Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.
Role: Consultancy (Time-Use in Sub Saharan Africa)
Time period: The assignment is expected to require 16-18 input days.
Budget: The budget range for this project is £8000 GBP.
- Location:Negotiable
- Hours:TBC
- Salary:As per attached ToRs
- Region:Gender Justice & Women’s Rights
- Job Family:Programme
- Division:Campaigns, Policy & Influencing
- Grade:Consultancy
- Job Type:Consultancy
- Closing Date:13 October 2024
Time use surveys (TUS) have emerged as a critical tool for understanding the allocation of time across various activities, particularly in revealing gender disparities in unpaid care work and informal labour, missing from standard household surveys, and yielding important insights for policymaking. Despite their potential, the utilization of TUS data for policy formulation remains underexplored, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Recent literature emphasizes the transformative potential of TUS data in addressing gender inequalities and informing evidence-based policymaking. However, most of them confirm there remains a significant disconnect between data collection efforts and their translation into concrete policy actions in many SSA countries. There remains a limited exploration of the barriers to the utilisation of this data and the opportunities that exist to overcome them, especially in the post-covid economy. This further highlights the untapped potential of TUS data in informing labour market policies and social protection programs, and ultimately policies aimed at improving gender equality in low and middle-income contexts.
The primary objective of this research is to address a critical gap in the current literature: the lack of comprehensive studies in Sub-Saharan Africa that identify key context-specific barriers and opportunities and collate best practices for utilizing TUS data once collected. While extensive research has focused on data collection methodologies, there is a lack of research on how to effectively leverage this valuable data for policy formulation and implementation.
This study also seeks to understand what has motivated the collection of time use surveys in Sub Saharan Africa, what enabled, supported, or hindered the utilisation of the collected data. This analysis will inform Oxfam’s advocacy work on time use at both country and regional level. By focusing on the post-collection phase, this research seeks to encourage the meaningful use of TUS data, thereby realizing its full potential in addressing gender inequalities, informing labour policies, and promoting sustainable development in the region. The study will not only contribute to the limited body of knowledge on the practical application of TUS data in SSA context, but ultimately, influence and encourage governments that are yet to undertake TUS data collection and inform them on its best practices for its utilization.
This study will explore the barriers of TUS data utilization in the policy making process in Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Kenya. The study will also analyse the opportunities that exist to allow for the utilization of this data. Other SSA countries, (like Zimbabwe, Zambia, etc), that are interested in the research but are at different stages of TUS data collection, will shape the research through involvement as a steering committee.
The research will employ a rigorous mixed-methods approach, taking the form of a desk review with some key informant interviews where needed. Potential key informants to interview could include Government officials, National planning authorities, African Union, National Statistics Offices Academia, Civil Society Organisations and Women’s Rights Organisations.
Consultant profile and skill set:
We are most interested in hearing from individuals or organisations who have the following profile and skills-set:
- Relevant academic, and/or professional experience in designing and conducting research on time-use surveys, an in depth understanding of feminist economics particularly care and informal work, using a gendered and intersectional lens.
- Proven experience in leading a mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative) research, including document and data gathering, review and analysis, as well as conducting interviews/focus group discussions.
- Strong communication and writing skills, with demonstrable ability to extract, analyse, synthesise, and organise broad amounts of data into a report format.
- Strong quantitative skills (experience using R/STATA) would be beneficial.
- A commitment to gender equality, social justice, and human rights principles, aligned with Oxfam’s feminist and decolonial values.
- Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder research processes and engaging with policy makers.
- Familiarity with participatory research methods and co-creation approaches
- Strong understanding of gender-responsive budgeting and policy processes in Sub-Saharan African contexts
Application & selection process
Interested applicants are expected to submit:
- A CV(s) with relevant experience
- A technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) detailing a proposed methodology and how you will carry out the assignment.
- A workplan (1 page)
- A recent writing sample.
Applicants are also required to submit their daily rate for this assignment (in British Pounds, inclusive of tax). All proposals should be sent by Sunday 13th October 2024 by 11.59pm UTC.
Our values and commitment to safeguarding
Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
