CALL FOR TECHNICAL PROPOSAL: ASSESSMENT OF GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT OF VRG

Background and purpose of the assignment

Oxfam is working with Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) as a critical friend. We are implementing an MoU from August 2023 to December 2025 with specific activities. The relationship began in 2015 with Oxfam in Vietnam and has since extended to Oxfam in Cambodia and Oxfam in Laos. The purpose of collaboration between Oxfam and VRG is to promote Sustainable Development, Green Growth, and Responsible Investment in Rubber Value Chain in Cambodia. However, based on a recent proposal from Oxfam, VRG has indicated that it would welcome support around Gender Inclusive Business Model and that it is willing to take actions toward this goal together with Oxfam. This work is supported by phase III of the Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG) programme (2023-2025).

The Board of Director of VRG, in September 2023 issued The Green Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GGSD) 2023-2030, vision towards 2050 for all member company to implement. A nine page strategy mentions implementing gender equality across VRG workplaces amongst other initiatives. The previous sustainable development strategy period of 2019-2024 paid less attention to gender integration and equality in its Strategy. This time, VRG has made  positive moves toward gender equality and towards a gender-responsive business model – with signs that it wishes to be a role model in the rubber industry.   

Even though in the previous Strategy of the VRG gender was not specified, at the operational level of each member company, gender and women’s rights have been strongly incorporated regardless, and mainstreamed into the annual operational plan. VRG members are implementing different approaches to consider care for women workers through enabling working environment, provide opportunity to participate and for them to take a leadership role in the company. Company members realise the role of women worked in contributing to reaching annual targets and are thereby showing a willingness to promote more women group leaders in their production chains.

Notwithstanding that the new GGSD mentions strengthening awareness of gender equality at workplace however, there is a lack of clarity and specificity on how the its will be implemented. There is also an absence of monitoring requirements to evaluate progress against targets.

To this end, in late of February 2024 Oxfam and VRG discussed and agreed to explore the existing good practices of VRG members and to use this to further devise an applicable gender equality strategy to ensure that there is a measurable group commitment to advance gender equality in VRG’s operations – both in terms of how women and men are treated in the workplace, but also ensuring that both have equal opportunities for career progression and leadership within the company.

Oxfam and VRG are looking for an individual or group of experts to work as consultants, to assess and review gender practices that will draw into policies and strategy of the group and its members in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. This experts will work closely and in collaborate with the existing Technical Advisor (TA) to Oxfam in Cambodia   whom is working on reviewing the previous Sustainable Development and the GGSD.

The gender Consultant is expected to deliver tasks and perform role as below;

Objectives of the assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to identify and evaluate opportunities to support gender equality in the strategy, planning and activities of VRG and its member companies in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and to use this data to support the development of a robust and concrete gender equality strategy at the VRG level. To achieve this objective, the Gender Consultant is required to develop a research methodology that responds to the research questions below.

1. To what extent is the GGSD Strategy gender sensitive strategy? How is gender equality monitored? Are there any targets and indicators? What improvements could be made?
2. Are there any other relevant strategies of VRG that promote gender equality at the workplace at the corporate level?
3. What policies, if any, are in place to implement the strategy?  
4. What has been done well at the operational level by VRG subsidiary members to support gender integration and equality? Should any of these be  incorporated into GGSD or any other relevant corporate strategies?
5. Is there any evidence of women workers’ contributions to the achievement of annual business targets? 
6. What are the key priority actions that VRG should undertake in a) the short term b) the medium term and c) the long term to ensure gender equality and to become a model for a Gender Responsive Business?

Scope Of Work & Deliverables

In close coordination and supervision by Oxfam, the research team/individual  is expected to develop and deliver work plan and perform as following;

• Develop a methodology for the assignment which will involve the design of in-depth desk review of VRG documentation and key stakeholder interviews in-country and associated research tools (survey questions and protocols etc).
• Apply the methodology which will involve:
  • Conducting an in-depth review of gender integration, planning and implementation of VRG and its member companies in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, through a review of company documentation.
  • Conducting field data collection and interview with senior leaders, staff and workers of selected member companies in the three countries.
• Draft a report of findings with clear and implementable policy recommendation and actions as needed for VRG and submit to Oxfam and VRG in two languages; English and Vietnamese
• Produce case studies (at least three, one per country) of company good practice in promote gender equality at workplace. .
• Present research findings and case studies to VRG, Oxfam and key stakeholders
• Present the finding and lead facilitation the consultation workshop organized by Oxfam and VRG
• Develop, with VRG a road map/action plan to incorporate accepted recommendations into the GGSD or a new VRG specific gender equality policy

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

The individual(s) or group of expert should have the following competencies:

Essential criteria

• Demonstrate skill and expertise on gender issues and women-rights, including women’s labor rights and workplace specific needs (protection from sexual harassment, maternity/child care rights and pay equality and leadership support)
• Demonstrate experience in conducting assessment of strategy, policy and framework related to gender mainstreaming
• Demonstrable experience and knowledge on analytical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels
• Knowledge of Green Growth strategy, sustainable development strategies of Cambodia Loas and Vietnam  
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English and ability to write concise, readable and analytical strategic documents.

• Ability to speak, read and write Vietnamese is an advantage
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Key Attributes

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• 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 the Terms of Reference to deliver the assignment
• Draft work plan showing the suggested timing of carrying out the deliverables
• Budgets for professional fees (daily rate of professional fee) and reimbursable expenses (if any) for all tasks related to this assignment. No payments will be made outside the contractually agreed budget.
• CV of lead consultant and team members (if any)

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