REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Consultancy on Africa Information Highway: Technical Expert to support

SDMX capacity building and implementation in African Countries for 12 months

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Statistics Department (ECST)

Avenue Joseph Anoma

01 B.P. 1387

Abidjan 01

Cote d’ivoire

Email : k.l.kouakou@afdb.org;

m.mzid@afdb.org

c.baradandikanya@afdb.org

1. Background
   

The AfDB launched the African Information Highway (AIH) initiative in 2012 (www.afdb.org/statistics) with the objective of increasing public access to official statistics in Africa. Under the program, Open Data Portals with common IT Platforms have been installed in all 54 African countries and 16 African sub-regional and regional organizations. The initiative aims at positioning AfDB as the hub for development data on RMCs by establishing live data links between AfDB, National Statistical Agencies, Central Banks and Line Ministries, on one hand; and RMCs with each other and with other external development partners, on the other.

1. Objectives of the Assignement

Besides its other functionalities, the Open Data Portal (ODP) also incorporates a data submission tool that facilitates reporting of country data to the AfDB or any other organization, via the application of Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standards. The Bank has been partnering with the IMF to install this system in all African countries. The institutions have carried out joint missions to more than 30 countries so far. The objective of these missions has been to train/assist these countries to use the ODP as a means for the submission of data to the IMF and AfDB. 

1. Main activities and deliverables

 The consultant is expected to travel extensively within the region, and will be primarily involved in supporting the AIH work in the field.

 Activities:

 The consultant will be recruited to complete the following activities:

• Undertake missions to RMCs or regional organizations to train and/or support the Open Data Platform

• To pilot SDMX project implementation for data exchange and dissemination using the AIH

• Establish a roadmap and guide the implementation of SDMX within the Statistics Department of the Bank.

• Undertake missions to RMCs or regional organizations to train and support them on SMDX.

• Identify needs and sensitize African countries about the requirements to implement SDMX

• Regularly prepare a storyline for the ECST newsletter after participation on missions and the level of implementation.

• Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Task Manager.

1. The Statistics Department (ECST) invites 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.).

1. The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Procurement Policy for Recruitment of Corporate

Consultants. 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.

2018. The estimated duration of services is twelve Months (12) and the estimated starting date is 30^th September 2018.

1. Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00 Hours, Abidjan Local Time.

1. Expression of interest must be received at address not later than 20th September 2018 at 15:00 hours Abidjan local time, and specifically mentioning: Consultancy on Africa Information Highway: Technical Expert to support SDMX capacity building and implementation in African Countries For Attention of Mrs. Meriem Mzid

Statistics Department (ECST)

Avenue Joseph Anoma

01 B.P. 1387

Abidjan 01

Côte d’Ivoire

Phone: (+225) 20 26 58 51

E-mail: m.mzid@afdb.org

Requests for clarifications may be sent to:   C.BARADANDIKANYA@AFDB.ORG

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SHORT LIST

1. 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 updated resume.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultancy on Africa Information Highway: Technical Expert to support SDMX capacity building and implementation in African Countries for 12 months

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Statistics Department (ECST)

Avenue Joseph Anoma

01 B.P. 1387

Abidjan 01

Cote d’ivoire

Email : k.l.kouakou@afdb.org;

m.mzid@afdb.org

c.baradandikanya@afdb.org

1. Background

 The AfDB launched the African Information Highway (AIH) initiative in 2012 (www.afdb.org/statistics) with the objective of increasing public access to official statistics in Africa. Under the program, Open Data Portals with common IT Platforms have been installed in all 54 African countries and 16 African sub-regional and regional organizations. The initiative aims at positioning AfDB as the hub for development data on RMCs by establishing live data links between AfDB, National Statistical Agencies, Central Banks and Line Ministries, on one hand; and RMCs with each other and with other external development partners, on the other.

1. Objectives of the Assignement

 Besides its other functionalities, the Open Data Portal (ODP) also incorporates a data submission tool that facilitates reporting of country data to the AfDB or any other organization, via the application of Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standards. The Bank has been partnering with the IMF to install this system in all African countries. The institutions have carried out joint missions to more than 30 countries so far. The objective of these missions has been to train/assist these countries to use the ODP as a means for the submission of data to the IMF and AfDB. 

1. Main activities and deliverables
   

The consultant is expected to travel extensively within the region, and will be primarily involved in supporting the AIH work in the field.

Activities:

The consultant will be recruited to complete the following activities:

• Undertake missions to RMCs or regional organizations to train and/or support the Open Data Platform

• To pilot SDMX project implementation for data exchange and dissemination using the AIH

• Establish a roadmap and guide the implementation of SDMX within the Statistics Department of the Bank.

• Undertake missions to RMCs or regional organizations to train and support them on SMDX.

• Identify needs and sensitize African countries about the requirements to implement SDMX

• Regularly prepare a storyline for the ECST newsletter after participation on missions and the level of implementation.

• Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Task Manager.

• …, etc…

Deliverables:

The consultant will be required to submit a written report after each visit to a country implementation outlining key recommendations.

1. Administration and Reporting

Under the overall guidance of the Division Managers of ECST.1 and ECST.2 and the general supervision of project’s Task Manager, the consultant will report directly on a day-to-day basis to the AIH task manager.

1. Duration of the Assignment

The duration of this contract is twelve (12) months renewable based on performance.

1. Qualifications and Experience Required

The successful candidate should have demonstrated superior skills in working effectively with a wide variety of Statistical platforms. He/she needs to be able to provide training to counterparts in RMCs, and build capacity on management of the AIH.

In addition, the successful candidate should have:

• A University Degree in Database Management, IT, Statistics or related field

• A minimum of five (5) years working experience working on the field in RMCs

• Excellent knowledge of Information and Technology Systems especially as used in developing countries for statistical purposes.

• Familiarity with and a supportive attitude towards processes of strengthening local capacities and Statistical agencies.

• Expertise in field data collection, statistical analysis, data dissemination.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• Ability and willingness to travel regularly within Africa.

Other Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners;