SOW.docx

Statement of Work

Gender and Social Inclusion, Francophone West Africa

A. 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. For more information on the MCC please visit www.mcc.gov.

B. Background

MCC recognizes that gender inequality can be a significant constraint to economic growth and poverty reduction. MCC’s Gender Policy[footnoteRef:1] 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. MCC’s Gender Integration Guidelines[footnoteRef:2] 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. [1: http://www.mcc.gov/documents/guidance/14-genderpolicy.pdf ] [2: https://assets.mcc.gov/guidance/guidance-2011001054001-genderintegration.pdf ]

C. Scope

The Consultant will support the MCC Gender and Social Inclusion team on the development of compact and threshold programs in West Africa. The consultant will initially support the team on the development of a compact with the Governments of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal and with the development of a threshold program with Togo. The consultant may be asked to support work on other MCC eligible countries as well.

D. Tasks

The consultant’s assignments may include the following:

· Conduct detailed reviews and analysis of data sources to support the incorporation of gender and social data into an integrated constraints to economic growth analysis.

· Conduct analytical desk reviews and additional studies on the social and gender dimensions of inequality, including sociocultural norms and practices that are related to poverty and economic growth. Initial focus is on inequality in laws, policies, and the institutions of government, and how informal and customary systems interact with formal and statutory systems.

· Identify civil society stakeholders (individuals and organizations) that represent the interests of different socio-economic groups, including women, the poor, and marginalized groups.

· Advise and provide technical input on social and gender issues related to stakeholder consultations.

· Work closely with social scientists, economists and other technical experts to ensure a robust understanding of poverty and social inequality and their relationship to the economic constraints identified.

· Advise and provide technical input on program design, project assessment and the development of performance monitoring and evaluation plans.

· Conduct a preliminary social and gender assessment of relevant sectors and project areas.

· Provide technical input into reviews of project specific concept papers, terms of reference, social and gender assessments, feasibility studies, project designs, and social and gender integration plans for projects.

· Assist MCC GSI staff in monitoring compliance with Social and Gender Integration Milestones and Operational Procedures.

· Support in evaluating the technical adequacy and in providing technical input to project specific TORs for environmental and social impact assessments, environmental and social management plans, resettlement action plans, HIV/AIDS risk management plans, trafficking in persons risk management plans, health and safety plans and other mitigating strategies, including the prevention of child labor.

E. Deliverables

· Trip reports

· Analytical reports

· Data sources and/or data sets and their analysis to be shared with economists conducting the constraints to economic growth

· Ad hoc reports, as requested by the COTR/PM

· Contributions to technical documents, as requested by COTR/PM

· Participation in workshops and/or meetings, in-person or remotely, as appropriate

F. 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 MCA accountable entity or using funds advanced under a Compact in the relevant country.

G. Place and Period of Performance

The base period is for 5 years.

The estimated level of effort required under this contract is up to 1,920 hours for the first year with the following approximate breakdown: 720 (Togo), 720 (Senegal), 480 (Cote d'Ivoire) and 1,440 hours per year for the next 4 years with the following breakdown: 480 (Togo), 480 (Senegal), 480 (Cote d'Ivoire). Consultant must be willing to travel at least once during the period of performance for assigned projects. MCC anticipates this level of effort but does not guarantee this level of effort as it may decrease depending on eligible countries and proposed projects.

Consultant will perform the tasks under this contract in MCC-eligible countries, in MCC offices in Washington DC as requested, and at his/her own facilities.

H. Timing and Reporting

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

I. 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, design, implementation and evaluation.

· Prior work experience in West Africa, with preference for work in Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, and/or Togo, and a knowledge of these countries’ socio-cultural, political, economic and vulnerability contexts.

· Existing relationships with relevant local and international development organizations focusing on social and gender issues in West Africa, with preference in Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, and/or Togo.

· Demonstrated excellence in writing reports, including social and gender assessments, in both English and French.

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

· Experience in planning and conducting public consultations with a wide range of stakeholders in government and civil society and analyzing and communicating results. Knowledge of how to design consultations to provide opportunities for diverse stakeholders, including women and members of disadvantaged or marginalized groups, to actively participate.

· An advanced postgraduate degree (accredited Masters or Ph.D.) in sociology, anthropology, or a related discipline (such as gender or development studies).

· Experience conducting analysis of poverty dynamics and integrating social and gender considerations into constraints to economic growth analyses.

· Experience providing guidance and undertaking technical analysis on social and gender issues in project designs, assessments, management plans, and in procurement and contract documents.

· Exhibit responsible and flexible attitude and ability to manage a variety of tasks with minimal supervision.

· Fluent written and spoken French and English.

J. Other requirements:

International travel is 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.