STTA PIM and Feasibility Study Training Consultant

Introduction

The purpose of the Iraq Governance and Performance Accountability (IGPA) project is to advance effective, accountable, and transparent governance in Iraq. This USAID effort, implemented by DAI, will work with the Government of Iraq (GOI) at all levels to better respond to citizen needs by supporting reform initiatives and Iraqi change agents on inclusive governance and public sector transparency, accountability, and economy. “Reform initiatives” include support to improve service delivery functions, public financial management, and open government initiatives. IGPA will support the GOI and the citizens of Iraq in forming partnerships and collaborative efforts to solve problems jointly. IGPA has four (4) objectives:

1. Enhance GOI service delivery capacity
2. Improve public financial management
3. Strengthen monitoring and oversight of service delivery and public expenditure
4. Support Iraqi change agents (cross-cutting objective)

 

Background

The KRG Ministry of Planning (MOP) and Federal Ministry of Planning are responsible for reviewing capital investment projects proposed by line ministries and provinces based on specific economic, financial, social and environmental criteria. As such, line ministries and provinces should propose investment projects that meet the specific requirements for MOP approval and financing. The Federal and KRG MOP requires a feasibility study analysis for large capital project proposals for review and consideration.

Currently, the MOP lacks comprehensive, best practice guidelines for line ministries to use to prepare feasibility studies that consider the economic, financial, social, and environmental impacts of the proposed projects. Under a previous scope of work, IGPA/Takamul developed these comprehensive  guidelines and templates for KRG MOP and line ministries to use to prepare comprehensive feasibility studies or to review complex feasibility studies that have been prepared by technical consultants engaged by the line ministry. The KRG MOP approved the feasibility study guidelines and templates in Year 4 to be rolled out to the sector/service delivery line ministries and provincial planning units for their use.

These guidelines and templates now need to be adapted for use by the Federal MOP, line ministries and provinces. IGPA/Takamul is engaging a local feasibility study expert to adapt the feasibility study guidelines for the GOI MOP and line ministries and provincial planning units use and to then conduct training and capacity building of select Federal and KRG line ministries and provinces to use the respective guidelines and templates to prepare comprehensive feasibility studies. The consultant will be hired on a short-term basis with 90 LOE days to accomplish the tasks under this scope of work.

 

Objectives:

The main objectives for recruiting the local Feasibility Training Consultant are as follows:

1. Adapt the Public Investment Management and feasibility study guidelines developed for the KRG MOP and line ministries for the GOI MOP and line ministries and provincial planning units use based on the specific needs and requirements identified by the GOI MOP
2. Prepare training materials to train the select KRG and Federal MOP, service delivery ministries and KRI and Federal provincial staff on using the guidelines and templates to prepare feasibility studies for small and large capital projects.
3. Provide follow up capacity building session for national, regional and provincial government staff responsible for conducting and/or reviewing feasibility studies to use the guidelines and templates for public investment project proposals.

 

1. Specific Tasks of the Consultancy

 

Under this Scope of Work, the consultant will perform, but not be limited to, the following specific tasks:

GOI Ministry of Planning, line ministries and provincial planning unit staff

 

Task 1: Adapt KRG PIM and feasibility study guidelines for the GOI MOP, line ministries and provincial planning units to meet their specific needs and requirements. For this task, the consultant will adapt the KRG PIM and feasibility study guidelines to meet the specific needs and requirements for the GOI MOP, line ministries and provincial planning units.  This will be accomplished based on the comments and feedback that the project received from the GOI MOP feasibility study unit and sector department.  The consultant will work closely with the MOP feasibility study unit and sector department to finalize the feasibility study guidelines to then be rolled out to the lines ministries and provincial planning units.

 

Task 2: Develop training design/curriculum and training materials. Under this task, the consultant will prepare a training design and curriculum that will be shared with and approved by IGPA/Takamul prior to the design of any training materials. The training materials would be prepared in Arabic language. The training materials will be based on the final feasibility study guidelines and templates that have been developed by IGPA/Takamul and reviewed by the GOI MOP.  Upon approval, training materials including pre-and post-tests, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and exercises on the conducting a feasibility study will be finalized.  The training materials will be submitted to IGPA/Takamul for approval prior to any training sessions being conducted.

Task 3: Deliver training and capacity building program for GOI MOP feasibility study unit,  line ministries and provincial planning and related staff.  For this task, the consultant, after developing the training materials, will deliver the training for staff from Ministry of Planning, line ministries, other governmental entities, and provincial government units involved in planning and developing capital project proposals. The consultant will deliver three three-day training sessions with up to 25 participants per training event with the same training materials delivered for all four workshops. The three workshops will be for Federal MOP, line ministry and provincial planning staff and the training materials will be in Arabic.  The consultant will prepare a workshop report (2-3 pages) for each workshop delivered. These reports must be completed in English.

 

Task 4: Conduct follow up capacity building sessions for targeted entities identified by the GOI Ministry of Planning.  The sessions can be virtual or in-person and the purpose of these sessions is to ensure the practical application of the guidelines and templates for new projects proposed for upcoming budgets for financing and approval. The consultant will tailor the follow up capacity building sessions based on the needs identified by the GOI MOP feasibility study unit and sector department, line ministries and provincial planning staff and based on the related issues identified during the workshop that require follow up. The consultant should provide at least nine follow up capacity building sessions for the Federal MOP (one for select MOP staff), line ministries (3 key ministries) and provinces (five target provinces).

 

KRG Ministry of Planning, line ministries and provincial planning unit staff

 

Task 5: Develop training design/curriculum and training materials. Under this task, the consultant will prepare training curriculum and plan that will be shared with and approved by IGPA/Takamul prior to the design of any training materials. The training materials would be prepared in Kurdish language. The training program will be based on the feasibility study guidelines and templates approved by the KRG Ministry of Planning in Year 4.  Upon approval, training materials including pre-and post-tests, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and exercises on the conducting a feasibility study will be finalized.  The training materials will be submitted to IGPA/Takamul for approval prior to any training sessions being conducted.

Task 6: Deliver training and capacity building program for KRG MOP feasibility study unit, line ministries and provincial planning and related staff.  For this task, the consultant, after developing the training materials, will deliver the training for staff from Ministry of Planning, line ministries, other governmental entities, and provincial government units involved in planning and developing capital project proposals. The consultant will deliver one three-day training sessions with up to 25 participants per training event with the same training materials delivered for all four workshops. The workshop will target KRG line ministry planning staff with 1 – 2 MOP staff in attendance and will target the priority sector ministries – Ministry of Electricity, Ministry of Housing and Construction, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism – General Directorate of Water and Sewerage. The training materials for this workshop will be in Kurdish. These ministries have the largest number of ongoing and new projects funded under the approved 2021 investment budget. The consultant will prepare a workshop report (2-3 pages) for each workshop delivered. These reports must be completed in English.

 

Task 7: Conduct follow up capacity building sessions for targeted entities identified by the KRG Ministry of Planning.  The sessions can be virtual or in-person and the purpose of these sessions is to ensure the practical application of the guidelines and templates for new projects proposed for upcoming budgets for financing and approval. The consultant will tailor the follow up capacity building sessions based on the needs identified by the GOI and KRG MOP, line ministries and provincial planning staff and based on the related issues identified during the workshop that require follow up. The consultant should provide at least a total of four follow up capacity building sessions for the KRG line ministries (one each per ministry).

 

Task 8: Draft final report. The consultant will prepare and submit a final progress report (7-10 pages) highlighting the achievements accomplished for each task, recommendations, and lessons learned.

 

The local feasibility study training consultant should submit weekly reports to the IGPA/Takamul PFM Component Lead/Regional Technical Coordinator detailing which governmental entities the consultant met with n the previous week and when and provide a brief  description of the support provided and what is planned for technical support for the next week/coming weeks.  The consultant should attach the training and capacity building plan and schedule updated each week to the weekly report to show progress with completion of deliverables.

