Recrutement d’un consultant expert en agriculture coté de production

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18

REQUEST FOR SERVICES TITLE: CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

1. The COMESA Secretariat is inviting Individual Consultants to submit their CV and Financial Proposal for the following services: 

AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION 

The Terms of Reference defining the minimum technical requirements for these services are attached as Annex 1 to this Request for Expression of Interest. 

2. Only Individual Consultants are eligible to participate under this assignment if they fulfil the following eligibility criteria: 

• they are a national of an AfDB Member country and have sufficient experience to undertake this assignment.
• they are not bankrupt or wound up, are not having their affairs administered by the courts, have not entered into arrangements with creditors, have not suspended business activities, are not being subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are not in any similar situations arising from similar procedures provided for in the national legislation or regulations of the COMESA member states.
• they have not been convicted of offences concerning their professional conduct by a judgment which haves the force of res judicata; (i.e. against which no appeal is possible);
• they have not been declared guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which COMESA Secretariat can justify.
• they have fulfilled obligations related to the payments of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those countries where the contract is to be performed.
• they have not been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation or any other illegal activity detrimental to the COMESA Secretariat’ financial interests; or
• they are not being currently subject to an administrative penalty.

3. The maximum budget for this contract is $42,000 per consultant for expert service/consultants’ fees only. Proposals exceeding this budget will not be accepted.

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

English language and be accompanied by copies of all the indicated supporting documents. If the supporting documents are not in English, these shall be accompanied by a certified translation into English.

5. Your application documents clearly marked and email bearing the subject

“CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COSTS OF PRODUCTION”, should be emailed to the following address: [email protected]

6. 6. The deadline for submission of your application, to the address indicated in

Paragraph 5 above, is: 24 AUGUST 2021 AT 16:00 hours

7. Physical submission of applications is NOT allowed.

8. Your CV will be evaluated against the following criteria.

9. Your proposal should be submitted as per the following instructions: 

• PRICES:

The financial proposal shall be inclusive of all expenses deemed necessary by the Individual Consultant for the performance of the contract.

• EVALUATION AND AWARD OF THE CONTRACT:

Expressions of Interest determined to be formally compliant to the requirements will be further evaluated technically. An Expression of Interest is considered compliant to the requirements if:

• It fulfils the formal requirements (see Paragraphs 2,3,4,5,6 and 7 above),

• The financial proposal does not exceed the maximum available budget for the contract.

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

The award will be made to the applicant who obtains the highest technical score. Expressions of Interest not obtaining a minimum score of 70% will be rejected.

• VALIDITY OF THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:

Your Expression of Interest should be valid for a period of 90 days from the date of deadline for submission indicated in Paragraph 6 above.

10. The assignment is expected to commence within two (2) weeks from the signature of the contract.

11. Additional requests for information and clarifications can be made until 7 working days prior to deadline indicated in the paragraph 6 above, from:

The Procuring entity: COMESA Secretariat

Contact person: Ted Peter Luka

E-mail: [email protected];  [email protected]; [email protected];

The answers on the questions received will be sent to the Consultant and all questions received as well as the answers to them will be posted on the COMESA Secretariat’s website at the latest 3 working days before the deadline for submission of applications.

ANNEXES:

ANNEX 1: Terms of Reference

ANNEX 2: Expression of Interest Forms Sincerely,

Name: Silver Mwesigwa

Title: Head of Procurement

Date: 2 AUGUST 2021

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

ANNEX 1: TERMS OF REFERENCE

Individual Consultant – Consultancy on Agriculture Cost of Production

1. BACKGROUND 

• Agriculture in Africa faces many challenges including (i) internal infrastructure deficiencies prevent Africa from realizing its full agricultural and food security potential; (ii) inadequate energy supply constraining productivity and processing and storage of produce; (iii) very low connectivity density in paved road and rail network contributing to high postharvest losses and lack of access to markets; and (iv) difficult adaptation to climate change mainly due to the continent’s limited capacity and technology.

