Oxfam is a rights-based global development organization with more than 82 years of experience in more than 80 countries worldwide. Oxfam’s mission is to end the injustice of poverty and inequality through systemic change and the advancement of political, economic, and social rights. Oxfam has been working in Ghana since 1986, managing programmes in economic and social justice, women’s right and gender justice and social inclusion, and accountable governance. Oxfam’s experience in Ghana and strong partnerships with government institutions, Ghanaian civil society organizations and communities supports the delivery of active and innovative programmes and advocacy work seeking to improve the well-being of Ghanaians and strengthen accountability.

1.2 Project Background

Oxfam implemented the Sustainability and Value Added in Agricultural Supply Chains project in the main cocoa producing regions of Ghana over a 11-month period starting in December 2023, with the support of the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ). The project is being jointly implemented by Oxfam and the coordinating members of the Ghana Civil Society Cocoa Platform – GCCP (SEND Ghana and ECOCARE). Furthermore, the project closely coordinates with its consortium partners Fern and INKOTA to achieve its goal. The project also aligns with key sustainability initiatives such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, ensuring that cocoa farmers voices are included in governance and regulatory decisions.

At Oxfam in Ghana, the Sustainability and Value Added in Agricultural Supply Chains project sits under the Just Economic systems’ portfolio. Among other themes, the economic system’s portfolio works to maximize Oxfam’s impact on women economic empowerment and women rights to sustainable and inclusive livelihoods, and responsible private sector that respects human rights, women’s rights, labour rights, prevents environmental harm and equal distribution of gains from extractive and agricultural value-chains (Gold, cocoa, salt and petroleum).

The Project’s Overall Goal Is To Contribute To An Inclusive And Sustainable Cocoa Sector That Respects Human Rights, Protects The Environment, And Promotes Living Income Of Smallholder Cocoa Farmers In Ghana. To Achieve This Goal, The Projects’ Objective Is To Enable Smallholder Women And Men Cocoa Farmers To Benefit From The Implementation Of Sustainability Initiatives And Reform Processes In The Cocoa Sector. The Project Aims To Achieve The Following Intermediate Outcomes

1: Smallholder cocoa associations and civil society platforms and alliances have the knowledge and capacity to take active part in sustainable cocoa sector governance, traceability, and policy reforms.

2: Effective local sustainability monitoring and research capabilities and processes driven by farmer organizations and civil society groups are established in Ghana

3: Farmer organizations and their civil society allies effectively advocate vis-a-vis governments and private sector actors for the effective implementation of initiatives and reforms aimed at raising farmer incomes and preventing rights violations and environmental destruction.

Oxfam in Ghana is therefore commissioning a consultant to assess the effectiveness, relevance of the project and document lessons learnt for future programming.

1.3 Scope and Scale

Geographical Coverage

The evaluation will cover the seven (7) cocoa-growing regions of Ghana, including Western South, Western-North, Central, Ashanti, Eastern, Brong Ahafo (Ahafo, Bono & Bono East) and Volta regions. However, due to the project’s wide scope and the limited time available for the evaluation, a representative sampling approach will be used. A selection of project districts/ sites, stakeholders, and beneficiary groups will be sampled to ensure a balanced and meaningful assessment of the project’s outcomes. The sampling methodology will be determined in consultation with the evaluation team to ensure a fair representation of key project interventions and beneficiary experiences.

What We Are Looking For

The consultant should collectively have the following qualifications, skills and experience

• Minimum of a master’s degree preferably in Development Studies, Evaluation/ Measurement studies, Policy, Planning and Management, Project Management, or related social science field.
• The candidate(s) must have minimum of 5-10 years of experience working in or doing research, evaluations and reviews of advocacy programs and projects focused on agriculture, sustainable development and socio-economic empowerment, with an emphasis on gender equality and inclusion.
• The candidate(s) must demonstrate experience and competencies in using qualitative research methodology in evaluations.
• Ability to design and implement gender-sensitive evaluations, ensuring attention to gender-specific barriers and women’s empowerment in agricultural contexts.
• Ability to interact with a cross-section of people, from those at the grassroots to senior officials in government and multilateral agencies.
• Fluency in English and knowledge of the following Ghanaian languages (Akan, Ewe, Ga,) will be an added advantage.
• Must be willing to collaborate with the Oxfam team and Partners in delivering the work and in adopting feminist approaches for the consultancy.
• Must adhere to Oxfam’s Code of Conduct.

We Offer

The consultant shall budget for the following in their financial proposal:

• Professional consultancy Fees.
• Logistical expenses during field work (such as local transport, domestic flights, car rentals, hotel accommodation etc.).
• The budget should be based on person-days, divided among the consultants. The exact number of days may be decreased and/or re-distributed among team members and will be decided upon during the inception phase and subject to the finalized methodology developed in the inception report.
• Note that payment will be made based on the agreed fees and associated costs in the bid budget (not based on actual expenses incurred by the consultant). Consultants should therefore identify and submit comprehensive budget covering all areas.

You can read more about all Oxfam has to offer here.

Flexfam

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you.

How To Apply

Submission of Proposal:

Kindly send your technical proposals with detailed budget (Consultant’s fees, Travel costs (and other direct costs) to [email protected] by 14th March 2025 before 11:59pm GMT.

Submissions should include a cover letter, technical and financial proposals, sample of programmatic or advocacy evaluation or review work completed and CVs of the consultants.

Your e-mail should have the subject line – ‘TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE COCOA’ Endline Evaluation’.

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 committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. 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.