 

III.   Deliverables

1. PIM and feasibility study guidelines and templates adapted for the GOI Ministry of Planning, sector line ministries and provincial planning units use
2. Two training design/curriculum documents and materials (PowerPoint presentations, handouts, practical exercises, pre and post-test). The consultant will submit two training design which includes training topics and an agenda one each for the GOI and KRG training sessions on the feasibility study guidelines and templates.
3. Conduct four three-day workshops in coordination with the GOI (3 workshops) and KRG (1 workshop) Ministries of Planning, line ministries and provincial planning units. The consultant must submit documents to meet MEL requirements including workshop report, sign in sheets and photos.
4. Conduct at least 13 follow-up capacity building sessions for the targeted line ministries and provinces in coordination with the GOI (nine) and KRG (Four) Ministry of Planning staff, minutes for each capacity building session and sign-in sheets
5. Four workshop reports (2-3 pages)
6. Final report (7-10 pages).

 

Estimated timeframes and deadlines for completing tasks and deliverables under this scope of work will be updated once the consultant is hired in consultation with the DCOP, IGPA/Takamul and the Ministry of Planning at both KRI and Federal Government of Iraq. All deliverables are to be prepared in English and Arabic.

 

Required Qualification

• At least a Master’s degree in engineering, economics, project management.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience preparing feasibility studies, engineering reports and designs and in project management
• Proven technical knowledge on specific aspects of feasibility study including (financial, social and environmental studies) for the public sector
• Ability to provide on the job training for governmental staff and conduct training workshops
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills with persuasion abilities

 

Skills

• Writing skills with the ability to prepare project economic feasibility and engineering review and analysis reports
• Training and capacity building skills
• Computer skills in MS office package
• Required native Arabic speaker with excellent English language and writing skills

 

1. General Statement

The Feasibility Study Training Consultant will be based in Baghdad/or home with trips to Erbil. All deliverables should be prepared in English and Arabic.

 

1. IV. Deliverable Timeframe

 

Task

Deliverables

Dec 2021

January   2022

February 2022

March              2022

April 2022

W1

W2

W3

W4

W5

W6

W7

W8

W9

W10

W11

W12

W 13

W14

W15

W 16

W 17

W 18

GOI Ministry of Planning, line ministries and provincial planning unit staff

Task 1: Adapt KRG PIM and feasibility study guidelines for the GOI MOP, line ministries and provincial planning units to meet their specific needs and requirements. For this task, the consultant will adapt the KRG PIM and feasibility study guidelines to meet the specific needs and requirements for the GOI MOP, line ministries and provincial planning units.  This will be accomplished based on the comments and feedback that the project received from the GOI MOP feasibility study unit and sector department.  The consultant will work closely with the MOP feasibility study unit and sector department to finalize the feasibility study guidelines to then be rolled out to the lines ministries and provincial planning units.

1.      PIM and feasibility study guidelines and templates adapted for the GOI Ministry of Planning, sector line ministries and provincial planning units use

Task 2: Develop training design/curriculum and training materials. Under this task, the consultant will prepare a training design and curriculum that will be shared with and approved by IGPA/Takamul prior to the design of any training materials. The training materials would be prepared in Arabic language. The training materials will be based on the final PIM and feasibility study guidelines and templates that have been developed by IGPA/Takamul and reviewed by the GOI MOP.  Upon approval, training materials including pre-and post-tests, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and exercises on the conducting a feasibility study will be finalized.  The training materials will be submitted to IGPA/Takamul for approval prior to any training sessions being conducted.

