Recrutement d’un conseiller en recherche pour accompagner le développement de la stratégie à long terme de la banque africaine de développement, Cote d’Ivoire

RE ADVERTISEMENT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF A RESEARCH CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’S LONG-TERM STRATEGY

African Development Bank

Strategy and Operational Policies Department (SNSP)

Rue Joseph Anoma, 01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01 Cote d’Ivoire

Brief Description of the Assignment:

The Strategy and Operational Policies Department (SNSP) of the African Development Bank invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the following assignment: an individual research consultant to support the preparation of the Bank’s directional documents including in particular the new long-term strategy (or successor TYS) that will serve as a road map for the Bank and its partners at a critical time for Africa.

The services to be provided under this assignment are specified as follow: (i) provide analytical inputs to the design, update, and consolidation of strategies and policies at country/region, sector, and institution levels; (ii) Conduct background research and review selected key documents related to the Bank’s strategic orientation including the TYS (2013-2022), the High 5 strategies, the Special Panel Report on the Implementation of the High 5s, Program and Budget Documents, the Mid Term Review of the TYS, the Bank Annual Reports, the African Development Effectiveness reports and related documents, relevant evaluation reports by the Independent Evaluation Department (IDEV), selected documentation from operations (country strategy papers, appraisal reports and project completion reports), relevant Economic and Sector Work, complementary strategies (e.g. Bank Group Gender Strategy, Private Sector Strategy, Bank Group strategy on Fragility) and other relevant documentation.

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 Consultant’s assignment may be modified for other related tasks so long as they are consistent with his/her qualification and experience.

Departments issuing the request: SNSP

Place of assignment: Given the Covid-19 pandemic, the consultant will telecommute until normal business resumes, thereafter, will be based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Duration of the assignment: Six (6) calendar months

Tentative Date of commencement: Deadline for applications: Detailed Terms of reference for the assignment: Applications to be submitted by email only to: july 26, 2021

July 18, 2021 at 17:00 GMT

See below

Interested consultants are invited to submit a CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected]; [email protected]

Any questions and requests for clarifications may be sent to: [email protected] and [email protected].

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF A RESEARCH CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’S LONG-TERM STRATEGY

1. BACKGROUND

1.1. The Strategy and Operational Policies Department (SNSP), in the Senior Vice Presidency complex of the African Development Bank (hereafter the Bank) is responsible for developing the corporate vision and strategic perspectives for the Bank. SNSP works across the institution, helping to ensure strategic and policy focus in decision-making, and improving alignment of resources with strategic priorities.

1.2 In May 2013, the Bank Group adopted its Ten Year Strategy 2013 – 2022 (TYS)¹, which was based on Africa’s achievements in the past decade and the Bank´s in-depth understanding of where it wanted to be in the next decade, taking into account the evolving global economy. The TYS was designed to place the Bank at the center of Africa’s transformation and to improve the quality of Africa’s growth. It is built around two inter-linked objectives – inclusive growth and transition to green growth, and supported by five operational priorities (infrastructure development, private sector development, regional economic integration, governance and accountability, and skills and technology) in which the Bank has comparative advantage, expertise, access and trust. In designing and implementing the programs in these five priority areas, the Bank undertook to pay particular attention to three areas of special emphasis: fragile states, which impact the lives and livelihoods of two out of every ten Africans; gender, where without achieving greater equality between women and men, Africa will not sustain its growth and meet its development goals; and agriculture and food security, where the threat of food security creates vulnerability and exclusion.

1.3 To accelerate the implementation of the TYS and to enhance development impact, the Bank in September 2015 articulated the need to focus on five high priority areas, known as the High 5s – namely Light up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. In addition to scaling up implementation of the TYS through the High 5s, several cross-cutting issues, highlighted in the TYS, were identified as part of the High 5 agenda. These are fragility, gender, climate change and governance. Scaling up activities in these five priority areas has been broadly welcomed by stakeholders across the board. The Bank has also developed specific strategies² for each of the High 5 areas (except Quality of Life, which is currently under

• At the Centre of Africa’s Transformation. Strategy for 2013-2022.

• Light Up and Power Africa – Bank Group Strategy for the New deal on Energy for Africa (2016-2025); Feed Africa – Feed Africa; Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa 2016-2025; Industrialize Africa – Industrialization Strategy for Africa- A road Map for Scaling up Africa’s Economic Transformation; Improving the lives of Africans – Job for youth in Africa: Strategy for creating 25 million Jobs and Equipping 50 million Youth 2016-2025. development).

1.4. As the current TYS comes to an end in December 2022, the Bank is strengthening its institutional mechanisms to scale up the Hig5s, enhance coherence and build synergies in the implementation of its flagship initiatives under the High 5s, as well as the implementation of policy commitments made as part of its General Capital Increase and the African Development Fund (ADF) replenishments. The expiration of the strategy also comes at a critical time for Africa when the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to erode the development gains of the last decade.