• In October 2015, the African Development Bank developed a strategy for long-term agricultural transformation in Africa, entitled “Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA)” and known as “Feeding Africa” initiative, in order to map out how to unlock Africa’s agricultural potential and boost job creation in view of diversifying economies. As such, ATA supports the realization of key SDGs through the development of an inclusive and competitive African agribusiness sector. Underpinning this vision of the ATA are four specific goals: (i) contribute to the end of poverty; (ii) end hunger and malnutrition; (iii) make Africa a net food exporter; and (iv) move Africa to the top of export-orientated value chains where it has comparative advantage.

• The importance of the agricultural sector in Africa and the challenges it is facing demand that its planning, management, and monitoring be based on sound evidence. This, in turn, requires the sustained availability of comprehensive, reliable, up-to-date, and consistent statistical data. In addition, these data need to be in a form that renders them intelligible and accessible for a variety of users.

• Unfortunately, agricultural statistical systems and data are in a sorry state in many African countries – the systems are weak, uncoordinated, poorly resourced, and essentially unsustainable. Moreover, their outputs are wanting in terms of quantity, quality, and dissemination. The situation has been exacerbated by new data requirements to inform policy on emerging development issues such as food production vs. biofuels, global warming, environment, and food security.

• In response to these challenges in developing countries, new cost-effective methods for producing agricultural statistics have been developed. These include Guidelines on Master Sampling Frames (MSF), Agricultural Cost of Production (AgCoP) surveys, Post-Harvest Losses (PHL), and Administrative Data, amongst others.

• COMESA Secretariat as the Executing agency for Phase 5 of the Statistical Capacity Building program (SCB V) wishes to hire two (2) international consultants to support the provision of TA to Regional Member Countries (RMCs) in building their statistical capacity in the use of these newly

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

developed cost-effective methods, focusing mainly on Agricultural Cost of Production (AgCoP) statistics.

2. SCB V Program Objective

There is widespread recognition and consensus that the National Statistical Systems (NSSs) in Africa are weak and under-resourced. This makes it difficult for RMCs to undertake censuses and surveys as and when due, as required by international best practice for optimal evidence-based policy dialogue. These weak National Statistical Offices (NSOs), and particularly those in Transitional States, have further deteriorated since the onset of COVID-19. The pandemic has not only disrupted field operations for data collection in previously planned surveys and censuses that have had to be postponed, but it has also reduced allocated budgets as scarce financial resources were shifted to saving lives, protecting livelihoods and reviving economies.

The proposed SCB-5 will be crucial for maintaining the momentum built on past gains whilst shielding against possible reversal of the gains made across the continent in recent years. The program will focus on the following components; Improving the availability and quality of economic statistics, including the measurement of the COVID-19 impact, Improving the quality and availability of Social Statistics and reporting on COVID-19, Data Collection, Management and Dissemination and Strategic Planning, Systems Development, Coordination and Training. This TOR responds to need to strengthen agriculture statistics in order to inform the Feed Africa agenda of AfDB, the CAADP agenda, SDGs, Agenda 2063 and other regional agendas such as the COMESA Medium Term Strategic Plan.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultants will contribute to the delivery of TA for agricultural statistics capacity building and skills transfer for specific activities, popularization of newly developed cost-effective agricultural statistics methods, such as Agricultural Cost of Production surveys, among others.

Specifically, the consultant is expected to undertake the following key activities:

• Help in the identification of countries specific needs in data collection, analysis and dissemination.
• Provide TA in survey design, data collection, analysis and dissemination for the agricultural sector and subsectors.
• Review and audit methodologies and instruments for use in the production of AgCoP, and document good practices in these field.
• Provide TAs on the use of newly developed cost-effective methods in agricultural statistics focusing on Agricultural Cost of Production surveys.
• Contribute to the field-testing of AgCoP developed technical and methodological instruments.

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

• Contribute to documenting technical methodologies and reporting on the results obtained, for their publication (for each RMC assisted).
• Provide TA in various areas of agricultural statistics; and
• Perform any other duties as may be required by the COMESA Secretariat related to agriculture statistics.

4. DELIVERABLES

The consultant(s) will be responsible for delivery of the following outputs.

• Country TA Roadmap based on findings from assessment of related country context, needs and capabilities, reviewed and approved by COMESA Secretariat.
• Methodological Reviews and instruments for use in the production of AgCoP, reviewed and approved by COMESA Secretariat.
• Technical assistance reports, including possible survey results reports, reviewed and approved by COMESA Secretariat.

