Chapter 5: Expansion of the Compact Development Team

Once agreement is reached on the binding constraints to economic growth, the selected country will transition into the Problem Diagnosis phase, the stage of the compact development process that involves detailed assessment of the underlying root causes of the binding constraints, the formulation of a detailed logic for proposed interventions, and the submission of preliminary Concept Notes.

To initiate the transition, MCC expects each selected country to fill the additional positions on its Compact Development Team as quickly as possible to gain access to the skills sets and areas of expertise that will be needed through this phase and beyond.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) specialist: Each Compact Development Team should include an M&E specialist who will take the lead in building a framework for measuring the progress and the results the agreed compact program. In the secondary stage of compact development, the M&E specialist will participate in the team’s detailed analysis of the core problems that underlie the binding constraints, and facilitate the Compact Development Team’s efforts to develop a clear program logic – based on data and other evidence – that underlies any proposed concepts. As the selected country moves toward specific proposed investments and other activities, the M&E specialist will identify indicators and evaluation methods by which progress and results can be measured, develop a detailed data collection strategy, gather and assess the quality of relevant data and information, and document baselines and performance targets for proposed projects. In later stages of the compact development process, the M&E specialist will develop and implement a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, and design approaches for the rigorous evaluation of each investment within the agreed compact program.

Strong candidates for the M&E position will have an advanced degree in statistics, economics, economic development, public policy or a related field. They will typically have considerable experience developing research strategies, designing surveys and other data collection tools, collecting and assessing the quality of data, as well as experience building monitoring and evaluation frameworks and administering impact evaluation and performance evaluation studies, in many cases with international development partners.

Environment and Social Performance specialist: Each Compact Development Team should also have an environmental and social performance specialist who will take the lead in identifying, assessing and managing any environmental and social issues associated with the proposed compact program. In the secondary stage of compact development, the environmental and social performance specialist will participate in the team’s detailed analysis of the “root causes” that underlie the binding constraints, helping identify both underlying environmental and social issues as well as potential interventions. At the same time, the environmental and social performance specialist will work closely with the public outreach and stakeholder engagement specialist to advance and implement the selected country’s strategy for public consultations and stakeholder engagement. As the compact development process moves forward, the environmental and social performance specialist will take the lead in developing the selected country’s strategy for assessing and understanding potential environmental and social risks and mitigation measures associated with proposed investments and other activities, and at later stages will also assess the capacity of the government agencies or other entities that may be involved in the oversight or implementation of the proposed compact program to manage critical environmental and social issues.

Strong candidates for the environment and social performance position will have an advanced degree in natural science, environmental planning, environmental management, environmental engineering, natural resource management or other relevant field. They will typically have detailed knowledge of the selected country’s environmental laws and regulations, as well as prior experience in preparing, reviewing, managing or overseeing environmental permitting or environmental and social impact assessments, in many cases with international development partners. Familiarity with the World Bank’s Operational Policy (OP) 4.12 and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance standards is strongly preferred.

Legal counsel: Each Compact Development Team needs legal counsel typically beginning from the time concepts for compact development have been identified and extending through negotiation and signing of the compact. Legal counsel is responsible for advising the Compact Development Team and the government of the selected country on all legal issues relating to the compact, including the obligations to be assumed by the government under the compact and legal matters affecting the projects to be funded under the compact. In addition, legal counsel will, among other things: advise the Compact Development Team on legal issues as they arise; act as the main liaison between the Compact Development Team and MCC’s Office of the General Counsel; determine the need for additional legal experts (possibly including outside legal counsel), identify possible sources for such experts, and manage any such experts employed; advise the Compact Development Team regarding employment matters, including drafting and negotiating any necessary employment agreements; provide guidance on legal implications of procurement or financial activities that may be undertaken by the Compact Development Team; and fulfill such other responsibilities as are commonly exercised by, or incidental to the position of, legal counsel for a similar entity or as may be delegated or assigned from time to time by the National Coordinator.

Strong candidates for the legal counsel position will be qualified to practice law and otherwise provide legal advice and services under the laws of the relevant country and have the authority to represent the government in all phases of compact development. Legal counsel should have extensive familiarity with the public laws of the relevant country, as well as the international laws affecting the government and the requirements for international agreements. Counsel meeting these qualifications typically include attorneys within the ministry of justice, the attorney general’s office, or a similar national governmental office. Additional qualifications for the legal counsel positon include: experience representing the government, especially in transactions or situations involving foreign investors or bilateral or multi-lateral transactions with foreign governments; experience advising entities in negotiating, executing, and implementing international agreements with foreign governments; experience representing parties in the formation, organization, governance, and administration of legal entities in the country, especially entities that perform a governmental or charitable function; experience in government procurement and contracting; experience in administering or providing advice regarding tax exemptions under the country’s laws; excellent oral and written communication skills; the ability to work under pressure and against tight deadlines; and fluency in spoken and written English.

Sectoral specialist(s): Each Compact Development Team should also have at least one technical specialist for each of the technical, commercial, or industrial sectors in which it expects to propose concepts and pursue potential investments or other activities. Such specialists may include agricultural economists, agronomists or other specialists involved in agricultural projects; education or pedagogical specialists involved in skills training or other education sector projects; doctors or public health specialists involved in disease control or other health care projects; civil engineers involved in construction, water and sanitation, transportation or other similar projects; electrical or mechanical engineers involved in electric power projects; and a wide range of other specialists. In the secondary stage of compact development, the sectoral specialists will provide detailed information on any new investments or other developments, trends or significant issues in their primary sectors, and will participate in the team’s detailed analysis of the “root causes” that underlie the binding constraints, and will take the lead in crafting – and proposing – concepts designed to address those root causes. In later stages of the compact development process, technical specialists typically design terms of reference, solicit bidders and manage consultants and contractors through the full development of proposed investments and other activities.

As a general rule, strong candidates for sectoral specialist position generally possess an advanced degree in a relevant field of academic specialization, and have ten (10) or more years of professional experience managing large-scale investment projects to ambitious timelines and budgets. Such candidates typically exhibit considerable knowledge of the policies, institutions, and reform priorities for the relevant sector, as well as any relevant strategies, sector plans, or master plans. Deep familiarity with project development, including pre-feasibility or feasibility studies, cost estimating, design and construction supervision is strongly preferred.

As with other staff, the selected country may select national or international candidates and may hire staff on a part-time or full-time basis, as needed to secure the best talent while also meeting standards and completing work. No further expansion of the team typically is required after this stage of the compact development process.