Oxfam Pan Africa Strategic Framework 2010-2013: Kilio cha Mabadiliko (a cry for change)

Terms of Reference External Evaluation

In 2010 Oxfam launched its first joint Pan Africa Strategic Framework, implemented by Oxfam Great Britain (OGB) and Oxfam Novib Netherlands (ONL) and funded by Oxfam America, Intermon and Australia.

The strategy sought to bring greater coherence of the work of Oxfam affiliates and a more powerful voice for policy & practices changes at Pan African level.

Drawing close to the end of the implementation period of the strategic framework 2010-2013, we will commission an external evaluation of our strategy to analyse the results attained, the impact related hereto, capture lessons learnt and give orientations for the next strategic period: 2014-2017.

1. Background & Context of Evaluation

The Oxfam pan Africa framework promotes active citizenship, effective national governance and the realisation and enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and human rights contained in key AU policy standards and legal instruments.

We work with social movements, CSOs and their coalitions and alliances, the African Union (AU), Regional economic blocks (RECs) and Governments to influence, popularise and implement key international and continental policy standards, pledges and human rights instruments.

Our Strategic Framework 2010-2013 works towards the national implementation of these policy intentions and the protection of the rights and freedoms that they exemplify.

Consistent with our Oxfam southern campaigning principles, we also recognise that the primary agency for change in Africa lies in Africa and with African organisations.

To this end, we will support a strong and autonomous pan Africa campaigning force of pan African coalitions, alliances and social movements to articulate their change objectives and work closely with their own members and partners at various levels.

What change is Oxfam Pan Africa aim to bring about?

Poverty and suffering in Africa is the consequence of unequal power relations between Africa and the global political-economy as well as the denial by African States of citizen's economic, social and human rights and fundamental freedoms. Four centuries of trans-continental slavery, a century of colonialism and two decades of Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) have produced common challenges for Africa.

The failure of global policy institutions to stop the over-exploitation of African resources, commodity price-fixing of Africa's resources by industrialised countries, capital flight and the global under-representation of Africa in institutions such as the United Nations and the International Finance Institutions have undermined Africa's capacity to achieve economic independence and a greater share of the world market.

Oxfam believes that assertive representation of both African state and non-state actors in these global spaces is critical.

Oxfam believes that a strong and dynamic civil society is a precondition for pro-poor change in Africa.

Inequality, exclusion and marginalisation are the consequence of the failure of the African state to regulate the distribution of sub-soil assets and other natural resources, financial capital and markets in a fair and responsible manner.

Consequently, the majority of African men, women and children remain marginalised by their lack of voice, visibility and informed participation in setting the public policy agenda and holding political elites accountable.

In 2010-2013, Oxfam sought to enable, strengthen and accompany more than thirty Pan African coalitions, alliances and social movements to realise fundamental freedoms and basic human rights in three primary areas: gender justice, economic justice and democratic governance.

We do this by supporting a strong and autonomous pan African campaigning force of coalitions, alliances and social movements from four offices located in Addis Ababa, Dakar, Nairobi and Den Haag, with support from the Oxfam presence in South Africa and other country offices in Africa.

A joint governance and management system guides the participating affiliates.


Expected outcomes per strategy pillar by 2013

Democratic Governance – Outcomes by 2013: AU adopts internal compliance accountability system. Pan African Parliament holds States accountable for delivery. African social movements supported to learn from their experiences. Coalitions/Movements supported to utilise appropriate new media where appropriate.

Economic Justice – Outcomes by 2013: More countries reach agriculture 10% target Policymakers more responsive to interests of small scale farmers. More visible & vocal participation of farmers, esp. women. Alternative policy options to “agro-colonialism” (wide-scale leasing of land to foreigners. More countries adopt national climate adaptation plans. Global agreement reached to cut emissions, fund adaptation and mitigation.

Gender Justice – Outcomes by 2013: More Governments ratify and implement the Women’s Rights Protocol. [Peace & Security Council decisions influenced by women in conflict.] More Governments adopt gender aware budgeting. Greater number of women supported in public leadership.

Capacity Building – Outcomes by 2013: AU more responsive and accountable to positions of allies, rights-holders and Oxfam International. More coherent and assertive claims made by the AU in the global policy arena. African States to domesticate and implement key standards and treaties. [Capacity building for key Coalitions and NGOs on various advocacy areas.] [Engage the Peace and Security Council of the AU on OI RIC priorities.]

2. Objectives of the Evaluation

The overall objective of the evaluation is to assess the performance as per planned outcomes, document lessons learnt in the implementation of the Pan Africa Strategic Framework (PAF) since 2010 and suggest key elements for a new phase of the programme.

Specifically the evaluation will assess issues related to relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and will come up with orientations and recommendations for successful implementation of a further phase.

