Evaw Change Lab

Terms of Reference for   Expert organisation/consultant to support the creation of a multi stakeholder innovation platform in the Middle East focused on changing attitudes of young people to violence against women   1.      Introduction   Violence against women is a significant problem in the Middle East. Oxfam is seeking to fundamentally and permanently change the attitudes of young people in the Middle East to violence against women.   However any major change cannot be achieved by a single agency and needs a joint initiative involving a diverse range of stakeholders. Also, any major change can only be achieved by building on global innovation in the field of changing attitudes and by rigorously piloting and testing these in the Middle Eastern context.   Therefore Oxfam is seeking to bring together key stakeholders to create a shared initiative which will be committed to changing attitudes, beliefs and practices that promote and condone discrimination and violence against women in the MENA region. Working in partnership with women’s organisations and other allies such as the UN, INGOs and donors will be at the cornerstone of the initiative (please see EVAW Change Lab summary for more details). The proposed methodology is modelled on the successful ‘Social Labs’ method where a diverse group of key actors in a sector are brought together to address a complex problem (for example the Sustainable Food Lab). The approach uses the capabilities and insights of all the stakeholders and empowers them to explore innovative solutions to complex social problems. It focuses on exploring new options, piloting potentially powerful interventions and working with others to scale those that are proven to be effective. 2.      Overall timeline of this phase (attached)   3.      Objective and results: The objective of this consultancy is to provide expert, hands on advice and support to successfully develop and launch the EVAW Change Lab in early 2015.   The specific expected results are: Stage 1: to provide strategic steer and documentation of key learnings of various approaches for the formation of the EVAW change lab   Stage 2: to support key project stakeholders with the formation of project framework and governance structure for the implementation of the EVAW change lab   4.      Outputs / deliverables Stage 1 Lead initial meeting with core stakeholders Propose the draft methodology for hub creation based on tried and tested approaches to lab formation (including draft timeline) in conversation with Oxfam staff and other stakeholders Work with Oxfam staff to liaise with and gain buy in from core stakeholders at senior level and in terms of stakeholder time commitments Develop further detail on methodology drawing on wider experiences of lab formation Co-facilitate workshop with key stakeholders to agree and finalise methodology and timeline Work with Oxfam colleagues to document key learning.   Stage 2 Work with team to gain commitment for stakeholders to use their global and regional networks to identify potential innovative solutions Support creation of effective governance structure for the Lab based on good practice in lab formation Give support and engage in widening the circle of engaged organisations Draw up agenda and content then co-facilitate workshops/meetings to identify pilots (activities like this may alter depending on the earlier shaping process) Identifying organisations with relevant technical expertise to support the next Phase Collaborate with Oxfam and other agency colleagues to bring the Lab to launch (eg supporting with creating the funding prospectus and reaching out to potential investors)   The consultant will be part of a virtual team that will include staff from Oxfam with expertise in the following areas: Gender/EVAW; MEAL; fundraising. The project will have a Project Officer working full-time to support the project including logistics for events. It also has a Project Manager working 30% on this project and back up support in Tunisia, Egypt and Lebanon.   After reviewing applications, Oxfam reserves the right to suggest teaming up consultants.   5.      Management: The person responsible for the assignment will be managed by Gulru Dodkhudoeva, Project Manager.