AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

AFRICA CLIMATE CHANGE FUND

Request for Expressions of Interest for Individual Consultant

PROCUREMENT OFFICER

  1. The African Development Bank (AfDB) wishes to recruit an individual consultant for the position of Procurement Officer under the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF or Fund) to support procurement activities of the growing projects portfolio and administration activities within the ACCF Secretariat.
  1. Under the leadership and guidance of the Climate Finance and Environment (PECG.1) Manager and the ACCF Coordinator, the Consultant’s core duties will include the following activities but not limited to (further details are outlined in the Annex: Terms of Reference):
  • Provide relevant advice and undertake work on procurement issues for task managers implementing ACCF’s projects in line with the Bank’s procurement rules and procedures on a timely manner for the successful implementation of ACCF projects, programs and/or preparation grants.
  • Assist Task Managers in the analysis that must be carried out, and provide relevant recommendations, when no-objection notices are requested to the ACCF Secretariat at different stages of the implementation of ACCF projects. This includes but is not limited to the validation of General Procurement Notices, Request for Proposals/Quotations, Terms of References and Expressions of Interest.
  • During technical appraisal of ACCF projects, liaise with the Bank’s Fiduciary Services & Inspection department and the Executing Agencies to assess projects (using Bank’s various tools and templates) and also support the development of the project procurement plans in compliance with the Bank’s procurement rules.
  • Review and/or draft, procurement chapters/sections for Aide-memoires and project appraisal reports.
  • Ensure compliance with the provisions relating to eligibility, and the general conditions for acquisition of Consulting services as prescribed in the Presidential Directive, as well as compliance with the procedures for acquisition of Consulting services detailed in the Implementation Manual.
  • Enhance the disbursement of the ACCF’s projects portfolio by addressing procurement and contract management issues in a timely manner.
  • Maintain proper records of all procurement documentation and develop a monitoring and reporting system in line with the ACCF’s progress reporting requirements.
  • Other ad hoc services as requested by the Division Manager of PECG.1 and the ACCF Coordinator.
  1. For more details, please refer to the Terms of References in the annex.
  1. Interested Individual Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake the Assignment (relevant documents, information on similar services undertaken in the past, relevant experience, etc.).
  1. The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s procedures for the acquisition of consulting services funded by the ACCF’s budget. 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.
  1. The Consultancy will be based at the Bank’s headquarters with occasional field missions when required.
  1. The duration of service is 12 months with possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance and availability of budget. The tentative starting date is in late July 2021. Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours from 08:00 to 17:00, Abidjan local time.
  1. Expressions of interest must be received by email at the address below no later than 28th June 2021 at 4 p.m. Abidjan local time and specifically mention “ ACCF Procurement Officer”.

For the attention of :Rita Effah, ACCF Coordinator African Development Bank

Climate Change and Green Growth Department

Avenue Joseph Anoma, 01 BP 1387, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Tel : +225 2026 4260

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

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SHORT LIST

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 resume/ curriculum vitae.

•  Level of education in general 10%
•  Educational level compared to the field of mission 20%
• Years of experience in general 20%
• Experience/suitability in the specific assignment described in the 50%
  Terms of Reference  

Annex-Terms of Reference

Background

The African Development Bank (AfDB) wishes to recruit a Procurement Officer Consultant within the Climate Finance Division (PECG1), Department of Climate Change and Green Growth, to provide procurement support to the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF).

The slow progress till date in limiting global warming underlines the need for adaptation to climate change in Africa, which is the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts, under all climate scenarios. The African Development Bank (the Bank) reaffirmed its commitment to leverage funds for adaptation at the 25th Conference of Parties (COP). The Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF or the Fund) remains a unique financial instrument supporting the efforts of African countries to access international climate finance and to building their resilience and transitions to low carbon development pathway.

The Fund successfully mobilized additional resources of about $9.274 million in 2020 from Government of Flanders (€2.256 million) and two new donors, Global Affairs Canada (CAD 7 million) and Government of Quebec (CAD 2 million). These additional resources will continue to support African countries to scale up climate finance readiness activities to access more resources from climate funds to implement their climate actions.

To date, the ACCF has approved 15 small grant projects for a total of about USD 7.73 million. These projects are benefitting more than 14 countries to enhance their capacities to access international climate finance and implement small-scale adaptation projects to enhance their resilience. Additionally, there are two new projects which have completed technical appraisals and undergoing fiduciary appraisals and pending approvals by the ACCF Technical and Oversight Committees. ACCF approved projects are executed with the support of Bank task managers and ACCF Secretariat.

In accordance with the Operational Guidelines of the Fund, the ACCF will be launching a third CFP (CFP3) focused on the theme: Gender Equality and Climate Resilience (GESR). Additionally, in 2020, the Governing Committees of the ACCF also approved the launch of a demand driven window to receive proposals outside the Calls for Proposals. These will expand further the Fund’s activities.

Objectives of the assignment

The overall goal of the assignment is to support the ACCF Secretariat to ensure timely delivery of project activities and increase disbursements by supporting the procurement related activities of the Fund.

Scope of Work

The individual consultant will be responsible for providing support to ACCF Secretariat and projects stakeholders (e.g., task managers, executing agencies of ACCF projects and liaise with AfDB’s procurement department, legal department, financial management department on behalf of the ACCF etc.) on procurement issues related to all ACCF projects.

