Request for Proposal - MEAL Framework Finalization and Project Baseline

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Across regions, from the local to the global, we work with people to bring change that lasts.

CONTEXT

Oxfam in Asia Regional Platform implements Oxfam’s Global Objectives and Asia Strategic Framework and provides vision, strategic direction, and oversight for localised leadership, long-term development, humanitarian response and advocacy in Asia. The Regional Platform ensures effective program, financial, and human resource management while upholding gender justice and feminist principles for Oxfam’s work in Asia.

Oxfam’s Mekong Regional Water Governance Program (MRWGP) focuses on inclusive and equitable water governance, addressing climate change, water security, and social accountability. MRWGP oversees regional projects funded by DFAT and SDC, ensuring sustainable water governance across Cambodia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Myanmar. The Mekong Inclusive Water Resources and Climate Resilience Project (IP3) (2025-2029) integrates water governance and climate resilience for regional policy impact.

The program aims for - More sustainable and resilient livelihoods of riparian communities in the Mekong Sub-region and prioritises three interconnected pillars.

• Pillar 1:    Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Feminist                       Influencing
• Pillar 2:    Inclusive Water Resource Governance
• Pillar 3.     Climate Resilient Communities

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS CONSULTANCY

During the Inception Phase (April-September 2025) of IP3, Oxfam is looking for a consultant or team to deliver the following:

1. Finalise the Project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Framework for the Mekong Inclusive Water Resources and Climate Resilient Project. This Framework builds off and incorporates effective components of the Mekong Inclusive Project phase 2 (IP2 - 2020-2025) MEAL framework, IP2 Final Evaluation Recommendations and Management Response; the findings, recommendations and action plan of the Mid-Term Review of the Strengthening Climate Resilience in the Mekong Sub-region project (2022-2025).

1. Prepare the IP3 Regional and Country Level Project Baseline Report, taking into close consideration an analysis and narrative the recently completed IP2 project key regional studies (list to be provided); the Strengthening Climate Resilience in the Mekong Sub-region MTR and assessments, and other regional studies being undertaken during the IP3 Inception Phase.

To deliver the above products, the key processes will include the thorough review of the current/recently completed projects (IP2 & SCR); the IP3 Project Design documents including Theory of Change (ToC), full proposal (including objectives, problem statement and key activities), draft Indicative MEAL Framework (including proposed immediate and intermediate outcomes, indicators and targets); the proposed tools for monitoring and measurement of indicators including guidance for users.

KEY DELIVERABLES OF THIS CONSULTANCY

A. A comprehensive IP3 MEAL Framework including:

• A refined Theory of Change (ToC)
• Final MEAL framework including final intermediate outcomes, targets, indicators, and means of verification
• A proposed practical monitoring approach including identification of roles and responsibilities; tools and data collection template; a MEAL schedule (including reporting, learning events, monitoring and evaluation activities etc)
• A Project learning agenda for the period 2025-2029.
• A MEAL Capacity Needs Analysis to inform a specific Capacity Strengthening Plan for the IP3 Project team.

The Project MEAL Framework will be informed by:

1. Oxfam’s Common Approach to MEAL and Social Accountability (CAMSA), which set the minimum requirements for Oxfam’s project MEAL, will provide guiding principles for the MEAL Framework development.
2. Mekong Australia Partnership Phase 2 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Framework (March 2025)
3. DFAT’s Monitoring and Evaluation Standards (2017) and DFAT’s Evaluation of Investment Level Monitoring Systems (2018) that highlight adaptive monitoring approaches and the importance of system-wide approaches.
4. SDC Guidance Logframe (May 2021)

B. IP3 Regional and country-level Project Baseline

Based on the Finalised IP3 MEAL Framework and target indicators, the Consultant/team will plan for the gathering of the information to produce the project baseline report for each country. The baseline report should be able to describe (1) the context of the country that will have an effect on the project; (2) the baseline values of the indicators identified in the MEL framework.

Use and Learning

The MEAL framework and baseline will serve as tools for continuous learning, adaptive management, and reflection across the program lifecycle. The consultant should provide guidance on how these tools can support regular team learning and accountability.

METHODOLOGY

As the IP3 is complex, geographically widespread and operating at a number of levels, Oxfam is looking for consultant and/or team to lead a creative, inclusive and participatory methodology that engages key project stakeholders including project teams in countries, project partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders and provides an opportunity for an adaptive MEAL Framework that captures key learnings to inform program implementation.

Proposals for suitable methodologies will be sought in the tendering process and will be an important criterion for awarding the contract.  The methodologies used should support the IP3 project in finalising a MEAL framework and baseline that can effectively measure the Project's contribution to its End of Project Outcome (EOPO). This includes assessing the integration of GEDSI and Feminist Influencing approaches, civil society strengthening in water resources governance and climate-resilient communities, policy influencing, women’s leadership, and adaptive management within the context of a regional program.

The methodology will include:

1. A desk review of key recently completed documents including the IP2 Political Economic Analysis (PEA); GEDSI Audit Report; GEDSI Regional Learning Workshop Report; the SCR’s Participatory Community Vulnerability Assessment (PCVA) and Stakeholders Analysis and its findings (including seeking inputs from the consultant leading the study). The complete list to be provided.
2. Consultative meetings with key stakeholders engaged in the MEAL Framework Finalisation Process via focus group and individual discussions with the IP3 core team Oxfam country staff, representatives from civil society partners) through field visits (if possible), workshops (potentially virtual), and online interviews.
3. Through a consultation process, integrate country teams and partners’ contribution into the overall MEAL framework and ensure a participatory approach based on program and Oxfam MEAL design requirements.

DELIVERABLES OF THIS CONSULTANCY

This consultancy will deliver the following:

1. Inception report, detailing the design and methodology for the Project MEAL Framework Development; Baseline Study (including the set of indicators that will be used) and Detailed Workplan to deliver Project MEAL Framework and Project baseline. The report shall indicate the support required from the Oxfam team to assist in the delivery.
2. Project MEAL Framework, inclusive of capacity strengthening plan for the Project Team
3. IP3 Regional and Country level Project Baseline

The consultant/s will include a risk assessment and mitigation plan, particularly in relation to data collection feasibility, partner engagement, and political sensitivities.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• Payment will be made based on the confirmed satisfaction of key deliverable submitted by the Consultant/Team. 
• Oxfam will be responsible for 15% withholding tax for resident taxpayers or 14% withholding tax for non-resident taxpayers to the Cambodian Government from the respective net fee.

DATA ETHICS AND SAFEGUARDING

The consultant/s must ensure ethical practices in data collection, storage, and use, especially concerning vulnerable or marginalised groups. This includes informed consent, confidentiality, and adherence to Oxfam's safeguarding policies.

The details of the application process can be accessed here: https://oxfam.box.com/s/dx8f68tygges53wq5zr0fwn71pdlww9k