AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

International Consulting Firm to Undertake a Consultancy Assignment for Research Work on “Benchmark Models for Macro-economic Policy Management in Africa”

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AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

Avenue Joseph Anoma

01 BP. 1387, Abidjan 01

Cote d’Ivoire

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  1. Macroeconomic modelling and forecasting capacity in Africa have remained low. Yet, this capacity is required for good understanding of the dynamics of economies as well as policy planning and implementation. As the premier knowledge and development finance institution in Africa, the African Development Bank is well placed and keen to support regional member countries in the development and use of macroeconomic models, not only for its technical assistance to the countries, but also for building the capacity of the countries to empower them to build their own macroeconomic models with country-specific characteristics and flavour ;
  2. To provide appropriate capacity building support for its regional member countries, there is need for excellent understanding and mapping of the macroeconomic modelling and capacity needs of countries and develop protocols for cooperation in macro-economic policy management in RMCs. These require a better and deeper understanding of the status of the capacity of African economies regarding development, ownership, relevance and operationalization of macroeconomic modelling and forecasting ;
  3. To this end, the African Development Institute hereby invites qualified International Consulting Firms to indicate their interest in the “Consultancy assignment for Research work on Benchmark Models for Macro-economic Policy Management in Africa.” ;
  4. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Policy Management Division of the African Development Institute, the Consulting Firm will undertake the following tasks : 
  • Take an inventory of models currently used by all 54 African countries, their features and predictive capacity within their country-specific contexts ;
  • Undertake a diagnosis of existing capacity needs regarding macroeconomic modelling and forecasting in African institutions – with focus on government Ministries (Finance, Planning), the Central Banks/Treasury, Universities and Think Tanks ;
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of these models, their relevance and suitability and make appropriate recommendations regarding adapting, adopting or their total overhaul ;
  • Produce a resource mapping report that identifies existing capabilities in the institutions identified above ;
  • Produce a protocol for selection and harmonisation of models for inclusive development policy management in Africa ;
  • Produce 54 reports on each African country and a synthesis report that distils findings in the country-specific reports.
  1. Essential Specialized Skills/Competence : 

The requisite skills for team members to participate in undertaking this assignment include : 

  • At least a Master’s degree in Economics, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics ;
  • Development finance and Financial modelling ;
  • A PhD in Economics/econometrics will be an added advantage ;  
  • A track record of research in various dynamic macroeconomic modelling ; 
  • At least 10 years work experience in research and/or macroeconomic modelling ; 
  • Sound teaching experience in Economics, Econometrics, Development Economics, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Finance and International Finance will be an added advantage ; 
  • Knowledge of modelling in various macro-econometric software ;  
  • A focus on emerging and developing countries, especially in Africa, is highly recommended ; 
  • Sound  understanding  of  the  Bank’s  Regional  Member  Countries  diversified development challenges and capacity development needs knowledge and skills as well; Excellent oral and writing skills in English and good working knowledge of French; and Be nationals of one of the member countries of the Bank.

 

  1. Deliverables :

The consulting firm will produce : 

  • Individual country reports – one report for each 54 African country – on macroeconomic modelling capacity and capabilities within the relevant Ministries of Finance/Development Planning and central banks ;
  • A synthesis report that distils the findings in all the 54 country studies ;
  • A protocol for selection and harmonisation of macroeconomic models in Africa. 
  1. The African Development Institute invites qualified International Consulting Firms to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested consulting firms shall provide information on their team’s qualifications and experience, demonstrating their ability to undertake this assignment (CVs, documentation, references for similar services, experience in comparable assignments, etc.) ;
  2. The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Rules and Procedure for the Use of Corporate Consultants. Please note that interest expressed by a Consultancy Firm does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include them in the shortlist ; 
  1. The estimated duration of services is three (3) months ;
  1. Place of assignment: The assignment will be undertaken from the consulting firm’s duty ; 
  1. Interested International Consulting Firms may obtain further information at the email address below during the Bank’s working hours: 8:00 to 17:00.

 

  1. Remuneration :

The fees will be negotiated upon contract signature based on the financial proposals and taking into consideration the requisite qualifications of the team members and experience of the firm.

  1. Expressions of interest must be received at the email addresses below no later than 4 September 2020 at 17:00 local time in HQ, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and specifically mentioning “Consultancy Assignment for Research Work on Benchmark Models for Macro-economic Policy Management in Africa.”

E-mails : [email protected]  with copy to [email protected]

  1. Establishment of the Shortlist :

A shortlist of three to six consulting firms will be established at the end of the request of expressions of interest period. The consulting firms on the shortlist will be judged on the criteria to be elaborated in the Request for Proposals following receipt of the EOIs.