General consultant At World University Service of Canada

1. Context of the Mandate

The development program policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) of Canada aims to support Niger in its efforts to reduce poverty and improve the living conditions of the poorest and most vulnerable. In order to achieve these objectives, DFATD intends to retain the services of a generalist consultant through the contractor of the Mali Field Support Services Project (PSAT). The PSAT’s role is to provide administrative, financial, logistical and procurement services in support of DFATD’s development program. The PSAT Mali covers Mali, Niger and Chad.

DFATD-funded projects in Niger are guided by the priorities of Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), and the Sustainable Development Goals, and are aligned with Niger’s development priorities. The program applies a conflict sensitivity lens to ensure that projects implemented do not exacerbate pre-existing conflict dynamics, but also promote social cohesion for sustainable peace.

The projects funded by DFATD in Niger address issues that hinder women’s full participation and the strengthening of their socio-economic power in two areas of action of the PAIF: human dignity (area of ​​action 2) and growth that works for all (area of ​​action 3). More specifically, the projects seek to support increased use by women and adolescent girls of health services, particularly primary health care, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, mental health and psychosocial support. In addition, the projects seek to increase the empowerment of women and adolescent girls by improving their economic power and meeting their basic needs and strengthening their businesses. Finally, Canada’s portfolio of projects in Niger aims to reduce barriers to access to education and to meet the nutrition and overall health needs of school-aged girls and boys.

Gender equality (GEE), respect for human rights, environmental protection and the fight against climate change are considered cross-cutting axes that are included, integrated and taken into account in all of Canada’s projects. Project success requires excellent knowledge of the context, social norms, security issues and local and international stakeholders involved in the sectors of sexual and reproductive health and rights, nutrition, education and economic growth in Niger.

In this context, MAECD is looking for an advisor who has excellent knowledge of the Nigerien context and the issues in the various areas of development and who has relevant work experience. The successful candidate must also have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrate respect and open-mindedness when carrying out the tasks below, particularly with the communities of MAECD-funded projects.

2. Objectives

Under the supervision of the PSAT contractor, in collaboration with the sectoral leaders and the MAECD team, the consultant will have the main task of contributing to supporting the team of projects funded by Canada in Niger in all aspects of planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.

3. Description of the services to be provided

The consultant will provide technical, analytical and strategic support to MAECD in order to advance projects. In this context, the consultant’s main function will be to contribute to the planning, implementation and monitoring of activities related to the development of the inclusive governance sector.

More specifically, the consultant will have to provide, without limitation, the following services:

• Establish and maintain contacts with the appropriate structures of the Niger government, Niger civil society and technical and financial partners
• Analyze reports, annual work plans (AWPs) and other relevant documents proposed for all operational projects;
• Provide comments on the terms of reference, narrative and financial reports and any related documents relating to cross-cutting themes (gender equality (GE), environment, governance) within the framework of the projects of the Canadian Bilateral Program in Niger;
• Participate in the various meetings of the sectors targeted by the Canadian cooperation program in Niger;
• Carry out, as required, field visits to observe the progress of the project and carry out a certain number of technical checks;
• Maintain links with the authorities of the Ministries responsible for the sectors in which Canada’s development program operates, in order to involve them in monitoring projects and obtain their assessment of its progress;
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of monitoring missions;
• Participate in the preparation of joint committees, their running and, if necessary, in the drafting of minutes;
• Support the development program in the analysis and evaluation of all project proposals from across DFATD (including the Partnerships for Development Innovation Sector, multilateral, pan-African, Stabilization and Peace Operations Program) and concerning an issue related to the sector of intervention of projects funded by Canada in general and support their monitoring;
• Contribute to sector analysis and documentation to support current and future programming, and:
• Any other relevant service.

4. Profile of the consultant sought

A higher university degree (at least Bac+4) in a field related to the mandate: social sciences, economic sciences, gender and development, public policy planning.

Excellent knowledge:

• Social norms and security and operational issues in Niger;
• from the Nigerien government environment;
• results-based management (RBM) and results-based management for gender equality and/or Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+);

Experience :

• at least 10 years of experience in the field of international development, project management and monitoring;
• in the formulation of advice and recommendations;
• in the implementation of strategies and/or action plans;
• Experience working or collaborating with international organizations and/or other donors
• collaboration with the ministries responsible for Canadian programming sectors;
• collaboration with other TFPs;
• of the analysis, monitoring and/or application of the national gender policy;
• in the use of computer tools (Word, Excel, Powerpoint; Internet);
• working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.

5. Language requirements

In accordance with Section 5 of the PSAT Project Contract, French is the working language of the PSAT. The successful consultant must have the following levels of knowledge in French:

• Oral communication = 4 – advanced professional skills;
• Reading = 4 – advanced professional skill; and
• Writing = 4 – advanced professional skill.

6. Roles and responsibilities

MAECD is responsible for issuing procurement requests for technical specialists/consultants, as well as reviewing and accepting the deliverables of these technical specialists/consultants. The PSAT contractor is responsible for all procedures related to the contracting and management of these technical specialists/consultants, including administrative control.

