Electricity Sector Reform Expert

**Scope of the Work**

The objective of a DQR is to review the quality of data that will be collected for the Sierra Leone M&E Plan to highlight any critical weaknesses that affect the validity of the data, and to recommend concrete and feasible actions that will improve the quality of future data gathering and reporting efforts of the Sierra Leone M&E Unit. The consultancy aims to ensure the accurate interpretation of results from the Compact.

The Consultant will be required to review the Compact indicators along with their data and data collection methodologies to provide MCA- Sierra Leone and its Project Partners with recommendations on how to improve the quality of data used. As part of the DQR, it is expected that the Consultant will spend time on the data collection, processing, and reporting sites required for the M&E Plan indicators.

The Consultant will review the existing system and processes for generating the relevant data with the view to making recommendations for ensuring that quality data are generated and transmitted on a timely basis.

The Consultants will also ensure that MCA- Sierra Leone and its partners are compliant with MCC’s Policy for M&E of Compacts and Threshold Programs, MCC Guidelines for Economic and Beneficiary Analysis, and MCC Guidance on Common Indicators.9

Specifically, the Consultant will:

**(1) Ensure the accuracy and quality of data collected to measure and calculate indicators:**

(a) Identify the margin of error and limitations of each indicator for analytical purposes, including any systematic biases, and the source and magnitude of such bias based on available data;

(b) For indicators under review, verify the accuracy of baseline and historical data used, including all data submitted since the start of the Compact, to calculate M&E Plan indicators and where baseline and historical data are missing, compile and compute the baseline based on historical data;

(c) If the accuracy of the data cannot be verified, identify alternative sources of data;

(d) Assess Project Partners’ data collection practices, records, and archiving management, reporting procedures, measurement equipment, and identify areas for improvement to ensure high-quality data, archiving, and reporting;

**(2) Make recommendations to strengthen the quality of data used in the M&E Plan:**

(a) Identify any recommended changes to indicators, indicator definitions, data collection procedures, reporting frequencies, etc.10;

(b) Identify actionable and cost-effective interventions to improve the general capacity of MCA-Sierra Leone and PPs to monitor, analyze and report on project results;

(c) Where new data is required, identify the appropriate method of data collection, sources of data, and associated costs for data collection;

(d) Recommend appropriate tools, protocols, and procedures that MCA-Sierra Leone and PPs (Project Partners) may use for routine data quality reviews;

(e) If new equipment or methods are required to ensure or improve the quality of data collection, identify and cost out any additional equipment and sampling strategies for measuring and verifying the quality of electricity transmission and road related indicators resulting from the Compact investments.

(f) Make recommendations to ensure that MCA-Sierra Leone and its Project Partners comply with MCC’s M&E-related policies and best practices for M&E.

**Qualifications and Skills**

A minimum of a Master's degree in Economics, Energy Economics, Public Policy, Electrical engineering or its equivalent.

***Professional experience***

1. Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in system network planning, design, regulation, including utility management systems, tariff development, and sector performance monitoring.
2. At least three (3) years of experience in designing and using data gathering tools for energy sector performance monitoring as well as analyzing power sector data, including experience with indicators relating to energy sector reforms.
3. Experience in implementation of at least two (2) similar projects in energy or related sector, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa or other developing countries, particularly Sierra Leone.
4. Fluency in written and spoken English;