CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS ON GENDER DIMENSION IN CONTRACT FARMING PRACTICES IN CAMBODIA

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background and context

Natural Resources Governance (NRG) Program is one of the key strategic pillars of Oxfam in Cambodia’s Country Strategy. The program coverage thematic area of Land and Natural Resources Governance, Water Governance, Responsible Agriculture Investment, Just Energy Transition, Climate Change and Extractive Industry. NRG is working with different stakeholders ranking from policy makers, private sector, CSOs and communities to create and establish space and environment for discuss, consult and address issues related to the thematic focus as mentioned. NRG is working with more than 15 local NGOs partners operation at national and provincial level of Cambodia to support discussion and development of laws and policies framework related, organized forums to promoted dialogue and sharing of information, knowledge and experienced on the key issues. Moreover, NGR has strong projects footprint on private sector engagement and influencing across sectors and thematic issues such as agriculture values chains, extractive industry, just and clean energy, and public financial management and banking.    

purpose of the study

Oxfam in Cambodia is a partner of the Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG) Project that supports an Alliance for Responsible Agriculture Investment in Cambodia. The objective of this Alliance is “promote more inclusive Agriculture Investment models based on a good understanding of opportunities and risks for Smallholder Farmers and develop improved regulations for Agriculture Investment in policies and practice”. Oxfam Cambodia Alliance for Responsible Agriculture Investment has working closely with DIA, DACP and other specialize departments of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) to enable space for dialogue on policy development such as Contract Farming draft law and other thematic issues related. We also enable space for engagement between stakeholders in contract farming practices such as agriculture cooperative (Acs), producer groups, company, enterprise, middleman/trader, local/national authority and others to promote multi-stakeholder dialogue, discuss and address issues related when occurred. 

 In order to promote agriculture production at scale and to compete with others in the region, the Cambodian government through MAFF has issued a Sub-decree on Contract Farming in 2011 and established a National Committee on CF that comprises representatives from 19 line-ministries. The committee is chaired by the MAFF Minister while the Department of Agro-Industry (DAI) serves a secretariat role. Currently, MAFF is developing a draft law on contract farming that has broader scope to cover all agriculture commodity and at scale. The draft law has been internally discussing and reviewing several times as reported in social media of MAFF. Hence, the draft law has not been yet official share among broader stakeholder especially ACs/Farmer group, agriculture company and NGOs are called for better consultations and inclusive process.

In Cambodia, women play a vital role in the agricultural sector, yet they are often marginalized in the formulation of laws and policies concerning land, resources, and agriculture. International human rights call for mechanisms to ensure gender equality by promoting women's participation. The Cambodian Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination, and Cambodian laws prohibit domestic violence and trafficking and support joint land titles. However, there are no official mandates for gender-equitable consultation in Cambodian law, and the legal framework for consultation is weakly defined. According to the Constitution and guidelines for legislative drafting (Circular 03), consultation should be conducted before and after drafting laws; however, this is often limited to the affected ministries and sub-national officials and provides limited avenues for civil society organizations (CSOs) and public input. Largely due to the failure to adopt inclusive, participatory methods, existing laws and policies in Cambodia often overlook gendered inequalities. Including a wide range of women in consultations can identify gender-specific concerns, leading to better legislation and enforcement. Ultimately, consultation processes that foster transformative gender relations can lead to better laws and help address unequal power dynamics.

Oxfam and alliance members share concerning over how gender equality has ensuring during the process of law/policy formulation related to agriculture while majority of workforce share is women. To be able to provide concrete evident for further discussion and dialogue, Oxfam, on behalf of Cambodia RAI member is looking for a gender expert individual/team as consultant to conducting Gender Analysis in Contract Farming: Policy vs Practices to understanding Gender Dimension and Practices in Contract Farming in Cambodia. 

Objectives

This Gender Analysis aims to:

• Inform policy development and implementation (Gender responsive/equality CF Law) 
• Enhance gender equality opportunity in contract farming implementation 
• Increase women participation and recognition in Contract Farming practices

The following research questions guide gender analysis.

1. Why do women need to be involved/and what are the gender specific issues that arise in agriculture sector? And how are those issues resolved?
2. Have women been involved in the consultations during contract negotiation between AC/farmer with company? Were women given an opportunity to participate, share ideas and raise questions during the contract negotiation? Was any gender-specific issues recognized in the content contract farming agreements? Why and why not?
3. What are the specific challenges that women have faced in implementing their rights under the CF agreement? Why and how can they be resolved?
4. How land ownership being shared /and tenure right being secured for women? And decision making on what crops to be growth and sign the CF/agreement?
5. What are the benefits resulting from inclusion of women’s engagement and women-specific issues in the agreement? Is there any evidence that their participation and inclusion in the negotiation prevents conflicts? Cite examples of at least two case studies from the field.
6. What buyers or contract companies perceive women in CF agreement negotiation process?
7. How men and women work in the contract negotiation with companies/buyers?

Scope Of Work & Deliverables

In close coordination and supervision of Oxfam, the consultant expected to conduct desk review, field data collection and analysis data. The consultant will present the report with concrete recommendation to Oxfam, RAI Alliance members and broader stakeholders in workshop.

To archive the assignment, the consultant must perform as following steps:

• Development of work plan and elaborate research/analysis methodology and planning of the assignment in accordance with the desired objectives as above-mentioned.
• Conduct literature review/desk review of existing research papers, cases studies, policy/regulation related.
• Collected data from field by conduct key informant interviews, focus groups discussion and meeting/workshop with stakeholders as necessary
• Analyse cases studies required in guiding question #5.
• Present the draft analysis report, including to Oxfam, RAI Alliance and stakeholders to further collect inputs and verify the result from field work 
• Present final version of the report to key stakeholders
• Submit final report to Oxfam
• Respect the deadlines established in the ToR.

Required skills and competencies

Essential

• The consultancy must be conducted by a group of competent individuals
• Proven strong experience and knowledge on contract farming, gender equality, gender analysis, agriculture cooperative, agricultural investment, agriculture value chains or relevant fields  
• Solid knowledge on national and international law/policy analysis
• Experience in writing/produce case study
• Fluent both Khmer and English writing, facilitation, investigation and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Submission requirements

• Proposal that reflects on the Terms of Reference to deliver the assignment
• Draft work plan showing the suggested timing of carrying out the deliverables
• The estimated budget for this assignment accompanied with a cost breakdown, showing days or hours spent (per relevant individuals involved) and the related fees (the consultancy fee should be mentioned in gross fee in US Dollars, which is subject to 15% withholding tax for resident taxpayer or 14% withholding tax for non-resident taxpayers). This fee should be inclusive of ALL considerations.
• CVs of the relevant individuals and company profile. If it is a team/group, please provide information on team members and their role
• No payments will be made outside the contractually agreed budget.
• Contact details for 2 references

selection of consultant

Interested consultants are asked to take part in the competitive procedure for the above-mentioned assignment. Potential consultants are asked to present a technical proposal that describes methodology to address this ToR and a budget quotation. Interview and selection committee are consisting of staffs from Oxfam.

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.

Others

• Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values (click here) as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights (click here).
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

For any questions, remarks or requests for clarification, please contact Asisah Man, Land Governance and Responsible Investment Specialist, via asisah.man@oxfam.org       

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