1

Oxfam GB

Researching Women's CoIIective Action
Phase 3: December 2011 - June 2012

Terms of Reference for QuaIitative Research ConsuItancy (Tanzania)

24th November 2011


1. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE FOR THE CONSULTANCY

Since 2003, Oxfam has invested significant resources in supporting rural producers, men and
women, to gain power in agricultural markets and value chains as a core element of its
livelihoods strategy. Oxfam has significant agricultural markets based programmes in Ethiopia,
Mali and Tanzania, which since 2006-7 have all focused on support to collective action as an
element of programmes of support to rural smallholders, including women smallholders.

Based on this experience, as well as wider knowledge, in 2008, Oxfam recognised that current
efforts to promoting collective action in agricultural markets do not always lead to gender
equitable benefits and outcomes. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) shares this
concern to better understand how strategies of support for collective action in agriculture can
contribute more effectively to gender equality as well as wider development objectives in
agriculture.

The Researching Women's Collective Action project, launched in December 2009, aims to
gather evidence on women's collective action in agricultural markets in Ethiopia, Mali and
Tanzania. ts primary goal is to better understand the conditions under which women benefit
from collective action groups, and innovations in collective action which are beneficial to women
in order to improve Oxfam's own strategies of support to smallholder farmers, as well as inform
the practices of other development actors.

By looking across different country contexts, as well as across different sub-sectors in each
country, the research potentially provides scope for comparison and aims to draw out some
generalisable findings. The project engages stakeholders in the research process by convening
regional and national Stakeholders Dialogue in each country as part as each phase of research.

The project is currently in its third phase of research (see Annex for details of Phases and ).
For more information on the research project, see www.womenscollectiveaction.com.
A summary of findings so far 'Women's Collective Action in Agricultural Markets: Synthesis of
Preliminary Findings from Ethiopia, Mali and Tanzania' (October 2011) is also available at the
following link: http://womenscollectiveaction.com/Synthesis-phase2.


2. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The primary aim of the current consultancy is to deliver rigorous, empirical qualitative evidence
on strategies for promoting equitable benefits to women form collective action. The researchers
are expected to produce a set of four well-documented case studies of the most effective
strategies for promoting more gender-equitable collective action in markets, with a review and
analysis of key success factors.

The research will focus in one region (provisionally: Tanga region) and in one sub-sector
(provisionally: vegetables).



2
A case study approach will be used to gather evidence on strategies of development actors.
Case studies will be selected based on findings and analysis from Phase 2, inputs from Phase
country researchers (the consultants), Oxfam's country teams and a limited number of
stakeholders.

The main objective is to cast some new light on 'positive exceptions', which can be described as
cases of collective action where women have been able to benefit (directly or indirectly) from
their increased engagement in markets.

Some of the factors that the case studies will investigate include:
group dynamics and history
the role of key women in the group (leadership roles)
ways in which the external intervention contributed to shaping the group, its mandate,
structure and so on
impact of policy context on the collective action (status of group, membership type...)
nature of relationship with buyers

3. DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY:

Period and number of days:
The consultancy is for a six-and-a-half month period beginning on 10 December 2011
and ending on 15 June 2012.

Up to 55 days of research work are expected in total during this period (including 5
days to attend the Project Team Meeting in May 2012).

Researchers are expected to work with research assistants (whom they are responsible
for selecting, training and managing). Up to 50 days of research assistance can be
used during the research period.


4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND APPROACH

The overall question addressed by this research is: %o what extent and under what conditions
does women smallholder engagement in market-focused collective action lead to gender
equitable outcomes?

Four research questions have been identified for Phase , with question 4 defining the primary
field of investigation for the current consultancy:

1. Which categories of women smallholders benefit from participation in collective action in
agricultural markets?
2. What livelihoods (income, assets) and empowerment benefits do women smallholders
gain from their participation in collective action in agricultural markets?
3. How and to what extent does collective action help women smallholders to overcome
key barriers to their engagement in markets?
4. Which strategies of development actors are most effective in promoting equitable
benefits for women from their engagement in CA in agricultural markets?

The research is focused on primary level collective action of smallholder farmers, via both single
sex and mixed groups. The research is concerned with informal as well as formal groups, given
an understanding that women are more likely to be represented in informal activities.

The research will need to be conducted in a participatory and gender-sensitive manner.
Therefore, the researcher is responsible for ensuring active and equitable involvement of
participants and prioritising the voices of women smallholders, producers and processors.



3
5. MAIN ACTIVITIES

Main steps involved in carrying out the qualitative research will be to:

1. Review outcomes and results from Phase 2 by sub-sectors and group characteristics
2. Collect key documents and grey literature (evaluation reports...) on WCA in markets and
development actors' strategies (with a focus on the region and sub-sector studied).
3. Provide inputs in the process of defining the case studies and identifying groups to be
studied based on pre-agreed selection criteria.
4. Prepare the piIot study (identification of key informants, study groups, participants in
the focus-group discussions, key informants at village level) and play an active role in
implementing the pilot study (along with the research adviser) in order to test, refine and
adjust the proposed research methodology
5. Conduct four in-depth case studies over a two-month period (in accordance with
research plan drafted during the pilot)
6. Liaise with the other consultant/researcher working on quantitative survey to harmonize
the qualitative and quantitative work in each country and ensure coherence of analysis.
7. Present preliminary findings at the Project Team Meeting (May 2012)
8. Take part in the StakehoIders' DiaIogue: present preliminary findings and elicit views
and analysis from participants (in a participatory fashion).
9. Prepare the final output: a high-quality report providing detailed answers to the main
research question based on empirical evidence and critical analysis of findings, and
offering recommendations. Annexures consisting of primary data, transcripts of
interviews, summary of focus-group discussions and lists of participants will be included.


