TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO COMPETE CARIBBEAN PROGRAM (RG-X1044) SUPPORT FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

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1 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO COMPETE CARIBBEAN PROGRAM (RG-X1044) SUPPORT FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Consultancy for End of Project Evaluation and Preparation of Final Evaluation Report TERMS OF REFERENCE BACKGROUND Compete Caribbean is a private sector development program that provides technical assistance grants and investment funding to support productive development policies, business climate reforms, clustering initiatives and Small and Medium Size Enterprise (SME) development activities in the Caribbean region. 1 The ultimate goal of the Program is to contribute to the increase in the standard of living and quality of life, and the enhancement of the competitiveness of the 15 independent CARIFORUM countries. Specifically, the program is expected to result in (i) increased consensus and focus on strategic interventions to promote private sector development; (ii) improved enabling environment for business development, trade and integration; and (iii) enhanced capacity of clusters and firms to increase productivity and sustainably compete in national, regional and global markets. Given the dominance of the oil and gas industries in Trinidad and Tobago s economy and the relative weakness of other sectors, the government recognized the need to re-orient its economic policies and educational institutions toward growth in knowledge-related industries. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT s) Medium Term Policy Framework prioritized realigning the economy, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the competitiveness and productivity of non-energy sectors and a desire for international assistance, both technically and financially through investment. The Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Council for Competitiveness and Innovation (CCI) were established as new advisory committees tasked with leading the economic diversification and knowledge economy promotion efforts for the Minister of Planning and the Economy (later changed to the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development. The EDB was established to consult with stakeholders and play an advisory and implementation role in the strategic management of the economy ; while the CCI s objective was to assist in 1 The Compete Caribbean programme is a US$40M regional private sector development programme jointly funded by the Canadian Government, the United Kingdom Department of International Development (DFID) and the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB).

2 developing and implementing a holistic and competitive innovation policy that will transform the economy of Trinidad and Tobago and improve its global competitiveness and innovation rank over the next ten years. A Technical Secretariat was approved to provide technical support and expertise to both entities; but needed assistance for institutional strengthening and in advancing the mandates of the respective bodies. On July 12 th, 2012, the Compete Caribbean Program signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement worth US$500,000 with the GOTT with the objective to (i) support to strengthen the Economic Development Board and the Council for Competitiveness and Innovation by supporting the Technical Secretariat, and (ii) to develop recommendations for key policy reforms to advance private sector development. Discussions with the GOTT reoriented and focused activities towards a specific activity to develop a cluster analysis of the South-West peninsula economic growth pole. This informally replaced the second sub-objective, but was not officially changed in the project documentation. CONSULTANCY OBJECTIVE(S) In keeping with the original Plan of Operations for TT-CC2009, an independent end of project evaluation is to be conducted. The objective of this consultancy is to conduct an End of Project Evaluation and prepare the report. The End of Project Evaluation will examine and assess the performance of the re-profiled project, and take into consideration the project s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability; and identify lessons learned. The evaluation s main goals are to: Determine the extent to which the project has fulfilled, or is expected to fulfil the specific objective (i) support to strengthen the Economic Development Board and the Council for Competitiveness and Innovation by supporting the Technical Secretariat, and (ii) to develop recommendations for key policy reforms to advance private sector development. Assess the extent to which the project efficiently met the performance targets and results as established in the Project s Results Framework and satisfied the needs of stakeholders. Identify any lessons learned that could be applied to building national innovation capacity and effectiveness of public-private partnerships. Specifically, the evaluation will answer the following questions and address the following issues: a. Relevance, project context and review of assumptions: Was the project design adequate to address the challenges identified in Plan of Operations for TT-CC2009? To what extent was the project able to address the constraints identified in the PO within the scope and resources available? 2

3 Identify where appropriate any changes in the legal, political, economic or institutional context which may have had an effect on project implementation as originally designed. Assess the extent to which the assumptions and context underpinning the original approved project changed and justified the informal modification of objectives of TT- CC2009. Determine the extent to which the re-profiled project as designed supports the objectives of Compete Caribbean s Business Climate and Competitive Enhancement Facility. Review the extent to which the project was aligned with other activities financed by the IDB or other development partners in building innovation capacity in Trinidad and Tobago. b. Achievement of projected performance indicators and targets (effectiveness): To what extent were the target outputs and outcomes realized? To what extent has the project supported the GOTT s intention to diversify the economy and the identification of reforms/actions needed for this transition? To what extent did the project s design, approach, and methodology compare with global best practice to build national innovation capacity. To what extent is the secretariat providing the coordination and policy support to the EDC and CCI as envisaged? To what extent are the EDC and CCI functioning as effective (public-private dialogue) PPD mechanisms? To what extent has the capacity of the Secretariat been built as a result of project activities? Is the Technical Unit functioning as designed and how is it monitoring its performance. To what extent has the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development s (MPLSD) expectations been met with respect to any changes realized in Trinidad and Tobago s innovation capacity brought about by the project? c. Results in terms of outputs achieved vis-à-vis projected targets (efficiency): Identify any internal and external factors that have positively or negatively influenced the ability of the PCU and the Ministry to meet projected targets or project outcomes of the re-profiled project in a timely and cost effective manner. Assess the extent to which project expenditures are in line with revised approved budgetary plans. Assess the extent to which any changes/modifications to the revised budget were justified. 3

