Purpose

This Scope of Work (SOW) outlines the tasks and responsibilities for a Consultant to provide business development (BD) assistance to CRS Liberia in the role of Private Sector Engagement Focal Point. This support will be provided for the USAID/ COVID-19 PSE & Partnership Fund. This assignment will cover the period between March and April 2021.

Background

CRS began working in Liberia in 1957, with a permanent country program office opening in 1990 to provide life-saving relief in response to emergencies and to address issues of chronic poverty and injustice through innovative and sustainable development programs. CRS Liberia has since developed programs in peacebuilding, youth livelihoods, health systems strengthening, and urban water, sanitation, and hygiene. Key partners include the Catholic Church and local faith-based organizations.

The U.S. Department of State Office of Global partnerships (DOS) released a call towards the end of last year, with a concept note submission deadline of May 28, 2021^[1] and CRS Liberia anticipates bidding as a prime. Estimated funding level is $ 10 M (in total funding) with multiple awards between $50,000 and $1,000,000 each.

DOS and USAID have jointly developed a four pillar COVID-19 response strategy and the Fund will exclusively support PPPs that align with the 4^th pillar: Prepare for, mitigate and address second order economic, security, stabilization impacts of COVID-19 and prevent development backsliding.

The Fund seeks to support private sector interventions and build upon private sector investments in response to the virus. The Department is specifically looking for concept papers that will enable people around the world to mitigate the COVID-19 virus’s effects on their societies and particularly welcomes hearing of the creativity from the private sector.

Objectives

The Private Sector Engagement Focal Point’s primary objectives are as follows:

• To obtain a good picture of relevant businesses active supplying to the target zones of Liberia
• Assist CRS Liberia prioritize potential partners related to WASH and/or infection prevention that are likely to contribute at least 1:1 leverage To explore and ‘market’ what mutual benefits may exist between identified partners (PS/ Other) and CRS Liberia in response to the solicitation. i.e Identify CRS Liberia entry points with partners for a competitive submission
• To produce an engagement plan based on the information collected and on identified synergies.
• To lead the execution of the plan by coordinating with designated staff to reach out to the concerned institutions as needed, and eventually secure the needed partner/s for the proposed project.
• To prepare draft agreements (MOUs, or other as needed), along with annexes with expected contributions and their values from the business, with support from the program team/PSE team.
• To coordinate the participation of the PS actors in the design workshop and their subsequent inputs into the proposal and budget.

Main Activities

The main activities for this assignment will include the following:

• Identify and begin cultivating relationships with relevant PS actors, in line with solicitation requirements
• Support SoW negotiations with those partners deemed both relevant and competitive
• Finalize partnership agreements, specifying any PS investment or other aspects that could be leveraged
• Support preparation of the design workshop (sessions) with Tech lead and proposal coordinator
• Coordinate partner participation in the design workshop
• Support the finalization of the design framework (RF, DIP), along with PS partners, supported by the overall technical lead, the MEAL lead and the proposal coordinator, incorporating reviewer feedback and responding to all threshold comments.
• Write or coordinate the drafting of any private sector specific paragraphs where needed. First draft of the concept note, with input from relevant staff and partners.
• Work closely with the tech lead and the proposal coordinator to provide input and information about budget and M&E sections to ensure alignment with partner negotiations, and overall project approach

Deliverables

• PS Mapping of relevant actors presented to show clear synergies, solicitation alignment and discussion outcomes
• Scopes of work agreed upon with the relevant partners, incl. any investment and leveraging commitments
• Lead the due diligence and vetting of Partners, closely supported by PSE, and CRS Liberia staff
• Partnerships formalized through fully executed agreements
• Partners participate in the design workshop and effectively contribute to the design
• Key relevant PS sections duly written or reviewed

Timeframe and Locations

Between February and March 2021, CRS Liberia will engage the PSE Consultant for a total of 13 days for the following:

• Private Sector Mapping (2 days) and Visits (2 days), Week of Feb 22^nd
• Private Sector Negotiations and Partnership Formalizations (3 days), week of March 1^st
• Support to preparation of design workshop (2 days), week of March 1^st
• Participation in design workshop (1 day), week of March 8^th
• Participation on drafting of Concept note (3 days), week of March 15^th

Dates are subject to changes upon the finalization and validation of the proposal production plan.

The PS Focal Point will work in-country.

Contact Persons and Working Relationships

The lead writer’s main point of contact is Dieynaba Diallo, Business Development Specialist, dieynaba.diallo@crs.org.

Key working relationships include:

CRS/Ghana: BD Specialist, CM, Sector Lead, Tech & Budget Support, Finance Manager

WARO: RTA for Financial Inclusion, RTA for MEAL, RTA for Gender, BDM

HQ: TA for PSE and Impact Investing

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carriers the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and the vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Interested and qualified applicants should send their applications including a cover letter with phone numbers and email address, Curriculum Vitae, copies of relevant diplomas/certificates and the contact details of three (3) professional references to: The Country Manager, Catholic Relief Services, 16^th Street, Sinkor, Gardiner Avenue, Liberia, through email: LR_HR@crs.org.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 12, 2021 @ 2:00pm.

**Females are highly encouraged to apply **