Research and Assessment Specialist
- Senior-level, Short-term contract assignment
- Posted on 15 April 2019
- Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc.
- Belgrade, Serbia | Serbia
- Closing on 26 April 2019
- Current
Job Description
Request for Quotation
RFQ # 1801-15
USAID Government Accountability Initiative
Research and Assessment Specialist
The Government Accountability Initiative (GAI), implemented by Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc. (Checchi) is a four-year United States Agency for International Development-funded project with the overall objective to strengthen the capacities and connections of key Serbian stakeholders resulting in increased government accountability at the national and local levels. The project is structured around three components: Local Government Accountability, Independent Oversight Institutions, and Adjudication of Corruption Cases. GAI counterparts include the State Audit Institution (SAI), the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), local governments, specialized anti-corruption courts, and civil society organizations.
Contract Type
It is Checchi’s intention to award a Firm Fixed Price/Level of Effort (FFP/LOE) type subcontract for this work. Under a FFP/LOE subcontract, the Subcontractor is responsible for providing specified deliverables using an agreed to level of effort, by a stated completion date, and for a fixed price.
Subcontractor shall provide all materials, labor, equipment and facilities and shall do all that is necessary for the satisfactory and timely performance of the Statement of Work as set forth below.
Statement of Work
Background
The Government Accountability Initiative (GAI) is a four-year United States Agency for International Development-funded project with overall objective to strengthen the capacities and connections of key Serbian stakeholders resulting in increased government accountability at the national and local levels. The project is structured around three components: Local Government Accountability, Independent Oversight Institutions, and Adjudication of Corruption Cases. GAI counterparts include the State Audit Institution (SAI), the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), local governments, specialized anti-corruption courts, and civil society organizations.
ACA is an independent state body accountable to the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. According to the Law on Anti-corruption Agency, the ACA is mandated to supervise the implementation of the National Strategy for Combating Corruption, institute proceedings and pronounce measures in case of a violation of this Law, deal with conflict of interest, financing of political parties and integrity plans. ACA is also responsible for supporting initiatives for amending and enacting regulations in the field of fighting corruption, coordination of state bodies in the fight against corruption, and maintaining registers of officials and official’s property and income.
Technical assistance to ACA is designed to increase the likelihood that ACA will combat corruption in government through actions taken to detect and mitigate conflicts of interest and illegal accumulation of assets or misrepresentation on financial disclosures through enhanced policies, procedures and effective working relationships with stakeholders. GAI completed leadership and change management training for ACA during which the ACA leadership identified improvement priority areas, including strategic planning. GAI assisted ACA in development of a multi-year strategic plan for the institution with clearly defined goals, objectives, and performance measures.
The leadership of ACA has also requested GAI assistance to build ACA’s capacity for analytics and research, including data collection and/or compiling, data processing, analysis and application of analytical methods for the work of ACA, and reporting. ACA has formed a new Sector for Research and Analytics. This sector will conduct analysis and research on core operational strategies and implementation for internal consumption, to improve external reporting to stakeholders and institutions who act on ACA reports, and to enhance their communications with the media. The sector also will support analyses performed by all other sectors. This technical assistance is viewed as further support for ACA’s implementation of its Strategic and Operational Plans, particularly as it relates to the Agency’s attention to its core functions to prevent corruption.
Tasks and Methodology
Subcontractor will provide technical assistance to build ACA’s capacity for analytics and research, including data collection and/or compiling, data processing, analysis and application of analytical methods for the work of ACA, and reporting.
Subcontractor will carry out an assessment of ACA’s current research and analytical capabilities with the aim to support ACA’s assessment in the aforementioned areas and to identify specific areas in need of additional skills building. Based on the assessment, Subcontractor will support ACA to develop a comprehensive work plan for trainings on various analytical, research and report writing skills.
The technical assistance will include the following:
- Carry out ACA research and analytical training needs assessment
- Undertake desk research and analyze all relevant ACA documents, training conducted and/or available, and existing training materials to fully understand the ground situation for training ACA staff;
- Carry out a “Gap” analysis to identify gaps in the knowledge and skills pertaining to research and analytics; Map out the issues and identify the priorities in line with the objectives of ACA related to research and analytics;
- Produce a well-written and comprehensive training needs assessment report based on the above;
- To develop a comprehensive plan for research and analytical training based on the needs and priorities, including recommendations for training schedule; identify key resource persons; participants and impact assessment
In drafting the l training plan, the Subcontractor will closely consult with ACA in coordination with the GAI Project Team.
Deliverables
- A comprehensive training needs assessment report (up to 30 pages);
- Training plan, including recommendations for training schedule; key resource persons; participants and impact assessment (up to 15 pages)
- Final Report with results of technical assistance delivered by June 30, 2019
- Briefings for USAID, GAI and counterparts, as requested.
All products to be submitted to GAI for review before final issuance;
Period of Award
The work must be completed by June 30, 2019.
Qualifications
This is a Senior level position.
- Education – A University degree in the field of economics, public administration, organizational sciences, sociology, psychology or another relevant field;
- Prior Work Experience – A minimum of 15 years of professional-level experience, of which at least 5 years in training in the public sector. Experience working in or with a law enforcement agency will be considered as an asset.
- Language Proficiency / Communication Skills – Must have excellent communication skills and knowledge of English language.
- Job Knowledge – Demonstrated knowledge and experience in conducting needs assessments and developing training modules/curriculum, training materials etc.
- Skills and Abilities – Ability to bring a wider perspective in developing the training plan. Ability to use various computer software (e.g. PowerPoint, Word).
Evaluation Criteria
Quotations will be evaluated on the following criteria in order of importance:
- Qualifications for the technical assignment. Finalists may be interviewed, and interview results will be considered in evaluation.
- Successful completion of similar assignments and overall past performance.
- Total cost for labor, including other direct costs.
Instructions to Offerors
Offerors must:
- Agree to the completion date and supply a schedule for each deliverable in calendar days after subcontract award in the Schedule for Deliverables Section below.
- Complete the LOE chart below by deliverable
- Submit a one-page description of the offeror’s directly relevant experience, a curriculum vitae, three references, and the completed Form 1420 of the individual(s) who will provide the LOE.
- Complete a budget using the budget template attached. Any airfares should be for the lowest cost economy direct flight available. Offerors who reside outside Serbia must supply proof that they have acquired valid medical evacuation insurance.
Schedule for Deliverables
To be completed by offeror.
Deliverable
Completion Date (days from subcontract award)
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·
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LOE Chart
To be completed by offeror.
Deliverable
Proposed Level of Effort (number of days)
Budget template
To be completed by offeror.
Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc.
Serbia Government Accountability Initiative (GAI)
72016918C00002
Detailed Budget
RFQ # 1801-
Cost Elements
Units
Units
Rate
Amount
FIRM FIXED PRICE
DIRECT LABOR
(in U.S. $)
Technical Personnel
/day
Sub-total Technical Personnel
-
Total Direct Labor
-
ESTIMATED PRICE (to be reimbursed based on actual costs)
TRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION AND PER DIEM
Airfare/Mileage
(Air travel must be by US carrier where available)
roundtrips
Lodging
Serbia Belgrade (Maximum rate is $201 per night)
/night
Serbia Other (Maximum rate is $60 per night)
/night
Per Diem
Serbia (Maximum rate is $55 per day)
/day
In-Country Travel
Belgrade
/day
Total Travel, Transportation and Per Diem
OTHER DIRECT COSTS
DBA
Medical evacuation coverage (must provide proof)
Travel Preparation
Communications
Translation/Interpretation
Total Other Direct Costs
Total Firm-Fixed Price