Under the supervision of the PSAT Contractor, the Consultant shall provide to MAECD the expected services as defined in Article 3 of these Terms of Reference. MAECD will have 10 business days to accept the deliverables or request modifications. Under the supervision of the PSAT Contractor, the successful Consultant will then have 5 business days to modify the deliverables at no additional cost to MAECD.

7. Deliverables

Description of deliverables

• Analysis and feedback was provided on the Implementation Plans (IPs),
• Work Plans and Annual Reports proposed by MAECD partners regarding its funded projects
• Analysis reports on relevant issues in the intervention sectors of Canada’s development program
• Reports and minutes following participation in working meetings and missions
• Report on participation in the Thematic Group meetings
• Report on participation in technical project meetings

Effort level (days)/month [1] : 10 days

[1] The description of deliverables and the number of days in the table above are indicative and could be modified according to the operational needs of the Canadian Cooperation Program in Niger.

1. At the appropriate time, the table of contents for each deliverable will be specified by AMC and sent by email to the PSAT before the consultant begins working on the deliverable concerned.
2. Unless otherwise directed by AMC, the PSAT Contractor shall: (i) print documents, reports, and other documents on both sides; and (ii) print reports and other documents on recycled paper in one copy.

8. Period and fees

The mandate will begin upon signing of the contract with an estimated level of effort of one hundred and ten (110) days, at a rate of 10 days/month for a period of 11 months.

Fees: Fees will be negotiated based on the successful consultant’s offer and the project budget.

9. Meetings

The successful consultant will meet primarily online with AMC representatives, representatives of the Nigerien Authority and other stakeholders in Niamey, Niger, several times a month.

10. Travel

Meetings and visits could also take place outside Niamey, on a periodic basis.

11. Place of work

The successful technical list consultant will work from his/her own office.

12. Constraints

The hired consultant is not retained as an employee, partner or agent of AMC and shall not represent him/herself to any person as an agent or representative of AMC. The PSAT Contractor shall be solely responsible for all payments, withholdings and/or remittances required by law. The PSAT Contractor shall ensure that the terms of any contracts they enter into with the retained consultant reflect Section 4.2 of the PSAT Contract.

The successful consultant will carry out his/her mandate in a country that is recently emerging from a multidimensional crisis with very negative humanitarian, security and economic consequences. The political environment is quite unstable and the security situation unpredictable. This situation undermines many of Canada’s economic and security interests and could also negatively impact its ability to deliver its aid program and achieve its development, peace and security objectives.

The successful consultant must carry out his/her mandate in a manner consistent with the policies, regulations and guidelines of the Government of Canada and AMC (see section 15 of these Terms of Reference). However, the consultant cannot represent the Government of Canada.

It is the responsibility of the PSAT Contractors to inform and explain to the successful Consultant his/her rights and obligations under the PSAT Contract, in particular the following sections of the PSAT Contract: 1.7.3 on Payment Terms and 1.12 on Insurance, 1.16.1 on Environmental Considerations.

13. Support provided by AMC and/or the beneficiary country

AMC undertakes to provide all information at its disposal and necessary for the completion of the consultant’s mandate.

For the purposes of the mandate of the selected consultant, the Nigerien authorities are expected to facilitate access to information, documentation and analyses necessary to promote effective information sharing. The Nigerien authorities are also expected to put in place other measures facilitating effective implementation of the project.

The successful consultant shall not use any property, supplies, equipment, facilities, furniture or vehicles belonging to AMC or the recipient country, including photocopiers, typewriters, computers and word processing systems to provide the services, carry out the mandate or perform the functions described in the contract without first obtaining the written authorization of the AMC representative.

14. Relevant documents from AMC and the Government of Canada

The successful consultant will be required to learn about AMC and Government of Canada policies, regulations, approaches and information relevant to their mandate.

Key elements of AMC

1. The starting point for obtaining information on the AMC program in Niger: http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/ ;
2. GAC’s Results-Based Management Approach and Guidelines: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/funding-financement/results_based_management-gestion_axee_resultats.aspx?lang=eng ;
3. “Collaborate with AMC” at: http://www.international.gc.ca/development-developpement/ ;
4. AMC Project Browser: https://w05.international.gc.ca/projectbrowser-banqueprojets/filter-filtre#resultsTbl ;
5. GAC’s Gender Equality Policy: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/funding-financement/policy-politique.aspx?lang=eng
6. DFATD’s Gender Equality Results Assessment Framework: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/funding-financement/framework-cadre.aspx?lang=eng ;
7. AMC’s Environmental Policy on Sustainable Development: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2023/amc-gac/FR3-3-2023-eng.pdf ;
8. The Global Markets Action Plan: https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/456526/publication.html ;
9. AMC website: http://www.international.gc.ca/international/index.aspx?lang=eng ;
10. Canada’s International Education Strategy: https://www.international.gc.ca/education/strategy-2019-2024-strategie.aspx?lang=eng ;
11. Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/priorities-priorites/policy-politique.aspx?lang=eng

Key elements of the Government of Canada

1. Canada’s Anti-terrorism Act : http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/A-11.7/
2. Treasury Board Contracting Policy: https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/archives/dcgpubs/contracting/contractingpol-eng.rtf ;
3. Treasury Board Policy on Transfer Payments: https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=13525