CONSULTANT TO FACILITATE 3 -DAY STAKEHOLDERS WORKSHOP: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE RATIFICATION OF ILO CONVENTION C189 and C190 IN KENYA

Country: Kenya

Organization: Oxfam GB

Closing date: 10 Feb 2023

1.0 About Oxfam

One person in three in the world lives in poverty. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilizing the power of people against poverty. Around the world, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. We save lives and help rebuild livelihoods when crisis strikes. In addition, we campaign so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them. Read more about Oxfam and our work: https://www.oxfam.org/en/what-we-do/countries/kenya.

1.1 Background and Context

Oxfam Kenya has been advocating for transformation and valuing of women's work as a crucial step towards tackling economic, gender, ethnic inequalities, and poverty in Kenya. Valuing Women’s Work is a flagship programme under the Gender Justice and Women’s Rights Pillar, focusing on unlocking systemic change, by not just solving symptoms or specific aspects of the undervaluing of women’s work but tackling the ’conditions’ that are holding the whole problem in place.

Transforming and Valuing Women's Work is crucial for tackling economic, gender and ethnic inequalities and Oxfam recognizes that the informal sector requires collective action and collaborative approaches to advance the ratification of C189 and C190 in Kenya. The ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment, 2019 (No. 190) was adopted at the International Labor Conference in 2019. It recognizes that violence and harassment can constitute a human rights violation or abuse and articulates the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment. [1]The adoption of this Convention covers all forms of violence and harassment in the world of work and articulates the protection for all workers, an important milestone should Kenya join the 12 countries that have ratified C190 for a world of Work free from Violence and harassment.

Kenya specifically has a large informal economy that makes significant contribution to employment creation, income generation, poverty reduction and economic growth. The informal economy generates over 84 percent of employment with 92% percent of the labor force being women. A sector which emerged originally as a response to problems of economic survival associated with rapid urbanization and urban poverty, is now being recognized as an important, autonomous, and self-propelling sector for development (Potts, 2007; Hope, 2012). However, even with the recognition of the sectors contribution to the country’s economy, it is viewed as a stopgap measure where people including women subsist while they wait for jobs in the formal sector. Further to that, the work performed by women at home and in the informal workspace is not recognized as actual work and is therefore considered of no economic value despite its contribution to the Gross Domestic (GDP). For these reasons, the sector is neglected by government policies. For instance, existing legal frameworks do not adequately recognize the work of women in the informal sector and therefore this exclusion does not secure rights of domestic workers translating to the lack of proper social protection mechanisms, discrimination, abuse, and violence in the world of work.

C190 covers all workers irrespective of their contractual status and is therefore an important convention for women in ALL sectors including informal work. It applies to the public and private sectors, the formal and informal economy and therefore providing impetus for Oxfam to work with like-minded stakeholders by collectively organize to call for ratification of C190 as this addresses violence and harassment in the world of work.

Cognizant of Oxfam’s extensive Work in pushing for the ratification of C189 in Kenya through the Project: Promoting livelihoods and inclusion of vulnerable women domestic workers and women small scale traders which pushed to influence government to ratify C189[2] by submitting a petition to parliament in 2019, the Stakeholder dialogue furthers Oxfam’s efforts by focusing on coalition building and strengthening collective organization for the ratification of C189 and C190 in Kenya.

1.2 Objectives of the Stakeholder Workshop

Recognizing that violence and harassment is incompatible with decent work, Oxfam will convene the 3- day ‘Stakeholder Workshop: Recommendations for ratification of C189 and C190’ drawing trade unions including women trade unionists, domestic workers champions, migrant worker organizations, labor movement organizations and government institutions with aim of.

1. Sharing insights and recognizing efforts currently existing in advancing ratification.


2. Strengthening organizational capacities on policy advocacy strategies and collective organization for the ratification of C189 and C190 in Kenya.


3. Share learnings on strategic litigation as an approach to advance labor rights for domestic workers and informal workers.


4. Draft strategies and recommendations for ratification of C189 and C190 in Kenya.


5. Develop a plan of action to collectively action and organizing for ratification of C189 and C190 in Kenya.

1.3 Consultancy Objectives

Oxfam is seeking a qualified facilitator consultant/s with proven expertise and experience to provide services as follows:

Pre-Workshop: In consultation with Oxfam’s Gender Justice Strategist and Valuing Women’s Work Senior Programmes Advisor.

1. The consultant will lead on pre-workshop planning and develop workshop agenda.


2. Review of workshop agenda, materials etc.


3. Develop presentation materials, design activities to maximize participation. These will be shared with Oxfam prior to the workshop.


4. Co-ordinate breakout sessions that will help develop a plan of action for sustained collective organizing and continued advocacy amongst stakeholders.


5. Facilitate the 3- Day Workshop in Naivasha.

Post Workshop.

1. Draft 2- page briefing paper on recommendations for ratification of C189 and C190 in Kenya.


2. Submit Plan of Action for continued collective organizing and advocacy from the consultations with stakeholders during the workshop.

1.4 Scope of Work

The consultant/s is expected to provide the following services:

Phase 1: Pre-Workshop work including:

• Preparation of content, materials, presentations, activities, energizer, games


• Propose workgroup formats and discussion to ensure maximum participation


• Workshop approach; annotated agenda and materials

Phase 2: During workshop

• Facilitation services during the meeting (3 days)

Phase 3: Post workshop

• Draft 2- page briefing paper on recommendations for ratification of C189 and C190 in Kenya.


• Submit 10 page workshop report including plan of action for continued collective organizing and advocacy derived from consultations with stakeholders

1.5 Minimum Education and Professional Experience

• Advanced university degree in Masters in Gender, Law, International Law, Social Sciences, Human Resources Management, Training/Education, Programmes Management, or a related field.


• At least over 6 years of relevant professional experience


• Excellent analytical writing and communication skills


• Proven track record of facilitating adult learners and consultancy experience with diverse stakeholders


• Experience in working for labor rights recognition and advocating for policy reforms in the world of work will be an added advantage.

1.6 Duration of the Assignment:

Start date is the week of the 13th for pre-workshop planning. During this period the consultant will be working with the Gender Justice and Women’s Rights Strategist Oxfam. Kindly note that the workshop will take place in Naivasha within the month of February 2023 and early March,2023.

How to apply

Submission of Expression of Interests

Oxfam Kenya invites individuals and firm (s) who meet the criteria to submit Expression of Interest that clearly articulates the consultant(s) understanding of the terms of reference, methodology for executing the work including key deliverables and tentative budget should and clearly indicated “Expression of Interest for Consultancy to facilitate 3- Day Stake-holder Workshop: Recommendations for Ratification of ILO C189 and C190 in Kenya. Please do not exceed 8pages in your submission. Interest shall be sent to, Kenya.Logs@oxfam.org.uk and CC. KPConsultancyServices@oxfam.org.uk no later than 10th February,2023.