OSISA Consultant 414 views2 applications

Role Overview

OSISA is soliciting the services of a consultant to support a portfolio of work on informality. The informal economy has been the mainstay of countless people’s livelihoods in developing countries, especially in southern Africa. African economies have failed to create jobs partly due to consequences of neoliberal policies championed by international finance institutions introduced in the late 1980s. The informal sector has continued to grow as a result of job losses in the formal sector. Enclave economies persist characterized by a small and well-resourced formal sector, which is isolated from a large poverty stricken informal and subsistence economy. Given the large number of individuals participating in the sector, the informal sector continues to make considerable contributions to the reduction of poverty in many countries. Women and youth make up the majority of actors in the informal economy. The estimates for Southern Africa are that 70% of informal traders are women.

The primary role of the consultant would be to further sharpen, shape and set-up the portfolio of work for the team to effectively roll it out in 2019 going forward. The consultant will be based in the OSISA Johannesburg, South Africa office, and be managed by the OSISA’s Women’s Rights Senior Programme Manager. 6 – Months Contract initially, beginning 1 February 2019 with a possibility of renewal depending on resources and need.

Terms of Reference / Key Performance Areas

Coordination and Communication:

• Putting in place systems and mechanisms for effective coordination and communication for team members;
• Coordinating and managing dockets reviews, submissions and timelines to align with the various entities parameters.

Programme Development:

• Scoping and keeping abreast with key developments that influence and impact portfolio work and developing concepts to further the work;
• Research support and contributing to a systemic analysis of ICBTs in Zimbabwe/South Africa.
• Assisting with developing proposals and concepts; reviewing and drafting reports on major projects in the portfolio of work;
• Supporting capacity-building and agency building efforts by especially nascent and new formations trying to do the work in the region;
• Managing and documenting learning from the portfolio.

Convening, Network-Building and Facilitating Knowledge-Sharing:

• Coordinating with CSOs and other partners to ensure learning and exchange among grantees and partners;
• Designing and managing spaces and platforms for team and partners to convene and share; e.g. linking grassroots campaigning with institutions to effect policy change;
• Working with the communications functions in the various entities to effectively communicate and position the work internally and externally;
• Connecting the work with other initiatives elsewhere on the continent.

Expected Outcomes

• Strategy document outlining comprehensive portfolio of work;
• Well-coordinated and smooth flowing pieces of work in the portfolio;
• Timely and quality dockets and submissions for board and partner reviews;
• A well-positioned portfolio that contributes effectively in the field;
• Better coordination among OSF entities involved in the work;
• A detailed evaluative report on process, content and recommendations on building on the portfolio of work going forward.

Core Experience and Competences

• Feminist ethos with at least 5 years of experience working and preferably living on the African continent;
• Sound knowledge of the political economy of southern Africa;
• Demonstrable experience research, writing and project management;
• Demonstrable inter-personal, team work and organisation skills;
• Experience working in a fast pasted organisation, with tight deadlines;
• A self-starter who is able to take initiative;
• Grant-making experience is an added advantage;
• Tertiary level qualifications in relevant social science subjects.