SOW.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Gender and Social Inclusion in Mongolia and other countries

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 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.

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, the monitoring of program results, and the evaluation of program impacts. (http://www.mcc.gov/documents/guidance/14‐genderpolicy.pdf). MCC’s Gender Milestones and Operational Procedures strengthen the requirements of the Gender Policy and contribute to the MCC’s and the Country Core Team’s ability to ensure social and gender integration in projects.

Mongolia was selected as eligible by the MCC board to develop a second compact in December 2014. To inform the programming of MCC funds, each selected country begins with a thorough analysis of their economy aimed at identifying the most serious impediments to growth and poverty reduction. The analysis for Mongolia identified four binding constraints to growth: (i) a weak and unstable macroeconomic environment, (ii) inconsistent laws and policies resulting in an unpredictable business environment, (iii) health impacts of air pollution in UB, and (iv) costly access to water and sanitation in productive sectors and poor communities. The team is pursuing projects focused around the fourth constraint – access to water and sanitation in productive sectors and poor communities. To ensure compliance with the MCC Gender Policy, Gender Milestones and Operational procedures and other MCC requirements, support for gender and social inclusion analysis and integration is required.

MCC is currently developing or implementing compacts in other countries where social and gender inequalities are significant, and particular attention in program design will be needed to ensure that project benefits reach women, the poor, and socially disadvantaged populations.

B. Country

Mongolia any other MCC eligible country, if required

C. Scope

MCC seeks to contract a short‐term consultant to support MCC’s Social and Gender Inclusion staff with research, analysis, reviews and advice in support of ensuring the appropriate integration of social and gender perspectives and data into compact development and implementation for Mongolia and other countries, upon request.

D. Tasks and Deliverables

Tasks:

The consultant’s assignments may include the following:

· Support MCC staff in providing technical inputs into consultative processes, terms of reference, gender assessments, feasibility studies, and project performance reports.

· Plan and carry out stakeholder interviews and consultations with a range of stakeholders, including NGOs, women’s associations, government entities, private sector stakeholders, beneficiaries and others.

· Support the development of Social and Gender Integration Plans, and help monitor compliance.

· Assessments, advice and input into activity design to ensure social and gender integration into water and sanitation projects.

· Assessments, advice and input into activity design to ensure social and gender integration into other sectors, including but not limited to energy, rule of law, health, education, etc.

· Advice on monitoring and evaluation approaches, inputs into survey design, monitoring and evaluation plans and indicators.

· Recommendations on designing activities to ensure that both women and men, and members of socially disadvantaged and minority groups benefit equitably from MCC investments.

· Technical input to project-specific terms of reference for environmental and social impact assessments, environmental and social management plans, resettlement action plans, HIV/AIDS risk management plans, human trafficking risk management plans, health and safety plans, engineering studies, etc. as these arise in Compact-related activities.

Deliverables:

· Work plans for each mission and trip reports.

· Reports, assessments, and evaluations as agreed.

· Reviews of relevant request for proposals, terms of reference, and other deliverables.

· Other advisory support and outputs, as requested and mutually agreed upon.

E. Period and Place of Performance

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

The estimated level of effort is 1,735 hours for the first year (950 hours for Mongolia and 785 hours for other countries) and 1,220 per year for the remaining two years (600 hours for Mongolia and 620 hours for other countries). 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.

It is anticipated that two to three two-week in-country missions will be required.

The consultant will be expected to work closely with MCC and to also liaise with government counterparts in Mongolia and other countries, in particular the country’s social and gender specialists.

F. Subcontracting

Consultants are authorized to subcontract data collection, data preparation, economic 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.

G. 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.

H. Evaluation Criteria

· Minimum ten (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.

· Prior experience in Mongolia working on social and gender inclusion, and existing networks and relationships with key international and local organizations in the country.

· Demonstrate excellence in writing reports, including social and gender assessments.

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

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

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

· Prior experience working with MCC is desirable.

· Exhibit responsible and flexible attitude and capable of managing a variety of tasks with minimal supervision.

I. Other requirements

The Consultant may be requested to mobilize on a short notice for in-country travel and will be expected to deliver high quality finished products in a timely manner.

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