1 - SOW.docx

Statement of Work

HEALTH, NUTRITION AND/OR HSS Technical Expert for Human & Community Development (HCD) Practice Group

A. Introduction

In order to support evidenced-based assessment and program design, country engagement and sustainability of MCC Compact and Threshold Programs, MCC’s Department of Compact Operations, Human & Community Development Practice Group is securing the support of an individual consultant to provide health, nutrition and health systems strengthening technical expertise. This SOW focuses on the health, nutrition and health systems strengthening technical assistance needs required by MCC over a 2-year period.

Background The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. Government entity whose mission is to provide assistance that will support economic growth and poverty reduction in carefully selected countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. This assistance is operationalized through large-scale grants in the form of 5-year “compacts” that fund large-scale development projects. MCC compacts are implemented by host governments through legal entities that they establish (typically referred to as Millennium Challenge Accounts or MCAs). In order to determine the most serious impediments to a selected country’s economic growth, the compact development process begins with a thorough analysis using a series of diagnostic tests to identify which of several economy-wide constraints are most binding to private investment and entrepreneurship within a specific county’s context. This overarching analysis is further refined and contextualized through a targeted analysis of those constraints at the industry- or firm-level; and a thorough consideration of key social dynamics that could affect patterns of growth and poverty reduction, with a particular emphasis on the ability of disadvantaged groups to benefit from growth. This “Constraints Analysis” forms a major component of the Preliminary Analysis phase within compact development and is a key element of the unique MCC approach. For more information on the MCC, please visit the mcc.gov website page on the Compact Development Process[footnoteRef:1]. [1: https://www.mcc.gov/resources/story/story-cbj-fy2019-compact-development-process-oversight]

Department of Compact Operations Within MCC, the Department of Compact Operations (DCO) manages the day-to-day operational relationship a) with countries who are eligible to develop compacts and regional integration compacts; and b) with countries that have signed compacts with MCC and are implementing programs. DCO’s mandate also includes providing technical and regional expertise to ensure rigorous oversight of U.S. Government resources, which ensures investments meet MCC’s high standards for environmental and social performance, and for gender integration, as well as ensuring program quality through provision of technical expertise in infrastructure, energy, education, agriculture and land policy, health, procurement, financial services, and private sector engagement through blended finance and partnerships. DCO tracks and reports on the performance of MCC compacts in implementation by collecting and analyzing performance measurement data.

Human and Community Development Practice Group Housed in the Department of Compact Operations is the Human and Community Development (HCD) Practice Group. The mission of MCC’s Human and Community Development (HCD) practice group is to enhance people’s choices by expanding their capacities to lead healthy lives, be knowledgeable and productive, and be able to come together to address common problems. This is a multi-faceted and lifelong process that requires building both human capital – predominately through education and health investments – as well as social capital – predominately through investments in community development and participatory approaches to development.

The Lesotho Compact Development Process MCC HCD staff have been leading the development of a HSS project as members of the MCC Lesotho Country team. The consultant solicited is expected to support the Lesotho compact development, therefore background on the Lesotho compact is provided here: In December 2017, MCC’s Board of Directors selected Lesotho to develop a second compact, and in February 2018 a joint growth diagnosis exercise (completed between MCC and the Government of Lesotho) identified a binding constraint to economic growth as: “Ineffective Policy Planning, Coordination, and Execution.” From there, MCC and Government of Lesotho (GOL) completed a joint root cause analysis to further explore the underlying factors contributing to this binding constraint, and then proposed a concept to address these root causes based on the following three-pronged strategic approach:

1. Improve government policy, planning, and performance management processes;

2. Improve private sector and civil society’s influence in policy making; and

3. Strengthen autonomy and effectiveness of oversight institutions.

Within the health sector, the HCD Practice Group has been working to support the Government of Lesotho (GOL) to further develop this initial concept into a potential Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Project, which would focus on three of the World Health Organizations (WHO)’s Health System Building Blocks of: 1) governance, 2) finance, and 3) strategic information. Results-Based Financing is being considered as a tool to incentivize critical policy and institutional reforms.

MCC competitively procures consultant firms to provide due diligence support to MCC during compact development and implementation. To develop the Lesotho HSS project MCC has four contracts in place and the consultant solicited is expected to provide support in developing technical directives, reviewing consultant deliverables. Support developing the terms of reference for new procurements may be required.

HCD Practice Group HSS Exploration and Capacity Building As there is growing recognition that “health” can be a binding constraint to a country’s economic growth – both directly and indirectly – there is also a simultaneous recognition that health investments can be a powerful catalyst to a country’s economic growth, particularly in the arena of systems strengthening. The HCD Practice Group is engaged with senior management and sector groups to explore the role of HSS in addressing binding constraints to economic growth.

