TARGETED REVIEW INDIVIDUAL INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL CONSULTANTS

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1.0 BACKGROUND

The African Peer Review Mechanism was established in 2003 by the African Union Heads of State and Government with the primary purpose of fostering practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable and inclusive development, as well as accelerated regional and continental integration. It seeks to rectify underlying deficiencies in governance and socioeconomic development processes among member states of the African Union. The APRM covers four thematic areas: (i) Democracy and political governance; (ii) Economic management and governance; (iii) Corporate governance; and (iv) Socio-economic development. Participating countries go through detailed review processes (including consultations with government, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders), culminating in a peer review exercise at the level of Heads of State and Government. Annex 3 to this ToR presents details of the APRM structures and review processes. A key feature of the APRM is that it is home grown. This, as well as its voluntary nature, are important in buttressing and consolidating Africa’s ownership of its development agenda. As an assessment and monitoring tool, the APRM can also help to track progress towards meeting regional and international development aspirations and commitments including AU’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The African Union and the Heads of State are cognizant of this and in January 2017 expanded the mandate of the Mechanism from the core reviews to monitoring and evaluation role for the African Union Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. This is a reflection of the confidence reposed in the Mechanism and will contribute to the universalization of the APRM where all AU member states will become members of the APRM.

Description of the Project

On 28th March 2018, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank approved the APRM Institutional Support Project. The project will help strengthen the APRM and contribute to the delivery of its mandate. It will support the implementation of the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan and reposition the APRM as an instrument for monitoring AU Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. Apart from addressing the immediate challenges faced by the Mechanism, the grant will help in the review and refinement of the APRM tools and processes, to ensure that the Mechanism remains relevant in a rapidly changing world, and is also able to take on board the expanded mandate and expectations of member countries. In this regard, the project is expected to support the refinement of the APRM Methodology and Processes, including the revision of the questionnaire and development of indicators for the expanded mandate and reinforcement of modalities for ensuring the implementation of the National Programmes of Action that emerge from the reviews and tracking progress over time through a well-articulated M& E Framework. The project will also help the Mechanism to undertake research and diagnostic works and to develop a repository of knowledge in the form of a knowledge hub, targeting policy makers, academia, the private sector and civil society, among others.
In order to come up with effective solutions to particular African problems, the Base Document of the APRM envisages, conducting a targeted review or periodic review. This review will cover a particular theme/sector of interest within the socio-economic and political life of African states to bring about the positive change needed on the continent.

In the context of the implementation of the project, the APRM is planning to set up a pool of prequalified International and National experts who will participate in the Targeted Review Missions conducted throughout the year and for which these Terms of Reference (TORs) are prepared.

The Process

The APRM is a self-monitoring mechanism to encourage the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated regional economic integration through the exchange of experiences and reinforcement of best practices including identifying deficiencies and assessing the needs for capacity building of the participating countries. So far, 37 of the 55 Member States of the AU have acceded to the APRM and 21 of the country review reports have been peer-reviewed.

The APRM process comprises five phases:
i) Phase 1 is a preparatory step at both the national and continental level. During this phase, the national Focal Point establishes the National Governance Commission (NGC) and the sensitization and awareness campaign begins. Once these prerequisites are in place, the country commences the national self-assessment stage. During this stage, the country is also required to develop a Preliminary National Program of Action (NPOA) to address existing capacity constraints. On its part, the continental APR Secretariat compiles basic information on the country called the Background Paper that is used to augment, compare and contract with the national self-assessment that the country prepares. These three (3) documents namely (i) the self-assessment report on governance, (ii) the preliminary NPOA and (iii) the background paper constitute the basis key issues paper that will be prepared ahead of the country review mission.
ii) The Country/Targeted Review Mission process.
iii) Phase 3 is the preparation of the Country/Targeted review report by the review mission that visits the country.
iv) Phase 4 is the submission of the report of the Country/Targeted Review mission to the continental APRM Secretariat and the APR Panel for deliberation and recommendations. The Panel submits the country review report and recommendations to the Forum of Heads of State for action. Phase 4 ends with Chairman of the Forum communicating the decisions of Heads of State and Government of the country under peer review.
v) Phase 5, which is the final stage of the APRM process, involves making public the Country/Targeted Review report and actions relating thereto.

2.0 OBJECTIVES
The specific Objectives of the Targeted Review Missions are to visit member countries and carry out the thematic range of consultations with the Government officials, political parties, parliamentarians, academia, trade unions, faith-based organizations, business, professional bodies and other non-state actors.

