SOW_Development_Specialist_-_Senegal.doc

Development Specialist Consultancy

Country - Senegal

MCC-15-RFQ-0066

A. Introduction

Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. government agency that provides assistance to support economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries demonstrating a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in people. MCC signed a five-year, $540 million Compact with the Government of Senegal aimed to reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth through strategic investments in two projects, Road Rehabilitation and Irrigation and Water Resource Management. The projects will increase economic growth by unlocking Senegal’s agricultural productivity and expanding access to markets and services. For more information on the Program, please consult the Senegal Compact, available at www.mcc.gov.

The MCC Resident Country Mission (RCM) in Senegal is made up of three professional staff who carry the full responsibility for coordinating compact oversight, and the provision of technical assistance for the projects that are being implemented by the Government of Senegal, Millennium Challenge Account – Senegal (MCA-S) under the Compact. The Senegal Country Team (CT) is comprised of the RCM and approximately 20 technical experts and international consultants who are largely based in the US and coordinated by the RCM. MCC, by design, has a lean presence on the ground but a high degree of responsibility for large, multi-faceted programs that are implemented by partner countries. As a result, members of MCC’s small Mission staff will need to be highly skilled, flexible, and able to create structure from the ground up, have very sound and skilled independent judgment and be tolerant of pressure and change.

B. Scope

MCC has a requirement for a Development Specialist to manage many complex tasks of high priority under tight deadlines, primarily supporting and advising the Resident Country Director and Deputy on in-country aspects of MCC Compact communications and Compact closure processes and progress. The consultant shall create and/or manage systems, processes and reports that facilitate ongoing monitoring, assessment and communication of Compact closure and public communications and serve as a liaison between MCC Technical Leads and MCA-S. The Consultant shall maintain the information about how the Compact fits within Senegal’s national development strategies and be able to provide advice and draft technical briefings, presentations and communications materials.

C. Objective

The Consultant shall support the MCC Senegal RCM with the management of technical assistance to MCA Directors and other staff, primarily related to the Communications and Closure components of the MCC Compact.

D. Country

Senegal

E. Tasks

The tasks performed by the Consultant shall include (but are not limited to) the following:

1) Participate and contribute to the MCA and MCC RCM communications plans, strategy and execution related to the projects and in preparation for Compact closeout. Draft correspondence, speeches, power point presentations, press releases and other communications materials when necessary.

2) Attend meetings, conferences, teleconferences and other MCA events specifically related to communications and closure and prepare analysis and recommendations for next steps or solutions for blocked issues for MCC RCM and Senegal CT.

3) Provide technical assistance, project management coordination and facilitation to MCA on complex closure issues that relate to project milestones, deliverables and elements in the transversal areas such as Environmental and Social Protection (including gender, environment and resettlement), Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), Communications, Procurement, Fiscal Accountability and Legal.

4) Serve as coordinator and in-country contact for CT members and consultants on Senegal CT who frequently travel to Senegal in support of the Compact.

5) Monitor and facilitate the delivery of MCA’s results statements as directed in the M&E plan, in preparation for Compact Closure Communications, and actively participate in all meetings related to their analysis and updating.

6) Conduct field visits to the project areas as directed during critical points in the project lifecycle and during field visits with MCA and MCC CT members.

7) Support and backstop technical assistance efforts by other MCC Senegal team members related to any of MCA’s projects when necessary, including Roads Development and Irrigated Water Resource Management and related transversal sectors.

8) Backstop the Program Assistant and Development Specialist roles and responsibilities during absences.

9) Perform other related duties as required.

F. Deliverables

· Deliverables, reports and analyses as outlined in the above tasks according to MCC Compact timelines and project lifecycles

· Monthly verification of services,

· Meeting/conference briefs,

· Weekly MCA Teleconference minutes where necessary

· Field visit reports and critical items brief

· Final report related to MCA general functions and the projects outlining challenges, recommendations and action plan for improvement for RCM

Acceptance Criteria

The deliverables will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

· Thoroughness and timeliness in complying with all of the elements in the tasks specified.

· Quality and clarity of analyses and work produced.

· Timeliness and efficacy of communications with relevant counterparts at MCC, MCA, and other relevant organizations.

· All reports are to be submitted in English in hard and electronic copy (in MS Word), with tables, data and calculations in MS Excel.

G. Period and Place of Performance

This consultancy maybe filled as a short or long term consultancy with a base period of twelve months. The Base Period may be extended for up to an additional six months, if needed. The estimated level of effort required to complete the tasks included in this technical directive is 1,840 hours. MCC anticipates this level of effort but does not guarantee this level of effort as it may increase or decrease.

The Development Specialist will perform the work under this Call Order at the MCC’s Senegal RCM offices at the US Embassy, at the MCA Offices, in Washington, DC, at the consultant’s office or home of record, and other MCC eligible countries, as required to complete tasks.

H. Conflict of Interest

The consultant would be precluded from bidding on work and services (design, assessment, construction and supervision) to be procured by the local MCA accountable entity or using funds advanced under a Compact in the relevant country, unless the consultant submits a mitigation plan sufficient to ameliorate any conflict of interest pursuant to the rules applicable to the procurement process.

I. 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.

J. 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 based on the instructions of the COR/PM.

K. Timing and Reporting

All formal communication with MCC, including reports, will be submitted to the COR/PM. 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 Call Order 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 Call Order or of the terms and conditions of the Call Order 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.

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.