Avis de recrutement d’un consultant local individuel pour la stratégie nationale pour le développement des statistiques en Sierra Leone

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS

REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/24

REQUEST FOR SERVICES TITLE : DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICS IN SIERRA LEONE

 

1. The COMESA Secretariat is inviting Individual Consultants to submit their CV and Financial Proposal for the following services : NATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICS IN SIERRA LEONE. 

The Terms of Reference defining the minimum technical requirements for these services are attached as Annex 1 to this Request for Expression of Interest. 

2. Only Individual Consultants are eligible to participate under this assignment if they fulfil the following eligibility criteria : 

• they are a national of an AfDB Member country and have sufficient experience to undertake this assignment ;
• they are not bankrupt or wound up, are not having their affairs administered by the courts, have not entered into arrangements with creditors, have not suspended business activities, are not being subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are not in any similar situations arising from similar procedures provided for in the national legislation or regulations of the COMESA member states ;
• they have not been convicted of offences concerning their professional conduct by a judgment which haves the force of res judicata; (i.e. against which no appeal is possible) ;
• they have not been declared guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which COMESA Secretariat can justify ;
• they have fulfilled obligations related to the payments of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those countries where the contract is to be performed ;
• they have not been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation or any other illegal activity detrimental to the COMESA Secretariat’ financial interests; or
• they are not being currently subject to an administrative penalty.

3. The maximum budget for this contract is $12,000 per consultant for expert service/consultants’ fees only. Proposals exceeding this budget will not be accepted.

4.	Your Expression of Interest must be presented as per Expression of Interest
	Forms attached as Annex 2 to this Request for Expression of Interest, in the

English language and be accompanied by copies of all the indicated supporting documents. If the supporting documents are not in English, these shall be accompanied by a certified translation into English.

5. Your application documents clearly marked and email bearing the subject “CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/24 CONSULTANCY ON NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICS IN SIERRA LEONE”, should be emailed to the following address : statistics@comesa.int

6. The deadline for submission of your application, to the address indicated in Paragraph 5 above, is :  24 AUGUST 2021 AT 16:00 hours

7. Physical submission of applications is NOT allowed.

8. Your CV will be evaluated against the following criteria.

			Criteria	Maximum points
				allocated
1			General qualifications	10
			Experience and skills
2			relevant for the	70
			assignment
3			Experience in the	20
			African region
			Total	100

9. Your proposal should be submitted as per the following instructions : 

• PRICES :

The financial proposal shall be inclusive of all expenses deemed necessary by the Individual Consultant for the performance of the contract.

• EVALUATION AND AWARD OF THE CONTRACT :

Expressions of Interest determined to be formally compliant to the requirements will be further evaluated technically.

An Expression of Interest is considered compliant to the requirements if :

• It fulfils the formal requirements (see Paragraphs 2,3,4,5,6 and 7 above) ;
• The financial proposal does not exceed the maximum available budget for the contract.

The award will be made to the applicant who obtains the highest technical score. Expressions of Interest not obtaining a minimum score of 70% will be rejected.

(iii) VALIDITY OF THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST :

Your Expression of Interest should be valid for a period of 90 days from the date of deadline for submission indicated in Paragraph 6 above.

10. The assignment is expected to commence within two (2) weeks from the signature of the contract ;

11. Additional requests for information and clarifications can be made until 7 working days prior to deadline indicated in the paragraph 6 above, from :

The Procuring entity: COMESA Secretariat

Contact person: Ted Peter Luka

E-mail : tluka@comesa.int;  smwesigwa@comesa.int;  procurement@comesa.int;

The answers on the questions received will be sent to the Consultant and all questions received as well as the answers to them will be posted on the COMESA Secretariat’s website at the latest 3 working days before the deadline for submission of applications.

ANNEXES :

ANNEX 1 : Terms of Reference

ANNEX 2 : Expression of Interest Forms

Sincerely,

Nam e: Silver Mwesigwa

Title :  Head of Procurement

Date : 2 AUGUST 2021

ANNEX 1: TERMS OF REFERENCE

Individual Local Consultant – National Strategy for Development of Statistics in Sierra Leone

 

