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Data Collaboratives for Local Impact

STATEMENT OF WORK

Women's Business Data Lab and Digital Network Strategic Communications, Branding, Oversight and Outreach Support

A. INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND AND NEED

Background

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has been awarded funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement a four-year Women's Business Data Lab and Digital Network Program in Africa. The specific location of the investment is to be determined but is expected to be in Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia Lesotho or Malawi. This program is aligned with the objectives of the White House Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP) which aims to promote women’s economic empowerment and reach 50 million women by 2025 through programs and activities that address the following three pillars: Pillar 1. Women Prospering in the Workforce Pillar 2. Women Succeeding as Entrepreneurs Pillar 3. Women Enabled in the Economy.

More specifically, the program will establish a physical Women’s Business Data Lab and Digital Network (henceforward Women’s Data Lab & Network) in one of these locations to serve as a center of activity, bringing together women-owned Small and Medium Enterprises (W-SMEs) and business associations to share, learn essential technology skills, and network to further expand their businesses. In partnership with Microsoft 4Afrika, this project will also build a digital network of W-SMEs, leverage Microsoft 4Afrika’s world-class business and technology training, and link to real-time locally-tailored resources and opportunities. The capabilities enabled through this partnership will help local W-SMEs progress along a spectrum of acquiring digital and business fundamentals to becoming digitally-enabled high-performing businesses equipped to thrive in the domestic and global economy. Together, the lab and network aim to:

· Provide a centrally-accessible, welcoming, and safe space for W-SMEs, while also supplying entrepreneurs access to business development training, data and digital training, resources, mentors and role models they need to succeed.

· Build the capacity of women to generate user-friendly data and intelligence information and develop delivery methods for use by women-owned businesses, business associations, cooperatives, etc.

· Deliver in-demand data analytics, visualization, machine learning, and other data science skills, which will enhance the ability of W-SMEs and export businesses to make use of available market data and to develop technology services.

· Build a digital network and strengthen the community of women-owned businesses and associations to: participate in Microsoft 4Afrika’s trainings, tools, knowledge, resources and solutions; link to the Data Lab’s offerings and outputs, and; take advantage of outputs and opportunities from other USG and donor investments, including other MCC (compact or threshold depending on the final location) investments.

· Educate political leadership in decision-making based on data and evidence, focusing in areas beneficial to women including advocacy for disaggregated data and gender-balanced policies.

Need Women’s economic empowerment is a cross-cutting MCC Corporate priority – and the WGDP initiative a high-profile USG effort. While the specific location for the Women’s Data Lab & Network has not yet been decided, it is a program that MCC expects to launch during the summer of 2020, in partnership with USAID and Microsoft. MCC plans to implement this program through at least three competitively recruited agreements: (1) an agreement to complete select foundational studies; (2) a cooperative agreement with a consortium of organizations that have data science, data training and data / digital innovation expertise that will support early ramp up of activities, will support the process of finding a local organization capable of hosting a lab - and provide technical assistance; and (3) a competitively selected local partner with whom a cooperative agreement will be signed to host the Lab, and take over leadership of W-SME services including meeting financial sustainability targets.

Based on important lessons learned by MCC while implementing similar initiatives , robust and consistent strategic communications guidance and oversight, branding support – and social media positioning will be critical to the process of establishing a credible, trusted, and visible lab – and to laying the foundations for its sustainability in the country and region within which this effort will be deployed. Specifically, this support will be needed by MCC as it guides and oversees the work of implementation partners (above). In addition, strategic stakeholder engagement, coordination and communications products will need to be responsive to the different needs, events and branding requirements of partners involved (MCC, USAID, Microsoft) – and WGDP.

B. SCOPE

The overall scope of this requirement is to support the MCC Women’s Data Lab & Network program in the development and implementation of a strategic communications and outreach – as well as in the programmatic oversight of communications and outreach components of the work that will be put in place by implementation partners (at least three agreements).

A significant part of the work shall require the development and oversight of digital media. The content will be principally related to “W-SMEs”, “data skills”, “digital business tools,” “innovation,” “use of open data,” and “women’s economic empowerment through data skills.”

The consultant shall function as a member of the MCC Women’s Data Lab & Network team and take the lead in the development of the program’s strategic communications activities and products –while also providing desktop review, remote and in-person technical assistance (with possible travel to the location of investments) to implementation partners’ communications and outreach efforts.

Specific assignments will be made based on need – and the consultant will be expected to work in close consultation with the MCC team and under the supervision of Contractors’ Officer’s Representative (COR) based in MCC offices in Washington D.C.

C. COUNTRY

Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, and any other eligible MCC country, if required.

D. TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

Specific task assignments shall be made within the following broad categories:

· Design and implementation of an overall lab&network brand which will apply principally to digital products (e.g. web presence, core presentation materials, fact sheet, possibly a newsletter – or other products meant to showcase the work to be completed and its progress) and consistent with W-GDP branding requirements. The consultant will also support MCC in providing appropriate flow-through guidance to implementation partners for their incorporation into their digital and non digital materials.

· Support in the establishment of lab&network social media presence, including proposing a strategy for the local lab’s identity that is fit-for-purpose (i.e. based on the final country selected, results of foundational studies to be competed including specific information on intended W-SME beneficiaries, the local partner selected, and the needs of MCC partners).

· Coordination with MCC public (and, as appropriate, congressional) affairs to respond to WGDP communications needs, and to harmonize Women’s Data Lab & Network progress and impact with MCC’s own strategic priorities and how these are communicated internally to staff and externally to MCC stakeholders.

· Support MCC in leveraging key events, including but not limited to support in the preparation of specific media strategies, talking points, or other materials – and in select cases co-designing side events in collaboration with MCC, USAID, Microsoft and WGDP.

