Background and introduction
Oxfam’s work in West Africa and two central African countries (Chad and CAR) over the last four (4)years and in align with the organization wide vision 2020 agenda was delivered through a Regional strategy (ORS) and Regional Operational Model (ROM) 2015 - 2019 with a vision of ‘a region free from chronic vulnerabilities and inequalities, where each citizen enjoys her/his rights for assistance in crisis situation and where sovereign resources drawn from extractive industries, a fair taxation system and inclusive farming development are sufficient and fairly redistributed, bringing an end to extreme inequalities, vulnerability and poverty’. **
The strategy had three main strands of work including; Food Justice, Equality and Dignity. These three programs were supported by several elements including the promotion of gender and Women’s rights, working with young people, resilience and climate change, influencing and advocacy, communication business development, Quality programming to drive and measure impact.
The strategy implementation process was operationally informed by a regional operating model managed by a regional platform with a team of approximately twenty (25) people with the mandate to:
· Provide strategic leadership, management and accountability
· Achieve regional impact through regional programming
· Connect learning and capacity building processes across the region and
· Provide cost-effective capacity building to countries
The strategy technically ended in 2019. However, to ensure that the next strategy draws insights from the global strategy process it was extended for another year till end of 2020
We do recognize that the context of West Africa is rapidly changing within a dynamic, fast paced and somewhat turbulent world.
As a result, the development of the next regional strategic framework will require an updated context analysis that provides insight and analysis into the trends, challenges and opportunities within West Africa and how we can position ourselves to deliver change.
It is precisely because of this, that an updated context analysis and its implications is imperative for us as a region
Why the context analysis?
We want to contribute to systematic and long-term transformative change in West Africa. For that to happen we will require a systematic analysis of the political, demographic, economic, social, gender technological, environmental, legal and security context. This will help us understand how power and resources are distributed and managed and its implications for development t within the region
The findings, conclusions and final product will assist us to develop clear theories of change and what will be our value proposition as an organisation within West Africa
What will the analysis entail?
The analysis will broadly aim at providing a macro-level trend analysis of the wider development and humanitarian sector in the region with focus attentions to understand the political, demographic, economy, social, gender, technological, legal, environmental, security and the specific links of each to widening inequality gaps that perpetuate the injustice of poverty in West Africa region. It will also include understanding who are the key stakeholders, the power and influence dynamics, as well as partnership relationships.
Specific focus will be to;
· Analyse and assess the nature and drivers of poverty and inequality
· Analysis the demographic in the region and its implications for development
· Assess the levers of change in the regions
· Asses the security trends and its implications on the region’s stability and development
· Examine the political and governance landscape (Inclusive and Accountable Governance)
· Assess the Economic trends and development within the region (Just Economies),
· Explore the management of the natural resource base within the region
· Examine social dimensions and interrelationships (gender justice, young people safeguarding and social inclusion),
· Assess the technological developments (digital rights),
· Asses environmental issues and challenges (climate change),
· Explore the legal and ethical contexts (Human rights),
· Examine the scope and nature of civic space.
What approaches will we adopt?
The context analysis will employ an inclusive and participatory external and internal approach as well as quantitative tools and analysis. Using tools such as Gender analysis; PESTLE analysis; Stakeholder mapping; Analysis of stakeholder perceptions; Power and influence analysis, the scope will involve a number of steps including:
Desk study and literature review. Review of current and relevant documentation on the West Africa context including regional vignettes developed towards Oxfam global strategic framework
Interviews with stakeholders to get inputs and perspectives including (Key Oxfam staff, Regional bodies i.e. ECOWAS and UEMOA, CILLS UN agencies, INGOs, regional CSOs, women’s right organizations, youth movements, Academia, media etc
Inception report that provide insights into how the study will be conducted including key questions to answer
Data analysis and presentation of preliminary finding to Oxfam and validation of the findings
Draft report
Final report
What type of team are we seeking?
The WAF team will work with a team of consultants who have an understanding and a track record in undertaking regional political, social, economy analysis, power analysis, security stakeholder analysis and gender analysis and strong background in program and strategy design and development.
The team will have development experience in West Africa, expertise in international political economy, civil society and organisational development, governance, youth and gender justice, security etc. with strong ability to transform data into information and strategic recommendations for senior management use
What outputs or deliverables do we expect?
The following are expected from the study
· An inception report outlining the approach and work plan that is to be approved by the commissioning manager
· A draft context analysis report – this would be presented by the consultant to the Oxfam team
· A detailed final report not exceeding 20 pages with relevant annexes. It will contain an executive summary of no more than 5 pages that provides a synthesis of key trends, challenges and opportunity within the Wrest Africa context. The final report will be deliver in both French and English and to be presented in hardcopy and electronic version
· A summary of key recommendations / areas for adjustments for consideration from the context to inform the development of a new strategy.
How will this be managed?
The process will be managed by the ORS committee led by the HOP
A cross section of selected regional platform staff from (development programs, Humanitarian, Finance and administration) who are in the committee will work together over this period. This committee will work with the consultant(s) to plan the process, timelines etc.
The selection of the consultant will be done by the committee members using the call for bids criteria among others.
How will we use the product and its dissemination?
The primary usage of the context analysis report is to serve as an updated context analysis for the West Africa region. Insights from it will inform the development of the next strategy and framework the summary of the report will be made available to key stakeholders and individuals or teams with direct or indirect interests in Oxfam’s intervention in West Africa. Secondary users would include all WAF countries, partners, and key stakeholders at national and regional level.
What budget exist for the study?
Total budget of 25,000EUR (negotiable) is available to cover the costs for the consultancy, production of both hard and soft copy in French and English as well as all related costs.
The consultant will establish and propose a daily rate and number of days of work, individually or in pairs, as well as other expenses for this assignment. The total proposed budget shall be inclusive of taxes.
The consulting team should have the following key competencies:
- Understanding of and commitment to Oxfam values and principles including gender-sensitive approaches
- Experience of political economy analysis, knowledge of gender-sensitive quantitative and qualitative research methods; data interpretation and data presentation
Ability to write concise and user-friendly reports
Ability to prepare quality reports in English and French (examples required)
How to apply:
Proposals / tenders should be sent via email to Janet Olaolu (janet.olaolu@oxfam.org) before or by close of business Tuesday 30 June 2020 and should include:
· A cover letter introducing the consultants and expression of interest
· A proposal of not more than 4 pages outlining how to execute the task with a clear framework, methodology and timelines
· A two-page resume of each consultant
· Evidence of experience in conducting PESTLE analysis, program and strategy development for international organizations
· Financial proposal