Review of Thematic Research Proposals and Papers Global Development Network

Call for Expressions of Interest from Prospective Consultants (Individual or Institution)

For Review of Thematic Research Proposals and Papers Under the Global Development Awards and Medals Competition 2011

Description:

• Expressions of Interest (EOI) are invited by the Global Development Network (GDN) from reputed institutions/individuals for consulting services to carry out a comprehensive review of short listed research proposals and research papers for the Global Development Awards and Medals Competition 2011 administered by GDN. The Competition applications that need to be reviewed, following a due process, are specifically for the Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development (research proposals) and Medals for Research on Development (completed research papers). The theme is Urbanization and Development.

• The details enlisting the assignment, the selection criteria, mode of submission of documents, enlargement of EOI are as given below. The applications for EOI are to be submitted by the deadline date. GDN reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications without assigning any reason.

Posting Date: 13 December 2011

Deadline for Submission of EOI: 13 January 2012

Background:

The Global Development Awards and Medals Competition is the largest annual international competition for research on development. Through this Competition, launched in 2000 with the support of the Government of Japan, the Global Development Network (GDN) seeks to unearth new talent and recognize innovative ideas. Nearly 7,200 researchers and development practitioners representing more than 100 countries throughout the developing world have participated to date. Over $2 million has been distributed in prizes and travel to finalists and winners. In 2010 alone, the Competition attracted 499 submissions. Finalists and winners have been selected through a rigorous process of review and selection panels comprising of experts and advisors.

Each year, the Competition supports multi-disciplinary research on a range of global issues. The focus of the Competition is on Urbanization and Development.

Competition Categories:

Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development

The Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development carries cash prizes of US $35,000 plus travel expenses to GDN’s annual conference. An award of US $30,000 is given to the institution whose proposed research in one of three selected competition themes (details given below) holds the greatest promise for improving our understanding of development. One prize of US $5,000 is given to the second place institution to continue work in the chosen research area. The funds are used to support work on the submitted research proposal. Funding for the Award is generously provided by the Ministry of Finance, Government of Japan. The Award is open only to citizens and permanent residents of developing and transition countries.

Medals for Research on Development

The Medals for Research on Development carry cash prizes plus travel expenses to GDN’s annual conference. Two prize medals—one of US $10,000 plus travel and another of US $5,000 plus travel—is granted for completed research papers in one of three selected competition themes (details given below). Medals are awarded based upon the degree of innovation and the quality of content. The Competition is open only to citizens and permanent residents of developing and transition countries. Medals for excellent completed research on development help researchers take their work forward – receive international spotlight for their work through presentations before policymakers and peers; expand research focus and publish their studies.

Competition Research Themes:

• The Interactive Economy and Urban Development

• Urban Externalities (Contagious Disease, Congestion and Crime) and Urban Poverty

• The Enabling Environment – Housing, Transportation and Infrastructure

The Assignment:

The aim of this consultancy is to undertake a review process of submissions (research proposals) for the Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development and applications (completed research papers) for the Medals for Research on Development. The number of submissions received for each competition category ranges from about 100-150 per year. The submissions are from any country in the developing or transition economies and relate to any of the three competition themes (details given below).

It is expected that the submissions for the three themes will be reviewed by three different institutions/individuals. It is expected that the Review Institution/Individual will have a panel of experts as reviewers or undertake the review herself/himself and will formulate and implement a comprehensive review plan for short listing:

• from up to 10 submissions for the Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development and

• from up to 15 submissions for the Medals for Research on Development.

It is expected that the review criteria should be consistent and applicable for all short listed submissions for both competition categories. More details on the competition categories are available in http://cloud2.gdnet.org/cms.php?id=2011_awards.

Location: The review process will be conducted at the location of the selected Review Institution/Individual.

Duration and timing: The assignment is proposed to start on February 10, 2012 and be carried out over a period of approximately a month, through till March 20, 2012. Timeliness is key in terms of turnaround time for the review process.

Budget: The budget available for the review process (per applying Review Institution) is USD 100 per paper/proposal (includes all costs and taxes).

Contents of EOI:

GDN invites research institutions/individuals capable of providing the consulting services to submit their EOI. It is desirable to have prior research experience in the theme of Urbanization and Development (specifically related to developing countries) and to have a panel of experts (related to the competition themes) in any panel (being proposed by the applying institution). All applying institutions/individuals must be independent and free from conflicts of interest in the responsibilities accorded to them.

It is expected that the consultancy be led by an institution/individual with at least 5-6 years of research experience on Urbanization and Development.

In order to be considered as a potential consulting Review Institution/Individual, interested parties should submit their EOI including the following information:

1. Detailed background of the applying institution/individual

For institution: submit a brief note on the background and years in business, two year annual reports, experience in research/expertise on Development Finance, a list of papers, CVs of 3 reviewers on the institution’s panel and a list of operating country offices.

2. A concept note (not more than 3 pages, one-sided) on how the review process will be conducted by the applying institution/individual

3. Details of review of research proposals and papers handled/completed during the last three years

4. Three references for demonstrating qualifications for undertaking the review process

5. Contact information: full names and address, country, telephone and fax numbers, email addresses, website (if institution) of no more than 2 persons who have principal responsibility for the EOIs are to be provided.

Details of Review Process

• The review of submissions (research proposals and papers) under each of the three themes will be assigned to one review institution/one applying individual. Please clearly state the theme under which the institution/individual will review research proposals and papers.

• Each review institution/individual will be assigned up to 10 research proposals and up to 15 research papers for review.

• If a review institution applies, it will have a panel of three experts who will conduct the review

• Each review institution/individual will be given a contract. More details will be given upon selection of the review institution/individual.

• The review will be conducted between 10 February 2012 and 20 March 2012. No changes will be accommodated in these dates.

MODE OF SUBMISSION

The EOI and accompanying documents (which can be zipped and contain scanned documents) must be received by GDN at applications@gdn.int no later than 13 January 2012. Please mention ‘EOI’ in the subject line of the email.

Any enquiries on the EOI can be addressed to Ms. Savi Mull, Coordinator – Monitoring and Evaluation, Global Development Network, New Delhi at smull@gdn.int

The EOIs received will be evaluated on each consultant’s (institutional) experience and competence relevant to the assignment and a resulting shortlist will be established. From the shortlist, the Review Institution/Individual with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted for each of the three themes. EOIs from individuals and institutions will be treated at par.

This call for EOI does not constitute a solicitation. GDN reserves the right to change or cancel the requirement at any time during the EOI and/or solicitation process. GDN also reserves the right to require compliance with additional conditions as and when issuing the final solicitation documents. Submitting a reply to a call for EOI does not automatically guarantee receipt of the solicitation documents when issued. Invitations to bid or requests for proposals and any subsequent contract will be issued in accordance with the rules and procedures of GDN.