Introduction:

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is the lead apex institution for community-driven development in the country. Set up, by the Government of Pakistan, as a fully autonomous not-for-profit private sector organization, PPAF enjoys facilitation and support from the Government of Pakistan, The World Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), KfW Entwicklungsbank (Development Bank of Germany), Italian Government and other statutory and corporate donors. PPAF aims to be the catalyst for improving the quality of life, broadening the range of opportunities and socio-economic mainstreaming of the poor and disadvantaged, especially women. The core operating units of the PPAF deliver a range of development interventions at the grassroots/community level through a network of more than 100 Partner Organizations across the country. These include social mobilization, livelihood support, access to credit, infrastructure and energy, health, education and disaster management. Externally commissioned independent studies have demonstrated positive outcomes and impact of PPAF interventions on the lives of benefiting communities related to their economic output, household incomes, assets, agricultural productivity skills and other quality of life indices.

Background and rationale

The World Bank has financially supported the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund since its inception in 1999, through different phases designated PPAF I, II and currently PPAF III. The third phase of PPAF was initiated on 9 July 2009, and will officially terminate on 30 September 2015. As PPAF moves forward, there is a need to streamline and advance certain essential activities of the organization. These vary from providing sector development advice in certain key approaches and areas that PPAF works in to identifying new sources of funding and opportunities for new projects development and design. A Senior Advisor is required by PPAF at this stage who can guide and support the CEO and members of senior management to take PPAF forward through ensuring a diversified funding base, and a strong innovation and expertise backbone which can help PPAF to continue to lead the way as sector developer and innovator in its public goods and services component.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Public Goods and Services Sector Development

With the emergence of the micro-finance product line evolving into a stand-alone micro-finance services apex organization, PPAF hopes to develop its Public Goods and Services (PGS) product line on similar lines as well. Having invested 150 million USD in PGS across Pakistan, PPAF is now looking to identify ways in which PPAF’s CPI-WECC-DPM (PGS) experience can serve as a lead sector innovator, helping “leap frog” financing, technology and delivery process required in implementing investments, thereby creating greater impact and reducing long term cost to the poor.
PPAF has integrated its reporting relationship for all grant-based activities under a senior Group Head. During this transition period, grant based activities under PGS will be assembled under two heads—operations and sector development. Within this context the Advisor will provide guidance and support in the follow areas.

• Map the existing PGS portfolio with a view to preparing for the closing of PPAF-III, and initiating the investments for PPR (Programme for Poverty Reduction);
• Improve the use of spatially distributed information by enhancing the capacities of the PPAF GIS laboratory, preferably in collaboration with key sector stakeholders and public service providers;
• Carry out a sector development analysis and provide support and expert guidance to the Senior Group Head in the implementation of the third party exercise on sector development for water and infrastructure;
• Identify how PPAF can promote and support innovation, technology diffusion, and cost effective solutions through the PGS value chain (starting with the Italian funding); and, once successfully completed, suggesting methods for institutionalizing this exercise; and in doing so identifying a practical mechanism for research, development, piloting, evaluation, and scaling and diffusion within PGS-PPAF (this will include some portfolio clean-up support).
• Assist the team in developing and implementing at least a few innovations through the PPAF III funding prior to project closing (e.g., transport pilot in Sindh; developing resource centers for LSOs; establishing a barefoot college).

Partnership and Outreach

PPAF aims to diversify its financing pool by establishing new partnerships, and deepening existing ones to promote continuing products innovation and institutional stability and sustainability. Establishing, and following through on existing and new, partnerships with governments, donors, foundations, international non-governmental organizations, and private organizations; generation of content for promotional activities.

• Active marketing and promotion of PPAF activities by building new, and existing, network of key business partners and clients, keeping abreast of market (social, economic, political) trends in the area. Application of innovation to business development.
• Drafting of concept notes and project document briefs for further discussions with clients and donors.
• Identification of potential partners to pursue financial partnerships while maintaining competitive edge in the market; and, advising PPAF in developing financing partnership agreements.
• Active participation in the identification, design, formulation, and negotiation of project/initiative based financing opportunities projects and programs; including coordination and lead in responding to donors’ requests.

Timeframe (Duration) and Activity Schedule:

The Senior Advisor (SA) will be brought on board for an initial period of 07 months (March – September, 2015), with a potential for extension of contract in case other deliverables are identified and sought during this period.

• Supervise the Sector development analysis for PGS with a specific focus on water and infrastructure governance and implementation aspects (the actual task will be procured by PPAF separately, and the SA will assist the relevant Senior Group Heads in achieving the required outcomes through the procured Consultants).
• Develop a methodology to map the existing PPAF-III, LACIP and PPR CPI-WECC-DPM portfolio, and identify ways to analyze achievements, gaps and leveraging/networking for the way forward.
• Review and advise on assessment methodology, tools, outputs and geographic catchment areas for the third party sector development study.
• Support innovation and design of PGS deliverables under the Italian project and PPAF III.
• Establish linkages with potential individual and corporate donors and set up introductions and PPAF outreach.
• Develop project concepts, proposals and innovative ideas for attracting donor funds and leveraging partnerships.
• Support multi-lateral and bi-lateral donor liaison and relationship building.

Deliverables:

• Submission of an inception report that provides an understanding of the requirements and a framework for the overall assignment (15% payment).
• Submission of a report on the development of the overall framework, methodology and a set of tools to be used for the mapping and analysis of the existing portfolio, and supervision of the team’s efforts for introducing innovations within each of the three programmes, i.e. PPAF-III, LACIP and PPR. (25% payment).
• Submission of a report on the development of a Sector Development Framework, including for the GPS and GIS mapping, for the CPI-WECC-DPM interventions, and supervision of the team’s efforts for specific innovations (20% payment).
• Establishment of at least 5 linkages that leads to leveraging of resources from donor organizations or between PPAF and other organizations (20% payment).
• Submission of an end of project report (20% payment).

Qualification of the Consultant:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field; or a Bachelor’s degree with extensive relevant experience.
• Relevant experience of more than 20 years in the development sector, preferably associated with multilateral and bi-lateral donor agencies, IFIs or similar.
• Expertise in managing, implementing or overseeing large development projects, with a specific focus on public goods and services.
• Evidence of relationships in existence with individuals and organizations that are or could be potential donors of PPAF in the near future
• Excellent writing skills in English.
• Able to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Able to lead and guide teams and work in a diverse environment.
• Highly proficient in key computer software programs (Word, Excel, Power point, etc.).