UK SBS PS16204 ESRC and DFID Evidence and Policy Group (EPG)

Tender description

'This is not a Call for Competition.’ The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Department for International Development (DFID) are seeking to secure an Evidence and Policy Group (EPG) in support of their ambition to maximise the impact of the research they jointly fund on policy and practice relevant to developing countries. The EPG will design and be responsible for the delivery of a strategic programme of work to support and enhance the uptake and impact on policy and practice of research funded through the DFID-ESRC Growth Research Programme (DEGRP). The new EPG will build on the work already completed over the first four years of the DEGRP by the existing contract holders for this function. The EPG will be responsible for a strategic programme of work designed to achieve three key deliverables: • establish and/or enhance a strong international profile for the research generated through the programme(s) • build a reputation for the programme as a source of excellent social science research in international development • ensure findings from the programme’s research are effectively cohered, disseminated and utilised by policy makers and users, particularly in developing countries. Further information about the DEGRP programme is available at: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/research/internationalresearch/international-development/dfid-esrc-growthresearch-programme-degrp/ and http://degrp.squarespace.com. The EPG will take the lead role in ensuring delivery of programme-level communications and the production, dissemination and delivery of appropriate knowledge products and activities. The EPG may be delivered by a single organisation that has sufficient institutional capacity to support the EPG’s strategic and delivery requirements, or through an alternative delivery model, including partnerships, consortium approaches and other collaborations. The contract will be for an initial duration of three years, with the option for further extension for a period of one year subject to interest by both ESRC/DFID and the contract holder. The annual budget for the EPG is expected to be in the region of £200,000- £350,000: this includes both strategic and delivery activities, and all associated costs. ESRC and DFID, working closely with UK SBS are to host a Supplier Day to be held 16th November 2016 in London. Further details of this event can be obtained by expressing an interest to professionalservices@uksbs.co.uk clearly stating the reference number PS16204. Further details of the event and how to attend will subsequently be provided. In addition, further information will be released publicly in due course.