B. Scope

The HCD Practice Group seeks an individual consultant to provide technical assistance for the assessment, design and implementation of health, nutrition, or HSS interventions for current and newly selected countries in the MCC portfolio where health and health related constraints are identified as a constraints to economic growth or a contributing/associated factor. Lesotho is a currently selected country where HSS technical assistance is needed. Subsequent to Compact or Threshold Program approval, the HCD Practice Group seeks technical assistance to support the implementation of health, nutrition or HSS related aspects of program implementation. As needed, the consultant will also engage in overall support to the HCD Practice Group for the purposes of designing and managing state-of-the-art health interventions.

Technical Assistance for Compact or Threshold Programs in Development Technical assistance is sought for newly selected countries entering into compact (or threshold) development with health, nutrition or HSS related economic constraints to growth. For newly selected countries technical assistance will include root cause analysis, project design, and due diligence of interventions proposed by the host country government.

For example, the Lesotho II compact is currently in the design phase of compact development, and the HCD Practice Groups seeks support in a number of tasks related to the design of HSS programming, including the use of Results-based financing to incentivize policy and institutional reforms needed to strengthen the health system. Previously, the Timor-Leste compact identified human capital as a constraint to economic growth and undertook extensive root cause analysis on the problem of stunting.

Technical Assistance for Compact or Threshold Programs in Implementation Once MCC’s Board approves a Compact or Threshold Program containing health, nutrition or HSS interventions or elements, technical assistance will be required to due diligence the implementation plans and proposals by the host country government, provide quality control in all aspects of selected programming and review evaluation proposals and sustainability plans. The HCD Practice Group may request the consultant to provide capacity building support to the MCA related to health, nutrition or HSS.

For example, subsequent to a favorable decision from MCC’s Board to approve the Lesotho II HSS project (expected to occur in mid 2021), the HCD Practice Group expects to require technical assistance to support the implementation of the HSS-related aspects of the Lesotho II Compact. Previously, health and nutrition technical expertise was required to support the implementation of the Indonesia Community Health and Nutrition Project. Currently the Kosovo Threshold Program, that initially looked at environmental constraints to economic growth, including air pollution, requires health and air quality related behavior change technical expertise to support a project that aims to increase air quality data reliability and availability and associated behavior change.

Overall support to the HCD Practice Group As needed, the consultant will also engage in overall support to the HCD Practice Group for the purposes of designing and managing state-of-the-art health, nutrition or HSS guidance or interventions; this includes staying abreast of the latest research and best practices within the international health field as related to health, nutrition and HSS, and most especially its intersections with economic growth.

C. Country

Any eligible MCC country

D. Tasks

The Consultant’s tasks primary tasks shall include the following:

· During compact development - constraints analysis and root cause phase[footnoteRef:2] critically evaluate the health and nutrition aspects of the identified constraint to economic growth, also considering how weak health systems may contribute. Assess how social, cultural, economic, poverty and gender issues impact health practices, behaviors or systems. Assess administrative/management systems, political economy of the health system, public financial management and inter-ministerial coordination. Assess the donor/implementer landscape to determine what aspects of the root cause of the identified constraint are not being addressed. Interact with potential project participants to understand the health, nutrition and/or health system strengthening issues from their perspectives. Work collaboratively with MCC, host country team members and consultants to elaborate root-cause understanding and recommend evidenced-based interventions to resolve identified problems. [2: Please review MCC’s Compact Development process to understand the stages of compact development including: country selection, constraints analysis, root cause analysis, concept note development, project proposals, investment memos, the role of the host country government and MCC Investment Management Committee. This process is explained here. https://www.mcc.gov/resources/story/story-cbj-fy2019-compact-development-process-oversight]

· During compact development – concept and project proposal stage, provide expert analysis and opinions on the extent to which proposed health, nutrition and/or HSS interventions are likely to achieve their objectives, and the extent to which a compact, project, activity, and/or interventions’ objectives are linked to the identified binding constraints. [Note: In cases where proposed health, nutrition or HSS interventions do not meet these criteria, Consultant will provide recommendations for adjustments and/or viable alternatives.] Critically evaluate the relationships between program logics and project concepts and proposals.

· During compact implementation, provide technical guidance, strategic planning, and programmatic recommendations as related to the implementation of health, nutrition and/or HSS interventions to ensure activities are effectively addressing root causes of the binding constraint to economic growth within selected country, as well as to ensure that activities will achieve maximum impact.

· This includes making recommendations as related to programmatic adjustments, strategic partnerships, and/or unique opportunities

· At the request of the HCD Practice Group, this may also include targeted health, nutrition and/or HSS capacity building

· Maintain familiarity with current literature and best practices in health, nutrition and/or HSS. Priority technical areas of health and nutrition include child and maternal health and nutrition, behavior change related to health and nutrition, water and sanitation, non-communicable disease, infectious disease and the economic rationale for investments in health and nutrition. Priority technical areas of HSS include health finance, health governance, and strategic information.

· Work under this task will include reviewing and strengthening proposed studies and/or interventions related to health, nutrition and HSS and producing comprehensive literature reviews, briefers, and other associated research documents.