· Supporting the MCC team with internal outreach and goals to mainstream programmatic lessons learned and share program “public goods” developed across pertinent MCC programs.

· Coordination with MCC M&E lead assigned to the Women’s Data Lab & Network program in order to integrate key results into communications materials.

· Provide graphics design, web design and/or videographic services and products either directly or through another party/service and as needed to support the different types of efforts outlined above.

· Review and technical feedback of “communications and outreach” documentation and plans developed by implementation partners (e.g. by APS Data Science Alliance Technical Assistance Consortium, the contractor responsible for the foundational studies and/or the local partners selected to host the lab), including deliverables such as stakeholder engagement plans – and communications workplans, status reports, budgets, websites, presentations, etc.

· Carry out in-country assignments independently and/or with members of the MCC team to support critical project-related milestones.

· Participate in key project meetings (MCC Women’s Data Lab & Network core team meetings) in order to to provide updates on assigned tasks – and in order to be aware of and understand broader program context and priorities. In addition, set up and lead periodic meetings with implementation partners’ communications personnel.

· Perform other assignments and tasks, including additional in-country assignments, specific reports / summaries, briefing materials, and/or other written materials as requested by and agreed with MCC.

The consultant shall carry out his/her assignments and tasks in close collaboration with the MCC lab&network team. Specific deliverables may include:

· Numerous digital and paper products, including but not limited to:

· Harmonized branding guidelines

· Program Fact Sheet

· Public website presence

· Social media strategies

· Design and format of Women’s Data Lab & Network newsletter

· Blogs, presentations, event briefers and talking points

· Graphics / web design

· Videography

· Input of technical review of implementation partner communication and outreach, including summarizing, analyzing and providing recommendations for improvement of program-related digital presence and materials, stakeholder outreach plan and materials based on an analysis of results relevant activities undertaken as part of Women’s Data Lab & Network.

· Simple weekly progress reports on tasks underway, level of effort expended and tasks expected for the following week.

· Ad hoc communications and outreach materials (success stories, talking points, short videos, etc.) as requested by MCC.

E. PLACE AND OF PERFORMANCE

All work under this contract will be completed between effective dates of the contract award for two-year period. The estimated level of effort is 1,040 hours per year . MCC anticipates this level of effort but does not guarantee this level of effort as it may increase or decrease.

The consultant shall perform the tasks under this contract from his/her work location but will occasionally be requested to meet with MCC staff in MCC offices in Washington D.C. – and, is conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic permit -- may be requested to travel to investment locations. For planning purposes, the consultant needs can expect:

· One monthly in person meetings / work from MCC offices

· Up to three trips per year to investment locations in Africa (Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Lesotho – OR Malawi)

F. TIMING AND REPORTING

All formal communication with MCC, including reports, will be submitted to the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COR), Program Monitor (PM), and other designated MCC personnel. The COR/PM for this requirement will be identified via separate correspondence.

The COR/PM will have technical responsibility for monitoring the contractor’s performance. The COR/PM will review and evaluate the contractor’s performance, and also will coordinate any communications with relevant counterparts and other donor agencies and organizations.

Any changes in the terms of the SoW will be made in writing and approved by the Contracting Officer. No representation of the COR/PM shall serve as a basis for an alteration in the general scope of this SoW or of the terms and conditions of the SoW unless confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer. The contractor must communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters that pertain to the Contract terms. Proceeding with the work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment for that work.

G. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The Consultant would be precluded from bidding on work and services (design, assessment, program implementation) to be procured by the host country’s Compact program management entity or using funds advanced under a Compact or Threshold Program in the country where services are being provided to MCC. The designated Consultant would be expected to coordinate with local authorities responsible for MCC Compact implementation as well as other donors, where relevant. However, designated Consultant would report directly to the designated COR/PM.

H. QUALIFICATIONS

Mandatory Requirements:

To be qualified for this consultancy the candidate must have demonstrated the following:

· Minimum seven (7) years professional experience leading strategic outreach, communications and reporting programs, including results-based reporting of development programs in Africa.

· In depth knowledge of – and demonstrated success in developing short and long term communications plans, branding, media relations, event design and management – as well as technical assistance in all these areas.

· Demonstrated experience in supporting the design and implementation of social media strategies and digital web presence and materials.

· Familiarity with communications related to gender issues, W-SMEs, the use of data for development and open data and its use for social good as a subject matter.

· Graphic design, web design and videography capabilities.

· Experience organizing, facilitating and leading multisectoral engagement, events and workshops needed to catalyze partnerships and augment civil participation of target stakeholders.

· Specific prior experience convening with the target stakeholders (e.g. youth) based in Africa in related areas (E.g. development, gender equality, innovation and development impact).

· Advanced degree preferred (minimum: B.A or B.S).

· Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment and work as a team player – and ability to communicate effectively across time zones using available communications tools and technologies.

· Tech savvy and experienced in the use of social media and online collaboration tools (e.g. Google docs, Dropbox, Skype, Zoom, Teams, Google Hangouts, Trello, Asana, etc.).

· Prior experience working and/or living in Africa and demonstrated cross cultural savvy.

· Excellent communications skills (written and oral).

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates with the following qualifications will be given additional consideration:

· Prior experience supporting a development organizations such as the World Bank, USAID, Inter-American Development Bank, African Development Bank, or the Millennium Challenge Corporation in areas related to strategic communication.

· Prior experience supporting corporate sector clients, especially tech sector companies involved in data analytics, digital tools, and digital community building.

· Demonstrated experience in results-based reporting on topics that specifically include: women’s economic empowerment, digital inclusion, data for development, digital innovation, use of open data, W-SMEs.

· Previous relevant experience in East Africa and especially Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Lesotho and Malawi.

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