Request for Applications (RFA)-Individual Consultancy
Senior National Consultants for Conducting Sector-Specific trainings on
‘Importance of Local Government System’ - Citizens’ Voice Project
Introduction
The USAID Citizens’ Voice Project (CVP) is a US $45 million democracy and governance project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is being implemented by Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA). The Asia Foundation is a partner of TDEA. The project aims to strengthen citizens’ voice through 1) policy advocacy and government oversight, 2) improved accountability through enhancing public private linkages, and 3) enhanced capacity of civil society through organizational development and targeted trainings.
Consultancy Purpose
Citizens’ Voice Project intends to award up to100 grants in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces under its sixth grant cycle for the thematic area of “Importance of local government system”.
The Asia Foundation is seeking applications from interested individuals to conduct training sessions on Importance of Local Government System. The trainings are intended to increase/enhance the participants existing knowledge on the subject and build their capacity to implement their projects effectively. The following topics will need to be focused:
- Functioning of State and Government systems
- Conceptual clarity of decentralization and devolution of powers
- History of elected Local Governments in Pakistan – Comparative (1959, 1979, 2001) ï· Analysis of local government laws of selected provinces
Trainings’ methodology
Capacity building unit shall complete all the trainings for approved grants within the first month of award of grants. A different methodology has been designed to carry out minimum of 07-08 trainings of 04 days each by two teams. On Day 1, LG Sector Experts/ Consultant will be required to deliver training sessions on clarity of key concepts related to Local Government. On Day 2, Capacity Building team of TAF will deliver sessions on key skills. On Day 03, mock exercises will be conducted to strengthen the practical skills of participants, and on day 04, Project Management Plan will be prepared with partners.
Specific responsibilities of the consultants The consultants will be required to:
- Review and finalize existing material on “Importance of Local Government System”.
- In consultation with the Capacity Building Unit (CBU) or any other Unit as suggested by CBU, prepare a Lesson plan and material for their assigned sessions in the trainings.
- Facilitate up to 4 working sessions of 1 day each with project partners of grant cycle 6. - Prepare a brief activity report at the end of each training.
A total of 07-08 Program Focused Trainings will be conducted simultaneously with the support of consultant. Contract will include up-to 12 working days in the period of one month approximately.
The consultant will be issued a Task Order if his/her services are required for any particular activity as per the agreed daily rates.
Deliverables
Following deliverables required by the consultants:
- Sessions plans for assigned topics and content details.
- PowerPoint presentation of each training session.
- Deliverance of sessions during Program Focused Trainings. - One day activity report at the end of each training.
(All material, instruments presentations and reports will be approved by The Asia Foundation).
Evaluation Criteria
Interested individual must note that the strength of their expertise on subject matter, availability for fast track work, previous trainings experience, and competitive daily rates will be the key determining factors in the selection. This procurement of the services will be done in two stages process. In the first stage an evaluation committee will review the CVs and justification note and short list the candidate for the 2nd round. In the 2nd round shortlisted candidate will be asked to present a session on given topic to demonstrate their knowledge and facilitation skills. .In case of significant difference in quality and rates, TAF has the rights of negotiating the level of effort and daily rates with all qualified applicants.
TAF reserves the right to award contract any or none of the applicant submitted with or without giving any reasons. The contract made under this RFA is subject to the availability of funds, the interests and requirements of TDEA/USAID, as well as the viability of suitable consultants. TAF also reserves the right to make any final decisions with respect to this solicitation and intends to fund the application(s) which meet the criteria laid down in this RFA, are deemed as mostadvantageous for project objectives and provide(s) the best value for money. Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the TAF, TDEA or USAID, nor does it commit TAF, TDEA or USAID to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. In addition, award of the contract contemplated by this RFA cannot be made until funds have been appropriated, allocated and committed through internal TAF procedures and a signed contract is issued by the TAF Pakistan Country Representative.
Eligibility Criteria:
The selection criteria for this consultancy is as under:
- Experience of developing training manuals for national and international development sector organizations.
- Master trainer (Advocacy and Local Government) with experience of at least 10 years. ï· Master’s degree in social sciences or any other relevant field.
All applicants must certify that they are not debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment. TAF will not award a subcontract to any Individuals which are debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment, or who proposes to do business with other organizations which are debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment, in the performance of the requirement of this activity. Debarment by organizations like TAF, TDEA and USAID/USG would render individual ineligible to work with TAF on this activity.
Payment
Payment will be made on the basis of invoice against assigned task order.
TimeLine
1- Responses deadline February 10, 2015
2- First step-shortlist candidates February 13, 2015
3- Second step-presentation of shortlisted candidates February 17, 2015
4- Final selection February 20, 2015
5- Contract signing February 23, 2015
Supervision
The selected consultants will work under the overall supervision of the Director Capacity Building and Organizational Development and direct supervision of Manager Capacity Building, also cooperatively and collaboratively work with the TDEA/Citizens’ Voice Project Senior team. TAF/TDEA also reserve the right to independently verify the contents of the deliverables.
Conflicts of interest
The consultant must ensure that there is no conflict of interest with TAF, TDEA and between the agents/independent contractors working for the individual on this activity. If there are any personal or organizational conflicts, actual or perceived, these must be immediately disclosed in writing with a mitigation plan which will remain subject to approval of TAF Pakistan Country Representative. This condition applies at times i.e., before and after the award. If the mitigation plan is not appropriate in the judgment of the TAF Pakistan Country Representative, it may result in rejection of the Applications or termination of the contract.
Intellectual Property
The consultant’s performance shall not violate any third-party rights in any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, or any other proprietary or intellectual property right. In the performance of this activity, the individual shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
All material and reports produced by the individual under this activity shall be the sole and exclusive property of TAF/TDEA. The individual shall not publish or otherwise disclose, except to TAF/TDEA, any reports, in the course of performing this activity (including without limitation, information obtained hereunder concerning private individuals protected by any privacy laws or regulations, organizations, or public agencies or any other source under promise of confidentiality), without the prior written consent of an authorized representative of TAF/TDEA.
USAID Anti-Fraud Hotline
USAID/Pakistan has, in cooperation with the USAID Office of Inspector General, established the Anti-Fraud Hotline to provide an avenue for the reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse which may be associated with USAID funded projects in Pakistan. Complaints are handled with complete confidentiality and individuals are encouraged to report when corruption, fraud, waste or abuse may exist in the USAID/Pakistan projects. Reports can be filed anonymously via the easy-to-use Hotline (toll free number 0800 84700); e-mail at [email protected]; fax at 02135390410; postal address at 5-C, 2nd Floor Khayban-e-Ittehad, Phase VII, DHA, Karachi, Pakistan; and on the website www.anti-fraudhotline.com.