1. BACKGROUND : 

1. The Expression of Interest is called to identify a suitable International Consultant to assist Member countries under COMESA-AfDB SCB V Program develop their new NSDSs ;
2. The African Development Bank (AfDB), in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union Commission (AUC), is actively involved in the implementation of the Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics (MAPS) intended to improve the availability of statistics to support the plans of development notably, strategies for the reduction of poverty (SRP). In this regard, the Bank contributed to the elaboration of the Reference Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity Building in Africa (RRSF) and gets involved actively in its implementation ;
3. The overall strategy of the RRSF is based on the elaboration and implementation of National and Regional Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDS/RSDS). In addition, in its Decision in January 2018, the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government, clearly gave leading roles to AfDB and AUC in the implementation of the second Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA 2). The Bank, whether in partnership with other institutions or not, supports regional member countries and Regional Economic Communities in the process of designing the NSDS and/or RSDS using the recommended sector approach and in conformity with SHaSA 2 ;
4. A review of existing statistical capacities by the AfDB showed that countries and RECs still face difficulties in the development and implementation of their National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) and/or Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics ;
5. (RSDS). This is more so in terms of technical difficulties in adherence to best practise and implementation of international standards, as well as financial limitations for the realization of planned programmes and activities ;
6. The COMESA Secretariat, as the executing agency for the SCB V program, seeks to hire a local consultant to support Sierra Leone improve its statistical capacities and hence reinforce support to them with a view to improving the implementation of the SDGs, Agenda 2063 and the High 5’s.

2. SCB V PROGRAM OBJECTIVES :

There is widespread recognition and consensus that the National Statistical Systems (NSSs) in Africa are weak and under-resourced. This makes it difficult for RMCs to undertake censuses and surveys as and when due, as required by international best practice for optimal evidence-based policy dialogue. These weak National Statistical Offices (NSOs), and particularly those in Transitional States, have further deteriorated since the onset of COVID-19. The pandemic has not only disrupted field operations for data collection in previously planned surveys and censuses that have had to be postponed, but it has also reduced allocated budgets as scarce financial resources were shifted to saving lives, protecting livelihoods and reviving economies.

The proposed SCB-5 will be crucial for maintaining the momentum built on past gains whilst shielding against possible reversal of the gains made across the continent in recent years. The program will focus on the following components; Improving the availability and quality of economic statistics, including the measurement of the COVID-19 impact, Improving the quality and availability of Social Statistics and reporting on COVID-19, Data Collection, Management and Dissemination and Strategic Planning, Systems Development, Coordination and Training. This EOI falls under this last component.

 

3. SCOPE OF WORK :

The national consultant(s) will generally support the country NSDS coordinator and NSDS design team during the process of designing the NSDS. Their roles and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following main specific tasks :

1. Participate in the development of the NSDS process road map including the review, visioning and strategic planning ;
2. Participate in statistical advocacy at highest level in each sector as well as among the development partners ;
3. Support the assessment of the state of statistics in sectors as a pre-requisite for designing the Sector Statistics Plans (SSPs) and in the writing of the assessment reports ;
4. Support sectors to effectively and comprehensively design Sector Statistics Plans (SSPs) within the given timeframe of the NSDS design process road map ;
5. Support the country team consolidate the SSPs and prepare a draft NSDS document ;
6. Participate in workshops/seminars organized in context of the NSDS process, including assisting the NSDS design team to prepare reports.

4. DELIVERABLES :

The consultant(s) will be jointly responsible with the NSDS design team for delivering main outputs from the NSDS process design, i.e.

1. Assessment of the state of statistics in the sectors and production of acceptable Assessment Report ;
2. Acceptable Sector Statistics Plans ;
3. Final NSDS document.

 

5. Eligibility of Consultants :

This consultancy is open to nationals of Sierra Leone that have sufficient experience to undertake this assignment.

 

6. Duration :

The assignment is expected to have a contract duration over a period of 6 months.

7. QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE :

The consultant must have the following qualifications :

• At least a master’s degree in Statistics, Economics or related discipline ;
• Ten (10) years’ experience working with national statistical systems ;
• Experience in the design and development of strategic plans for Statistics production at the national level ;
• Must have knowledge and experience in the statistical systems of the Regional Member countries ;
• Ability to write reports and complete tasks on a timely basis ;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

 

9. Pricing :

The fees for this consultancy will be $12,000 lump sum.

There will be no price variation after signing of contract except upon a mutual written agreement between the two parties.

10. Payment :

Payment terms and conditions shall be as per COMESA’s procurement Rules and Regulations payment guidelines.

ANNEX 2: Expression of Interest Forms

1. COVER LETTER FOR THE EXPESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE

PROJECT………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

1. CURRICULUM VITAE………………………………………………………………………………. 10

1. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL…………………………………………………………………………… 13

COVER LETTER FOR THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE PROJECT REFERENCE NUMBER: CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/24

REQUEST FOR SERVICES TITLE : NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICS

[Location, Date]

To:        COMESA Secretariat

Dear Sirs :

I, the undersigned, offer to provide the consulting services for the NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICS in accordance with your Request for Expression of Interests number CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/24, dated [insert date] for the sum of [Insert amount(s) in words and figures]. This amount is inclusive of all expenses deemed necessary for the performance of the contract in accordance with the Terms of Reference requirements.

