Political Economy Analysis Team Leader Consultant   

Overview 

RFQ closing date: 12/19/2024 at 5PM EST 

Background: 

Creative Associates International, Inc. 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 qualifications listed below and Creative’s Renewable Consultant Ordering Agreement (RCOA) Terms and Conditions available here. Creative intends to award one or more RCOA(s) for a one-year period, which may then be continuously renewed, under which work may be negotiated as needed using level of effort (LOE) or fixed-price performance-based work orders. Creative reserves the right to make multiple awards or no award as a result of this solicitation. 

Instructions 

1. Review this solicitation in full.
2. Complete the Application section of this solicitation and submit it to Creative.
3. Submit the following documentation with your application    

• •   Up-to-date CV  
  • Optional: Completed forms linked under the “Additional Information Section” below  

Applicants will be evaluated and scored based on their qualifications and experience in comparison with the criteria listed under the Qualifications section below. Only applicants who can successfully demonstrate the Key Qualifications listed and, as a result, obtain the minimum required score may be considered for award.  

Summary/General Capabilities: 

Creative is seeking consultants to support the implementation of an Applied Political Economy Analysis (APEA) for the USAID El Salvador Local Governance Solution Project. The APEA expert – an international consultant – will work with a team of local consultants, Creative home office staff, and Local Governance Solutions Project staff and partners to conduct a problem-based APEA. The APEA will have a national scope in El Salvador. The APEA Specialist will guide the implementation of the methodology, guide local consultants and project staff in its application of the APEA framework, design, scope and reach, and work with the local consultants to conduct analysis, and lead specific deliverables including the development of the final report and presentations to USAID. 

Illustrative Tasks To Be Performed: 

The tasks listed below are meant to cover the various types of work that may be negotiated with Creative for either programs or proposals with expertise in operational, administrative, and logistical components.  

1. Develop the scope of the APEA for the El Salvador Local Governance Solutions Project; 

1. Recruiting a team to consolidate information and conduct interviews. 

1. Lead the APEA framework development and training sessions to transfer the methodology to the local APEA consultants and project team;   

1. Review and adapt APEA protocols and establish standards to guide the quality control process during the implementation of the APEA;    

1. Develop inception report with local consultants and project staff, including a brief description of the methodology, guiding questions and sub-questions, list of documents to be reviewed, initial list of interviews, and timeline of activities;   

1. Participate in select field interviews with local stakeholders and discussions with the local APEA team;   

1. Provide quality control during the APEA development process;    

1. Provide coaching to the local team to ensure that the methodology is effectively transferred;    

1. Develop the final report including analysis and recommendations;    

1. Present key findings and recommendations in internal meetings and in-briefings with USAID. He/she will be responsible for presenting all methodological aspects of the APEA, analysis and findings;   

1. Develop guidelines for Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) incorporation and APEA iterations. 

 Illustrative Results and/or Deliverables: 

Consultant may be responsible to complete or deliver the following items for either program with operational, administrative, and logistical components: 

• Develop APEA framework 

• Develop and deliver APEA co-design sessions 

• PEA implementation team kick-off meeting, training, and inception plan  

• Develop preliminary APEA report 

• Develop APEA final report 

• Develop guidelines to support project staff to incorporate TWP and APEA iterations during project life cycle 

• Prepare a presentation with PEA insight
• Prepare and deliver a two-day workshop for USAID, HQ and project staff to: present PEA insights, assist COR, project staff in translating insights into strategic and tactical implications 
• Other similar results or deliverables to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant 

   

An overarching Renewable Consultant Ordering Agreement (RCOA) will be issued based on the applicant’s qualifications that align with those listed below as well as those listed in the individual’s submitted CV. Work orders for specific Scopes of Work that require this experience may be negotiated and issued against the RCOA as needed and in accordance with the consultant’s availability

Key Qualifications  

• Advanced degree in Political Science, Law, Development Studies, Public Policy or another related field;   

• Over 10 years of experience conducting Political Economy Analysis and how they are used to advance development programming; work demonstrating the use of these tools strongly preferred;   

• Experience with USAID or other donor funded projects focused on governance, justice and security reform preferred;  

• Demonstrated writing skills through similar PEA research;  

• Spanish and English language required. English language writing skills required 

Preferred Qualifications 

1. Master’s degree in a field related to one or more of Creative’s priority sectors of Education, Economic Growth and Communities in Transition 
2. Demonstrated existing network of local and national level contacts within civil society, the private sector, and/or government;  
3. Demonstrated experience in senior level roles working with USAID or other international donor-funded programs;   
4. Strong research and communication skills; and  
5. Ability to build productive institutional relationships. 

Other Matters 

Reporting: The consultant will report to the Creative employee designated on their individual Work Orders. 

Travel. Creative prefers to organize travel directly for consultants to ensure compliance with federal regulations and Creative policies and procedures. Please assume that all travel is coordinated by Creative staff unless otherwise negotiated at the Work Order level.  

Work Orders may include travel costs, and meals and incidental costs (M&IE) budgeted in 

accordance with State Department Foreign Per Diem Rates for travel. All proposed costs, if approved, 

will be reimbursable only upon submission and Creative acceptance of receipts/supporting 

documentation. 

Danger Pay. If applicable, Danger Pay is calculated in accordance with the Department of State’s published rates and paid on 80% of the consultant’s daily rate for days worked in danger pay-designated location unless otherwise negotiated at the Work Order level. Per diem rates are also based on those set by the Department of State. 

Invoicing. Consultant may include incidental costs incurred while working on the assignment (e.g., 

printing). All proposed costs, if approved, will be reimbursable only upon submission 

and Creative acceptance of receipts/supporting documentation. Please send your invoice, invoice 

timesheet, and supporting documentation to the Creative employee designated on your Work Order. 

Further management arrangements for the completion of specific assignments will be negotiated at the Work Order level. 

Work Assignments: 

Consultants with the requisite qualifications will be given a Renewable Consultant Ordering Agreement (RCOA) which contains Creative’s general terms and conditions and establishes a consultant’s rate for a one-year period, after which rate increases may be negotiated when this agreement renews.  

Specific assignments will be negotiated and agreed upon via Work Orders, as needed in line with the consultant’s availability, with specific scopes of work that are in line with the capabilities, tasks, and deliverables outlined above. The consultant will be required to submit a budget which must be vetted and approved by Creative for any specific work that will be contracted out via Work Orders. 

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. 

Selection will be made on the basis of technical capability and rate reasonableness. Modifications to this solicitation, including closing date extensions, will be posted on the Creative website. Please check the website for updates. Please note that RCOAs lock in a consultant’s rate for one full year and this rate may not be re-negotiated again until the point of renewal. 

EEOC Statement: Creative is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, Ameri-Corps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.