5. ELIGIBILITY OF CONSULTANTS

This consultancy is open to nationals of AfDB Member countries that have sufficient experience to undertake this assignment.

6. DURATION AND DUTY STATION

The assignment is expected to have a contract duration is for 60 days, and shall involve travels to targeted countries, while that desk work will be home-based.

7. QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

The consultant must have the following qualifications:

• A Masters degree in Statistics, agriculture or related field;
• A minimum of 10 years relevant experience in the field of Agricultural Statistics at national and international levels, especially in the design and undertaking of agricultural and surveys with focus to AgCoP.
• Sound knowledge of Agricultural Statistical Systems in Africa.
• Experience in capacity building for the development and strengthening of Agricultural Statistical Systems in Africa.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in liaising with colleagues and with sister institutions as well as with national statisticians working at country level (NSO).
• Excellent ability to make presentations and participate to international conference
• Ability to write reports and complete tasks on a timely basis; and
• Excellent working knowledge of English or French with a good knowledge of the other one.

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

9. Pricing 

The fees for this consultancy will be $600-$700 per day. 

There will be no price variation after signing of contract except upon a mutual written agreement between the two parties.

10. Payment : 

Payment terms and conditions shall be as per COMESA’s procurement 

Rules and Regulations payment guidelines.

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

ANNEX 2: Expression of Interest Forms

COVER LETTER FOR THE EXPESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE

PROJECT………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

CURRICULUM VITAE………………………………………………………………………………. 10

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL…………………………………………………………………………… 13

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

COVER LETTER FOR THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE PROJECT REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18

REQUEST FOR SERVICES TITLE: CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

[Location, Date]

To: COMESA Secretariat

Dear Sirs:

I, the undersigned, offer to provide the consulting services on AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION in accordance with your Request for Expression of Interests number CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18, dated [insert date] for the sum of [Insert amount(s) in words and figures]. This amount is inclusive of all expenses deemed necessary for the performance of the contract in accordance with the Terms of Reference requirements.

I hereby declare that all the information and statements made in my CV are true and accept that any misinterpretation contained in it may lead to my disqualification.

My proposal is binding upon me for the period indicated in Paragraph 9(iii) of this Request for Expression of Interest.

I undertake, if my Proposal is accepted, to initiate the consulting services related to the assignment not later than the date indicated in Paragraph 10 of the Request for Expression of Interest, and to be available for the entire duration of the contract as specified in the Terms of Reference.

I understand you are not bound to accept any Proposal you receive.

Yours sincerely,

Signature [In full and initials]:

Name and Title of Signatory:

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

CURRICULUM VITAE [insert full name]

10. Language skills: (Indicate competence on a scale of 1 to 5) (1 – excellent; 5 – basic)

15. Key qualifications: (Relevant to the assignment) [insert the key qualifications] 

16. Specific experience in the region:

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

17. Professional experience:

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

18. Other relevant information: (e.g. Publications) 

[insert the details] 

19. Statement:

I, the undersigned, certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, this CV correctly describes myself, my qualifications, and my experience. I understand that any wilful misstatement described herein may lead to my disqualification or dismissal, if engaged.

I hereby declare that at any point in time, at the COMESA Secretariat’s request, I will provide certified copies of all documents to prove that I have the qualifications and the professional experience as indicated in points 8 and 14 above¹, documents which are attached to this CV as photocopies.

By signing this statement, I also authorize the COMESA Secretariat to contact my previous or current employers indicated at point 14 above, to obtain directly reference about my professional conduct and achievements.

Date:

ATTACHMENTS:

1) Proof of qualifications indicated at point 9

2) Proof of working experience indicated at point 15

• The proof of stated qualifications shall be in the form of the copies of the degrees and diploma obtained, while for the professional experience the proof shall be either acknowledgement letters from the previous employers or copies of the Purchase Order/ Contract signed with them.

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

1. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/18 – CONSULTANCY ON AGRICULTURE COST OF PRODUCTION

Please sign off to confirm your acceptance of the Total Financial Offer.

TOTAL FINANCIAL OFFER

US$42,000 per consultant

Signature [In full and initials]:

Name and Title of Signatory: