Case studies on specific organizations will include, but are not limited to, the following elements:

Transcription

1 Issued on: January 5, 2018 Submit by: On a rolling basis (Schedule explained below in Section VII) For: Digital Development for Feed the Future Case Study Writers Period of Performance: Approximately 2-4 months from start of contract (Estimated Days of LOE, depending on number of case studies) I. BACKGROUND Mobile Solutions Technical Assistance and Research (mstar) is a strategic investment by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to advance mobile solutions and close the gaps that hold back access and uptake of mobile technology. The project supports broad-based coordinated action by a range of market stakeholders including governments, donors, mobile service providers, and their customers. mstar is designed to initiate and support game-changing interventions to support mobile money, mobile access, and mobile data collection and dissemination. The U.S. Global Development Lab (Lab) and the Bureau for Food Security are collaborating in an effort called Digital Development for Feed the Future (D2FTF) with the goal of demonstrating that digital tools and approaches can improve cost-effectiveness and better development outcomes in food security and nutrition programming. D2FTF is a three-year engagement with the intent then for Feed the Future teams to continue and scale the use of proven digital solutions within its portfolio without extraordinary support from the Lab. II. PURPOSE D2FTF is committed to complete ten case studies by September of 2018, highlighting how organizations within the Feed the Future zones of influence are using digital tools and technologies to more effectively and efficiently meet their goals, while documenting improved agricultural outcomes as a result. These case studies will include: 1. Desk research and writing 2. Potential field visits of approximately one week to facilitate more in-depth face-to-face meetings and solicit input from stakeholders to facilitate a deeper understanding of field operations and interactions with beneficiaries 3. Communication and dissemination of the final case studies. III. SCOPE OF WORK mstar is seeking up to four Washington, DC-based consultants to research, draft and finalize four case studies on either (1) how organizations implementing agricultural programs are using 1

2 digital tools and technologies; the impact that these digital tools and technologies have had on their results; and how these digital interventions link to Feed the Future goals and objectives, even if the programs are not Feed the Future supported; or (2) a meta-analysis of digital tools used in agriculture to date. Case studies on specific organizations will include, but are not limited to, the following elements: the organization or project s goals, objectives, and target populations the digital tools the organizations or projects are currently using, the type of tool, the purpose of the tool, the tool s entry point into the value chain, and how the tool supports the overall objective of the project or organization the organization or project s experience with using these digital tools the organization or project s philosophy underlining its use of digital tools the process by which the organization or project find appropriate digital tools, how they assess this appropriateness, how they pilot digital tools, and any constraints that exist in this process how these organizations or projects define the success of digital tools the impact the integration of digital tools has had on the organization or project and its clients how digital tools influence the organization or project s M&E framework and data collection of the organization or project. The meta-analysis will look at the existing evidence of the impact that digital tools can have in agriculture. USAID has already looked at over 200 studies, and narrowed these down to about 40 that offer quantitative evidence of positive impact of a variety of digital tools (digital financial services, SMS, IVR, sensors, and more) on the lives and incomes of smallholder farmers. The meta-analysis: Update the existing evidence database to include any additional relevant studies; Identify lessons learned across the database of evidence; Identify gaps in the evidence as well as new questions that arise from the existing evidence; Analyze how certain types of research are more or less helpful in understanding impact of digital tools in agriculture; Highlight areas where that are, based on the evidence, most ripe for investment and/or scale. These case studies may include international travel and interviews of field staff and beneficiaries and/or virtual (using Skype, phone) interviews of the project or organization to determine their experience with digital tools, including: Advantages and disadvantages of digital tools in the field Disaggregating the gender impacts of digital tools in the field These 8-10-page case studies will be researched using multiple primary and secondary sources and will be written using compelling language, useful to the reader, and will be supported by robust quantitative and qualitative evidence. The primary audience of these case studies will be USAID s Bureau for Food Security and Feed the Future teams, in both Washington, D.C. and the field, as well as the broader development practitioner community working at the intersection of digital 2

