Govt to empanel institutions for its research and analysis activities

A senior official from the Commission told DT Next on Thursday that SPC, Department of Evaluation and Applied Research and Department of Economic Statistics is playing advisory role in supporting the government in the process of informed decision making on programmes and policies.

“The three departments require support in the research activities, evaluation, monitoring and data analytical activities in sectors primarily related to socio-economic factors affecting poor of the state and matters pertaining to public policy. Therefore, government has decided to appoint institutions and also NGOs to help the department concerned,” he said.

According to the official, request for qualification (RFQ) has been issued to empanel a maximum of 12 institutions such as university, deemed to be a university, college and other educational organisations with relevant expertise to support the work of the SPC and its support government organisations.

The RFP documents will be evaluated by an evaluation committee, comprising several experts, appointed by SPC recently. Selected institutions will design and undertake small and large scale research and evaluation projects based on primary and secondary sources of data using qualitative methods and providing recommendations for use in policy making.

“This would include (but is not limited to) needs assessments, diagnostic studies, process evaluations, feasibility studies, impact evaluations, cost-benefit and options analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, outcomes tracking surveys, systematic reviews, programme theory assessments, beneficiary tracking and satisfaction studies,” the official said.

The panel, which will be formed by the institution to help the government in research activities, will have at least three full-time faculty/post-doctoral fellows with masters in Economics, Statistics, Econometrics, Applied Statistics, Mathematics, Public Policy, International Development or related subject area expertise in social sciences, natural/life sciences, physical sciences and other applied sciences.

The team will also include experts in multiple sectors such as taxation, expenditure, public infrastructure, transport, urban services, rural development, health finance and among others.