SOW.doc

STATEMENT OF WORK

Gender and Social Inclusion in Sri Lanka

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. 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 Sri Lanka Compact Program Constraint Analysis. The consultant is required to be based in Sri Lanka, and support carrying out social and gender analysis and identify areas of significant marginalization and gender inequality to be addressed in Compact Program development.

B. Scope

The purpose of this consultancy is to work with assigned MCC and Sri Lanka Core Team Social and Gender Leads, to ensure that social and gender issues are fully integrated into the Constraint Analysis, Concept Papers, and due diligence, design, implementation and monitoring of Compact Program activities.

This consultancy maybe filled as a short term consultancy with a base period of five years. Tasks and deliverables for years after the first year will vary depending on Compact development and implementation needs and process.

C. Countries Sri Lanka and any other MCC eligible country, if required.

D. Tasks and Deliverables Tasks:

The consultant’s assignments shall include but not limited to the following:

· Work under the guidance of MCC Social and Gender Lead, and with Sri Lanka Core Team, especially Social and Gender Specialist, and conduct research and consultations for initial social and gender analyses including collection of data on access to resources, exclusion and marginalization related to poverty, ethnicity, religion, geography and the intersection of these and other factors. Participate in Root Cause analysis workshop, provide inputs for identifying problems and solution path.

· Contribute to drafting of Constraints Analysis by incorporating social and gender data and analysis into the document, and collect data for Beneficiary Analysis.

· Conduct literature reviews relevant to selected project for investments, provide technical review of the Project Concept Papers and project design

· Help design and carry out due diligence work as part of compact development including drafting travel scopes of work and arranging meetings as necessary.

· Provide reviews and technical inputs on program logics, design documents, project assessments, implementation plans, monitoring and evaluation plans.

· Provide recommendations on how projects may be better designed and implemented to ensure that both women and men, as well as members of socially disadvantaged and/or minority groups benefit equitably from MCC investments.

· Provide advice and technical inputs to Core team 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.

· Monitor compliance with gender milestones and keep MCC GSI lead informed of progress and delays.

· Support Core Team in providing technical input into consultative processes, TORs, gender assessments, feasibility studies, gender integration plans, and performance reports for activities in the Sri Lanka Compact Program.

· Support Core Team 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. Review and comment on terms of reference and scopes of work for social impact assessments and gender analyses.

Deliverables:

· Deliverable 1: A draft Social and Gender Assessment of Sri Lanka based on desk review, deep dive, due diligence field trips, and incorporating key issues into the Constraint Analysis

· Deliverable 2: Due Diligence for project design reports

· Deliverable 3: Trip reports, ad hoc reports or information as may be requested by the Task manager, E. Period and Place of Performance

The period of performance of this contract is a base period of five years with approximately two trips planned each year.

The estimated level of effort is 600 hours per year. MCC anticipates this level of effort but does not guarantee this level of effort as it may increase or decrease.

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

F. Contracting Officer Representative/Project Monitor The COR/PM shall have technical responsibility over the Consultant. Any change in the terms of the Call Order must 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 Contract or of the terms and conditions of the Contract unless confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer. The Consultant must communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters that pertain to the Contract terms. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment for that work.

G. Evaluation Criteria

Education

· An advanced degree (master’s or above) in social sciences or a related discipline (anthropology, economics, sociology, women’s studies, public policy, community development, etc.).

Work experience

· Minimum ten (10) years of experience in poverty reduction, social inclusion and gender work in Sri Lanka, and a sound understanding of international development context. Demonstrated expertise with internationally recognized gender, social and poverty analysis concepts, frameworks and tools, including gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation.

· Knowledge of policies, laws and regulations in Sri Lanka pertaining to the legal, social, human development and economic status of women and vulnerable populations.

· Demonstrated experience in:

a. Participatory developments

b. Managing and carrying out technical analysis on gender, social and poverty issues in project designs, assessments, management plans, performance monitoring plans, and in procurement and contract documents.

c. Developing and reviewing TORs with social and gender perspective, and ensuring compliance with TORs.

· Familiarity and experience working in human development and infrastructure sectors, and policy and institutional reforms.

· A strong track record of field work in and publications on Sri Lanka

· Writing high-quality analytical papers and reports on deadline

· Experience working closely with civil society (NGOs and CBOs), government, grassroots women and men, and other relevant stakeholders. Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams, including constructive engagement with economists and other technical experts.

· Written and verbal fluency in local (Sri Lankan) language Sinhala, and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

· Responsible and flexible attitude, and capacity to manage a variety of tasks with minimal supervision.

· Experience working with major donor organizations, especially U.S. donors, is a plus.

H. Other requirements Consultant needs to reside in Sri Lanka, and local 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.