· Provide technical guidance, direction, and/or leadership into the development of key M&E tasks related to health, nutrition and HSS. These tasks may include (but are not limited to) routine performance monitoring, impact evaluations, operations research, assessments, national surveys, etc.

· This includes drafting appropriate research frameworks, suggesting meaningful indicators, and recommending ambitious-yet-achievable targets

· Engage and contribute technical expertise to briefers, presentations, white papers, handbooks, etc. --- as requested by the HCD Practice Group.

E. Deliverables

The Consultant shall provide services to MCC on an as-needed basis, as required. No additional tasks shall imply any additional costs to the U.S. Government beyond the amount allowed for in the initial call order; however, this call order may be amended to reflect additional costs. Expected deliverables include: a) participation in relevant meetings and conference calls with meeting minutes produced where/when applicable; b) preparing reports, briefers, presentations, white papers, handbooks and/or training guides; c) report reviews using track edits; d) creation of work plans, including proposed indicators for continued tracking; e) development of trip SOWs and trip reports; f) recommendation memos; and g) brief quarterly reports. Other deliverables to be determined in agreement with HCD Practice Group Lead and/or designee

Deliverable Acceptance Criteria The deliverables shall be evaluated according to the following criteria:

· Thoroughness in complying with all the elements in the tasks specified

· High quality products completed by the specified deadline

· Concisely communicating evidence-based analysis

· Efficacy of communications with relevant stakeholders, including counterparts at MCC and MCA All deliverables are to be submitted in English via electronic copy (in MS Word) or other editable software as agreed upon by the COR/PM, with tables, data and calculations in MS Excel.

F. Period and Place of Performance

All work shall be completed between the dates of the award through a two-year period of performance.

The estimated level of effort is up to 1,040 hours per year with an estimated 4 trips per year. MCC anticipates this level of effort but does not guarantee this level of effort as it may increase or decrease.

The Consultant will be required to perform work at his or her home office and/or overseas field locations. Work may be performed at MCC’s Washington, D.C. office as needed and when agreed upon with the COR/PM. Regardless of location the consultant will be expected to have availability during business hours at MCC headquarters in Washington, D.C.

G. 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.

H. Subcontracting

Consultants are authorized to subcontract data collection, data preparation, economic analysis, and related services as needed. The overall costs for subcontracting shall not exceed 25% of the consultant’s total negotiated unloaded direct labor cost.

I. Conflict of Interest

The Consultant will be precluded from bidding on work and services (design, assessment, construction and supervision) to be procured by the local MCAs accountable entity or using funds advanced under a Compact in the relevant country.

J. Qualifications of Consultant

The qualifications of Consultant suited for this assignment include the following:

Mandatory

· Postgraduate degree in public health, nutrition, medicine, health administration, public policy with a focus on health systems, or closely related fields;

· Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience researching, designing and/or implementing health, nutrition, and/or HSS projects or programs

· Minimum of seven years of project/program design or implementation experience working in health-related international development focused on lower income to lower-middle income countries (CVs or cover letters should make clear that projects or programs designed or implemented were successful in reaching targeted outcomes or results and that applicants have both design and implementation experience);

· Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies used to measure and analyze results from health, nutrition and/or HSS interventions;

· Demonstrated ability to provide seasoned guidance on health, nutrition and/or HSS issues, undertaking technical analyses of these topics, identifying available data and advising on how to strengthen data availability, use, and technical capacity;

· Demonstrated ability to integrate the results of technical analysis of health, nutrition or HSS issues into project designs;

· Demonstrated ability to assess, document and consolidate lessons and articulate them into briefs, case studies, presentations and other knowledge projects;

· Demonstrated experience designing and providing effective oversight of health, nutrition and/or HSS project or project or program budgets (CVs or cover letters should make clear the amount of project/program budgets in USD);

· Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a multi-cultural team environment, as well as ability to take on leadership roles within a technical area or team. This includes demonstrated experience working closely and collaboratively with senior managerial and technical host-country counterparts, donors, government decision makers at central and decentralized levels, potential project participants and other stakeholders in a developing country.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills and must be fluent in English (Level 4) and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely in both speech and writing.

· Excellent writing skills must include ability to produce and edit documents in a timely manner.

· Excellent verbal communication skills must include the ability to facilitate meetings and make logical and persuasive oral presentations to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context.

· Demonstrated ability to define scopes of work and manage priorities to deliver per agreed upon deadlines;

· Demonstrated project management skills including scheduling, risk management, problem solving, planning and communicating.

Proficient computer skills, including ability to produce concise, clear reports utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications

Preferred:

· Preference for coursework and/or experience researching and/or evaluating the economic benefits of health, nutrition, and/or HSS projects or programs;

· Preference for experience with contract management including drafting scopes of work, participating on technical evaluation panels, issuing technical directives, reviewing deliverables and writing performance evaluations.

· Preference for experience designing, implementing and/or evaluating activities that used results-based financing to achieve objectives.

· Preference for second language skills, especially French