BASELINE STUDY ON WORKER'S SOCIAL PROTECTION AND LABOUR RIGHTS NEEDES

Oxfam is seeking a consultant to conduct a baseline assessment as part of the programme titled “Reducing vulnerability in Lao PDR: Advancing social protection and labour rights and entitlements in the coffee, tea and forestry sectors – Phase II (SOLAR II)”. The findings will be used by Oxfam and the International Labour Organization (ILO), its partners, and stakeholders to inform learning and pilot initiatives aimed at improving workers’ access to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) risk prevention measure and control, social dialogue and collective bargaining measures, and gender equality, to assess how comprehensive and effective coverage of social protection and labour rights - particularly for informal and women workers in the coffee, tea and forestry sector in Laos - can be achieved. 

1.Introduction 

The SOLAR programme, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by a consortium of partners including the ILO, Oxfam, and three local partners (Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry) is part of the EU’s flagship TICAF Program in Laos (Team Europe Partnership to increase Sustainable and Inclusive ‘Trade, Investment and Connectivity in the Agriculture and Forestry sectors’). This is pursued through increased domestic production, processing, exports, national revenue, and the creation of decent jobs in the coffee, tea and forest-based value chains, including the realization of labour rights for workers, particularly informal workers and women. Key areas of focus are improving access to social protection coverage and enhancing labour rights, including OSH, which are considered as critical drivers of progress. These sectors are characterized by high levels of informal and seasonal work, low levels of registration in social security, widespread OSH risks, and persistent gender inequalities.

The SOLAR programme is being implemented across 16 districts in 7 northern and central provinces: Phongsaly, Luangnamtha, Luangprabang, Huaphan, Xiengkhoung, Vientiane province, and Khammoun.

2. Rationale for the baseline study

The baseline study will analyse workers’ needs and their level of access to social protection and labour rights. For this objective, quantitative and qualitative data will be collected on coffee, tea, and forestry workers in the target provinces and districts – disaggregated by gender, age, ethnic group, ability to pay, and nature of employment. Intersectional gaps and barriers to registration and access to services will be identified, as well as membership in organised workers’ groups (formal and informal) and female leadership roles. Differences in access to social protection and labour rights between waged and own-account workers will be analysed, as well as the location-specific needs in the various target areas - particularly those of informal women workers - will be mapped.

The baseline study will also require identification (or confirmation) of the target villages, and baseline data collection from these target areas through a representative sample selection. The baseline study will also serve as a measurement and evaluation framework for the endline survey at the end of the programme, to measure progress in resolving barriers and challenges through quantitative indicators and qualitative information.

Oxfam is seeking a national consultant to carry out this baseline study, with support from members of partner organizations and programme stakeholders (including Oxfam and ILO) with the quantitative data collection in 16 districts of 7 provinces. The consultant will be expected to provide basic training to those supporting the data collection process. The analysis will be used by Oxfam, ILO, partners, and stakeholders for learning and designing initiatives to promote realisation of social protection and labour rights among informal workers, especially women in the tea, coffee and forestry sector.  

3. Objectives of the baseline study and use of findings 

• Collecting baseline data on workers’ situations, needs and priorities;
• Providing background data and recommendations to design the program interventions in accordance with the specific needs and circumstances of the workers and households in the target areas;
• Identifying people’s perception of public service delivery and service quality, and context of how workers interact with their employers/buyers/middlemen and what bargaining power they have;
• Soliciting recommendations to improve the labour conditions of workers in the coffee, tea, and forestry sectors, and informing monitoring and risk assessment.

4. Methodology

4.1. Methodological approach

The methodological approach will ensure, in particular but not exclusively, that the following are included:

• Quantitative and qualitative data collection together with partner organizations and stakeholders in 7 provinces (Vientiane province, Luangnamtha, Phongsaly, Luangprabang, Huaphan, Xiengkhuang, and Khammuane)
  • Quantitative data collection through an online and/or offline survey, with gender-disaggregated data collection within an intersectional approach (age, ethnic group, nature of employment)
  • Qualitative data collection by Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII), ensuring a minimum of 40% participation of women
• Validation workshop with involved programme partners

Key data collection will consist of (but not be limited to):

