Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance, and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro DC area) Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Creative is soliciting offers for technical expertise in accordance with the Scope of Work below and Creative’s Renewable Consultant Agreement Terms and Conditions available here. Creative intends to award one or more Renewable Consultant Agreement(s) (RCA(s)) under which work may be negotiated and awarded as fixed price or level of effort performance-based activities. Creative reserves the right to make multiple awards or no award as a result of this solicitation.

Summary:

The proposed SOW outlines a request for consultants to provide short-term information gathering and technical support to an array of Caucasus- and Central Asia-based donor opportunities in the area of economic growth.

RFQ closing date: May 15, 2023 at 5PM EST (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Estimated period of performance: May 15, 2023 – May 14, 2024

Estimated Level of Effort: not to exceed 150 days of LOE

Reporting: The consultant will report to the respective assigned opportunity Technical Lead Writer (TLW).

Travel Anticipated? Yes. If yes, travel to Danger Pay locations anticipated? TBD

Tasks To Be Performed:

1. Conduct rigorous desktop and in-country data collection and analyses of local economic growth indicators, key sectors and sub-sectors, market conditions, competitive landscape, local actors, and more.
2. The consultant will communicate directly and regularly with the United States-based TLW in Creative’s Economic Growth Division for progress reporting purposes and to fill any information gap and answer clarifying questions.  
3. Write up various contextual landscape analyses as defined and tailored to each opportunity. This may include sectoral, value chain, market, system, and other technical reports as well as any in-country travel or meeting reports, as well as any requested presentation of findings.
4. Provide key technical inputs and responses to relevant economic growth and other relevant competitive subject matter.
5. Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant.

Results and/or Deliverables:

Consultant may be responsible for:

• Reviewing locally collected information and provide written assurance of its quality, accuracy, and completeness for providing local contextual and technical knowledge and findings specific to relevant opportunities.
• Analytical reports, trip reports, presentations of findings (written in PPT and/or reports, as assigned, and oral debriefs, as requested).
• Provision of written and oral technical strategy and targeted technical inputs to inform potential development and partnerships.

Other Matters

N/A

An overarching Renewable Consultant Agreement will be issued based on the capabilities and qualifications listed below as well as those listed in the individual’s submitted CV.

General Capabilities

Consultant should have demonstrated experience in economic growth with particular expertise in market development, trade, investment, and competitiveness.

Required Qualifications

1. A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, International Affairs, or related technical area.
2. At least ten (10) years of experience in overseeing, developing and/or implementing economic growth or related fields.
3. Knowledge of USAID and other donor global and country-specific policies, priorities, preferred approaches, and recent programming.
4. Demonstrated expertise in relevant economic growth technical areas, including but not limited to: agricultural development, climate-sensitive programming, market development and diversification, trade, and investment, as well as familiarity with youth and gender and social inclusion modalities.
5. Experience in economic growth-related business development processes.
6. Demonstrated experience working in complex environments, working across different cultures, and delivering impacts within agreed timelines.
7. Fluency in English, and native fluency in Russian and/or at least one local language is preferred.

Work Assignment:

Consultants with the requisite qualifications will be given a renewable consulting agreement under which specific work assignments will be ordered on an ad hoc basis, subject to consultant’s availability.  Consultants may be required to compete against other similarly qualified consultants, though generally work will be assigned and negotiated directly with the consultant.

Additional information:

Please click on the links to download the Terms and Conditions, Annex A (Reps, Certs and Consents form) and W-8; W-9; and Vendor Information form, as applicable. The forms are provided for your information at this stage in the solicitation process. Completed forms will be required only if you have been selected for the consulting opportunity. However, you may complete, sign, and submit the forms as part of your response to this request.

If a budget is required for Other Direct Costs, including travel, a budget template can be downloaded here.

Selection will be made on the basis of technical capability and overall best value. Modifications to this solicitation, including closing date extensions, will be posted on the Creative website. Please check the website for updates.