4 Determine the extent to which the anticipated Counterpart Contributions from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago were provided and utilized as planned. d. Lessons learned Identify any lessons learned and any potential areas for improvement that can be applied to introducing a PPP mechanism, including lessons related to national innovation capacity building. e. Sustainability Assess the extent to which the Technical Secretariat has the technical and human resource capacity unit fulfill its mandate in the long term. What are the factors enabling or constraining the continued functioning of this unit after the project ends? METHODOLOGY The evaluation methodology must at a minimum include the following activities. The Consultant may propose additional or alternate methods of conducting the evaluation and elaborate these in the workplan. a) Review of project documentation. The Consultant will review as necessary, available archived material to be provided by the Compete Caribbean PCU and the Counterpart Agency and the IDB Trinidad and Tobago Country Office. Documentation will include at a minimum, background material used in project preparation, approved project documents, Aide Memoires, Consultants deliverables, disbursement reports, and progress reports. b) Review of any other relevant information that may be publicly available. c) Field visits and interviews. At a minimum, the Consultant will undertake the following: i. In situ visits to the EDC and CCI Technical Secretariat, the Ministry of Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development and other relevant public and private sector stakeholders; the Team Leader and other relevant IDB Country Office officials in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. ii. Interviews with Compete Caribbean and IDB staff involved in the design and execution of the project iii. iv. Interviews with the Consultants contracted under the project. The Consultant will propose other stakeholder consultations as deemed appropriate d) Collection and analysis of data from other stakeholders or interested parties should also be considered. SCHEDULE AND DELIVERABLES 4

5 The Consultant will be responsible for submitting the following deliverables: Inception meeting: Within 5 working days after the awarding of the contract, the Consultant will participate in an inception meeting(s) for the consultancy services with representatives of the Bank. The Consultant will be provided with preliminary access to project documentation to facilitate the preparation of the workplan. Workplan: Within 5 working days following the inception meeting, the Consultant will prepare a draft workplan to conduct the end of project evaluation. The workplan will include (i) an elaboration of the evaluation methodology, data collection and analysis approaches, (ii) a preliminary list of persons to be consulted, (iv) timelines for site visits and interviews and all other evaluation activities, and (iv) deadlines for submission of draft and final reports. The workplan should be presented to the PCU for review and approval. Draft End of Project Evaluation Report: Within 3 weeks after the approval of the workplan, the Consultant will present the draft report. Final End of Project Evaluation Report: Within 2 weeks after review and feedback from Compete Caribbean, the Consultant will present the final evaluation report. All reports are to be submitted in MSWord and in English, and presented in a format approved by the IDB. QUALIFICATIONS: The Consultant should possess these qualifications: Education and Experience Post-graduate degree(s) or higher in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Public Administration, Public Policy, Statistics, Law, International Development or other relevant field. At least 5 years of experience in evaluating technical assistance or projects (preferably in Private Sector Development) financed by international financing institutions or bilateral agencies. In-depth knowledge of private sector development and preferably business climate reforms. Prior knowledge and experience with public private partnerships and innovation capacity would be highly desirable. A good understanding of the Caribbean region. Previous evaluation assignments in the Caribbean would be desirable. Professional experience or training in M&E processes of international development agencies, such as the logical framework, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and other performance monitoring tools. The ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required, including the ability to synthesize key issues and draw lessons learned. Fluency in is English required. SUPERVISION The technical responsibilities of this consultancy will be coordinated by Juan Carlos Navarro, Lead Private Sector Development Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank and Project Team Leader. Support in the technical responsibilities of this consultancy will be provided 5

6 Christine Scott Dunkley, Consultant Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for Compete Caribbean. Administrative responsibility of this consultancy will be coordinated by Michael Hennessey, Operations Senior Associate (CTI/CBA) and Operations Coordinator of Compete Caribbean. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT All travel-related costs related to this Consultancy will be included in the contract between the Consultant and the Bank. The Consultant will be paid in three lump sum payments as follows: (i) 30% on delivery of the workplan; (ii) 30% on submission and approval of the draft report; and (iii) 40% on submission and approval of final reports. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CONSULTANCY CONSULTANCY CATEGORY & MODALITY: Product and services consultancy (PEC) CONTRACT DURATION: January-March 2016 PLACE(S) OF WORK: Consultants place of residence and Trinidad and Tobago. Payment and Conditions: Compensation will be determined in accordance with Bank s policies and procedures. In addition, candidates must be citizens of an IDB member country. Consanguinity: Pursuant to applicable Bank policy, candidates with relatives (including the fourth degree of consanguinity and the second degree of affinity, including spouse) working for the Bank as staff members or Complementary Workforce contractuals, will not be eligible to provide services for the Bank. Diversity: The Bank is committed to diversity and inclusion and to providing equal opportunities to all candidates. We embrace diversity on the basis of gender, age, education, national origin, ethnic origin, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and HIV/AIDs status. We encourage women, Afro-descendants and persons of indigenous origins to apply. 6