Social_and_Gender_Assessment_for_Georgia_-_SOW_(MCC-15-RFQ-0053).pdf

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SERVICES

Social and Gender Assessment – Georgia II

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 developing countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. Key MCC operating principles relating to the award of grants include emphasis on economic impact, country-led solutions and implementation, and focus on results.

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 (MCA), the monitoring of program results, and the evaluation of program impacts. (http://www.mcc.gov/documents/guidance/14-genderpolicy.pdf)

This Consultancy will support social and gender integration in the Georgia II compact. This compact will improve the quality of secondary and tertiary education in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields through strategic investments from the start of a student’s general education to graduation from technical training and advanced degree programs. Activities school rehabilitation, teacher training and reforms in curriculum and testing; a grants program to spur innovation in technical and vocational education; and development of joint courses in STEM and English language by San Diego State University and selected Georgian universities. The Compact includes a focus on increasing the participation of women and members of socially disadvantaged groups in STEM education and professions.

Scope

The purpose of this consultancy is to work with assigned MCC Social and Gender Director on the Georgia Country team in ensuring that social and gender issues are fully integrated into the design, implementation and monitoring of Compact activities.

Tasks

The consultant’s assignments may include the following:

• Support staff in providing technical input into consultative processes, TORs and SOWs, gender assessments, feasibility studies, gender integration plans, and performance reports for activities in the Georgia compact.

• Provide advice to SGA staff and provide technical input on social and gender issues related to policy analysis, consultations, program design, project assessments, implementation plans, monitoring and evaluation of Compact-funded projects and activities;

http://www.mcc.gov/documents/guidance/14-genderpolicy.pdf

• Provide recommendations on designing activities to ensure that both women and men, as well as members of socially disadvantaged and/or minority groups benefit equitably from MCC investments;

• Support staff in evaluating the technical adequacy and in providing technical input to project-specific TORs for environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs), environmental and social management plans (ESMPs), resettlement action plans (RAPs), HIV/AIDS risk management plans, human trafficking risk management plans,, health and safety plans, and other mitigation strategies including the prevention of child labor as these arise in Compact-related activities.

• Monitor compliance with gender milestones and keeps SGA staff informed of progress and delays.

• Provide expertise to staff regarding monitoring, assessing and evaluating social and gender performance, outcomes and impacts of Compact-funded activities.

• Provide support in social and gender-related Compact closure activities.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Trip reports, ad hoc reports or information as may be requested by the

COTR/PM.

• Deliverable 2: Ad hoc technical and other reports, including comments by MCC, due as per technical directive.

Country

Georgia

Period and Place of Performance

This consultancy maybe filled as a short term consultancy with a base period of one year. The estimated number of hours are 350 for the base period.

The consultant will work from his or her home or facilities.

Subcontracting

The consultant is authorized to subcontract data collection, data preparation, social and gender 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

The consultant should have expertise and a minimum of 15 years of experience in the following:

• Social and gender analysis

• Working in developing countries, particularly in the countries of the former Soviet Union, with preference given to work experience in Georgia

• Mainstreaming gender analysis in the education sector

• Writing high-quality analytical papers and reports on deadline

• Ability to work constructively in a team.

In addition, Consultants will be evaluated on the basis of their skills and experience in the following:

For Technical Support:

• Expertise in the education sector, particularly in technical and higher education

• Developing or working with strategies, approaches, and tools for gender integration in large-scale international development programs in the education sector

• Conducting desk reviews and providing documentation on issues relevant to social/gender impact assessment

• Providing substantial input into social and gender assessment in policy analysis, research, program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

• Developing gender indicators for performance monitoring and evaluation

• Developing and reviewing Scopes of Work and Terms of Reference for Social/Gender

Analysis and country-level social and gender assessment specialists.

• Developing and assessing methods, tools and indicators for monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment, particularly in education

Other requirements:

International travel will be required. 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