Oxfam Analysis on Inequality & Existing Resources in Horn East and Central Africa Consultancy in Nairobi Kenya

Consultancy: Analysis on Inequality & Existing Resources in Horn East and Central Africa 

Ref: INT1353

Location: Nairobi

Region: HECA
 

Division: International

Job Type: Consultancy

Introduction: The Horn East and Central Africa (HECA) is a dynamic region with many changes continuously happening politically, socially and economically.  

Currently some countries in the region frequently face conflict situations, natural disasters such as drought and governance as well as social issues such as population growth and the bulging youth population.  

Most of the issues facing these countries emanate from power struggles, e.g. over natural resources, inequality and sometimes interference by external actors.

According to the recent reports, Economic growth in Sub Saharan Africa remains strong with growth at 5.5% in 2014 and forecasted to be 6% in 2015. 

Almost a third of countries in the region are growing at 6% or more, and African countries are now routinely among the fastest growing countries in the world. Africa’s rising growth is underpinned by strong private investment. 

Gross fixed capital formation in the region has steadily increased from about 16.4% of GDP in 2000 to about 20.4% in 2011. 

The pickup in investment has directly contributed to economic growth and has also helped boost the productive capacity of the region’s economy. 

It is projected that the growth will pick up to 6% in 2015, buoyed by rising private investment and remittances valued at US$33 billion a year. Strong government investment and higher production in the mineral resources, agriculture and services sectors are supporting the bulk of the economic growth.

A World Bank publication, African Pulse, notes that poverty and inequality remain unacceptably high and almost one out of every two Africans lives in extreme poverty today. 

Despite strong growth, Africa’s progress on ensuring that growth translates into considerably less poverty has been slow and hindered by high inequality. 

According to the World Bank Africa Region’s Chief Economist, Africa grew faster in the last decade than most other regions, but the impact on poverty is much less. Africa’s growth has not been as powerful in reducing poverty as it could have been because of the high levels of inequality. 

The report suggests that most of the world’s poor will live in Africa by 2030 [1].   

Poverty has persisted and in 2010, approximately 38% of East Africa’s population (53.3 million) were living below the poverty line. It is feared that the gaps between the rich and poor is likely to undermine the gains made [2].

Economic inequality – the gap between the rich and poor, and the trend of increased concentration of wealth & income at the top – is out of control and self-perpetuating. It is inextricably linked to inequality of power.  

Inequality is a political issue, and is as much about who is abusing their ability to write the rules in their favour (rich elites and multi-nationals) as is about those whose interests are neglected even as they are locked out of decision-making (e.g. citizens, women, marginalised groups). 

The rights of the many cannot be trampled by market fundamentalism, and endless pursuit of wealth and profit. 

The political systems and institutions that should represent citizens and keep inequality in check are being undermined by gross inequality.

Institutions and the rules of the game have been captured by rich elites creating a cycle of growing inequality & poverty, and undermining opportunity and fuelling democratic bankruptcy. 

Meanwhile citizens are excluded in many countries. Extreme economic inequality, gender inequality, and other social inequalities create traps of disadvantage for the few.

This therefore puts the issue of inequality squarely on the plate of Oxfam, CSOs and Governments as we fight poverty and social injustice.  

It’s against this background that the HECA region would like to undertake a mapping of all actors working on inequality issues in the region as well as resources available to enable make informed decisions on the focus that Oxfam will take in the region as well as avoiding duplication.

 Purpose

Gain a better and up to date understanding of  types of organizations working on inequality, what their focus is on inequality and resources existing within these institutions and as well as elsewhere for inequality.

This will enable us have a clear focus on our work on inequality and also inform on relevant partners to work with, without reinventing the wheel and use resources to add most value.

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How to Apply

Closing Date: 6 April 2015