Selection of an individual consultant for Mid-term review of SHaSA2

Request for Expression of Interest

(Consulting Services – Individual Consultant)

Name of Project: Eastern Africa Regional Statistics Program for Results

Grant No: P176371

Assignment Title: Consulting Service for Mid-Term Evaluation of the Strategy of the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa II (2017 – 2026)

Reference No. TN-STATAFRIC - AUC-339246-CS-INDV

The African Union Commission (AUC) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of Eastern Africa Regional Statistics Program for Results Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include Consulting Service for Mid-Term Evaluation of the Strategy of the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa II (2017 – 2026).

The Mid Term Evaluation covers the SHaSA II implementation at national, regional and continental level, including STATAFRIC’s core support, from the beginning of 2017 to mid-2023, including outcomes, results, and activities achieved at continental levels.

The Mid Term Evaluation will be the result of an analysis of strategy and project documents, literature review, and quantitative and qualitative assessment based on the agreed methodology following the proposal of the Consultant(s), as a minimum including desk research, a survey among a representative sample of AU Member States, focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs).

The Mid Term Evaluation should incorporate major findings from STGs’ reports and project progress reports, organizational and project financial audits, and other organizational and project documentation and publications in order to draw evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.

The African Union now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The consulting service require a high-level consultant with sound and proven experience in statistical projects/programmes designing, excellent knowledge of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics/Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS/RSDS) methodology, and sound knowledge of SHaSA 2. The consultant must have at least a Master degree in statistics, economics or related field, and at least 20 years of excellent professional experience in key statistical domains including:

• statistical capacity building and statistical management;
• statistical technical assistance to African countries;
• statistical projects and programmes (design, supervision, implementation and monitoring & evaluation);
• developing NSDS/RSDS for African countries and RECs;
• evaluation (mid-term and final) of the implementation of the NSDS/RSDS;
• being familiar with SHaSA 2;
• proven experience in working in an African National Statistics Office; and
• Proven experience in working in international organizations.

The consultant must be able to work in multicultural setting, in good team spirit; have excellent communication skills; excellent command of one of the official AU working languages (English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese) and good working knowledge of at least another one.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14 – 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers - Procurement in Investment Project Financing, Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, dated July 2016 and revised Nov. 2020. (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

The detailed Terms of Reference for the Individual Consultants are attached to this Request for Expressions of Interest.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 0900 to 1700 hours.

Expression of Interest must be delivered in a written form at the address below (in person, or by e-mail by 15:00 Hours Local Time no later than 18 September 2023.

African Union Commission,

Attn: Head of Supply Chain Management Division

Building C, 3rd Floor,

P.O Box 3243, Roosevelt Street

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 7700 – Ext 4305

Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 0442; +251 11-551-0430

E-mails: [email protected]

TERMS OF REFERENCE

CONSULTING SERVICE FOR MID-TERM EVALUATION OF THE STRATEGY OF THE HARMONIZATION OF STATISTICS IN AFRICA II (2017 – 2026)

• Background and Rationale Since independence, African leaders and policymakers have made strenuous efforts to lift their countries out of poverty and improve the basic living conditions, health, education, and life expectancy of their populations. Despite gains made in a number of areas, progress has been uneven in terms of countries and sectors. Mindful of the need to accelerate progress across the entire continent, during the AU 50th Anniversary celebrations in May 2013, the AU Member States launched the “Agenda 2063” which heralded an African renaissance and a promising future for a prosperous, integrated, and peaceful Africa.

Moreover, at the global level, a further ambitious initiative saw the international community come together in September 2015 to adopt the “Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.” The goals set out in this document aim to globally eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions and to ensure sustainable development: “…to end poverty and hunger everywhere; to combat inequalities within and among countries; to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies; to protect human rights and promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources. We resolve also to create conditions for sustainable, inclusive, and sustained economic growth, shared prosperity, and decent work for all, considering different levels of national development and capacities.”

Extracted from Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development: “The need to closely monitor and evaluate the successful implementation of both these agendas places an onus of responsibility on all Member States. It requires them not only to produce in a timely manner quality disaggregated statistical data, accessible to all, but also to respect the harmonization of data and to ensure that no country is left behind. Many development initiatives have been undertaken in recent years to scale up the production and the quality of statistics in Africa. These include the Regional Reference Strategic Framework (RRSF); the African Charter on Statistics, adopted by Heads of State and Government; the General Data Dissemination System (GDDS), National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDS); the African Symposium on Statistical Development (ASSD); and the African Statistical Coordination Committee (ASCC), among others. This has led to breakthroughs in the production of reliable and timely statistics to enlighten political decisions and support the implementation of national, continental, and international development agendas.

In January 2018, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union adopted the Second Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA II) as a continental strategy for the development of statistics in Africa for the next 10 years, and its action plan, financing plan, and resource mobilization strategy. The vision of the African Statistical System is defined as follows: “An efficient statistical system that generates reliable, harmonized and timely statistical information covering all dimensions of political, economic, social, environmental and cultural development and integration of Africa.” The Vision is based on four strategic themes which are to: (i) Produce quality statistics for Africa; (ii) Coordinate the production of quality statistics for Africa; (iii) Develop the sustainable institutional capacity of the African Statistical System and (iv) Promote a policy culture and quality decision-making. The SHaSA II covers the period 2017–2026.

• Evaluation Objectives To assess the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, impact, and outcomes halfway into SHaSA II implementation 2017-2026, considering the strategic objectives of the strategy; four strategic themes which are to: (i) Produce quality statistics for Africa; (ii) Coordinate the production of quality statistics for Africa; (iii) Develop the sustainable institutional capacity of the African Statistical System and (iv) Promote a policy culture and quality decision-making.

As well as recommend to STATAFRIC how to improve/adjust implementation of the current strategic plan 2017-2026, especially in light of adaptation to the (post-) Covid-19 impacts and beyond, in fulfilling SHaSA II’s mission, and reaching its goals and making progress towards sustainability.

• Scope of work The Mid Term Evaluation covers the SHaSA II implementation at national, regional and continental level, including STATAFRIC’s core support, from the beginning of 2017 to mid-2023, including outcomes, results, and activities achieved at continental levels.

The Mid Term Evaluation will be the result of an analysis of strategy and project documents, literature review, and quantitative and qualitative assessment based on the agreed methodology following the proposal of the Consultant(s), as a minimum including desk research, a survey among a representative sample of AU Member States, focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs).

The Mid Term Evaluation should incorporate major findings from STGs’ reports and project progress reports, organizational and project financial audits, and other organizational and project documentation and publications in order to draw evidence-based conclusions and recommendations