CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR OXFAM’S PARTNERSHIP POOL |
TERMS OF REFERENCE
ABOUT OXFAM IN BANGLADESH
OXFAM in Bangladesh has been an important catalyst in the realization of developmental and humanitarian goals of the country over the last fifty years. Oxfam is an international confederation of 20 organizations networked together in more than 90 countries, as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty.
Oxfam since the beginning of the journey in Bangladesh wants to create a vibrant and equitable society where women and men both can demonstrate their knowledge, skills and leadership towards resilient societies through good governance process–with a focus on improving the lives and promoting the rights of women and girls. OXFAM’s strategy, long-term commitment, active engagement, aspiration to remain involved and desire to play a catalytic role in meeting the multifaceted development and humanitarian needs in the country. We work in collaboration with others to influence key actors by investing and mobilizing knowledge and resources towards just, safe, and sustainable impact for the poverty-stricken and the most vulnerable. We are guided by the values of accountability, empowerment and inclusiveness rooted in feminist principles. Our vision realized through four thematic portfolios which include (1) Gender justice and Social Inclusion; (2) Economic Inclusion and Justice; (3) Climate Justice and Natural Resource Rights; (4) Humanitarian Action and Disaster Resilience.
OXFAM in Bangladesh has been an important catalyst in the realization of the developmental and humanitarian goals of the country over the last fifty years. OXFAM’s strategy, long-term commitment, active engagement, aspiration to remain involved are desired to play a catalytic role in meeting the multifaceted development and humanitarian needs in the country. We work in collaboration with others to influence key actors by investing and mobilizing knowledge and resources towards a just, safe, and sustainable impact for the poverty-stricken and the most vulnerable. We are guided by the values of equality, empowerment, solidarity, accountability, inclusiveness, and courage rooted in feminist principles.
BACKGROUND:
Oxfam's mission to address poverty and injustice in Bangladesh is profoundly reliant on partnerships with local and national organizations, government bodies, universities, donors, and other stakeholders. These partnerships, built on mutual respect, transparency, and accountability, enhance Oxfam’s ability to implement sustainable development solutions. To strengthen this approach, Oxfam is establishing a Partnership Pool, creating a network of organizations with diverse capacities, thematic expertise, and community reach. Through this pool, we seek to onboard partners who can contribute to our long-term projects and respond to calls for project applications, expanding our collaborative capacity to drive impactful change.
PURPOSE OF THE PARTNERSHIP POOL
The purpose of the Partnership Pool is to establish a diverse roster of qualified partners aligned with Oxfam’s mission and thematic priorities, enabling efficient and impactful collaboration on future projects. This pool will serve as a pre-vetted network of organizations ready to co-design and implement projects, respond to funding opportunities, and scale innovative solutions. Through these partnerships, Oxfam aims to strengthen its capacity to address critical issues facing poverty-affected and vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, ensuring that interventions are rooted in accountability, inclusiveness, and feminist values.
THEAMETIC AREAS OF COLLABORATION
Oxfam’s Partnership Pool seeks partners with expertise in one or more of the following thematic portfolios, with each partner encouraged to apply for at least interrelated thematic areas to foster integrated, comprehensive solutions:
Gender Justice and Social Inclusion: Partners in this area will focus on advancing gender equality, empowering women and marginalized groups, and promoting inclusive social systems. Projects may address issues such as gender-based violence, equitable access to services, social empowerment, and policies that support gender rights and justice.
Economic Inclusion and Justice: This thematic area prioritizes creating economic opportunities, fair labor practices, and sustainable livelihoods for all, particularly for vulnerable and poverty-affected communities. Potential projects include livelihood development, economic rights advocacy, skills development, and inclusive market access.
Climate Justice and Natural Resource Rights: Partners working on climate justice will address the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations, promote sustainable natural resource management, and advocate for environmental rights. This includes climate adaptation strategies, community resilience building, and initiatives to protect natural resources and biodiversity.