Under the supervision of the ACCF Coordinator and the Manager of the Climate Finance and Environment Division (PECG1), Climate Change and Green Growth Department, the Consultant will support the work of the ACCF team in the following areas:

The services to be provided under the assignment include, inter alia:

Projects Procurement:

  • Provide relevant advice and undertake work on procurement issues for task managers implementing ACCF’s projects in line with the Bank’s procurement rules and procedures on a timely manner for the successful implementation of ACCF projects, programs and/or preparation grants.
  • Assist Task Managers in the provisional analysis that must be carried out, and provide relevant recommendations, when no-objections are requested from the ACCF Secretariat at different stages of the implementation of ACCF projects. This includes but is not limited to the validation of General Procurement Notices, Request for Proposals/Quotations, Terms of References and Expressions of Interest. Liaise with bank procurement specialists in accordance with the applicable DAM to clear the procurement processes for all ACCF projects.
  • Design and lead capacity building trainings on Bank procurement, disbursement, financial management and projects management under the supervision of SNFI for both EAs and Secretariat task managers.
  • During technical appraisal of ACCF projects, liaise with the Bank’s Fiduciary Services & Inspection department and the Executing Agencies to assess projects (using Bank’s various tools and templates) and also support the development of the project procurement plans in compliance with the Bank’s procurement rules.
  • Review and/or draft, procurement chapters/sections for Aide-memoires and Project Appraisal Reports.
  • Ensure compliance with the provisions relating to eligibility, and the general conditions for acquisition of Corporate Consulting services as prescribed in the applicable Presidential Directive, as well as compliance with the procedures detailed in the relevant Implementation Manual.
  • Enhance the disbursement of the ACCF’s projects portfolio by addressing procurement and/or contract management issues in consultation with the Bank’s Procurement Department in a timely manner.
  • Maintain proper records of all procurement documentation and develop a monitoring and reporting system in line with the ACCF’s progress reporting requirements.
  • Engage with other Bank-hosted funds to share experiences and learning on procurement related activities.
  • Other ad hoc services as requested by the Division Manager of PECG.1 and the ACCF Coordinator.

Fund Management

  • Support the ACCF Coordinator in recruitment activities (such as drafting TORs, REOIs/RFPs, Contracts of individual consultants and firms for the Fund.
  • Support the ACCF Secretariat to mobilise new and additional resources from both new and existing new donors.
  • Support the annual strategic planning and budget development for the Fund, as well as developing annual reports for donors.
  • Contribute to the development of various ACCF communications materials such as annual report, bi-annual newsletter, occasional press releases, briefs, website and brochures.

Qualifications and Experience

The consultant to be recruited should be a professional from the member countries of the Bank, who has been actively involved in the development and review of procurement policies and operations funded by Multilateral Development Banks. The consultant should have:

  • At least a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Economics, Finance, Business, Development Studies, International Relations, or equivalent). A certificate in public procurement will be an advantage.
  • At least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in the field of procurement acquired in multilateral development institutions or at least within the framework of projects financed by them.
  • Experience in working with climate funds and institutions, and Bank trust funds will be an advantage.
  • Good knowledge of principles and practices which govern international public procurement, especially those applied by the Multilateral Development Banks. Good knowledge of AfDB’s corporate procurement rules and procedures currently in force would be a distinct advantage, particularly as it relates to recruitment and use of consultants for institutional needs.
  • Capacity to work on software usually used within AfDB. This includes: (i) Microsoft Office, (ii) MS Project, and (iii) SAP and bank Trust fund management system (TFMS).
  • Excellent oral and written skills, professional proficiency and demonstrated writing ability in English and French is required.
  • Relevant experience in Africa.
  • Strong analytical, conceptual, and strategic skills.
  • Strong customer service orientation as assessed by colleagues and clients.
  • High degree of initiative and strong record of performance with low supervisory requirements to function effectively.
  • Strong inter-personal skills and commitment to work in a team-oriented and multicultural environment.

The consultant will be supervised by the ACCF Coordinator whilst reporting to the Manager PECG1.

Remuneration

The proposed remuneration will be defined based on the candidate’s financial proposal in compliance with the Bank’s established remuneration scale considering requisite qualifications and experience. The appointed consultant will receive an all-in monthly lump-sum and shall benefit of two working days of paid leave per working month.

Duration of the assignment

The estimated duration of services is 12 months. The contract with the selected candidate will commence at the completion of the selection process, upon its signing and last for a period of 12 months renewable based on satisfactory performance. The assignment is to be delivered in the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Deliverables

The consultant will produce the following outputs in the course of the assignment: (i) monthly activity reports documenting all activities carried out in each calendar month; (ii) completion report at the end of the assignment taking stock of activities carried out, results achieved, lessons learnt and recommendations to further enhance the role of the ACCF Procurement Officer, and (iii) any other report required by the ACCF Coordinator or the Manager, PECG.1

Specific outputs to be produced during the course of the assignment include:

  • Support the smooth and timely execution and disbursement for on-going approved projects by responding to various procurement needs.
  • Support the technical appraisals of new ACCF projects, focusing on the procurement aspects.
  • Lead the development and delivery of trainings on bank procurement rules for project coordinators.
  • Support in the preparation of the 2022 annual workplan and budget and 2021 annual report.

Evaluation

At the conclusion of the assignment, the Consultant’s outputs will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Professional competence
  • Organizational and communication skills
  • Reliability
  • Timely delivery of results
  • Quality of work produced