Consultancy required

The Asia Foundation

Terms of Reference (ToR) Research report on accountability mechanisms
Context: Under a Subcontract with the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA) for the three-year USAID Citizens Voice Project, the Asia Foundation seeks proposals for the following: 1- Research reports on the accountability mechanisms of the following sectors (public & private): a) Health b) Education c) Municipal services The task will contribute is to build on CVP comparative advantages in a way which will result in long term impact on the promotion of citizens voice and accountability. The objective of this task is to develop the capacities of the civil society organizations to improve governance in Pakistan. The projects three main objectives are: 1. Policy advocacy and government oversight in order to strengthen citizens voice in public decision-making spheres 2. Organizational development and targeted trainings to enhance the organizational capacity of civil society actors; and 3. Public-private connections, or linkages, between and among state and non-sate actors to contribute to the overall goal of improving accountability in Pakistan Over time, the project will help to institutionalize these changes in public decision making mechanisms, project planning and implementation and citizens oversight of public bodies. Research report development; Responsibilities: Consultancy firm/ consultant shall be responsible to develop research reports on existing public accountability mechanisms on the following topics:

1- Existing accountability mechanisms Private and Public sector (National, Provincial , FATA, PATA, AJK, Gilgit Baltistan) a) Health (primary unit level to specialized hospitals ) b) Education (primary, secondary, colleges, universities) c) Municipal services (union, tehsil/talka, district and city district level) The accountability mechanisms should focus on post 18th amendment scenario. To do this, firm/consultant will need to conduct the following activities: Desk review-Collect information, material and documents of existing accountability mechanisms on health, education, municipal services. Develop research methodology, sample size and sample questionnaire. Share the list of key person/department/offices for proposed study. Conduct and prepare good reports that can be used for disseminations Guidelines for deliverables Drawing on the desk review the firm/consultant with the help of TAF team & assistant consultants (not more than two) will prepare independent reports on Health, Education, Municipal services. The report must clearly identify the functioning, governance and mandate/ responsibilities of the sector/department with the existing complaints system. How that system functions taking 18th constitutional amendment context explicitly into account. Clearly maps existing complaints mechanisms for both public and private sector at local, regional, provincial and national level (if applicable). Draft tools (complaints letters) for the use of civil society to launch complaints efficiently. The process may include travel, desk research and in-depth interviews from the concern officials. The reports should be clearly written, formatted and employ proper attribution and citation of sources consulted. To fulfill this role the consultancy firm/ consultant will actively participate in discussions of the reports with TAF/CVP staff and work with them to finalize these reports. Consultancy firm/ consultant will contribute one full day to present the main feature of the reports to the TDEA/CVP and TAF management.

How to Apply A research firm or a group of researchers (one lead not more than 2 assistant researchers) can apply for this consultancy. The applicant consultancy firm/consultant shall seal the proposal in one outer and two inner envelopes, as detailed below. The outer envelope should clearly state: Proposal for Citizen Voice Project consultancy And should be Addressed to: Country Representative The Asia Foundation House no. 7, Street no. 58, F-7/4, Islamabad. a. Two inner envelopes shall indicate the name and address of the applicant. The first inner envelope shall contain the two required copies of all documents with the exception of the financial proposal. The second envelope shall include sealed financial proposal. Note: If the inner envelopes are not sealed, signed and marked as per the instructions in this clause, TAF review committee will not assume responsibility for the proposals misplacement or premature opening. The last date for submission of EoI is February 7, 2012 (5:00 pm) The proposal must include the following: 1- Comprehensive methodology against the TORs which should include proposed relevant departments for interactive interviews on the related services/sectors and sample questions for these interviews. 2- Description of past experience, working with GOP and international NGO/s and firms on governance issue 3- Detailed work plan. 4- Copy of research report/s preferably in governance sector 5- CV of consultants/team highlighting previous relevant experience. 6- Copy of a relevant curriculum or module and reports (past experience) 7- Detailed Budget Evaluation Criterion Interested consultants will be listed and their availability for fast track work, previous experience, and competitive budget will be the key determining factors in the selection. The procurement of the services will be a two stage process. In the first stage three members evaluation committee will review the proposals. The proposals securing

minimum of 65% mark will qualify for the 2nd round to open the financial bid. Among technically qualified proposal the lowest in rates will be awarded the consultancy on the bases of best value for money principles. In case of significant difference in quality and rates, TAF has the rights of negotiating the level of effort and budget.
Criteria Points

(i) Methodology (ii) Consultancy firm past experience, human resource, team leader

15 10

(iii) Experience of working with international NGOs /firms in the area of governance and working with or for the GOP. 05 (iv) Detailed work plan, meticulous financial proposal (with unit cost) (5+10) (v) Experience of desk and field research and report writing Total Points: 10 10 50

Language of the proposal The proposals prepared by the firm/consultant and all correspondence and documents relating to the proposal exchanged between the firm/consultant and the TAF shall be written in the English language. Proposal currencies All prices shall be quoted in PKR. Format and signing of proposals The firm consultant shall prepare two hard copies of all documents required as part of the Proposal, clearly marking one hard copy as Original and the other as Copy of Proposal. In the event of any discrepancy between the two hard copies, the Original Proposal shall be deemed as the accurate proposal for the purposes procurement of consultancy services. Payment TAF shall release payments after the award of the contract on the basis of a schedule of payment corresponding to completion of important milestones related to the training module development. The payment schedule will be in three installments as follow:

1- Submitting of the research work plan and tools: 30% of the total amount 2- Submitting of the final reports (TAF/CVP feedback) remaining amount TimeLine Responses deadline Evaluation Award announced Final report on accountability mechanisms 5- Comments sent 6- Final Reports Supervision 1234February 07, 2012 February 12, 2012 February 15, 2012 March 20, 2012 March 25, 2012 March 31, 2012

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the CVP Director Capacity Building and cooperatively and collaboratively work with the CVP Senior team.