Humanitarian Action and Disaster Resilience: This area involves supporting communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from humanitarian crises. Partners will focus on disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction, community disaster resilience building, communities’ infrastructures development pre & post emergency response and post crisis recovery. Strengthen local leadership, improve technical capacity & leadership on local actors, improve local level collaboration and coordination, co-creation, uphold local volunteerism, local to local consortium building for collaborative humanitarian programing, theorizing & institutionalizing Emergency Response Team at local level. Capacity sharing, improve governance system considering CHS & C4C and implementation of Localisation commitments aligning with GB & C4C., Engage with local networks/platforms related to humanitarian architectures.
Advocacy and Policy Influencing: Partners in this area will focus on driving systemic change through evidence-based advocacy and influencing policies to address structural inequalities and promote social justice. This includes building strategic alliances, engaging with policymakers, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities to influence public policy and legislation. Key activities may involve advocating for gender-responsive policies, equitable resource allocation, climate action, labor rights, and robust social protection systems. Partners are encouraged to foster collaborative dialogues, conduct research, and leverage public campaigns to create an enabling environment for sustainable and inclusive development.
MODALITY OF COLLABORATION
Oxfam’s Partnership Pool facilitates a collaborative and flexible approach, enabling selected partners to engage through structured and responsive modalities that align with project demands and community needs. The modality of collaboration includes the following key elements:
Prequalified Partner Network:
Organizations accepted into the Partnership Pool will become prequalified partners, ready to participate in future projects, respond to funding calls, and collaborate in designing and implementing interventions across thematic areas. This prequalification reduces administrative processes, allowing for swift mobilization when new projects or opportunities arise.
Co-Design and Co-Implementation:
Partners will actively participate in the co-design and implementation of projects, bringing their expertise to the planning stages and tailoring interventions to the specific contexts of target communities. This collaborative approach ensures that projects are contextually relevant, sustainable, and aligned with the shared goals of Oxfam and its partners.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:
Oxfam will support continuous learning and capacity building among partners through training sessions, workshops, and shared resources. Knowledge exchange is a core element of the partnership, enhancing collective impact and fostering mutual growth.
Adaptive Partnership Approach:
Recognizing the evolving nature of project needs, Oxfam will maintain an adaptive partnership approach, allowing partners to scale up or pivot project activities based on emerging priorities, community needs, and funding opportunities. This flexibility supports a responsive and resilient partnership model.
Through these modalities, Oxfam and its partners in the Partnership Pool will create a dynamic, impactful collaboration that leverages diverse expertise and resources to drive sustainable change for vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.
WHO CAN APPLY
Oxfam’s Partnership Pool invites applications from organizations that align with Oxfam’s values and demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice, inclusiveness, and sustainable development. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Legal Registration
Applicants must be legally registered entities in Bangladesh, including but not limited to NGOs, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, private sector companies, social enterprises, research institutions, or community-based organizations. All applicants must provide relevant documentation that demonstrates compliance with Bangladesh’s local regulatory requirements for their specific type of organization. This diversity ensures a range of expertise and resources, fostering an inclusive partnership model that leverages knowledge and skills from various sectors to address complex development challenges.
- Thematic Expertise
Applicants must have proven experience and expertise in at least two of the following thematic areas:
- Gender Justice and Social Inclusion
- Economic Inclusion and Justice
- Climate Justice and Natural Resource Rights
- Humanitarian Action and Disaster Resilience
- Track Record and Experience
Applicants should have at least three years of demonstrated experience in project implementation, advocacy, or community development relevant to their chosen thematic portfolios. Experience working with local communities, marginalized groups, or vulnerable populations is preferred.
- Commitment to Oxfam’s Values
Organizations should align with Oxfam’s values of accountability, inclusiveness, and empowerment, rooted in feminist principles, and be committed to ethical practices, transparency, and respect for diversity.
- Capacity for Collaboration
Applicants should demonstrate capacity for effective partnership, including co-designing, implementing, and evaluating projects, and should have systems in place for financial management, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Sustainability and Local Presence
Preference will be given to organizations with a sustainable presence in Bangladesh and a track record of working in the proposed geographical areas for thematic intervention.
By fulfilling these eligibility criteria, applicants can become part of a dynamic, impactful collaboration with Oxfam, working towards sustainable and transformative outcomes for poverty-stricken and vulnerable communities across Bangladesh.