6. KEY DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

Key deIiverabIes of the consuItancy are:

Setting up and participating in the pilot and devising research plan going forward
Draft of case studies
Presenting preliminary findings to local stakeholders
Revising findings and preparing draft report for Project Team Meeting
Producing final reports

The timeIine is outIined beIow:

Research steps Date
Country researchers recruited 23 December 2011
Field research tools /guidance designed 16 Dec 2011
Pilot conducted and research plans revised
Tanzania
Mali
Ethiopia

10 Jan 2012
30 Jan 2012
5 Feb 2012
Case studies completed 31 March 2012
Stakeholders' Dialogue convened 15 April 2012
Draft report prepared 30 April 2012
Project team meeting (location tbc):
presentation and consolidation of outputs
14 - 18 May 2012
Final country reports submitted 15 June 2012




4

7. RESEARCH MANAGEMENT:

The country researcher will be part of a wider project team and will work closely with the
qualitative research advisor, Carine Pionetti (carinewca@gmail.com).
The overall research is managed by Sally Baden (sbaden@oxfam.org.uk), Senior
Adviser: Agriculture and Women's Livelihoods, who will approve research plans and
outputs.
n-country, the consultancy will be managed by Ralph Roothaert
(rroothaert@oxfam.org.uk) who acts as Country Lead for Tanznai, with support from
Naomi Makota (nmakota@oxfam.org.uk).
All research outputs should be submitted electronically simultaneously to the research
advisor (Carine Pionetti), to the research manager (Sally Baden), and to the country
lead. Hard copies of research materials should be submitted to the country leads.


. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

The researcher will have the following competencies and skills:
a trained anthropologist, rural sociologist, gender specialist with a research background
experienced in using qualitative research methods to undertake comparative case
studies at community/project level
strong background on gender and agriculture (especially gender dynamics in
smallholder production and marketing systems)

Each country researcher will be responsible for overall delivery of the research, to the standard
expected by Oxfam and within the agreed time and budget.

EssentiaI experience and competencies:
O A strong background in gender and agriculture, with understanding of gender dynamics
at the household and community level (ideally, in one of the three studied countries)
O Experience of carrying out and managing gender-sensitive field research in one or
several African countries, ideally in the zones selected for the study
O Seriousness and rigor in transcribing, interpreting and analysing data collected through
individual interviews or focus-group discussion at community level in the field using
qualitative methods (with a view to capture gender-based nuances)
O Excellent analytical and communication skills in English
O Relevant language skills to conduct field research in the focus region
O At least one relevant publication (not necessarily academic, but solid in content,
methods and analysis) in the field of agricultural development

DesirabIe skiIIs:
O Significant understanding of current debates around collective action in agricultural
development and familiarity with the role of women's collective action in agriculture and
in agricultural markets
O Prior experience of applying participatory approaches in the field is an asset.
O Good planning skills, and a capacity to manage competing priorities

Submission:

Candidates are expected to submit the following documents via email by Monday 2
th

November 2011, to Ralph Roothaert (rroothaert@oxfam.org.uk), Naomi Makota
(nmakota@oxfam.org.uk) and Carine Pionetti (carinewca@gmail.com):
A 2-page statement outlining:
a brief overview of your understanding of critical issues in women's collective action
in agricultural markets


5
a proposed plan for carrying out the case studies, with key points of analysis
relevant research methods
how you will ensure research quality
the composition of your team
your availability over the next 6 months
your daily rate

A CV of both team members
A relevant piece of written work (preferably published work).

Subject in the email should be Women's CoIIective Action Research proposaI - Tanzania.'



6
Annexes:

Annex 1 (below): Project phases and progress to date
Annex 2 (attached): Women's Collective Action in Agricultural Markets: Synthesis of Preliminary
Findings from Ethiopia, Mali and Tanzania, October 2011. This document can also be
accessed here: http://womenscollectiveaction.com/Synthesis-phase2

Annex 1.

Project phases and progress to date

Since June 2010 significant adjustments have occurred in the project management, design and
methodology, based on learning in phase , feedback from peer reviewers and an international
advisory group
1
. The table below summarises the timeline and main phases of the project to
date.


Phase
and
period
Main steps Main outcomes / expected outcomes
Phase I:
Jan-June
2010
1. nitial literature review (global)
2. Stakeholder dialogues identify sub-
sectors for research and begin
'mapping' of WCA
3. nitial inventories of collective
action in each sub-sector

O Stakeholders engaged in research
process
O Sub-sectors for research agreed
with stakeholders
O nitial mapping of collective action /
inventories completed

Phase II :
Jan
2011-
August
2011

1. Extended country literature/
secondary data review
2. Qualitative field research mainly
based on focus groups in four
communities per subsector in each
region (2 in 2 districts):
3. Analysis within and across sub-
sectors for each region and country

Qualitative evidence gathered in 3
countries on:
The different types and
characteristics of collective action
women engage in
The benefits women gain from
collective action
Extent to which collective action
helps women to overcome barriers
to their engagement in markets
Variation of benefits by sub-sector,
or type of group (e.g. mixed vs.
women only)
Phase III
: Sept
2011-
ApriI
2012

1. Literature review on effective
strategies for supporting WCA.
2. Review of existing evidence within
Oxfam and amongst partners
3. n-depth survey of households/
women involved in collective action
(quantitative work)
4. Case studies to investigate and
document effective strategies
and success factors behind
these strategies (quaIitative
work)
Quantitative evidence on which
women participate in CA and on
benefits in terms of income, assets
and empowerment
2
.
WeII documented case studies of
the most effective strategies for
promoting more equitabIe
coIIective action in markets, and
key success factors



1
See project wiki for full report on nternational Advisory Group, June 2010.

2
Compared to male members of same associations; compared to women in comparison
communities.