• Access to social protection, particularly through the NSSF

• Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) risk prevention measures – knowledge of such measures and what is applied/in place.
• Determination of intersectional gender barriers to access social protection and labour rights
• existence of and access to social dialogue mechanisms to discuss problems and challenges
• Collective bargaining agreements in place
• Number of women in leadership positions
• Gender-transformative services and interventions available in target areas/among target communities

Specific tasks for the consultant are as follows:

• Design a baseline survey tool and other materials through an intersectional gender lens
• conduct training on the survey methodology for partners and stakeholders
• Identify a suitable representative sample of villages, workers, and partners to be engaged in the data collection
• Organise logistical and administrative tasks
• Conduct a baseline assessment through fieldwork in 16 districts in 7 northern and central provinces (Phongsaly, Luangnamtha, Luangprabang, Huaphan, Xiengkhoung, Vientiane, and Khammoun Province)
• Data cleaning and data analysis
• Conduct a validation workshop to get additional inputs from relevant stakeholders
• Finalize the baseline report, including feedback and validation of Oxfam, ILO and relevant partners

4.2. Ethical considerations and an inclusive research approach

Oxfam expects the consultant to ensure informed consent, confidentiality and cultural sensitivity. Local languages and translators should be used where needed. The safety and dignity of all interviewees, especially those in vulnerable situations, should be prioritized. Therefore, the consultant should include a protocol on dealing with sensitive information that is shared during KIIs and FGDs, for example about reports on sexual harassment at work or domestic or intimate partner violence.

Throughout the consultancy the consultant will be asked to follow Oxfam’s guiding principles, such as the Oxfam Feminist Principles, decolonial feminist approaches, environmental sustainability, principles on ethical and professional behaviour. To this end, the consultant will sign a code of conduct in line with Oxfam's principles and values.

4.3. Monitoring, coordination and supervision

The consultant will work in close coordination with the Oxfam and ILO project team. Regular check-ins will be scheduled with Oxfam to align on progress, share preliminary findings, and ensure the methodology remains contextually relevant and aligned with Oxfam’s values and strategic priorities.

Oxfam will facilitate introductions to key stakeholders and provide support in organizing validation workshop and accessing relevant documentation.

5.  Workplan and Expected Outputs

Note: Timelines are subject to change based on actual situation and geographical conditions.

These deliverables must be developed according to the discussion and participation with relevant Oxfam staff, ILO, partners and key stakeholders.

6. Duration of Assignment

The duration of the assignment will cover 45-50 working days over a period from April to August 2026. 

7. Profile requirements

All consultants involved in the assignment should possess the following qualifications or competencies:

Essential criteria:

• Demonstrated experience in conducting at least one baseline study on labour rights in Lao PDR, through an intersectional gender lens, collecting disaggregated quantitative and qualitative data
• Knowledge of social protection, labour rights, OSH, social dialogue and collective bargaining, and the informal economy in Lao PDR, preferably in an agriculture and forestry context
• Long-term working experience with international organisations, CSOs and local authorities in Laos
• Proven ability to conduct mixed-methods research
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with workers in vulnerable situations to ensure their participation
• Cultural competence for multi-ethnic communities
• Demonstrated experience with feminist ways of working
• Fluency in English and Lao
• Ability to draft clear and convincing high-quality reports in English

8. Coordination for this assignment

Oxfam Focal Point: Khamphy Khammavong : Khamphy.Khammavong@oxfam.org, and Alounthong Noutthong: alounthong@ilo.org

How to apply

Interested candidates, as individuals or teams, are requested to send a short cover letter, CV, financial quote (in USD) and a detailed technical proposal in line with the ToR and clearly explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile to https://jobs.oxfamnovib.nl/job-invite/14305/  before 31 March 2026 @ 23:59 GMT/BST/EAT

The Financial quotes must include:

• Consultancy fees: unit price, number of days, total price
• VAT /Tax details. If you are exempted, please provide proof thereof.
• Detail on mission cost of consultant or team (transportation, DSA, etc)
• Grand total

The Technical proposal must include:

• Proposed approach/methodology for this assignment
• Workplan/Timeline
• Proven skills and expertise to conduct an intersectional gender analysis approach
• Any proven background in line with the essential criteria listed in section 7

Please note: 

• The selected consultant is required to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the project Description of the Action as it is the foundational project document against which progress will be measured.

Our commitment to safeguarding

• Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to 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 employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam International Secretariat also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, if a job applicant has been employed by another member of the scheme, we will request information from that organization about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.