SOW.docx

Gender and Social Inclusion Researcher and Writer

STATEMENT OF WORK

A. Introduction

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide assistance to support economic growth and poverty reduction in carefully selected developing countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizens. For more information on the MCC please visit www.mcc.gov.

MCC recognizes that gender and social inequalities can be significant constraints to economic growth and poverty reduction. MCC’s gender policy and operational guidance ensure that gender will be considered in the selection of eligible countries and integrated into the assessment, development and design of Compacts funded by the Millennium Challenge Account, the monitoring of program results, and the evaluation of program impacts (http://www.mcc.gov/documents/guidance/14‐genderpolicy.pdf). MCC’s Gender Milestones and Operational Procedures strengthen and concretize the requirements of the Gender Policy and contribute to the MCC’s and the Country Core Team’s ability to ensure gender integration in projects that may be funded.

B. Scope

The GSI unit is seeking a content specialist on a consultancy basis to support gender and social inclusion compact and threshold program assessment, research, and writing to ensure that MCC country teams and government and non-government stakeholders in MCC partner countries understand and accept GSI analysis with respect to the design of MCC compacts and threshold programs. GSI country and program assessments are complex and can be unfamiliar to MCC stakeholders. The GSI unit seeks an experienced communications specialist who can conduct GSI research and craft succinct and digestible content in plain language in a variety of formats to ensure that specific stakeholders fully comprehend GSI assessments and appraisals.

C. Country

Mongolia, Indonesia, Nepal, Ghana, Sri Lanka and any eligible country

D. Tasks and Deliverables

Tasks:

The duties of the consultant will include (but are not limited to) the following:

· Provide due diligence research and gender and social inclusion analysis on assigned countries and country projects, using available primary and secondary data.

· Develop and revise talking points, reports, presentations, and other materials to communicate the above research and analysis and how it relates to project design to MCC country teams, partner country government staff and agencies, and non-governmental partner country stakeholders.

· Draft and contribute to the execution of learning and communication strategies to ensure that country and project-level gender and social inclusion analysis is socialized within MCC country teams and in MCC partner countries among government and non-governmental stakeholders.

· Update existing country and project analysis with relevant new data and content in various file formats, including spreadsheets, databases, graphics applications, power point presentations, artwork, infographics, and other formats.

· Contribute to effective GSI Practice Group communication and learning with the staff of MCC’s country partners and other stakeholders.

· Other duties and tasks may be assigned.

Deliverables:

· Desk reviews, analysis of demographic and other statistical data, presentations, guidance documents, reports, memos, fact sheets, internal and external outreach materials for MCC partner country stakeholders and MCC country team members

· Meeting reports.

· Other ad hoc reports and inputs, as requested by MCC COR/PM.

E. Period and Place of Performance

All work under this contract will be completed between effective dates of the contract award for a five year period.

The estimated level of effort is 1,900 hours per year with an estimated 2 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 work from a home office and/or MCC headquarters in Washington, DC.

F. Time and Reporting

All formal communication with MCC, including reports, will be submitted to the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COR), Program Manager (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 ToR 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 ToR or of the terms and conditions of the ToR 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 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.

H. Subcontracting

Consultants, registered as vendors 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. Evaluation Criteria

· Bachelor’s degree in related field (such as communications, international affairs, public relations, etc.)

· Knowledge of one or more sectors in which GSI works, including water and sanitation, energy, education and technical and vocational training, land reform, and women’s economic empowerment.

· Minimum two years of relevant experience working on international development projects and/or strategic communications

· Demonstrated communication, research, analytical, and writing skills

· Experience working with PowerPoint, database management, Google Drive, digital art, and web-based programs

· Fluency in English (written and spoken)

· Reading and writing proficiency in at least one MCC language, French strongly preferred

· Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

· Strong interpersonal skills, energy, and an enthusiastic collaborator

J. Other Requirements

International travel may be required for up to two weeks for each visit. The Consultant may be requested to mobilize on a short notice and will be expected to deliver high quality finished deliverables in a timely manner. The consultant may also be required to participate in meetings in Washington, D.C.