Terms of Reference Timor-Leste Case Study STA. Market Development Facility

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference Timor-Leste Case Study STA Market Development Facility Location: Timor-Leste. Duration: 40 days Adviser Remuneration Framework Classification: B3-B4 The Market Development Facility, an Australian Government funded initiative, aims to: Create additional employment and income earning opportunities for poor women and men through broad-based and sustainable pro-poor growth. Make rural and urban sectors of the economy in which the poor are involved as producers and workers, more competitive, making them grow. Trigger lasting, systemic changes in the markets systems around these sectors to reduce constraints to growth and to increase their capacity to innovate and deal with competitive, regulatory, social and environmental pressures, so that the benefits for the poor will sustain and expand in time. The Facility is committed to implementing a market systems approach: Rather than working with the poor directly, the Facility will seek to develop partnerships with players in the private and public sector with the ability and leverage to trigger lasting systemic changes that create broad-based, sustainable pro-poor growth. With each partner, the Facility will design and negotiate detailed action plans, which include clear financial and resource commitments, to arrive at appropriate, innovative and sustainable solutions. Sector players take the lead in implementing and the Facility's role is limited and short-term. The approach requires a flexible implementation process, responding to opportunities as they arise. MDF began in July 2011 in Fiji and has since expanded to Timor-Leste (2012), Pakistan (2013) and Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea (2015). MDF s phase 1 ends in June Background: Timor-Leste emerged as an independent nation in 2002 after 25 traumatic years of annexation from Indonesia and centuries of Portuguese colonial rule. Despite some lapses back into conflict the country has seen a period of post-conflict stability and development. But this development has been based around an oil and gas boom, government infrastructure contracts and large direct aid funding. The country is growing fast, but there is little local development of industry and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), diversification away from oil and gas related industries, or commercialisation of agriculture. There is a heavy dependency on the capital, Dili leaving poverty widespread and little else

2 but subsistence agriculture to survive on in the districts. Timor-Leste now faces a challenging time ahead and needs to diversify its economy away from oil and gas to other promising sectors like agriculture, tourism and manufacturing. Attracting private sector investment through business support services (for example market analysis, access to finance, technical skill, logistics, etc.), and providing conducive business and legal environment in these growth sectors is crucial. Considering the large number of households involved and its importance in reducing poverty, the agriculture sector remains key to stimulating private sector investment. Increasing trade from production centres to the end market (domestic and export) - and developing value addition of agricultural produce via processing provide windows of opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs in this sector. At the same time, manufacturing provides a unique opportunity for potential investors to innovate and manufacture goods using locally available raw materials that can compete with imports. Tourism remains a strong potential sector due to country s abundant natural beauty and its proximity to major tourist hubs in Asia. MDF started in Timor-Leste in 2012 and began implementing activities with partners in It focuses on two key sectors: 1) Agribusiness, Rural Distribution and Processing and 2) Greenfield Industries (Tourism and Manufacturing). For each sector, MDF conducted sector assessments and developed a sector growth strategy, which identifies the key constraint/growth areas within those sectors. MDF focuses its partnership on those areas for stimulating pro-poor growth. MDF in Timor-Leste negotiates its partnerships with strategically positioned private sector organisations. Each partnership is comprised of a tailor-made package of activities that enables the partner to innovate, invest and/or contribute to reform in a way that small farmers and businesses benefit from better access to production inputs, better skilled labour, services and end markets. Each partnership agreement has a demonstrated link with pro-poor growth, job creation and income generation. As of April, 2015 MDF, in Timor-Leste has a portfolio of 14 active partnerships in the two sectors mentioned above. There is a need to capture and document MDF s journey in Timor-Leste and tell its story against the backdrop of the economic, social and development context of the country answering several key questions challenging conventional development thinking and trajectories in a post-conflict, oil dependent setting. MDF is commissioning the writing and production of a major case study. The story will explore and analyse development approaches in post-conflict Timor-Leste and how MDF s market systems approach is applied in the country and adapted to best make impact in the economic and development landscape it is working in. The case study will explore how MDF identified and works in the sectors mentioned above with several key partners, and what goes into managing a partnership to contribute to poverty alleviation,economic growth, and other dimensions of post-conflict stability and development. It will examine MDF s results achieved and how MDF s work can be truly transformational in people s lives including the jobs created,

3 additional income generated for poor women and men and how they benefit from improved enterprise performance and sector competitiveness. But beyond jobs and income, it will explore how people are benefitting in other ways including health, food security, skills development and women s economic empowerment (WEE) and as consumers and players in the private sector in the country. The case will be an engaging and lively document incorporating rich visual images and video (clips that will be embedded into the electronic version) to supplement and enhance the written text. It will explain the programme and approach in a tangible manner for an audience not immediately familiar with a systemic approach to market development and pro-poor growth. The language should be accessible and jargon should be limited to a minimum. Objective: To develop a detailed case study of around thirty pages. The case study will tell the story of post-conflict Timor-Leste and how MDF and the market systems approach is carving a pathway to sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty. It will delve deeply into several examples from MDF s partnerships and tell those stories from every angle. It will do this in an insightful and engaging way broadly broken down into the following sections and answering the suggested questions below: Framing: A brief synthesis highlighting key research and limited international experience in achieving sustainable post-conflict development through the private sector; how MDF can offer new lessons learned Section 1: Understanding the post-conflict and oil dependent economy in Timor-Leste How has Timor-Leste s economy evolved post-conflict? How has international development and aid shaped Timor-Leste s social and economic conditions? What challenges does the private sector face in Timor-Leste? What are the social and economic conditions for people in cities and the districts? Section 2: MDF and private sector development opportunities Can the private sector deliver meaningful changes to the economy and contribute to postconflict stability? How can Timor-Leste sustainably diversity its economy? How does MDF differ from other private sector development initiatives in Timor-Leste? How did MDF adapt its approach in Timor-Leste? Section 3: Populating a post conflict, oil-dependent economy and changing lives Why does MDF work in the sectors it does?

4 In developing its strategy and managing interventions, how did MDF address practical challenges linked to the post-conflict situation? Agribusiness, processing and Rural Distribution How did MDF build its portfolio in this sector? How has MDF s partnerships in Agribusiness created impact? (including WEE) How is MDF sequencing its interventions to move from direct support to business partners to facilitating wider strategic changes in the sector/ economy? Greenfields Industries (Manufacturing and Tourism) How did MDF build its portfolio in this sector? How has MDF s partnerships in Agribusiness created impact? (including WEE) How is MDF sequencing its interventions to move from direct support to business partners to facilitating wider strategic changes in the sector/ economy? Section 4: Connecting the dots for lasting changes in markets Methodology: Through populating a series of partnerships in strategic areas across both sectors will MDF achieve sustainable changes in the markets in Timor-Leste? What learning can MDF offer other programmes and its donor through its experience in Timor- Leste? In order to produce this case study, the consultant will work through a number of steps as presented below. The consultant will work closely with the MDF team throughout the assignment including with the MDF communications team during the production of the video material to supplement the written case study as well as its production after it is written. Should any changes to the methodology be required, they must be agreed in advance with MDF. 1. Preliminary Briefing Meeting: MDF will hold a briefing meeting (by phone hook-up) with the consultant to discuss the objectives of the assignment, the stakeholders required for engagement, the field work to take place and the specific audiences and approach of the case. In particular, in this meeting should be discussed: MDF s organisation and approach in Timor-Leste (relevant documents to be shared).

5 Potential cases and results to be focused on, how they can help explain the MDF approach in terms of partner identification, partner capacity, content of the partnership agreement, facilitation struggles, etc. (relevant documents to be shared). Identify key persons (from DFAT post and other stakeholders) the consultant should initiate further discussion before the in-country work begins. (Advice could be taken from MDF s Independent Advisory Group for advice and perspective.) 2. Discussions with DFAT Post and MDF Team: These discussions will be via phone hook-up, followed by face-to-face meetings during work in-country. 3. Desk review and case study design: The consultant will provide a written proposal and outline of the design of the case study based on discussion and desk research. This will detail: Development of key questions the case study will seek to answer An outline of the narrative, chapter by chapter, in a few bullet points. Partners and examples the case study will focus on. Overall conceptual plan for the production using visual materials, infographics pictures, and the production of supplementary video material. The consultant and MDF will discuss the case study design. MDF will approve the case study design before the consultant can proceed. MDF will extend all possible resources to the consultant to help them develop a case study that address all the points identified above. 4. Field visit: Based on the approved design, the consultant accompanied with relevant members from the MDF team will undertake field visits to meet with Post in Timor-Leste, MDF partners in various locations, beneficiaries and some broader stakeholders. This discussion will be based on an interview checklist, which the consultant will develop. Shooting for the supplementary video material will also take place during this field work in conjunction with MDF communications team. 5. Draft Case Preparation: The consultant will start to develop the draft case study. Prior to drafting the case study, the consultant will develop the final table of content and submit it to MDF for consultation and approval. MDF will provide the necessary communication guidance to ensure MDF communication guidelines are being utilised. Once complete it will be submitted to MDF for review and feedback. 6. Final Case Submission: Based on the feedback from MDF, there may be need to hold more discussion with MDF to clarify certain issues. Finally considering all these inputs, the final case study would be developed. 7. Production of the case study and video material: The consultant will work with the MDF communications team during the final production of the case study and supporting video material. This includes liaising with the editor(s) to review final edited versions of the document, photo selection and placement and liaise with the designer on graphical content, and scripting and editorial assistance with the video material.

6 The activities and deliverables with their estimated days are outlined below: STEP DELIVERABLES DAYS 1. Preliminary Briefing Meeting Meeting minutes 1 2. Discussion with DFAT Post and Synopsis of discussions with DFAT and MDF 5 MDF Team 3. Desk study and design of case study Team and detailed outline way forward for the case study 4. Field visit to Timor-Leste 12 (+ 3-4 international travel days) 5. Draft document Draft case study Finalisation of Case Study Final draft based on comments MDF Production of Case Study Editing, Design and layout of the case, scripting for the video material and editorial assistance building the case into a microwebsite to be done in conjunction with MDF Communications team. Total Estimated time 40 The distribution of days between steps is indicative and can be changed if needed. The assignment will take place in the consultant s home country and Timor-Leste and is estimated to require a maximum of 40 days with 3-4 days for international travel if required. Time Line: It is expected to commence in August 2016, with the field work taking place in August/September Technical Direction: The Consultant will work closely with the Results Measurement Specialist and the Senior Market Development Adviser in Timor-Leste under the direction of the Communications Manager, Team Leader and Acting Country Representative who will approve all deliverables. The Consultant should regularly inform the above mentioned people about the progress of the work. Education, Skills, Knowledge and Experience: The successful consultant should demonstrate that they meet the following selection criteria: Experience and ability in dealing directly donor funded development programmes and donors, particularly DFAT. Excellent writing abilities and experience producing engaging case studies. Extensive experience with systemic approaches to market development and pro-poor growth, the DCED standard on results measurement. Previous experience working in drafting case studies on such topics; examples of work will be 6

7 requested upon shortlisting. Experience working in post conflict countries desirable. Post Graduate qualifications in development studies, economics or social sciences or other relevant field. Excellent communication skills and fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Tetun, Portuguese and or Bahasa Indonesia an advantage. To Apply: To apply, please submit a CV and Cover Letter which demonstrates how you meet the above criteria to: recruitment@cardnomdf.org stating Timor-Leste Case Study STA in the Subject Line. Applications are due by 31 st May 2016.