PR12882036_SOW.docx

SCOPE OF WORK FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES

Background: The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador seeks support to monitor and report on political and economic dynamics during an election year and amid significant changes in the country’s security, human rights landscape, and financial/regulatory environment. This scope of work is intended for experienced consultants with a thorough knowledge of Ecuador’s political institutions, historical development, social structure, political parties, and key political figures as well as demonstrated progressive experience in government, academia, NGOs, or private sector performing political analysis, reporting, or related analytical duties. The analysis provided by the consultant will not be made public and will be used for internal planning, communications, and engagement development purposes only.

Task: The U.S. Embassy requests support to monitor and report on democracy, human rights, elections, business, economic, and justice sectors. The consultant will be responsible for the following specific tasks:

· Cover all National Assembly committees with a political or economic nexus, engage committee staff contacts, and produce daily digests of press reporting and contact work;

· Track associated bills as they pass through the legislature, monitor relations between the legislature and other branches of government, and report on regulations and foreign investment announcements;

· Report on human rights, trafficking-in-persons, child labor, and international religious freedom issues;

· Monitor and report on the 2025 electoral process and the post-electoral transition period;

· Monitor and report on the judicial sector, with a focus on judicial proceedings involving current or former government officials.

Deliverables: The consultant will produce the following products, which are to be delivered electronically to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR):

· Digests of press reporting and contact work – daily

· Summaries of key human rights developments – weekly

· Reports on the status of key legislation and regulations – weekly

· Reports on foreign investment announcements – weekly

· Summaries of key judicial proceedings – weekly

Period of Performance and Payment: The performance period will run for twelve (12) months from the date of approval. The contract will be a fixed-price contract, with payment delivered monthly subject to COR certification of performance and deliverables.

Technical Requirements: The offerer must comply with the following technical requirements:

· Minimum of four (4) years of progressive experience in government, academia, NGOs, or private sector performing political analysis, reporting or analytical duties is required.

· A bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Law, Communications, International Relations, Management or any related field is required.

· A thorough knowledge of Ecuador’s political institutions, historical development, social structure, political parties, political participation by civil society, and key political figures is required.

· Languages (may be tested):

· English: Level 4 - Fluent; speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate

· Spanish: Level 4 - Fluent; speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate

· Must be a strong writer in English and Spanish, including the awareness and flexibility to capture nuance in the U.S. and Ecuadorian context to formulate original political analysis.

· Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point -- including their online suites -- and conduct occasional online research via subscription services)

· Should be able to develop, organize, and analyze statistical data, determine political trends, and present such data in precise and accurate form, including forecasting probable future developments or trends.

The U.S. Embassy intends to award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the lowest priced technically acceptable offeror who is a responsible contractor. The U.S. Mission may award the contract based on the initial offer without discussion. Quotes should include past performance references and examples of previous relevant political analysis that could demonstrate experience with the required scope of work.