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY
- Demonstrated ability to implement and manage projects at grassroots level, with clear internal structures for governance and decision-making.
- Established systems for financial management, budgeting, and transparent reporting.
- Experience with Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) to track project outcomes and ensure accountability.
- Capacity to mobilize resources, engage with stakeholders, and sustain activities beyond project funding cycles.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, communities, and other partners.
Special consideration will be given to small and medium Women-Led Organizations (WLOs) and Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs) to ensure inclusivity and promote capacity strengthening.
FACTORS INELIGIBLE FOR THE POOL
Applicants will be considered ineligible for the Oxfam Partnership Pool if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Lack of legal registration or inability to provide relevant documentation required under Bangladeshi law.
- Involvement in activities or policies that conflict with Oxfam’s values, including but not limited to discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, or other forms of social exclusion.
- Proven history of financial mismanagement, corruption, or unethical practices.
- Partisan political affiliations or activities that could compromise the impartiality and neutrality of Oxfam’s work.
- Organizations with limited or no experience in any of the four thematic portfolios relevant to this partnership pool.
- Engagement in activities that could harm or exploit vulnerable communities, particularly women, children, and marginalized groups.
- Absence of a clear commitment to transparency, equity, and inclusiveness in both policy and practice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Submission Guidelines for Expression of Interest (EoI) for Oxfam’s Partnership Pool
Potential applicants are invited to submit their Expression of Interest (EoI) to join Oxfam’s Partnership Pool through one of the following methods: email, postal mail, or in person at the address provided below. All EoIs must be submitted using the provided template (please see attachment).
Please note the following submission requirements and guidelines:
- Submission Requirements
- Each applicant may submit only one Expression of Interest.
- The EoI should not exceed 15 pages (excluding annexes) and must be formatted in Arial, font size 11.
- All EoIs will be reviewed by a qualified assessment team comprising thematic and program quality experts.
- Assessment Process
- This is a competitive selection process. Strict confidentiality and neutrality will be maintained at all stages of assessment.
- Selection does not guarantee funding or a contract but provides an opportunity to be part of Oxfam’s partnership pool, positioning selected applicants for future collaborative projects based on thematic alignment and organizational fit.
- Only the most relevant and impactful applications aligned with Oxfam’s thematic priorities will proceed to the next phase, which includes a comprehensive programmatic and financial assessment.
- Important Notes
- Attempts to influence the evaluation or selection process will result in disqualification.
- All applications should demonstrate alignment with Oxfam’s values and must comply with the eligibility criteria.
Oxfam do not charge applicants any fee at any stage in the application process. At the same time, Oxfam do not accept any responsibility for any financial costs associated with an applicant’s preparation of this Expression of Interest. Oxfam reserves the right to cancel or amend the Call for Expressions of Interest from Grantees at any time throughout the process. This includes but is not limited to the amendment of the terms, deadlines, and eligibility criteria of the Call.
EVALUATION PROCEDURE
The appraisal team will review all the EOIs by using standard assessment tools. The appraisal team will present their findings and score to the Program Management Team (PMT). Based on the assessment score, PSC will shortlist the EOI for due diligence process. Each of the person, engaged in evaluation process will sign the conflict-of-interest form.
To download the Expression of Interest template, click here.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
- The email should imperatively have ‘EOI-PARTNERSHIP POOL - Applicant’s Full Name’ in the subject line along with a forwarding letter and all attachments at hrbd@oxfam.org.uk.
- Please submit your completed Expression of Interest by 11:59 p.m. on 20 January 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
LIST OF ANNEXES
Along with the filled-up Expression of Interest template following are documents will be given as attachments.
- Updated Brief Profile, including current and previous project’s engagement.
- Copy of NGO affairs Bureau Registration and any other relevant certifications if any.
- External Audit report for last 3 years
- Policies: Financial, HR, Gender, safeguarding, fraud, Anti-terrorist, compliance, logistics and procurement policy/manual etc.
- Code of Conduct, Organogram.
- Employee/staff handbook
- Copy of most recent partner external audit / financial reviews.
The application package needs to be submitted with a forwarding letter on the letterhead of the organization. |