2. Training design/curriculum 3. Training materials (powerpoint presentation, handouts, exercises)

Task 3: Deliver training and capacity building program for GOI MOP feasibility study unit, line ministries and provincial planning and related staff.  For this task, the consultant, after developing the training materials, will deliver the training for staff from Ministry of Planning, line ministries, other governmental entities, and provincial government units involved in planning and developing capital project proposals. The consultant will deliver three three-day training sessions with up to 25 participants per training event with the same training materials delivered for all four workshops. The three  workshops will be for Federal MOP, line ministry and provincial planning staff and the training materials will be in Arabic.

4.      Three three-day workshops for Federal MOP, line ministries and provinces 5.      Required M&E documentation including sign-in sheets, pre-post test results, high-resolution photos, and workshop reports in English.

Task 4: Conduct follow up capacity building sessions for targeted entities identified by the GOI Ministry of Planning.  The sessions can be virtual or in-person and the purpose of these sessions is to ensure the practical application of the guidelines and templates for new projects proposed for upcoming budgets for financing and approval. The consultant will tailor the follow up capacity building sessions based on the needs identified by the GOI MOP feasibility study unit and sector department, line ministries and provincial planning staff and based on the related issues identified during the workshop that require follow up. The consultant should provide at least nine follow up capacity building sessions for the Federal MOP (one for select MOP staff), line ministries (3 key ministries) and provinces (five target provinces)

6.       Nine capacity building session conducted for GOI MOP feasibility study unit, select line ministries, five provincial planning units 7.      Minutes of each capacity building sessions and sign-in sheets

KRG Ministry of Planning, line ministries and provincial planning unit staff

Task 5: Develop training design/curriculum and training materials. Under this task, the consultant will prepare training curriculum and plan that will be shared with and approved by IGPA/Takamul prior to the design of any training materials. The training materials would be prepared in Kurdish for the feasibility study guidelines and templates approved by the KRG Ministry of Planning in Year 4.  Upon approval, training materials including pre-and post-tests, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and exercises on the conducting a feasibility study will be finalized.  The training materials will be submitted to IGPA/Takamul for approval prior to any training sessions being conducted.

8.      Training design/curriculum 9.      Training materials (powerpoint presentation, handouts, exercises)

Task 6: Deliver training and capacity building program for KRG MOP feasibility study unit, line ministries and provincial planning and related staff.  For this task, the consultant, after developing the training materials, will deliver the training for staff from Ministry of Planning, line ministries, other governmental entities, and provincial government units involved in planning and developing capital project proposals. The consultant will deliver one three-day training session with up to 25 participants per training event with the same training materials delivered for all four workshops. The workshop will target KRG line ministry planning staff with 1 – 2 MOP staff in attendance and will target the priority sector ministries – Ministry of Electricity, Ministry of Housing and Construction, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism – General Directorate of Water and Sewerage. The training materials for this workshop will be in Kurdish. These ministries have the largest number of ongoing and new projects funded under the approved 2021 investment budget. The consultant will prepare a workshop report (2-3 pages) for each workshop delivered. These reports must be completed in English.

10.    One three-day workshop for KRG MOP, line ministries and provinces 11.    Required M&E documentation including sign-in sheets, pre-post test results, high-resolution photos, and workshop reports in English.

Task 7: Conduct follow up capacity building sessions for targeted entities identified by the KRG virtually or in-person and the purpose of these sessions is to ensure the practical application of the guidelines and templates for new projects proposed for upcoming budgets for financing and approval. The consultant will tailor the follow up capacity building sessions based on the needs identified by the KRG MOP, line ministries and provincial planning staff and based on the related issues identified during the workshop that require follow up. The consultant should provide at least a total of four follow up capacity building sessions for the KRG line ministries (one each per ministry).

12.    Four capacity building sessions conducted for KRG MOP feasibility study unit, select line ministries, provincial planning units 13.   Minutes of each capacity building sessions and sign-in sheets

Task 8: Develop final report. The consultant will prepare and submit a final progress report (7 – 10 pages) highlighting the achievements for each task, recommendations, and lessons learned. The detailed lessons learned section should capture the successes and challenges of the activity.

14.    English Final Report (7 – 10 pages).