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Consultant to produce an analysis paper on decolonial, feminist racial justice in MENA

April-July 2025

Background:

Oxfam is committed to creating spaces for discussion around topics related to Gender Justice in the MENA region. These spaces are designed to engage feminists from the region in topics they may not have discussed before or that are not central to their work. Decolonial racialized feminist approaches are more discussed globally than in the region and therefore Oxfam MENA aims to engage diverse feminist groups in the discussion about what racial justice means in their context, ways of working and challenges in a region with limited civic spaces. To improve understanding of the approach and its manifestation within feminist movements in the region, Oxfam seeks to recruit a consultant to facilitate three webinars that engage feminist activist and racial justice activists to widen understanding of the topic, and produce an analysis piece in English on further knowledge gaps within the feminist movement, needs of research and type of work that is done already in the region as well as recommendations for future knowledge production, advocacy and programs around decolonial feminist racial justice work in the MENA region. The piece will serve as a capturing of knowledge and discussion, and as a resource for organization’s that work on gender justice, who wish to strengthen their decolonial feminist work and analyses. We envisage this work to contribute to promoting a more inclusive and effective feminist agenda, that centers the experience of women across different racialized groups and communities, within the feminist movement in the region.

Objective:

The Oxfam MENA Regional Platform Gender Justice team is commissioning an analysis paper on the key gaps and tensions within the feminist movement in the MENA region in relation to the inclusion of and advocacy for the rights of marginalized and racialized groups. The paper should also explore the key recommendations to address both from a knowledge production level but also concretely through organizing and movement building. This will be achieved through the facilitation and production of three webinars in May and June 2025. The paper should be based on data gathered during the webinars, and through another qualitative method (e.g., interviews, focus group discussions).

More precisely the paper will look at the following;

1. Mapping of Racial justice work within the feminist movement in the region looking at how feminist groups understand issues related to racial justice and the way it is manifested in their work.
2. Gaps in knowledge, skills, networks, and positions in relation to racial justice work within the feminist movement in the region.
3. Black feminist movements in the region – who they are, their area of work, who they build solidarity with, and their expectations from the broader feminist movement in the region.
4. Key recommendations on strengthening analyses and work on racial justice within the feminist movement and promoting a more inclusive feminist agenda (including specific recommendation on research ideas, conference and piloting ideas for programs)

The consultant will ensure the participation and inclusion of perspectives and experiences of racially marginalized feminist activists from the region in the design of the webinars and during the writing phase of the paper.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will be responsible for:

1. Research and Content Development
   • Meeting with Oxfam to discuss approach, methodology, tools, content and work plan.
   • Conducting interviews with feminists from the MENA region.
   • Reviewing available resources on decolonial, feminist racial justice work in the MENA region.
2. Three webinars

• Working closely with the MENA Gener justice team to develop the webinars framework, main key questions, identify potential participants and guest speakers
• Facilitating the three webinar discussions and note taking that will serve to develop the final paper.

1. Analysis Paper Production
   • Developing a 10–15-page paper in English that uses accessible language and includes data visualization, inclusive of perspectives of racially marginalized people from the region.
2. Collaborations

• Working with OXFAM illustrator to produce a visually engaging paper using storytelling, illustrations, and a friendly layout.

Deliverables:

1. Three webinars on decolonial, feminist racial justice, to be facilitated in Arabic.
2. A draft paper of 10-15 pages for review and feedback in English.
3. A final 10–15-page paper in English, incorporating feedback from OXFAM.
4. A visually engaging design, developed in collaboration with OXFAM illustrator.

Facilitation and writing approach:

The webinars and paper should apply feminist and decolonial approach and principles, and it will emphasize the following:

1. Challenging Power Dynamics:
   • The approach will critically examine and challenge traditional power structures and hierarchies that exist within the MENA societal contexts. This involves recognizing and challenging colonial, patriarchal, and oppressive systems that can influence whose voices are heard.
2. Centering Marginalized Voices:
   • The webinars and the paper will amplify the diverse lived experiences of racially marginalized women from the MENA region.
3. Cultural Relevance and Contextual Sensitivity:
   • The webinars and paper will be tailored to the cultural, social, and political contexts of the MENA region. It will respect and incorporate local knowledge, practices, and traditions, ensuring the content is relevant and meaningful to feminists in the region.
4. Promoting Transformative Change:
   • The approach aims to not only support individual development but also contribute to broader social transformation. It encourages participants to engage in activism and movement-building that challenge and transform existing power structures.
5. Intersectionality:
   • The webinars and paper will adopt an intersectional lens, acknowledging the interconnectedness of various social identities and how they contribute to unique experiences of oppression and privilege.

Language:

• The webinars will be in Arabic.
• The paper will be written in English.

Qualifications:

• Lived experience as a feminist activist from a racialized group
• Proven experience in facilitation.
• Proven experience writing an analysis based on qualitative data
• Strong knowledge of the MENA region’s racial justice movements and feminist movement and initiatives
• Proven experience working on racial justice in the MENA region including on issues related to feminist racial justice in MENA
• Strong understanding of feminist values and principles.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English

Timeline:

• The webinars must occur between May-June.
• The paper must be delivered by July.

Application Process:

Interested consultants are invited to submit the following:

1. A CV and cover letter outlining their relevant experience.
2. A detailed proposal including methodology, approach, work plan, and budget.
3. Samples of previous similar work, particularly related to production of similar resources.
4. Contact details of two professional references.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed
• Relevant experience and qualifications as outlined above (50%)
• Proposed methodology and work plan and quality and relevance of previous work samples (20%)
• Financial proposal- 30%

How to Apply:

Submission Deadline:

• Applications should be submitted by April 15th, 2025. To the email address procurement.ramallah@oxfam.org