3 technology and agriculture. The consultant will work in close collaboration with mstar and USAID s D2FTF team. The consultant will provide the following: Desk Research: Lead a desk review of relevant, existing materials on the organizations such as website materials, impact assessments, research, evidence documents, videos, and interviews, and other resources as needed. Write Case Study (one or more): Write one or more of 8-10 pages case study with the elements discussed in the above paragraphs. Stakeholder Engagement: May lead field visits of approximately one week to facilitate more in-depth face-to-face meetings, a deeper understanding of field operations and interactions with beneficiaries and/or lead virtual interviews (via Skype, phone calls) with experts and representatives of projects and organizations working in the field. Communications: Prepare a short word blog post introducing the topic and main themes of each case study, and liaise with USAID and mstar communication specialists to disseminate the materials broadly to the public Other tasks as needed: This may include drafting one-pagers, executive summaries, charts, slide decks as resources describing lessons learned from the case studies, and related tasks. IV. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Strong research, written and oral communication skills Experience working on the design and/or implementation of information and communication technology for development (ICT4D), including agriculture extension services, agricultural information services, digital financial services, or other similar digital development initiatives related to agriculture Familiarity of the enabling elements to mobile and digital adoption, including affordable connectivity, digital literacy, locally relevant content and mobile-enabled real-time data collection and analysis. Commitment to demonstrating impact of digital tools and solutions Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to interact with people from different countries and organizational cultures. Bachelor s Degree, Master s Degree preferred, in a related field. V. DELIVERABLES The consultant(s) will submit in electronic form the following deliverables to the designated FHI 360 contact person. The consultant(s) should anticipate writing multiple drafts of the deliverable (revisions) based on feedback from USAID and FHI 360 before the deliverable can be considered final and approved. Deliverable dates are tentative and may change depending on client requirements. Case Study Deliverable Due By 3

4 1. Research Methodology and Literature Review or draft research Week 3 questionnaire for field visits 2. Outline of case study Week 5 3. Completed draft of case study (8-10 pages) Week 6 4. Final draft of case study (8-10 pages) Week 8 5. Blog Post ( word) & Executive Summary Week 8 VI. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The complete application package includes: 1. Complete Online Application Form 2. Cover Letter: The cover letter shall demonstrate the applicant s understanding of and interest in the topic, describe the applicant s capability for completing the assignment, include a timeline for completing the work, include examples of previous experience with similar activities, and confirm availability to perform the work during the anticipated period of performance indicated above (maximum two pages). Please also include language or regional expertise as well as any specific experience working with a particular digital tool or approach, if possible. The cover letter MUST include the consultant s estimated number of days he/she will require to perform the work detailed in the scope of work. 3. Resume/CV: The resume/cv shall include a list of at least three references with contact and phone numbers who can independently verify past work. 4. Writing Sample: A writing sample of a similar case study, blog, or report that the candidate has already had published 5. Biographical Data Form: Completed and signed FHI 360 biographical data form with previous salaries for both full-time work and consultancies. Applicants are responsible for the review of the terms and conditions provided in the attachments and listed below. Applicants must provide full, accurate, and complete information as required by this solicitation and its attachments. Incomplete application packages will not be considered for the consultancy. VII. CRITERIA/QUALIFICATION FOR EVALUATION Selection will be based on best value, weighing price against technical factors as outlined below: 1. Experience & Capabilities (50pts): based on CV and references, as detailed in Section IV 2. Budget (25pts): based on the consultant s daily rate and estimated LOE 3. Writing Sample (25 pts): based on technical relevancy and quality Competitively ranked applications may be tested and interviewed, so applicants must address the required qualifications in their applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis 4

5 according to the following schedule, until the consultancies are filled. Candidates may be selected to write more than one case study. Submit By: January 19, :00pm EST February 9, :00pm EST March 9, :00pm EST April 6, :00pm EST May 4, :00pm EST June 1, :00pm EST June 29, :00pm EST VIII. SUBMISSION INFORMATION To apply, please send all required application materials as stated in Section VI through the online application by the deadline listed at the top of this solicitation. In addition, please send all required application materials to Ellen Galdava and Conor Farrell Please DO NOT begin work until a contract has been signed between FHI 360 and the consultant(s). IX. NOTE 1. FHI 360 will not compensate individuals for preparation of their response to this Solicitation. 2. Issuing this Solicitation is not a guarantee that FHI 360 will award a contract. 3. FHI 360 reserves the right to issue a contract based on the initial evaluation of offers without discussion. 4. FHI 360 may choose to award a contract for part of the activities in the Solicitation. 5. FHI 360 may choose to award contracts to more than one offeror for specific parts of the activities in the Solicitation. 6. FHI 360 may request from short-listed offerors a second or third round of either oral presentation or written response to a more specific and detailed scope of work that is based on a general scope of work in the original Solicitation. 7. FHI 360 has the right to rescind the solicitation, or rescind an award prior to the signing of a contract due to any unforeseen changes in the direction of FHI 360 s client (the US Government), be it funding or programmatic. 8. FHI 360 reserves the right to waive any deviations by offerors from the requirements of this solicitation that in FHI 360's opinion are considered not to be material defects requiring rejection or disqualification; or where such a waiver will promote increased competition. 9. Data produced by this belongs to FHI 360 and USAID. Any distribution of data must first have written authorization from FHI 360 or its designated representative. X. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A Consultant Terms and Conditions Attachment B FHI 360 Biographical Data Form 5

6 - END OF SOLICITATION - 6