1.5. SNSP is therefore seeking the services of an individual research consultant to support the preparation of the Bank’s directional documents including the new long-term strategy (or successor TYS) that will serve as a road map for the Bank and its partners at a critical time for Africa.

2. OBJECTIVES OF ASSIGNMENT

2.1. Under the general supervision of the SNSP Director, the main responsibility of the Research Consultant is to provide analytical inputs to the design, update, and consolidation of strategies and policies at country/region, sector, and institution levels. The Consultant will also support SNSP in planning, organizing and coordinating the activities of the Department.

3. SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENT

Specifically, the research consultant will undertake the following:

• Conduct background research and review selected key documents related to the Bank’s strategic orientation including the TYS (2013-2022), the High 5 strategies, the Special Panel Report on the Implementation of the High 5s, Program and Budget Documents, Mid Term Review of the TYS, Bank Annual Reports, African Development Effectiveness reports and related documents, relevant evaluation reports by the Independent Evaluation Department (IDEV), selected documentation from operations (country strategy papers, appraisal reports and project completion reports), relevant Economic and Sector Work, complementary strategies (e.g. Bank Group Gender Strategy, Private Sector Strategy, Bank Group strategy on Fragility) and other relevant documentation.
• Based on research findings, provide technical guidance on the strategic orientations of the TYS.
• Provide support in the preparation of the special risk assessment notes and updates on the graduation projection and calendar for regional member countries (RMCs).
• Provide analytical input on resource mobilization efforts (ADF replenishments, ADB general capital increases, and other innovative financing options), in particular improving capital efficiency through initiatives/social innovation funds.
• Support analytical reviews and Economic and Sector Works undertaken by the department as well as operational and non-operational complexes, where required purpose of providing strategy/policy-based upstream support is needed.
• Provide inputs into documents for review by OpsCom, CRC, SCP, etc.
• Support strategic communications on or related to Bank policy and strategy.
• Contribute to internal innovation activities led by SNSP (e.g. Innopitch, the Bank’s innovation platform).
• Represent SNSP department as requested at selected key strategy meetings and on important missions.
• Undertake any other assignment as determined by SNSP management in conjunction with SNSP Task Managers, to assist with PowerPoint presentations, preparing brief and background papers.

4. DURATION AND VENUE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

4.1. The consultant is expected to start on 15 March 2021 with a contract duration of 12 calendar months (subject to renewal as deemed necessary by the Bank). The assignment is expected to be based in Abidjan. However, due to the COVID-19 context, the Consultant will work remotely until such a time that the Bank will resume work physically. At that point, the Bank will inform the consultant as to when to assume office physically in Abidjan.

4.2. The consultant shall report to the task manager and the Director, SNSP. Day-to-day management of the consultancy shall be assured by the task manager. Field missions might occasionally be required, as and when the COVID situation subsides.

5. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

5.1. The consultant should have:

• Excellent education background with at  least a Master’s degree in Economics/Economic Development, Social Sciences, Engineering, Development Studies, or a related field.
• A minimum of 12 years of relevant experience; proven experience in preparing and processing strategy or policy documents for multilateral development banks (MDBs) and/or bilateral donors in general is highly desirable ;
• Proven exposure to the Bank’s operations and mission with a good understanding of the Bank’s overall strategy ;
• Experience working in Africa ;
• Knowledge of the Bank will be an added advantage ;
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrated mastery of the relevant software ;
• Proven ability to take initiative, innovate, and adapt while responding to competing demands on multiple projects ;
• Excellent written and verbal communications in English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language ;
• Proven ability to collaborate within teams and across departments, applying a practical approach to problem solving and delivering high quality results ;
• Competence in the use of standard MS office applications (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), and good knowledge of operational management systems ;
• Demonstrated passion for development issues and a commitment to Africa.

6. REPORTING LANGUAGE 

The consultant will work in English and submit reports in English, but should have the ability to read, write and communicate in French as well.

7. REMUNERATION

7.1 Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, in line with the Bank’s compensation guidelines. The consultancy fees will be paid on a monthly lump sum base. No additional benefits or per diem will be paid. For candidates who need to travel to take up this assignment, a round trip economy class air-tickets with the shortest route will be provided. The candidate will be responsible for obtaining personal health insurance at his or her own cost.

8. APPLICATION AND EVALUATION PROCESS

The position is open to nationals of the Member Countries of the AfDB. Interested applicants are requested to send an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter specifically mentioning in the subject line “A RESEARCH CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’S LONG-TERM STRATEGY)”, detailing their qualifications and experiences to the email addresses provided by July 18, 2021 at 17:00 GMT.

The prospective consultants’ expression of interest will be evaluated based on the following criteria and weights:

Only consultants who will score more than 70% will be short-listed. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to participate in a skills assessment exercise.