REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Immeuble  du Centre de commerce

International d’Abidjan CCIA, Avenue Jean-Paul II, 01 BP

1387 Abidjan 01 COTE D’IVORE

The Human Capital, Youth and skills Development Department (AHHD)

Education and Skills Division (AHHD1)

E-mail: k.takei@afdb.org

Expressions of interest are being requested for the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program Coordinator, within the Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department, and the Education and Skills Division (AHHD1).

Brief description of the Assignment:

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is a capacity building project by the AfDB and Japan which was initiated in 2017 with the aim of providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in selected priority development areas on the continent and Japan. The overarching goal the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in under the Bank’s High 5s agenda (i.e. “Feed Africa”, “Light up Africa”, “Industrialize Africa”, “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa”) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives. The The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the JADS scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors, and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.

Department issuing the request : the Human Capital Youth and Skills Development Department (AHHD)

Place of assignment : Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Duration of the assignment: 12 months, to be renewed based on delivery and performance

Expected start date of the assignment : 13^th May 2019

Detailed Terms of reference for the assignment: (terms of reference)

Deadline for applications : Monday 15^th April 2019 at 23:30h Abidjan time

ESTABLISHENT OF THE SHORT LIST

A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end of the request of expressions of interest. The consultants on the shortlist will be judged on the following criteria on the basis of their resume.

Applications to be submitted to: k.takei@afdb.org: Interested consultants should submit a cover letter and CV.

Any questions and requests for clarifications may be sent to: k.takei@afdb.org

TERMS OF REFERENCE

PARTNERSHIPS CONSULTANT, EDUCATION AND SKILLS  DIVISION

Introduction / Background

THE BANK:

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier Pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative interventions that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In addition to providing finance, the Bank is Africa’s voice on global economic, financial and development issues, a role that has taken significant importance in light of increasing global integration and interconnected risks. In order to sharply focus the objectives of the Ten Year Strategy (2013 – 2022) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas, all of which will accelerate delivery for Africa, have been identified for scaling up, namely; energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.

THE COMPLEX:

The Vice Presidency for Agriculture, Human, and Social Development is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy High 5s priority of “Feed Africa” and “Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”. The complex objectives are (i) to develop, policy and strategy; (ii) provide deep sector expertise to the Regions by gathering pool of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide sector expertise on complex transactions; (iii) develop new financing instruments; (iv) the Vice President will act as the spoke person to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on aspects of “Feed Africa” and “Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.

THE HIRING DEPARTMENT:

The Human Capital, Youth and skills Development Department spearheads the Bank wide Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy implementation coordination as well as the achievement of the High 5s on “Improving the Quality of Life of People in Africa” and contributes to the other High 5s. The Department supports scaling-up of Bank’s support to strengthening Jobs for Youth Flagship coordination, education, skills, employment, health systems and nutrition, for industrialization and economic transformation.

The Department leads the Bank’s support to Africa’s socio-economic transformation by: (i) developing and promoting the adoption of relevant policies and strategies; (ii) providing deep multi-sector expertise to the regional hubs by gathering pool of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide technical advice on complex transactions (Communities of Practice); (iii) developing new financing instruments; and, (iv) fostering strategic partnerships to leverage resources into the human and social development sectors.

THE POSITION:

This position is situated in the Education and Skills Division (AHHD1) of the Human Capital Youth and Skills Development Department (AHHD0). This division focuses on transforming education systems in Africa through the knowledge building, investments in science,

technology and innovation, transformation of education systems including Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) and higher education and investing in education and training that matches skills of today with the needs of the labor market. The Consultant will be part of the team and will support the day-to-day management of the implementation of the Educational and skills agenda of the African Development Bank.

Duties and responsibilities :

Under the general leadership of the Director in charge of the Human Capital Youth and Skills Development Department (AHHD), and under the supervision and guidance of the Manager, Education and Skills division (AHHD1) and Task Manager (AHHD1), the Consultant will coordinate all aspects of the program, participate in country visits to dialogue on strengthening partnerships and improving the impact of the program, provide advice support on the best ways to coordinate, implement, manage and assess/evaluate the program. The Consultant shall carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

• Take stock of the progress of the JADS program, the status of the first cohort of students, and participating universities and companies.
• Coordinate the expansion of the JADS program to other areas of study including agriculture and food security, health and nutrition, etc, and determine the preferred masters’ programs in the designated partner higher education institutions.
• Lead the development of selection criteria for students in the new areas of study and designated partner higher education institutions in Africa and Japan;
• Undertake visits to relevant countries and designated partner higher education institutions;
• Contribute to the improvement of the JADS program communication and marketing strategy
• Coordinate the assessment and evaluation of applications of the students and the overall progress the program;
• Coordinate the organization of JADS Seminars in African and Japan to bring together universities and private sector to share the progress of the program, expand university-industry partnerships, and share business opportunities for both Japanese and African companies especially SMEs.
• Provide support to the management of the program. This will include technical support to the JADS coordinator in the day-to-day management of the program and participation in missions to the countries and designated partner higher education institutions.
• Ensure periodic reporting and prepare the program annual reports;
• Participate in missions to Japan and Africa involving: (i) meetings with relevant government officials, higher education institutions and industries; and (ii) launching of JADS program;
• Coordinate the supervision and management of the JADS scholarships;
• Coordinate the development of strategy/proposal on how to expand the JADS and make it a permanent program
• Provide advisory support and quality assurance to the Division of Education and Skills Development;
• Represent the AfDB at national, regional and international events pertinent to the program;
• Undertake any other duties relating to JADS Program that may be assigned by the Task Manager, AHHD1 Manager and AHHD Director.

Selection Criteria

• Citizen of a member country (regional or non-regional) of the AfDB;
• A Master’s degree (preferably a PhD) with a special focus on higher education, international development, business administration, public administration, and related fields;
• At least 12 years of professional experience and solid skills in international cooperation and higher education development in Africa;
• Experience and competence in graduate level scholarship program management and coordination in support of Africa;
• Knowledgeable of the AfDB’s development policies and strategies in higher education, science and technology, and familiar with the Bank’s rules and procedures in development assistance;
• Good grasp of the key issues and challenges facing higher education in Africa, and be familiar with the most reputable African higher education institutions;
• Adequate skills in data collection, processing, analysis; and in the origination, and formulation of project and program proposals;
• Able to effectively work in a multidisciplinary team;
• Good computer skills, particularly Word and Excel; and
• High proficiency in written and spoken English, a good command of Japanese and French will be an added advantage.

Administration/reporting :

The Consultant will report to the key staff of the department depending upon the specific tasks undertaken.

Duration and place of the assignment :

The assignment will be executed over a period of 12 calendar months with a possible extension based on performance and delivery. It is expected to commence in May 13 2019. The Consultant will be based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and requires regular full-time presence in the Bank’s offices. The Consultant will be expected to go on field missions to meet JADS partners and scholars, and to support other Department and Division programs/initiatives.

Remuneration :

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, in line with the AfDB compensation guidelines for Consultants. In addition, for candidates who need to travel to take up this assignment, a round trip economy class air-tickets with the shortest route will be provided. The candidate will be responsible for obtaining personal health insurance at his own cost. The coverage should include all medical expenses, including those resulting from illness or injury incurred during the duration of the assignment.

Please attach an updated Curriculum Vitae on the basis of the template below:

MODEL CURRICULUM VITAE – PDF