- Introduction
OXFAM in Southern Africa (SAF) is part of a global confederation that believes that in a world rich in resources poverty is not inevitable. Its overall mandate is to eradicate poverty and inequality for a just and inclusive future for all in Southern Africa. Oxfam leverages on its track record in countries across the region, and in its experiences collaborating with regional bodies and networks to drive change at scale. Our vision is to be a catalyst, facilitator and convener that connects people, institutions and resource, and to become a center of expertise on gender, markets, extractive industries and governance in the region. Our mission is to play a stronger thought out leadership role and invest in knowledge generation that will enable Oxfam to convene, empower and influence various actors to work towards empowerment of citizens, especially women and youth, transformation of the growth agenda in favor of people living in poverty and transparency/accountability in both the public and private sector. Our approach is to work with multiple range of actors, and harness the power of movements and partnerships, and the potential that individuals and organizations have to bring change in their context to achieve the Oxfam goals.
Oxfam is creating a roster of freelance graphic designers, bloggers, web programmers and content creators who can support the organization as it establishes and manages an information portal on Covid-19.
- Background & Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 illustrating how the virus poses socio-economic and humanitarian threats to every country in the world. So far, eleven out of the thirteen SADC countries have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Though the number of positive cases recorded in the region remain low (i.e. 4700 cases and 100 deaths), the cases are expected to rise and peak over the coming weeks.[1] This is of concern because the region already faces a triple threat of diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, malaria), climate induced food insecurity and weakened governance.[2] WHO assessments show that the region is already affected by “high childhood and early adult mortality; high mortality (and resignation rates) amongst health service staff; high levels of malnutrition; high morbidity combined with poor access to health care; inadequate and poor quality health services; and health systems on the verge of collapse.”[3]
The COVID-19 pandemic is going to burden health systems which are already stressed, and it is going to hit hard the poorest of people who are already facing hunger, starvation and malnutrition. Measures to contain the spread of the virus such as social distancing and lockdowns are going to disrupt the economic and livelihood activities of millions of our people who are dependent on the informal sector for their daily survival. The impact of the pandemic on the region is going to be worsened by the levels of inequality in most countries where health coverage remains low, and most people have little to no capacity to cope with both the health effects of COVID-19 and the livelihood impacts of social distancing and lockdowns. COVID-19 has exacerbated the burden of care on women, with more than 70% of the frontline health workforce being women globally. Quarantine measures taken across the region will increase stress and financial difficulties, factors known to increase the risk of domestic violence, which already results in 137 deaths of women globally each day according to UN Women.
Oxfam has ongoing programmes in 5 of the affected countries in Southern Africa – i.e. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. Oxfam is working collaboratively with governments to identify possible areas of support and to offer technical guidance in establishing working groups for for preparedness, response and implementation. Oxfam is also collaborating with other response actors to mitigate against the spread, mortality and suffering of COVID-19 affected populations. Oxfam’s overall goal is to ensure that poor, vulnerable and marginalized people get the adequate, inclusive and safe support to: (a) prevent and reduce the infection risk of the COVID-19 disease outbreak; and (b) be protected from the direct and indirect negative impacts of state emergency measures to control and respond to the outbreak.
- Scope of Work for COVID-19 communication freelancers
Oxfam in Southern Africa is working on establishing a one-stop information portal on Covid-19 which has information on the spread of the virus, measures put in place by governments and analytical information on the economic and social impacts of Covid-19 in the region. This will allow external stakeholders to have a better picture of the situation in the region during and after the pandemic. This information should also enable Oxfam and partners to continue advocating for debt cancellation and economic rescue packages for the most affected countries. It is against this background that Oxfam in Southern Africa is creating a roster of freelance graphic designers, bloggers, web programmers and content creators who can support the organization as it establishes and manages an information portal on Covid-19. The content generated will also be disseminated widely through various multi-media platforms.
Oxfam is looking for individuals or teams specializing in the following:
- Graphic designers
- Bloggers
- Web programmers
- Content creators
The freelancers will be added to our roster and they will be engaged for specific projects and or assignments as and when necessary. The guidelines that would follow such as what Oxfam would need in a blog, and ethics in gathering and generating content etc. will be captured in task outlines and contracts.
- Role of Oxfam and ways of working
The freelancers will work closely with Oxfam’s Regional Media and Communications Team, and under the overall guidance of the team leader. The team is comprised of media and communications leads at country level. Where necessary, the freelancers will also work with Oxfam’s global teams, but this will be coordinated by the regional lead.
Oxfam will provide the freelancers with necessary documents and facilitate links with any key participants during the assignment (e.g. country teams, partners, stakeholders, regional and global staff, etc.) where this might be necessary. Oxfam will also review key products generated from or to aid the assignment (e.g. proposed tools and methodologies and drafts, etc.). Oxfam will support and facilitate logistical needs as and where appropriate.
- Expected profile of the freelancers
The prospective freelancers should have experience in any of the areas mentioned – i.e. Graphic designers, Bloggers, Web programmers, Content creators. Experience working with NGOs, CSOs or on development and humanitarian projects will be an added advantage.
- Documents required for submission
Anyone interested in conducting this work must include in their application a technical and financial proposal which includes the following:
- Portfolio of work including links or attachments
- Financial – freelancer’s rates
- Competencies
- Personal capacity statement
- Relevant experience related to the assignment
- Contacts of organizations previously worked for
- Curriculum Vitae (for teams this should be for key personnel)
The application packs should be submitted to the following email address: zimtenders@oxfam.org.uk by Friday 29 May 2020. Please note that the submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. The freelancers will be added to a roster and they will be engaged for specific projects and or assignments as and when necessary. The guidelines that would follow such as what Oxfam would need in a blog, and ethics in gathering and generating content etc. will be captured in task outlines and contracts.
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-29/africa-is-two-to-three-weeks-away-from-height-of-virus-storm
[2] https://www.who.int/hac/donorinfo/callsformobilisation/southern_africa_2pager_june05.pdf?ua=1
[3] Ibid.
