainable country that leaves no one behind and provides a resilient, sustainable future through just societies, gender and climate justice.’ To achieve this overall objective, the project seeks to achieve three (3) specific objectives and eight (8) outcomes or result areas within 48 months.

This is a four-year (4) project funded by the Government of Denmark and Oxfam IBIS is the contract holder. This project is being implemented by a consortium comprising of Oxfam in Ghana as the coordinating organization, with SEND Ghana, Africa Centre for Energy Policy, NORSAAC, Friends of the Nation, Women in Law and Development Africa, Foundation for Security and Development in Africa, Youth Empowerment for Life Ghana, Media Foundation for West Africa, West Africa Civil Society Institute, Africa Education Watch, and West Africa Network for Peace.

Geographically, the project will be implemented in the following regions: Northern region; Western region; Greater Accra region

Baseline purpose and objective
Overall, the purpose of the baseline survey is to provide gendered quantitative and qualitative analytical information of the status of the stated indicators against which to monitor and assess project progress and effectiveness during implementation and evaluation after completion with attention to the ultimate outcome. Additionally, the baseline will assess the current capacities of partner CSOs influencing skills (Capacities to ACT, Capacities to CONNECT and Capacities to INFLUENCE).

This baseline will be used to feed into the results framework which will guide the monitoring, evaluation and learning plan throughout the life cycle of the project. The information must be adequate to judge if targets are realistic and achievable during the life of project. Additionally, it’s expected from the consultant to assess the viability of the indicators including the frequency for the intended data collection period.

More specifically, the consultant needs to collect the baseline data for each of the indicators and targets presented in the summary table annexed to these terms of reference (https://oxfam.box.com/s/pfa3xnlb55i8usjurchkxirjzhi067pn). Its proposal shall detail how s/he will proceed to collect and-or measure the baseline data.

Methodology for the baseline
The methodology for the baseline will employ a participatory approach, by meaningfully engaging all key stakeholders including primary change agents (beneficiaries), partner and Oxfam staff who should be provided with an opportunity to shape the process and outcomes.

The proposal should entail a synthesis and review of literature coupled with key informant interviews with partners, primary change agents, other stakeholders (Donors, Governments, INGOs) specifically in Ghana; and staff to generate insights on baseline values and perceptions. Findings from the baseline will be validated in a participatory workshop to be organized by Oxfam.

The team / consultant shall use combination of the following methods for the baseline study

• Desk study for the various change areas (Just societies, inclusiveness and just climate),
• Desk study: Policy analysis
• Self-administered Capacity assessment tool by Partners,
• Complete the outcome indicator baseline values in annex2

The consultant(s) must also demonstrate how the rights of participants will always be protected in line with Oxfam’s safeguarding and data protection policies, copies of which will be part of the contract of the successful consultant. Oxfam in Ghana shall work closely with the successful consultant and the consultant shall be required to provide regular feedback to Oxfam in Ghana through the Accountable Governance Program and Policy Manager, Program Effectiveness Manager and Programs and Policy Influencing Lead in the process to guarantee quality and adherence to TOR in the research process. The consultant shall have 2 months from the date of engagement to deliver on and complete the entire task and submit the final draft report.

Tools
Based on the baseline information requirements, tools will be prepared by consultant and reviewed by technical team in Oxfam. However, it is recommended that the prospective consultant(s) should be precise in terms of tools as much as possible.

Hiring of consultant, enumerators, translators and quality checks
In case enumerators are hired, the consultant(s) will ensure they are properly trained on the tools’ administration (detailed review of the tool and practice through mock exercise), ethical considerations, safeguarding, data confidentiality, and field logistics, etc.The consultants or team leader will have wide respect and credibility within the development field, excellent knowledge of monitoring and evaluation in theory and practice, strong knowledge in gendered and feminist MEAL, and a good understanding of policy influencing work in Ghana.
Consultants: Ghana-based international development consultants with expertise in development evaluation and result-based management, human rights, climate change, and gender justice.
The consulting team should have the following skills and competencies:

• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Oxfam values and principles including feminist principles, gender-sensitive approaches.
• Demonstrated M&E experience and depth of understanding of gender, quantitative and qualitative research methods and participatory methodologies and feminist approaches
• Proven experience conducting participatory baseline survey process, especially household survey
• Ability to write concise, readable, and analytical reports and understanding of public communications; and
• Able to prepare high quality reports in English including excellent data interpretation and data presentation (examples required)

Supervision and management of data collection process
The Program Effectiveness Manager in Ghana will ensure coordination and supervision of data collection at field level supported by MEL Officer, in coordination with Accountable Governance Program and Policy team and the consultant. All primary data will be collected through face-to-face interviews. Key Informants Interviews (KII) will be conducted either through visiting the government offices, CSOs offices in person or via zoom/teams. It is suggested that KIIs must be conducted by consultant. It is recommended that the primary data collection will be facilitated by partner organizations (linked to this project as implementers) who are very conversant with the locations and have better access in the field than consultants.

Data quality checks
Special attention should be taken into consideration to guarantee the quality of the data.  The prospective consultants should demonstrate how they will ensure data quality in the entire baseline process.

Logistics
The baseline involves travelling to partner locations and communities in the sample project target areas for data collection. However, these visits will be made by enumerators and consultants. Consultants are expected to work to maintain a good coordination throughout the process. The consultants will be requested to work remotely and visit the partners and communities when needed. The site-specific visits are however, not determined yet, until after the inception report is presented and reviewed. Oxfam will organize travelling to targeted locations and will be responsible for all logistics related arrangements.

Deliverables   
Maximum of 5 page Inception Report
The consultant shall submit an inception report after signing of the agreement detailing on the methodology and work plan. The ethical approval should be taken by the consultant from authentic institution if required.

Maximum of 15 page baseline report in line with the requirements in these terms of reference. The main deliverable will be a report written in clear, accessible language that will cover the key elements in the Annex. A PowerPoint presentation on preliminary findings of baseline against the outcomes, and indicators.
A set of annexes for the study (Outcome indicator baseline values,)
A draft report will be prepared and will be circulated among all key staff members and partners for feedback. After incorporation of feedback a final draft report will be prepared for internal and external circulation.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Baseline study done by a consultant/ consulting firm with (Oxfam in Ghana) and the partner staff collaborating.
• Program Effectiveness Team will co-manage the study with support of the partners and program lead.
• The consultant/consulting firm will lead the data collection, analysis and report writing
• Oxfam in Ghana will convene validation workshop/webinar for the study.

Time frame and estimated working days
The assignment is estimated to be undertaken within 37 days beginning from 8th December, 2022 and to be completed by 20th January, 2023. Prospective consultants are expected to provide indicative workplan as part of the application