The specific evaluation issues to focus on are:

• Assess whether the analysis, theory of change, objectives and outcomes of the programme were and still are relevant, appropriate and realistic
• Evaluate whether Oxfam adequately adapted the implementation of the Framework to context changes in 2010-2013
• Assess the coherence of activities in relation to outputs and the latter in relation to outcomes
• Establish the status of progress and achievements for the period by comparing actual and expected outcomes, including unintended outcomes (evidence based quantitative and qualitative findings), as well as the sustainability of these
• Determine what policy and practice changes have occurred and how they have contributed to the achievement of the outcomes
• Ascertain how policy changes at pan Africa level translated into change at national level
• Assess the status, influence and sustainability of civil society coalitions/social movements which Oxfam has supported through its PAF
• Ascertain to which extent the PAF contributed to Oxfam campaigns, and how this has been appreciated.

What are the possibilities for enhanced linking of local-regional-global programming and campaigning?

• Analyse the effectiveness of the information system in relation to achievements and documentation of lesson learnt
• Assess cost efficiency of outcomes achieved
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses and any constraints in the implementation of the programme
• Appreciate how the program contributed to gender empowerment and furthering gender equality
• Document lessons learnt, gaps and possible catalytic effects of actions implemented; as well as the effectiveness of the intervention strategies
• Make strategic and operational recommendations for the new phase of programme

3. Evaluation Methodology

The external assessment will be carried out by (an) external consultant(s). Qualitative information gathering methods will be applied.

The detailed methodology shall be proposed by the consultant(s) in consultation with Oxfam.

Nevertheless, the minimum methodological steps to include are:

• Documentation review. This includes but not limited, program documents, annual reports, annual work plans and budgets, internal review reports, researches and policy briefs, position papers, advocacy material and communication strategies, specific notes and any external written feedback, publications, media statements, blogs, etc.…

• Semi structured or/and structured interviews with different stakeholders (face-to-face, by emails or by teleconference. This will include but not limited to:

1. Oxfam staff: Pan Africa team; managers/country directors, programme officers, technical focal persons in OGB and ONL Headquarters and Oxfam country offices (at least 2 from each African region); other relevant staff including the Regional Directors, Institutional Funding Units, Campaign Teams (incl. RiC staff, GROW), etc.
2. Partner organisations: relevant person in national and regional farmers and women’s rights networks; pan African, regional and national CSO organisations engaged in one of the four pillars of the Strategic Framework; etc.
3. Like minded organisations
4. Institutions we seek to influence: relevant representatives of African Union bodies, Africa Development Bank, Regional Economic Blocs, National Governments, etc.
5. Donor community: DfID (UK), DGIS (Netherlands), SIDA (Sweden) and so on

• Survey/Questionnaire to consult partners and key stakeholders.
• Impact assessment.
• Country visits to one Oxfam programme each in West Africa, Southern Africa and the Horn, East and Central Africa (HECA); including visits to PAF-partners present in-country, where relevant.

The methodology will include non formal feedback sessions to be done to the Reference Committee and will be organised at midterm and end of the assignment. After production of the draft report a formal restitution session will be organised with the participation of Oxfam Pan Africa staff (and representation of regional/country directors if possible).

A detailed external assessment methodology will be submitted by the consultant(s) and discussed with the evaluation committee. The proposed methodology will be gender sensitive and will include justification of methodological choices.

4. Evaluation Report and Related Products

The consultant(s) will produce and submit a quality report to the Reference Committee for the evaluation of the Oxfam Pan Africa Framework 2010-2013.

The report will have a maximum of 30 pages (excluding annexes). This report, written in English will be primary used by Oxfam, and will be shared when necessary with its donors and partners.

The evaluation report will contains at least the following elements:

• Executive summary, including the major findings of the evaluation and summary conclusions and recommendations
• Objectives of the evaluation
• Outline of the methodology and its justification
• Limitations of the evaluation if any
• Presentation of the analysis and findings, including unexpected relevant findings
• Recommendations
• Conclusions
• (Interview/Questionnaire) Reports and appendices

5. Desired profile consultant(s)

The consultant(s) should have:

• Masters Degree in a relevant field (minimum)
• Specialised in international and/or social development
• At least 5 years of consultancy experience on evaluating advocacy and campaigning programmes
• Demonstrated experience with focus on gender, social transformation and conflict management
• Experience in programme evaluation with proven analytical skills is required
• Proficiency in two of the three working languages (English, French and Portuguese) is highly desired

6. Time-frame for the Evaluation

The evaluation should last a maximum of 1 month, starting from September 24th. A daily rate will be agreed with the consultant(s) for a maximum of 25 days, and according to the Oxfam standards of consultancy.

The draft report should be submitted to the Reference Committee on Sunday October 22th. A feedback session will be organised with the Reference Committee and representatives of Regional/Country Directors thereafter. A final report should be submitted to the Reference Committee by October 26th 2012 at the latest.

Logistics and payment modalities will be included in the contract agreement.

7. Deadline for Consultancy Applications

Interested applicants should submit their CVs and Technical Proposal by 24:00hrs GMT on Sunday 9th September.

Submissions can be sent to vacancy@oxfamnovib.or.ke indicating reference code “PAFEVAL”.

A follow up discussion on the technical proposal, including interpretation of the terms of reference, data collection methods and tools, together with a detailed chronogram will be organised with the selected consultant(s) mid-September.

For questions related to the consultancy please contact Monique van Es, co-manager Pan Africa Framework, on Monique.van.Es@oxfamnovib.nl