SOW_data_support_GSI_-_06-30-2015.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

INDEPENDENT CONSULTING SERVICES: GENDER DATA SUPPORT

A. Introduction The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide assistance for 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 and social 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 and Threshold 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) The Millennium Challenge Act states that MCC must provide such assistance in a manner that “promotes economic growth and the elimination of extreme poverty;” MCC’s Social and Gender operational requirements thus ensure that gender and social inclusion are integrated at every stage of compact and threshold development and implementation. (https://www.mcc.gov/documents/guidance/guidance-2011001054001-genderintegration.pdf B. Scope and Objective The government requires services of a gender data specialist to work with MCC’s Gender and Social Inclusion practice group, economists and other sector specialists to: (1) improve use of economic tools and data to improve the integration of gender and social inclusion in MCC projects in a variety of sectors; and (2) advance MCC’s contribution to the Data2X global initiative, and other initiatives on gender and data.

C. Country MCC Headquarters – Washington, D.C. or any MCC eligible country D. Tasks The consultant’s will include the following:

· Support MCC’s engagement in Data2X, a global initiative to improve the collection, analysis, accessibility, and use of sex-disaggregated data. Provide support to MCC in making its gender data public and more accessible, contribute to recommendations on how to improve reporting of gender and sex-disaggregated data in the International Aid Transparency Index, and support the development of public data challenges in selected MCC countries.

· Support MCC’s partnership with PEPFAR, on strengthening country-based institutional capacity for increasing access to and use of data.

· Identify public databases that will support MCC’s integration of gender and social inclusion in its Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) work, e.g. research designs and survey modules.

· Identify literature that will improve the integration of gender and social inclusion in MCC ERR models.

· Review M&E documents prepared for Compact and Threshold countries and make recommendations for better integration of social inclusion and gender, within specific country contexts.

· Help to develop program logic frameworks for MCC sectors which incorporate gender and social inclusion.

· Work with SGA and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) to strengthen M&E tools.

· Identify global and country-specific datasets with gender data and sex-disaggregation, which can be used in MCC economic analysis. Develop or support a system at MCC for easily accessing these datasets.

· Conduct other literature reviews and tasks as needed.

E. Deliverables

1. Meeting reports and minutes

1. Ad hoc reports

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

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

1. Quality and clarity of analyses and work produced.

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

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

F. 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.

G. Period of Performance

The period of performance of this consultancy includes a base period of twelve months. The estimated number of hours are 980. MCC anticipates this level of effort but does not guarantee this level of effort as it may increase or decrease.

H. 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.