SOW-Social_and_Gender_Consultant-_Mongolia_06-26-2015.pdf

MCC-15-RFQ-0147

Statement Of Work CONSULTANT SERVICES: Social and Gender Consultant - Mongolia

Introduction

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. Government corporation 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. For more information on the MCC, please visit www.mcc.gov.

MCC recognizes that gender inequality can be a significant constraint 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 development and design of Compact programs, the assessment and implementation of projects 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.

Mongolia was selected as eligible by the MCC board to develop a second compact in December 2014, and is currently in the preliminary analysis phase of compact development. To inform the programming of MCC funds, each selected country begins with a thorough analysis of their economy aimed at identifying the most serious impediments to growth and poverty reduction. This analysis is known as the Constraints Analysis (CA).

The CA report provides eligible countries with a clear central focus as they move into subsequent stages of the development process. During the initial phase of development countries undertake a CA to identify a very small number of binding constraints, and then complete a more in‐depth assessment of the underlying causes of these constraints. Based on this preliminary analysis, country teams work to design a comprehensive compact program that typically includes physical investments along with complementary policy and institutional reforms tailored to address selected constraints and their root causes. MCC Constraints Analyses incorporate microeconomic, macroeconomic and sector‐specific data to determine binding constraints. The report considers additional information that reflects specific concerns about: (i) social and gender inequalities that may characterize the economy or shape policies and institutions, and (ii) business issues that may influence contributions to private business activity and economic growth. Including these perspectives helps ensure that any conclusions about binding constraints are based on a complete understanding of the country’s economy, its growth, and how the benefits of that growth are shared.

The Constraints Analysis report is therefore expected to include an investigation of social and gender barriers and to note where constraints may affect certain sectors, industries, regions, or populations more severely.

http://www.mcc.gov/documents/guidance/14%E2%80%90genderpolicy.pdf

Country

Mongolia

Scope

MCC seeks to contract a short‐term consultant to carry out research and analysis in support of ensuring the appropriate integration of social and gender perspectives and data into the Constraints Analysis for Mongolia. Following the completion of this analysis, the consultant will carry out ‘deep dive’ sectoral social and gender assessments based on the identified binding constraints. The consultant may be asked to provide technical assistance or advice for other aspects of Compact development for Mongolia or another country, upon mutual agreement.

Tasks

The consultant’s assignments will include the following:

• Support the preliminary analysis phase of compact development for Mongolia and the Constraints Analysis by focusing on key poverty, social and gender inequalities, and ensuring their integration into the overall CA report. This work will require close collaboration with the economists in data identification, analysis and integration, and with members of MCC’s Finance, Investment and Trade (FIT) group. The consultant is expected to:

o Plan and carry out stakeholder interviews and consultations (including NGOs, women’s associations, government entities, relevant associations, private sector stakeholders such as women’s chamber of commerce, and others).

o Gather, review and analyze relevant documents and data to understand the nature and structure of relevant laws, policies and institutions vis a vis social and gender inequality, the relevance and influence of economic sectors and sub‐sectors on poverty and inequality.

o Assess barriers to social and gender equality that act as constraints to economic growth and poverty reduction, including legal and policy issues.

o Gather and analyze disaggregated data (by sex, poverty, region, etc) to help nuance information about key constraints.

o Identify critical sectors, sub‐sectors and/or issues where inequality is most pervasive and where interventions would have the greatest impact on growing incomes among the poor.

o In doing the above work, the consultant will be expected to integrate and build upon information already gathered, and consultations carried out to date.

o The outputs will be: a) a separate report provided to MCC that focuses on social and gender inclusion, and b) written input and integration of key issues into a summary CA report.

• Following the completion of the CA, the consultant will carry out a deep dive assessment of the key social and gender inequalities and opportunities for project development in the sectors associated with the binding constraints for Mongolia. This report should include recommendations for social and gender integration in the sectors of focus to ensure inclusive, pro‐poor benefits.

• The consultant may be asked to support gender integration into other aspects of the Mongolia Compact development process, upon request. This may include, for example, reviewing and making recommendations on the consultation plan or advice on how best to addressing social and gender inequality within the project logical frameworks.

• The consultant will be expected to work closely with MCC and to also liaise with government counterparts in Mongolia working on compact development, in particular the Mongolia Core Team’s social and gender specialist.

• Support for other country work by might be requested by MCC’s social and gender assessment team, and might include tasks such as reviewing deliverables, carrying out research and analysis on key social and gender issues, and helping inform project development.

Deliverables

• Trip reports to the MCC COR/PM, which will include at a minimum the summary of any consultations and meetings held, key findings and recommendations and any next steps.

• Draft social and gender inclusion analysis prepared as input into the constraints analysis (30‐50 pages, excluding annexes).

• Integration of analysis from the above deliverable into the CA report.

• Social and gender assessment of sectors chosen for project development (about 30‐50 pages, excluding annexes).

• Other advisory support and outputs, as requested and mutually agreed upon.

Period and Place of Performance

This consultancy will be filled as a short term consultancy with a base period of twelve months.

The consultant will work from its home office and/or MCC headquarters or any MCC eligible country.

It is anticipated that 2 to 3, two‐week in‐country missions will be required.

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.

Evaluation Criteria

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in social and gender analysis and research, with a solid track record of preparing and producing analytical work on social and gender inequalities to inform policy and project planning.

• Prior work experience in the region required, with preference for prior work experience in Mongolia.

• Existing relationships and networks with relevant local and international development organizations focusing on social and gender issues in Mongolia.

• Demonstrate excellence in writing reports, including social and gender assessments.

• Good inter‐personal and negotiation skills, and ability to work cooperatively and productively in teams with technical and construction experts, government officials, NGOs, community organizations, and other Compact stakeholders.

• Experience in planning and conducting public consultations with a wide range of stakeholders in government and civil society and analyzing and communicating results.

• Have an advanced postgraduate degree (accredited Masters or Ph.D.) in sociology, anthropology, or a related discipline (gender studies, development studies).

• Possess experience providing guidance and undertaking technical analysis on social and gender issues in project design, assessments, management plans, and in procurement and contract documents.

• Exhibit responsible and flexible attitude and capable of managing a variety of tasks with minimal supervision.

Other requirements:

Travel to country may be required up to three weeks for each visit. The Consultant may be requested to mobilize on a short notice and will be expected to deliver high quality finished products in a timely manner.

Subcontracting