I hereby declare that all the information and statements made in my CV are true and accept that any misinterpretation contained in it may lead to my disqualification.

My proposal is binding upon me for the period indicated in Paragraph 9(iii) of this Request for Expression of Interest.

I undertake, if my Proposal is accepted, to initiate the consulting services related to the assignment not later than the date indicated in Paragraph 10 of the Request for Expression of Interest, and to be available for the entire duration of the contract as specified in the Terms of Reference.

I understand you are not bound to accept any Proposal you receive.

Yours sincerely,

Signature [In full and initials]:

Name and Title of Signatory:

CURRICULUM VITAE [insert full name]

1.	Family name:	[insert the name]
2.	First names:	[insert the names in full]
3.	Date of birth:	[insert the date]
4.	Nationality:	[insert the country or countries of citizenship]
5.	Physical address:	[insert the physical address]
6.	Postal address
7.	Phone:	[Insert Postal Address]
8.	E-mail:	[insert the phone and mobile no.]
		[Insert E-mail address(es)
	9.  Education:
Institution:		Degree(s) or Diploma(s) obtained:
[Date from – Date to]
[indicate the month and the		[insert the name of the diploma and the specialty/major]
year]
[indicate the month and the		[insert the name of the diploma and the specialty/major]
year]

10. Language skills: (Indicate competence on a scale of 1 to 5) (1 – excellent; 5 – basic)

	Language	Reading		Speaking	Writing
[insert the language]		[insert the no.]		[insert the no.]	[insert the no.]
[insert the no.]		[insert the no.]		[insert the no.]	[insert the no.]
11.	Membership of professional	[indicate the name of the professional body]
	bodies:
12.	Other skills:	[insert the skills]
13.	Present position:	[insert the name]
14.	Years of experience:	[insert the no]

15. Key qualifications: (Relevant to the assignment) [insert the key qualifications] ; 

16. Specific experience in the region :

Country		Date from – Date to
[insert the country]		[indicate the month and the
		year]
…………….		………………….
[insert the country]		[indicate the month and the
		year]
	Page 10 of 13

17. Professional experience :

Date

Location

Company&

of the

reference

from –

Position

Description

assignm

person (name &

Date to

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contact details)

Name of the

Name of the Assignment:

Company:

[indicate

Beneficiary of the Assignment:

Address of the

the exact

Brief description of the Assignment:

[indicate

[indicate

company:

name and

Responsibilities:

the

the

Phone:

title and if

month

country

Fax:

it was a

and the

and the

Email:

short term

year]

city]

Name and title

or a long

of the reference

term

person from the

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company:

……………

…………

…………………

……………

…………………………………………………………………………..

.

…..

….

Name of the

Name of the Assignment:

Company:

[indicate

Beneficiary of the Assignment:

Address of the

the exact

Brief description of the Assignment:

[indicate

[indicate

company:

name and

Responsibilities:

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title and if

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Name and title

or a long

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person from the

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company:

18. Other relevant information: (e.g. Publications) 

[insert the details]

 

19. Statement :

I, the undersigned, certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, this CV correctly describes myself, my qualifications, and my experience. I understand that any wilful misstatement described herein may lead to my disqualification or dismissal, if engaged.

I hereby declare that at any point in time, at the COMESA Secretariat’s request, I will provide certified copies of all documents to prove that I have the qualifications and the professional experience as indicated in points 8 and 14 above¹, documents which are attached to this CV as photocopies.

By signing this statement, I also authorize the COMESA Secretariat to contact my previous or current employers indicated at point 14 above, to obtain directly reference about my professional conduct and achievements.

Date:

ATTACHMENTS:    1) Proof of qualifications indicated at point 9

2) Proof of working experience indicated at point 15

• The proof of stated qualifications shall be in the form of the copies of the degrees and diploma obtained, while for the professional experience the proof shall be either acknowledgement letters from the previous employers or copies of the Purchase Order/ Contract signed with them.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL :

REFERENCE NUMBER : CS/STATS/SCBV/2021/24 – NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICS IN SIERRA LEONE

Please sign off to confirm your acceptance of the Total Financial Offer.

TOTAL FINANCIAL OFFER

US$12,000

Signature [In full and initials]:

Name and Title of Signatory: