REOI – JUNIOR RESEARCH ASSISTANTS FOR THE AFRICA GOVERNANCE ATLAS PROJECT

AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM

REOI: APRM/ATLAS/05/2019

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: JUNIOR RESEARCH ASSISTANTS FOR THE AFRICA GOVERNANCE ATLAS PROJECT

Position:              Junior Research Assistants: Data Mining

Location:             APRM Continental Secretariat, Midrand, South Africa

Division:              APRM: Research Methodology and Development

Duration:             July to August 2019 (2 months)

Introduction

The African Peer Review Mechanism is undertaking the development of an African Governance Atlas which aims to at depicting in cartographic, infographic and statistical form, the State of selected governance indicators by country in Africa. To this end, the APRM is working with various institutions and organisations to identify, extract, analyse and generate the Atlas.

Key to this undertaking is data collection and processing. The APRM is therefore seeking the services of five (5) qualified post-graduate-level assistants to implement components of this phase.

Background:

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is an autonomous entity of the African Union (AU) which was concieved in 2002 and established in 2003 by the African Union within the framework of the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The APRM has the mandate to promote and facilitate self-monitoring by the Participating States, and to ensure that their policies and practices conform to the agreed political, economic, corporate governance and socio-economic values, codes and standards contained in the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance; and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, as well as other relevant treaties, conventions and instruments adopted by Participating States whether through the African Union or through other international platforms. In pursuance of this mandate the APRM will be producing an African Governance Atlas, which is a cartographic expression of the State of Governance in Africa.

Objective:

The objective of the African Governance Atlas is to form a platform for archiving, data, classifying trends and integrating the same into a repository of big data. The Atlas will present country profiles and display basic governance indices and parameters with a glossary.

Thematic Area of Work:

The Data Mining Researchers will be expected to mine data from accredited databases and input the same into a customised database. The data will be based on a Framework of Indicators for the African Governance Atlas and will cover the following thematic areas:

It is envisaged that the Atlas will also be accessible through an online navigation platform, which will grant access to real-time scenarios and trends.

Scope:

Student Researchers will be expected to complete key data mining for the African Governance Atlas, whose scope will be defined by the parameters set above. This work will be carried out from May through to June 2019. The supervisor for the Data Mining process will further communicate the scope, method and expectations of this process, which will include:

1. Review of database and reports;
2. Extraction and Extrapolation of Data;
3. Inputting of Data;
4. Data cleaning.

Deliverables:

1. A complete database for one of the African Union Regions based on the framework of indicators;
2. Complete database of Indicators;
3. Summary Report of the data-cleaning process and adjustments;
4. Project Report.

Mandatory Requirements:

1. Research Student must be a postgraduate in a relevant field, such as: African studies, development studies, economics, international relations, governance, law, political science, public administration, peace and security studies, social sciences, economics, statistics and or related field of study.
2. The student will be required to submit, alongside the cv, the methodology section of any research work undertaken over the past 2 – 3 years.
3. The Research Student is required to be fluent in either French or English languages and have working knowledge of one other African language.

Technical Evaluation Criteria:

Admission into the data-mining process is incumbent upon satisfying the criteria, which is based on the Aspirations of the African Union. The Minimum Technical score shall be 80.

Submission

The Applicant shall submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Certified copies of academic degree(s). Eligible women are encouraged to apply.  The REOI shall be opened immediately after the closing date and time. All submissions MUST be through email or delivered to the APRM Continental Secretariat offices on or before 14th June 2019 at 11.00hrs RSA time and addressed to:

Project Coordinator

African Peer Review Mechanism

Private Bag x09, Halfway House, 1685

Physical Address: 230 15^th Street, Randjies Park, 1^st Floor

Midrand, South Africa

Tel: +27 11 256 3400/01/29

Fax: +27 256 3456

E-mail : [email protected]