REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Consultancy on Africa Information Highway : 01 Technical Expert to support Statistical Data and Metadata exchange (SDMX) capacity building and implementation in African Countries

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Statistics Department (ECST)

Avenue Joseph Anoma 01 B.P. 1387 Abidjan 01 Cote d’ivoire

Email : [email protected]  [email protected]

 

Background :

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) holds that if the fight against poverty has to be won, there must be improvements in the quality and quantity of statistical data on all components of development. Reliable data is critical to setting goals and targets as well as evaluating project impact. Reliable data constitutes the single most convincing way of getting the people involved in what their leaders and institutions are doing. It also helps them to get involved in the development process, thus giving them a sense of ownership of the entire development process.

Through its Statistics Department, the AfDB is contributing to the effective development of the statistical capacity and systems of its regional member countries for the provision of timely and reliable data for policy formulation.

The individual consultant will be recruited to serve the Statistics Department through its Africa Information Highway (AIH) initiative.

The Africa Information Highway (AIH) initiative was launched by the Bank in 2012 with the primary objective of improving statistical data access in Africa by providing all African countries with an Open Data Platform (ODP).

Objectives of the Assignment :

This individual consultant will support RMCs with the maintenance of their Open Data Platform by providing technical assistance as needed. Under the Covid-19 situation the Bank is providing remote technical assistance to RMCs, one of the main assignments of this consultancy will be to provide country onsite training and or remote training to RMCs on the use of SDMX for improving data exchange especially for the SDGs data exchange. The Bank is collaborating with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support the Bank implementation of the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics (SHaSA II). Through this collaboration, target countries will be assisted to implementation SDMX for their data and metadata management. The consultant will as well assist the Bank on implementing the SDMX component under the AfDB and BMGF joint project.

The consultant will as well assist the Bank to install and test key SDMX tools which allow ECST to better organize all statistical data and facilitate its access through the Bank.

Main activities and deliverables :

The consultant is expected to travel extensively within the region, and will be primarily involved in supporting the AIH work in the field.

Activities :

The consultant will be recruited to complete the following activities :

  • Undertake missions to RMCs or regional organizations to train and/or support the Open Data Platform ;
  • Train countries on the use of SDMX for data exchange and dissemination using the AIH ;
  • Execute the Bank’s SDMX roadmap on the continent with a special focus on SDGs ;
  • Undertake missions to RMCs or regional organizations to provide technical support on SMDX implementation ;
  • Assist countries in implementing SDMX as a backbone of their data management flow ;
  • Identify needs and sensitize countries about the requirements to implement SDMX ;
  • Assist in identifying the best architecture to integrate SDMX within the AIH and help draft tenders for system upgrades ;
  • Prepare training materials and tutorials for in-person and online trainings on SDMX ;
  • Regularly prepare a storyline for the ECST newsletter after participating in missions that detail the level of implementation ;
  • Assist on SMDX tools implementation within the Bank to improve data access for the Bank staff ;
  • Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Task Manager ;
  • The Statistics Department (ECST) invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.) ;
  • The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Procurement Policy for Recruitment of Corporate Consultants. Please, note that interest expressed by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist. The estimated duration of services is six months (06) and the estimated starting date is 14 December 2020 ;
  • Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00 Hours, Abidjan Local Time.

Expression of interest must be received at address not later than 27 November 2020 at 15:00 hours Abidjan local time, and specifically mentioning: Consultancy on Africa Information

Highway : Technical Expert to support Statistical Data and Metadata exchange (SDMX) capacity building and implementation in African Countries

For Attention of Mrs. ADINGRA Bossoma Rose-Marie

Statistics Department (ECST)

Avenue Joseph Anoma

01 B.P. 1387

Abidjan 01

Côte d’Ivoire

Phone : (+225) 20 26 46 34

E-mail : [email protected]

Requests for clarifications may be sent to : [email protected]

A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end the request of expressions of interest. The consultants on the shortlist will be judged on the following criteria on the basis of their updated resume.

Level of education in general 20%
Educational level compared to the field of mission 20%
Years of experience in general 20%
Number of years of experience relevant to the mission 40%

Administration and Reporting : Under the overall guidance of the Division Managers of ECST.1 and ECST.2, with the general supervision of the Task Manager.

Qualifications and Experience Required :

The successful candidate should have demonstrated superior skills in working effectively with a wide variety of Statistical platforms. He/she must be capable of providing training to counterparts in RMCs and build capacity on management of the AIH.

In addition, the successful candidate should have :

  • A University Degree in Database Management, IT, Statistics or related field ;
  • A minimum of five (5) years working experience in RMCs ;
  • Excellent knowledge of Information and Technology Systems, especially as used in developing countries for statistical purposes ;
  • Excellent knowledge of the Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) ;
  • Familiarity with and a supportive attitude towards processes of strengthening local capacities and Statistical agencies ;
  • Expertise in field data collection, statistical analysis, and data dissemination ;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills ;
  • Ability and willingness to travel regularly within Africa.

Other Competencies : Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners.