REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOI) AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department (AHHD)

Avenue Jean-Paul II, 01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire

E-mail : a.m.sylla@afdb.org / cc : n.gningue@afdb.org ; r.labelle@afdb.org

1. The African Development Bank hereby invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the following Assignment: Monitoring and Evaluation Expert for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab ;

2. In 2019, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab (The Lab) was set up to support Youth Entrepreneurship in Africa. The Lab is a technical assistance vehicle of the Jobs for Youth in Africa strategy (JfYA) that supports innovation and youth entrepreneurship in Africa. Linked to this, the Bank also runs the Boost Africa Program, which seeks to provide financing for high growth potential start-up companies in Africa and strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems for start-ups. The Lab operates through the following activities: i) Market studies & networking of entrepreneurs and of enterprise support organizations (ESOs) – business incubators, business accelerators and fund managers working at all stage of the startup investment cycle with a focus on early stage startups; ii) Capacity Building through the provision of general and more specialized or adapted business development services (BDS); iii) Knowledge Exchange and social media Platforms for knowledge sharing and client engagement (KYC) ; Financial Support for innovative startups; v) Innovation incubation, promoting tech and hardware entrepreneurship including startups working with 4th Industrial Revolution technologies and other innovations. ; and vi) Communications activities to reach out to, engage and share with actors in support of the above and of entrepreneurship in Africa ;

3. The services to be provided under the Assignment include being part of the JfYA team and developing an evidence based and data driven understanding of youth entrepreneurship and of innovation in Africa and of the impact of Lab activities on youth employment disaggregated by gender. The Assignment will require developing and measuring the impact of Lab activities over time using accepted best practices in data collection and analysis and M&E. This will involve analyzing the entrepreneurship market in Africa and identifying, acquiring and managing information and data about the entrepreneurship environment in Africa and about the measurable impact of the Lab, with a focus on youth entrepreneurs and young women entrepreneurs and startups especially and on the enterprise support organizations (ESOs) that support them. This position requires an understanding of innovation trends and drivers in Africa and beyond inasmuch as these affect entrepreneurship. It also requires a good understanding of tends in monitoring and evaluation as these apply to measuring and recording the impact of Lab activities on youth entrepreneurship, employment, startup investment readiness, inclusive development, and the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. This position also requires an expert understanding of survey tools and of quantitative data analysis and data collection ;

4. The Consultant will work closely with the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy Team under the general guidance of the Director of the Human Capital Youth and Skills Development Department and the direct supervision of the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy Coordinator in collaboration with the Lab’s Project Manager ;

5. The assignment duration is for a 12-month period, once renewable based on adequate performance, the Bank’s needs and budget availability. The consultant will be offered a lump sum contract ;

6. The AfDB invites individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested individuals must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services based on: a) a CV; and b) a short motivation letter that refers to the relevant assignments undertaken / positions held that support the candidate’s submission, to be sent by e-mail to the addresses mentioned below, c) examples of similar projects/assignments led by the consultant with references ;

7. Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Rules and Procedures for the Use of Corporate Consultants on the following criteria on the basis of the CVs and other documents received. Consultants should be a national of one of the AfDB’s 80 member countries (https://www.afdb.org/en/about-us/corporate-information/members).

8. The Bank is under no obligation to shortlist any individual who expresses interest.

9. Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: from 09:00 to 17:00 Abidjan time

10. The total size of the email file transmitted must not be larger than 5 MB, and all documents must be transmitted in ONE (OR MAXIMUM) TWO FILES ONLY. The PDF format is preferred. Files containing malware will be deleted and the application rejected.

11. Expressions of interest must be received at the email addresses below no later than November 26, 2021 at 23:59 GMT Abidjan time and specifically mentioning EOI_Monitoring and Evaluation

Expert_IEL_Full name.

For the attention of :

Ms. Aida Mademe Sylla

Email : a.m.sylla@afdb.org

With copies to :

Ndeye Absa Gningue

Email : n.gningue@afdb.org

Richard Labelle

Email : r.labelle@afdb.org

TOR – RECRUITMENT OF A MONITORING AND EVALUATION EXPERT

1. Introduction/Background :

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. The Bank delivers financial and technical support to Regional Member Countries (RMCs) through transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty and bring inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Five priorities (High 5s) have been identified under the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2013 – 2022). These are: Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Power Africa, Integrate Africa and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.

As part of the Bank’s efforts to improve the quality of life for the people in Africa, the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (JfYA) was approved in 2016 with the objective to create 25 million jobs and equip 50 million young people with skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial success by 2025. The JfYA strategy will support countries in their efforts to strengthen youth entrepreneurship to stimulate youth employment and economic development with a focus on young women.

As part of these activities, the Bank has created the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab (IEL) under the Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department (AHHD) division. The objective of the Lab is to support youth employment and entrepreneurship in Africa by strengthening the capacity and operational reach of Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs), i.e.. business incubators and accelerators and financial intermediaries including fund managers operating at all stages of the startup investment cycle – from seed / angel to exit, and various other intermediaries supporting entrepreneurship.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab (IEL) is now looking for an Monitoring and Evaluation Expert/Consultant who will be responsible for setting up the M&E system and overseeing the M&E/MRM (monitoring and results measurement) activities of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab.

2.Objectives of the Assignment :

• Develop the M&E / MRM system for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab ;
• Develop a systematic monitoring and results measurement framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by The Lab ;
• Provide day to day oversight of the M & E System of the Lab ;
• Seek ways to streamline the process and increase efficiency in gathering and using performance information ;
• Provide technical assistance to Lab implementing agencies, particularly in relation to monitoring, reporting and governance issues.

3.Main Activities and Deliverables :

Setting up the system :

• Conduct a situation analysis by gathering knowledge of the best practices among relevant stakeholders about existing M&E systems, data sources and the baselines for indicators to measure progress in supporting entrepreneurship and business development in Africa ;
• Assist in the revision of the Innovation Lab projects’ log frame matrix, particularly in the areas of performance indicators and their measurement. Develop detailed results chains and capture baseline data for each project component and for all project indicators ;
• Ensure overall quality and cost effectiveness and establish and maintain robust and adaptive monitoring and results measurement (MRM) system for The Lab ;
• Establish a consistent M&E tool for tracking trends on goals, objectives and specific activities of The Lab, and for reporting and communicating progress on results on demand. Make use of platform based survey tools that can be integrated in the Lab Ennova Platform.As part of this, implement the Lab M&E dashboard in support of reporting results and communicating progress ;
• Assess the needs and value of using quantitative methods in support of the M&E system and suggest and implement accordingly ;
• Assess and propose participatory methods and stakeholder engagement tools and technologies that can support continuous learning from beneficiaries and stakeholders, facilitate surveying and information gathering and support the M&E system ;
• Produce a guide or operational manual documenting the system to be set up and justifying the choice of the system and the decisions taken to make it operational. The report should provide enough information for a third party to understand the rationale behind the setup of the system and to be able to operate the system independently of the author / creator of the Lab M&E system.

Implementation of M&E system :

Develop data collection tools and methodology Make use of innovative and appropriate technologies for data gathering including digital and/or platform-based survey tools and instruments, mapping tools such as GIS, data visualizations, mobile to web systems, chatbots and digital assistants and related customer / stakeholder engagement tools, etc., if and as appropriate.

Collect data on a regular basis to measure achievement against the performance indicators and check data quality with partners.

Review the quality of existing data in the project subject areas, the methods of collecting it, and the degree to which it will provide good baseline statistics for measuring results.

• Maintain and administer the M&E database; analyze and aggregate findings for reporting ;
• Develop a Web based and possibly mobile reporting and visualization architecture including the Lab M&E Dashboard ;
• Produce a report or guide documenting the data collection tools and their use. This document will serve as a “Materials and Methods” type of guide for those using the system and should permit users to understand the rationale for using the tools and the operational methods to use them.

Coordination and reporting :

• Support project progress reporting, project mid-term review and final evaluation ;
• Lead quarterly, semi-annual and annual review of project results ;
• Support follow up activities on implementation of audit and evaluation recommendations. Ensure the use of evaluation findings by providing technical guidance in preparation of timely management response to all mandatory evaluations ;
• Coordinate MRM activities and information across with Lab project partners and stakeholders ;
• Ensure effective use of M & E resources, on-time delivery of project activity reports and partner deliverables, and overall compliance with AfDB evaluation policies and procedures ;
• Prepare semiannual reports on the operation of the system making recommendations regarding ongoing use and improvement.

