CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Conduct a research on shifting narratives to value unpaid and informal work.
Consultancy, Research Jobs
Job Description
1.BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
One of the key structural factors driving the undervaluing of informal and unpaid work are dominant narratives and perceptions around work which exclude activities that are unpaid, and ‘services for people’ (vs technical, financial services), and dismiss care and informal work as low-skilled and of less value to the economy than other forms of work. Around the world, unpaid care work is excluded from GDP calculations and largely seen as a ‘private’ issue and as a ‘women’s’ issue, rather than a public policy issue. Oxfam is undertaking a multi-country study together with partners and allies looking at understanding the frames that different audiences hold on unpaid care and informal work and identifying which types of frames and narratives are most compelling, and how to make them work with different audiences. The research focuses on the UK, Kenya and Zimbabwe, and would aim to be context specific to enable Oxfam, and Oxfam’s partners and allies, to develop targeted messaging for policy advocacy, media campaigns, online and offline communications, that are evidence based and likely to have greater impact on influencing policy and norms change to time contracted out that receives remuneration and is highly valued as an economic activity.
THEORY OF CHANGE
A framing project follows a psychological theory of change. Changing the framing of an issue such as care work can change the mindset of an audience, which in turn can influence wider culture and specific outcomes (such as policies). A strong framing project needs both a research component and a movement-building component. The research component is to understand audiences and test frames, while the movement-building component is to align different groups and organisations on the strategy and direction of the work. A collaborative approach to direction-setting not only helps to strengthen the movement, but also helps ensure that the frames are used: “If your words do not spread, by definition, they do not work” (Anat Shenker-Osorio).
This project also aims to develop frames that can influence key groups in the general public, and within communities, rather than working directly to influence decision makers and political leaders. This is because the project follows a ‘bottom up’ approach - that change won’t happen unless communities become stronger and build their own understanding and will for change. Public pressure can be the route to influence decision makers and is also important to ensure that people embrace any transformative policies on unpaid and informal work.
Zimbabwe proposal
Focus: Paid and unpaid care work, looking also at how care work intersects with the informal economy. In Zimbabwe, about eight percent (80%) of the economy is informal work, and many women balance domestic work with informal work (e.g. in agriculture, services, vending).
Target audience/s:
1. General public, with particular consideration in sampling and method design to: gender (representing both men and women) and age (representing both younger and older).
2. Religious leaders (e.g. Council of Churches) and Chiefs (e.g. Council of Chiefs).
4. Proposed research activities:
Phase 1: Audience insight(interviews)
As above, running a small number of low budget ‘key informant’ interviews with religious leaders and chiefs in about. 10 communities, summarising these (not formal analysis), and integrating them with a couple of key sources from existing research (e.g. WE-Care understanding norms report) to create a picture of how audiences think. If possible, do this at minimal cost in house with Oxfam Zimbabwe’s qualitative team.
Phase 2: Frame testing (focus groups)
As above, testing messages on general public using about 6 focus groups, but more if budget allows (with quotas and potentially separating samples by gender, age, and region). ○ N.B. As above, recommendation to NOT use quantitative methods to test messages in Zimbabwe.
Duties and Responsibilities
2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant is expected to have an understanding of :
• the overarching goal of the project to pave the way for a feminist economy that values wellbeing and equality overgrowth and extraction.
• Understand how key audiences currently think about care work, including informal and unpaid work more broadly.
• Moving key audiences away from a dominant devaluation of gendered unpaid and informal work, and towards an understanding of this as a collective responsibility and a social and economic policy issue
• Show that what is traditionally called ‘women’s work’ is a social good, but is heavy and unequally carried by women, so it should be more gender balanced, for the good of society, families, and female empowerment
Key activities will include:
1. Desk research with a view of identifying key themes, commonalities, identify gaps using among other things materials supplied by Oxfam.
2. Identify audience(s) and explore how they think ( primary and secondary data)
3. Begin informant interviews and integrate with 1-3 key sources
4. Data collection through focus group discuss (FDG) with the assistance of We Care partners and Partner Staff, Research Steering Group, and local research partners
5. Develop new framing ideas and test messages against their potential to shift thinking with the potential to shift mindsets.
6. Test new frames with target audience (primary research)
7. Offer insight and guidance that can be used by Oxfam and project partners to communicate more effectively.
8. Produce output with audience insights and give Oxfam and partners communication advice.
9. Begin to align and strengthen civil society groups around a shared purpose
3. METHODOLOGY AND RESEARCH APPROACH
While the proposed activities differ depending on the country context (see below), the research approach and process will be similar across countries.
Intersectional principles
The approach will be intersectional, feminist, anti-racist and decolonial. This means, for instance, that the project activities will:
• Adopt an intersectional approach
• Understanding how systems of oppression intersect to leave particular groups of people more vulnerable to compound inequalities.
• Be co-designed with research partners, guided by a steering group that represents core aspects of intersectionality on the issue of gendered unpaid and informal work.
• Centre the experiences and voices of those most marginalised and recognise them as experts of their own realities and
• whether they are research participants or members of the project team.
Due to the timescales, budget, and complexity of convening partners across three countries, it is proposed that there is only one major phase of primary research in each country. This means, where possible, that the audience insight phase is gathered from existing research or done in a low-budget light touch way.
4. EXPECTED OUTPUTS
A detailed report of the research findings clearly outline the primary audience, by gender and category in the informal sector and unpaid care work and the intersectionality with unpaid care and domestic work.
An outline of the findings – the narrative and attitudes towards paid unpaid work and domestic work in researched community.
An evidence-based framework/road map on how women’s unpaid care work, informal sector and paid work can be valued.
Recommendations to engender a culture of fair, equitable and redistributive narratives can be developed and instituted within the religious sector (Churches/FBOs, the cultural and traditional settings (Chiefs Council-provincial and national) Media (selected media houses) and the Advertising industry (Advertising Standards Authority of Zimbabwe (ASAZIM) and Zimbabwe Association of Accredited Practitioners in Advertising (ZAAPA), the Marketers Association Zimbabwe (MAZ).
The ASAZIM works with advertising and marketing associations, ZAAPA and MAZ respectively to ensure that “advertising profession is not brought into disrepute in Zimbabwe”.
5.KEY DELIVERABLES
Inception report (not more than 3 pages) including approach/methodologies to be used including data collection tools, work plan, proposed outline of the final report.
• A final descriptive and analytic report of the findings with an annex/case study of at least one sector- Church/Chiefs/Advertising- which should be no more than 30 pages summary of the 10 targeted communities and six focus group discussions (6FGDs) combined with appropriate options and recommendations pointing to which audiences should be targeted or influenced.
• Presentation to the Steering Committee during a validation workshop with selected individuals research participants.
• A policy brief no more than 10 pages, overlaying how key narratives that contribute to the undervaluing of women's unpaid care work and informal work in Zimbabwe, can be addressed as part of attempts to have care work framed as a policy and developmental issues.
6.TIMELINE
The assignment shall be carried within a period of 30 days effective from the date of signing the contract.
7.PAYMENT
Payment will be made as follows:
30% upon signing,
60% upon submission of an approved draft report and final
10% upon submission of an accepted revised final and submission of a policy brief emanating from the the assignment.
8. LINES OF COMMUNICATION
The consultant will report to the Oxfam through the Program Policy Manager and work closely liase with the Oxfam Gender Justice and Women’s Rights Coordinator, and Social Norms Adviser.
Qualifications and Experience
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
• The consultant(s) should possess the following:
• Advanced degree in social sciences, community development/gender studies, monitoring and evaluation or project management with experience in similar assignment.
• Extensive experience in gender analysis in informal sector and unpaid care work will be a strong and added advantage
• Knowledge and experience in working with groups such as marginalised women, informal workers, Church/FBOs, Media/Advertising and traditional leadership.
• Knowledge and experience in participatory methodologies and approaches
• Knowledge and experience in research and participatory methodologies and using approaches such as FGDs and KIIs
• Experience in data analysis, presentation methods and report writing.
• Fluency in English and local language (Shona and/or Ndebele) will be an advantage.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience and track record carrying out research in the development sector.
• Experience of having worked for Oxfam or an INGO od similar stature
• Both individuals and organisations are welcome to submit bids
How to Apply
10. TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit not later than 8th July 2022, an expression of interest, detailed budget, work plan and their CVs to zimtenders@oxfam.org.uk . Please note that CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as this is an urgent appointment/ Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
