Oxfam Novib Remote Consultancy 2026: Policy Brief on Gender-Transformative Social Protection in Asia

Oxfam Novib is inviting applications from experienced researchers and policy professionals for a consultancy to develop a regional policy brief on financing gender-transformative social protection in Asia. The opportunity is designed for professionals with expertise in public finance, social protection, feminist political economy, gender equality, taxation, fiscal policy and related areas.

The consultancy is remote and home-based, offering an opportunity to contribute to an important regional policy publication while working with the Asia Feminist Coalition and Oxfam teams. Applications are due by 20 August 2026.

Oxfam Novib Consultancy: Key Details

• Organisation: Oxfam Novib
• Position: Consultant – Policy Brief on Financing Gender-Transformative Social Protection in Asia
• Location: Remote, home-based
• Start date: 1 September 2026
• Application deadline: 20 August 2026
• Assignment: Development of a 20-page regional policy brief
• Field: Social protection, fiscal policy, gender equality and feminist political economy

Oxfam describes itself as a global movement working to address inequality, poverty and injustice. The consultancy will support work focused on developing sustainable, universal and gender-responsive social protection systems across Asia.

About the Consultancy

The selected consultant will develop a regional policy brief titled “Financing Gender-Transformative Social Protection in Asia: Who Pays, Who Benefits, and How Do We Build Fiscal Justice?”

The assignment examines how governments finance social protection and how fiscal decisions affect women and marginalized communities. The brief will move beyond questions about what social protection covers and focus on the financing structures behind these systems.

The research will consider issues including taxation, public expenditure, borrowing, debt management and budgeting. It will examine how these decisions influence who contributes to public revenues, how resources are distributed and who ultimately benefits from social protection.

Why Gender-Transformative Social Protection Matters

According to the consultancy terms, social protection systems across Asia remain underfunded and fragmented. Women, particularly informal workers, unpaid caregivers, migrants, Indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups, can experience disproportionate effects from inadequate social protection.

The assignment also highlights concerns around regressive consumption taxes, insufficient progressive taxation, tax incentives, illicit financial flows, corporate tax avoidance and rising public debt. Fiscal consolidation can also restrict investments in health, education, care services and social protection.

The policy brief will therefore explore social protection as a question of political and fiscal choice, rather than simply a matter of limited resources. It will be structured around three important questions:

• Where does the money come from?
• Who pays?
• Who benefits?

Role of the Consultant

The successful consultant will be responsible for researching, drafting and finalizing an approximately 20-page regional policy brief. The work will involve a comprehensive literature review, policy analysis, consultations with Asia Feminist Coalition members, regional case studies and the development of practical recommendations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Reviewing literature on social protection financing, fiscal policy and feminist economics.
• Examining taxation, debt, care systems and gender-responsive budgeting.
• Reviewing policy experiences from AFC member organizations across 11 Asian countries.
• Developing regional case studies and evidence.
• Consulting with AFC member organizations.
• Preparing and revising multiple drafts.
• Producing a publication-ready final policy brief.
• Developing an executive summary and advocacy messages.

The Asia Feminist Coalition consists of 25 feminist organizations working across 11 countries and focuses on areas including climate justice, unpaid care and domestic work, and feminist economies and financing.

Deliverables and Timeline

The consultant will be expected to produce several outputs throughout the assignment. These include an inception note, a first draft of the policy brief, two revised drafts, a final copy-edited publication, an executive summary and key advocacy messages.

The terms indicate milestones running from September through October 2026, with the final revised brief expected by 30 October 2026.

Who Should Apply?

This consultancy is particularly suitable for researchers, economists, policy analysts and development professionals with advanced academic qualifications in areas such as Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Political Economy, Social Policy or International Development.

Applicants should have demonstrated experience conducting policy research and producing high-quality publications relating to social protection, public finance, fiscal policy, taxation, gender equality, feminist economics or related subjects.

Strong knowledge of feminist political economy, fiscal justice, gender-responsive budgeting and social protection systems in Asia is also required. Experience working with civil society organizations, feminist movements or regional networks is valuable.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are required to submit:

• A technical proposal explaining the proposed research methodology.
• A financial offer.
• CV(s).
• A written example of a policy brief previously developed.

Applications must be submitted by 20 August 2026.

This Oxfam Novib consultancy presents an opportunity for experienced policy researchers to contribute to an important regional discussion on fiscal justice, gender equality and sustainable social protection financing. Professionals with strong research, writing, policy analysis and feminist economics experience should consider applying before the deadline.

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