Introduction/Background :

The African Development Bank hereby invites Individual Short-Term Consultants to indicate their interest in the following Assignment: Consultation on the development of the “Africa Industrialisation Index”.

The Statistics Department of the African Development Bank (AfDB) aims to contribute to the development of statistical systems that respond to the data needs of the AfDB and its Regional Member Countries (RMCs) on the African continent by generating the highest quality data possible and developing and maintaining quality data bases to support sound decision-making in AfDB operations as well as in RMCs’ development policies, strategies and programs. As such, the AfDB has now become one of the lead sources of socio-economic data on Africa. The Statistics Department of the Bank is responsible for managing and analyzing these data, which are then published in the flagship publications of the Bank. The department collaborates with other departments of the Bank to develop specific tools and indices to track development on the continent such as the Infrastructure Development Index, the Regional Integration Index, and the Africa Gender Equality Index.

Industrialization plays a vital role in the country’s economic development process as it is a powerful driver of economic and social change and it offers high potential for growth, and fosters jobs creation especially for many low-income countries. Industrialization is one of the Bank Group’s Five Key Priorities and it is important to evaluate the state and the progress of industrialization in Africa. In line with its mission, which is to assist African countries in implementing and achieving high industrial development, the AfDB through the Industrial and Trade Development Department (PITD) is developing a tool and economic index to evaluate the level of industrial development for African economies. The Statistics Department is collaborating with PITD to construct the Africa Industrialization Index (AII) and will need the services of a consultant for this assignment.

Objectives and Assignment :

The services to be provided under the Assignment primarily include collecting and analyzing data on industrialization from various international, national and other relevant sources on African countries and develop and construct the Africa Industrialization Index.

The activities of the consultant will be as follows:

• Review conceptual framework the of the AII, select relevant indicators and review data availability;
• Develop the methodology for the AII and finalize the list of indicators for the construction of the AII;
• Collect relevant data from various international and national sources for the construction of the AII;
• Assess data quality, consistency, coverage and timeliness and fill data gaps;
• Compile the AII and test for the robustness of the index;
• Analyze the Index and compare for consistency with other relevant indicators and trends;
• Check overall consistency of the datasets, and ensure that quality and standards are met before dissemination;
• Prepare the methodological note and draft the report on the analysis of the AII for African countries and the region;
• Ensure proper and timely execution of the assignment as per agreed workplan; and
• Carry out other related tasks as required.

Qualifications :

The Statistics Department (ECST) and the Industrial and Trade Development Department (PITD) invite Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.).

The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedures shall be in conformity with the Bank’s procedures for the acquisition of consulting services. 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 estimated duration of services is 6 months; the estimated starting date is 15^th August 2019.

Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: +225 20 26 4634 / +225 2026 3120 from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM or by mail to: b.adingra@afdb.org ; m.mzid@afdb.org

Submission of Application :

Expressions of interest must be received at the address below no later than 63th August 2019 at 24h00 local time and specifically mentioning: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST, Consultation on the development of the “Africa Industrialization Index”.

Please send your application to the attention of:

• By mail:

Mrs. ADINGRA Bossoma Rose Marie African Development Bank Statistics Department (ECST)

Avenue Joseph Anoma 01 B.P. 1387 Abidjan 01

Côte d’Ivoire

Country: COTE D’IVOIRE

Tel: +225 20 26 4634

• Or by E-mail

E-mail: b.adingra@afdb.org ; m.mzid@afdb.org; a.chaouch@afdb.org

Establishment of the Short list :

A shortlist of individual applicants 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 updated resume:

MODEL CURRICULUM VITAE – PDF

Overview :

The Statistics Department of the African Development Bank (AfDB) aims to contribute to the development of statistical systems that respond to the data needs of the AfDB and its Regional Member Countries (RMCs) on the African continent by generating the highest quality data possible and developing and maintaining quality data bases to support sound decision-making in AfDB operations as well as in RMCs’ development policies, strategies and programs. As such, the AfDB has now become one of the lead sources of socio-economic data on Africa. The Statistics Department of the Bank is responsible for managing and analyzing these data, which are then published in the flagship publications of the Bank. The department collaborates with other departments of the Bank to develop specific tools and indices to track development on the continent such as the Infrastructure Development Index, the Regional Integration Index, and the Africa Gender Equality Index.

Industrialization plays a vital role in the country’s economic development process as it is a powerful driver of economic and social change and it offers high potential for growth, and fosters jobs creation especially for many low-income countries. Industrialization is one of the Bank Group’s Five Key Priorities and it is important to evaluate the state and the progress of industrialization in Africa. In line with its mission, which is to assist African countries in implementing and achieving high industrial development, the AfDB through the Industrial and Trade Development Department (PITD) is developing a tool and economic index to evaluate the level of industrial development for African economies. The Statistics Department is collaborating with PITD to construct the Africa Industrialization Index (AII) and will need the services of a consultant for this assignment.

Tasks and responsibilities the Consultant :

The consultant will be required to collect and analyze data on industrialization from various international, national and other relevant sources on African countries and develop and construct the Africa Industrialization Index.

The main tasks of the consultant under this assignment will be:

• Review conceptual framework the of the AII, select relevant indicators and review data availability;
• Develop the methodology for the AII and finalize the list of indicators for the construction of the AII;
• Collect relevant data from various international and national sources for the construction of the AII;
• Assess data quality, consistency, coverage and timeliness and fill data gaps;
• Compile the AII and test for the robustness of the index;
• Analyze the Index and compare for consistency with other relevant indicators and trends;
• Check overall consistency of the datasets, and ensure that quality and standards are met before dissemination;
• Prepare the methodological note and draft the report on the analysis of the AII for African countries and the region;
• Ensure proper and timely execution of the assignment as per agreed workplan; and
• Carry out other related tasks as required.

Required Skills :

• Professional competence and at least 5 years’ experience, preferably in a regional/international institution, working on socioeconomic data on Africa
• Possess a thorough knowledge of the construction of composite indices, and industrialization issues
• Proven ability in oral and written communication
• Ability to work independently under tight deadlines
• Excellent oral and written skills in English or French is essential. The ability to work in both languages is an asset.
• Great ability to provide timely results and the ability to use software (particularly Excel and other Microsoft Office applications)

Duration and remuneration :

The consultant will be hired on a temporary basis for a period of six months from 15^th August 2019. The total remuneration will be consistent with the Bank’s approved rates for international consultants.