Documentation :

• Track the contribution of Lab activities and investments on job creation, gender equity, investment readiness and the commercial success of beneficiaries (entrepreneurs, startups, and enterprise support organizations – ESOs, i.e. business incubators, business accelerators and fund managers, angel investors, etc.) ;
• Document lessons learnt, good practices, opportunities and challenges faced by the Lab and make recommendations to improve implementation and results ;
• Identify and develop case studies to capture Stories of Significant Change ;
• Contribute to the preparation of procurement notices and project documents in support of the Lab workplan and fund raising ;
• Contribute to the preparation of presentations, notices and training materials in support of entrepreneurs, startups and ESOs on matters related to MRM for private sector operators.

Research : Track trends in M&E / MRM as applied to entrepreneurship and business development in Africa.

Communication :

• Produce reports, visualizations and presentations of data based on MRM findings as required ;
• Public speaking in meetings, events and conferences, seminars when called upon to do so ;
• Contribute to website and social media data communication, to generating data and information for partner relations and reporting.

Training :

• Identify needs, organize and undertake training with collaborating partners on MRM as required ;
• Contribute to the preparation of training / learning materials or Lab staff and Lab beneficiaries. C. Other Duties as Assigned by Supervisor.

4. Administration/Reporting :

The Consultant will work closely with the Jobs Team under the general guidance of the Director of the Human Capital Youth and Skills Development Department and the direct supervision of the Jobs Coordinator, in charge of the implementation of the JfYA strategy.

The Consultant will work closely with Lab beneficiaries and partners including entrepreneurs, enterprise support organizations (ESOs) i.e. business incubators and accelerators and financial intermediaries including fund managers operating at all stages of the startup investment cycle – from seed / angel to exit, and various other intermediaries supporting entrepreneurship; and research institutions and governments. The Consultant will produce periodic reports on the status of the system and make recommendations on improving the efficiency and operational reach of the system.

5. Duration of the Assignment :

The assignment will be for twelve (12) months and is located at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

6. Qualification and Experience Required :

• Advanced university degree or equivalent experience in business, commerce and/or economics or in information technology. A first university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree ;
• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in a performance monitoring and/or evaluation role with an international development organization.
• Experience in developing and implementing monitoring and results measurement plans for Result-Based Management in accordance with international good practice. Strong analytic skills and critical thinking ability ;
• Strong statistical skills as well as skills in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Experience using knowledge management, SPSS, STATA, SAS or other statistical analysis software. Database development skills will be an asset, including knowledge of MySQL and related data management tools. Experience using survey tools such as SurveyMonkey and the like ;
• Strong IT skills and experienced in the use of digital tools (such as Open Data Kit, Fulcrum in M&E) and in experimenting new tools, methods and approaches, such as using stakeholder engagement tools (such as chatbots and digital assistants) to acquire data. This includes strong skills in survey design and administration and in the use of digital tools for this purpose including for survey, data collection and visualization as well as mapping tools ;
• Practical experience in micro, small and medium sized enterprise (MSME) and entrepreneurship development in Africa including considerable knowledge in enterprise support interventions and key financing options for business start-ups and business expansion ;
• A good understanding of ecosystem approaches to addressing youth employment issues in Africa ;
• Excellent communication, teamwork and networking skills including excellent public speaking skills. Writing and speaking in English and or French is an added advantage ;
• Experienced in the use of social media for communication and stakeholder engagement ;
• Experience managing experts from various backgrounds ;
• Ability to work with a wide range of partners and manage multiple, simultaneous and shifting demands/ priorities under tight deadlines ;
• Results-oriented, proactive, self-motivated and able to work both with autonomy and with a team in diverse national and cultural contexts ;
• Flexibility and the ability to work across divisions and departments of the different Bank complexes, regional and country offices ;
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues and contribute to the creation of a positive team environment ;
• Possession of a valid passport and travel documents and willingness and ability to travel.

7. Remuneration and Timeline :

The expected assignment is for 12 months. The Consultant will be paid a competitive monthly lump sum in accordance with Bank’s scale set for Consultants and commensurate with the number of years of relevant experience. The consultant is expected to finalize all deliverable reports by the end of the contract.