Consultant for Research on Child, Early and Forced Marriage in the Philippines (INT10249)

For Oxfam Pilipinas

Philippine Nationals Only
*** This is an urgent recruitment and applications will be reviewed as we receive them.

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

About Oxfam

Oxfam is a global movement of people who won’t live with the injustice of poverty. Together we save and rebuild lives in disasters. We help people build better lives for themselves. We speak out on the big issues that keep people poor, like inequality, discrimination against women and climate change. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can live without poverty. 

Background

Oxfam Pilipinas aims to sustain its campaign on the prevention of Gender-Based Violence against women and girls specifically the prevention of  child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM). In Oxfam, we believe that Ending child, early and forced marriage requires a coordinated multi-sectoral approach that will engage girls, boys, parents, teachers, national and local authorities and decisionmakers, and a broad range of other stakeholders and need to challenge the harmful social and gender norms underpinning child marriage. 

As with other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage is rooted in gender inequality and poverty. Early marriage is seen as a way to “sanction” girls for premarital sexual activity and pregnancy outside marriage. For example, norms around gender roles and responsibilities that strengthen men’s decision-making authority and control over partners, norms around family size that shape fertility desires, and norms around chastity that deny women and girls access to sexual and reproductive health services were found to be interlinked with discriminatory practices around CEFM and violence against women and girls.

Oxfam’s research in the Philippines and elsewhere show that many local stakeholders are well aware of the issues around child marriage as it is a lived experience within their own families and communities. 

The signing of the ACT PROHIBITING THE PRACTICE OF CHILD MARRIAGE AND IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF or RA11596 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) is a major milestone for the Philippines in its efforts to end Violence Against Women and Girls, and Child, Early and Forced Marriage.

As part of the campaign on the prevention of prevention of  child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) and promote the well-being of gril-children, a  research study is being planned to determine trends and narratives of CEFM, factors contributing to CEFM, impact of structural factors such as urbanization, migration, armed-conflict, food insecurity, access to SRHR services among others, prevalent norms, expectations and perceptions on CEFM, impact of CEFM on health, social , development and gender equality among others, protective factors impeding CEFM, and intergenerational impact of child marriage.  The study is also  expected to provide further inputs to the overall Oxfam Pilipinas’ campaign on the prevention of CEFM and promotion of the SRHR of young girls. In addition, the results of the research hope to shape and influence the  guidelines and programs of government, CSOs, and other development actors in developing and implementing programs on the prevention of CEFM and promotion of girl-children’s well-being.

This Terms of Reference is being drawn up by Oxfam Pilipinas to contract a researcher or consultant to lead and conduct the research study and carry agreed data collection methods and approaches, and drafting and finalizing the research report which is due for submission in April 2024.

Scope of Work

The objectives of the proposed research are:

1. To determine the trends and narratives of CEFM in;
2. To determine different drivers of CEFM, impact of structural factors such as urbanization, digital era, migration, armed-conflict, food insecurity, access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights among others;
3. Establish prevalent norms, expectations, and perceptions on CEFM at the household, community and regional levels;
4. Impact of CEFM on health, social, development and gender equality among others;
5. Intergenerational impact of child marriage;
6. Different protective/preventive approaches on the prevention of CEFM; and
7. Recommendations for CEFM interventions, required cost, mechanisms and intensity. 

In addition, the results of the research hope to shape and influence the guidelines and programs of government, CSOs, and other development actors in developing and implementing programs on the prevention of CEFM and promotion of girl-children’s well-being.

Period of Engagement :  March 1, 2024 until May 15, 2024

Other Responsibilities

• Adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights.
• Perform priority organizational tasks related to his/her competencies as may be assigned from time to time.

Organizational Values:

• Equality –  We believe everyone has the right to be treated fairly and to have the same rights and opportunities.

• Empowerment – We acknowledge and seek to expand people’s agency over their lives and the decisions that impact them.

• Solidarity –  We join hands, support, and collaborate in working towards a just and sustainable world.

• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions

• Courage – We speak truth to power and act with conviction on the justice of our causes

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 promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. 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.

Note: All offers of consultancy will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.