Consultant for the Baseline Study – RA 11596: Prohibition of Child Marriage Law and Its IRR (INT10178)

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.

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 Gender-Based Violence against women and girls specifically the prevention of child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM), a rapid baseline study is being planned to determine reach and level of knowledge of multi and diverse communities 2 years after the passage of RA11596 and one year after the signing of its IRR. The study is also expected to provide further inputs to the overall Oxfam Pilipinas’ information dissemination campaign on the prevention of gender-based violence specifically CEFM  and information dissemination materials and products. In addition, the baseline date hopes to shape and influence the guidelines and programs of government, CSOs, and other development actors in developing and implementing programs on the prevention of GBV and CEFM.

This Terms of Reference is being drawn up by Oxfam Pilipinas to contract a baseline researcher or consultant to lead and conduct the baseline study and carry agreed data collection methods and approaches, and drafting and finalizing the baseline report which is due for submission in April 2021.

Objectives

The objectives of the proposed baseline study are:

• To determine the reach of any information dissemination initiatives on the PCM Law and its IRR;
• To determine level of awareness of communities, individuals, especially those affected by child, early, and forced marriage,  duty bearers and service providers on the PCM Law and its IRR;  
• To establish sources of information, knowledge, materials on the PCM Law and its IRR; and to
• Provide recommendations for enhancing the overall information dissemination campaign plans and strategies on the PCM Law and its IRR. 

Specific research questions will be identified and finalized with Oxfam Pilipinas and consultants during the commencement of the consultancy.

Scope of Work

In view of the design outlined above, the baseline consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• Lead the development of the baseline study design and data collection instruments in close collaboration with Oxfam Pilipinas focal and team;
• Lead the data collection processes;
• Lead, in close collaboration with Oxfam Pilipinas focal and team the processing and analyses of initial baseline data collated and gathered;
• Draft preliminary baseline report, present to Oxfam Pilipinas and relevant partners and revise based on comments from partners and Oxfam Pilipinas;
• Prepare and present integrated results, conclusions, and recommendations from the baseline research during the collective validation and sense-making meeting with Oxfam Pilipinas and invited participants; and,
• Finalize the full baseline report, including data visuals integrating the results from the baseline data and sense making sessions and the comments and inputs of Oxfam Pilipinas and selected stakeholders during the validation.

Period of Engagement : January 29, 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:

• 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
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

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.