Consultant – Writer for MELSA Practice Notes on Outcome Harvesting (INT10170)

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

As part of its learning initiatives with program partners, partner affiliates, and other civil society practitioners, the Oxfam Pilipinas’ Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Social Accountability (MELSA) team targeted the periodic publication of so-called “MELSA Practice Notes”.  Each practice note is an 8 to 10 page knowledge product meant to creatively capture particular aspects and cases of Oxfam Pilipinas’ and program partners’ MELSA initiatives in relation to common developmental and humanitarian change goals and draw out meaningful insights from such documentation towards improving strategies and/or approaches.  In line with Oxfam Pilipinas’ transition as a full affiliate within the global Oxfam confederation and strategic thrust to position itself as a thought leader around its focus issues and knowledge areas, the practice notes could also serve as platform for highlighting the Oxfam country team’s pioneering work and innovate contributions to enhancing MELSA practice for quality public programming.

For fiscal year 2023-2024, Oxfam Pilipinas proposes to highlight its practice of using outcome harvesting (OH) to track and assess project and program results in terms of observed changes in behavior, policy and/or practice in communities where it works and thus systematically account for project or program accomplishments, gaps and lessons.  The practice notes will outline key elements of outcome harvesting that align with Oxfam Pilipinas’ feminist MELSA principles (e.g., more inclusive approaches, looking more into contribution to rather than attribution of impact, use both quantitative and qualitative information) strategic objectives, and programmatic practice, and draw out insights and lessons for improved outcome harvesting practice.

Oxfam Pilipinas’ MELSA team intends to contract a writer to help in drafting and finalizing the practice notes on outcome harvesting.  This Terms of Reference (ToR) outlines the objectives, target audience, approaches, dissemination strategies, deliverables, consultant’s qualifications, timeline, and payment terms for the engagement. 

Objectives

The proposed engagement with a writer for Oxfam Pilipinas’ MELSA Practice Notes on Outcome Harvesting shall have the following specific objectives:

1. Produce an 8 to 10 page organizational knowledge product (taking into consideration the inclusion of some visual and other creative elements in the final layout) that: 

a) Describes in easily understandable language and concise manner the process and practice of outcome harvesting of Oxfam Pilipinas  and partners (i.e. what are the components of and steps in outcome harvesting, how has OPH and partners adopted the approach to track project and program outcomes, how has OH been customized/localized with partners and community members, how program teams and partners have used insights from the analyses of harvested outcomes – e.g., in adjusting program design and implementation, reporting on program results, developing project proposals, etc.);

b) Analyzes and reflects on the strengths, weaknesses, effectiveness, and limitations of outcome harvesting as a program monitoring, evaluation, and learning methodology and practice;

c) Outlines key insights and ways forward in terms of enhancing outcome harvesting practice of Oxfam Pilipinas and its partners with key local actors (i.e. marginalized groups and community members, local service providers, and decision-makers in government, private sector, donor agencies, etc.) to complement other program results tracking and learning approaches.

2. Initiate discussions and reflective thinking among the Oxfam Pilipinas program staff and partners on current outcome harvesting practice through vetting of and sensemaking around the generated drafts of the proposed MELSA Practice Notes.

Target audiences for the proposed knowledge product shall include Oxfam Pilipinas staff and program partners, MELSA officers and outcome harvesting practitioners in other Oxfam affiliates and country teams, and civil society organizations, donor agencies, public institutions and other networks in the Philippines and other countries using outcome harvesting as a monitoring and evaluation approach. The consultant shall consider these target audiences in drafting the practice notes.

Scope of Work

Key deliverables expected from the contracted consultant/writer shall include:

▪ Initial draft of the proposed MELSA Practice Notes on Outcome Harvesting, not more than 10 pages, based on the following initial outline (to be finalized with consultant):
          o Background: outcome harvesting in Oxfam Pilipinas’ programs
          o Featured outcome harvesting practice:
                 ▪ SHARPER Project’s OH experience with partners and project participants
                 ▪ SHE Project’s OH practice with implementing partners
                 ▪ Portfolio-level outcome harvesting and sensemaking
          o Use of outcome harvesting information for program learning
          o Emerging insights and recommendations for future practice, including what works well, what needs to                 be done differently or improved on, and how can OH be customized better to fit the requirements of                     different OH participants

The consultant/writer will also be required to turn over to Oxfam Pilipinas any interview notes/recordings collected as part of the data gathering for the engagement.

▪ Revised and final draft of the MELSA Practice Notes on Outcome Harvesting, taking into consideration and addressing the comments, queries, and suggestions of Oxfam Pilipinas program staff and partners on submitted initial draft.

Period of Engagement : January 22, 2024 until March 31, 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.