APRM now invites African Nationals Experts with experience and expertise in Governance, Economic Governance and Management (EGM), Corporate Governance (CG), Socioeconomic Development (SED) and Democracy and Political Governance (DPG) to submit their application to be included in one or several roster categories below which are:

i) Economic Governance and Management (EGM)
ii) Corporate Governance (CG)
iii) Socioeconomic Development (SED)
iv) Democracy and Political Governance (DPG)

The consultants will need to demonstrate extensive professional experience in at least one of the following Four (4) thematic areas with the following specific objectives:

2.1 Economic Governance and Management
i) Design and implement economic policies for sustainable development.
ii) Encourage ownership and participation of key stakeholders in policy formulation and Implementation.
iii) Promote sound public finance management.
iv) Fight corruption and money laundering.
v) Accelerate and deepen regional integration in the monetary, trade and investment domain.
vi) Develop and implement trade and investment policies that promote economic growth.

2.2 Corporate Governance
i) Promoting and Enabling Environment and Effective Regulatory Framework for Business organisations and other entities.
ii) Ensuring Effective Leadership and Accountability of Organisations.
iii) Ensuring Ethical Conduct Within Organisations.
iv) Ensuring that Organisations Treat Stakeholders Fairly and Equitably.
v) Ensuring that Organizations Act as Good Corporate Citizens.

2.3 Socioeconomic Development (SED)
i) Promote and accelerate broad-based sustainable socio-economic development.
ii) Encourage, broad-based participation in development;
iii) Poverty, unemployment and inequality; and
iv) Progress towards gender equality, particularly equal access to education for girls at all levels.

2.4 Democracy and Political Governance (DPG)
i) Constitutional Democracy and the Rule of Law.
ii) The Separation of Powers.
iii) Prevention and reduction of intra and inter-state conflicts.
iv) Promotion and protection of civil and political rights.
v) Ensuring accountable, efficient and effective public service delivery at the national and decentralized levels.
vi) Promotion and protection of the rights of women.
vii) Promotion and protection of the rights of children and young persons.
viii) Promotion and protection of the rights of vulnerable groups.

3.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES

Under the general Coordination of the Panel Member, and supervision of Targeted Review Coordinator at the APRM Secretariat, who will assess the relevance and quality of his/her deliverables against the TORs, the Consultant shall:

3.1 Familiarization with APRM documents and specific information developed for the Country
i) The expert is expected to familiarize themselves with the Base Documents of the and the APR Questionnaire.
ii) The expert will also be provided with the Background Paper on the Country and copies of the all the necessary documents (i.e. Country Self-assessment and draft National Programme of Action, the APRM Questionnaire) and specific information developed for the Country.

3.2 Identification of Issues
After analyzing all the collected and compiled documents, the identification of the issues should be informed by the following:
i) Issues related to the Codes, Law, Rules and Regulations in the Country;
ii) Issues addressed in the Self-Assessment but needing reinforcement;
iii) Issues that have been understated or inadequately addressed;
iv) Issues that have been identified in the past but continue to have serious implementation problems;
v) Issues missed completely in the self-assessment report; and
vi) Areas of discrepancy or divergence (from cross-checking with the Background paper).

3.3 The structure should follow the Objectives under each of the APRM thematic areas as outlined in the APRM Questionnaire. Cross-cutting or issues of an overarching nature have to be separately addressed.

3.4 The Beneficiaries of the final Report are the following:
i) The APRM Secretariat;
ii) The APRM Panel; and
ii) The Country undergoing the assessment.

3.5 Prioritization of Issues
Some effort should be made to prioritize the issues, and this may be aided by perusing the draft Programme of Action.

3.6 Participation and Rapporteur
i) The expert will be expected to participate in the Country/Targeted Review visit and capture the unfolding issues of the visit, which will inform the final Country/Targeted Review Report.
ii) The expert will be expected to capture and explore the specific issues that have been identified in his/her agreed/thematic area and to feed this into the final Country/Targeted Review Report.
iii) The expert will be expected to participate in breakaway sessions or bilateral meetings focusing on his/her specific agreed/thematic area and to keep a record of these sessions. This may include meetings and workshops outside of the capital.
iv) The expert may also be required to investigate further specific issues for the agreed/thematic area either before, during or after the visit.
v) Further, the expert is required to participate in every briefing meeting of the team relating to the review. A briefing session will be held at the end of every day during the review mission.

3.7 Incorporating the Unfolding and Outcome of the Targeted Review Visit to the Report
Following the conclusion of the review visit, the expert shall incorporate the relevant details of the unfolding and outcome of the Targeted Review visit to the report. This section of the report should be circulated to the members of the team for comment, revision and finalization.

3.8 Finalization of the Targeted Review Report
3.8.1 The expert is required to finalize the Targeted Review Report based on comments or input received from the team and the APR Panel. The expert will ensure that correct feedback is given to team members and will incorporate all team member changes in the final draft for the Report.

3.8.2 The report is to be satisfactory and acceptable to the APR Panel.

3.8.3 Compile and collect the information necessary to develop the Targeted Review Report on the proposed theme
i) As per research ethics and requirements all the data available and sources used must be specified to allow for an overall perspective and verification of information;
ii) Data must have proper citations on the source of information and must be of quality, up-to-date and relevant to the topic under discussion.
iii) Questions that arise as a result of the research and require further exploration by members of the review team should be highlighted.
iv) The paper should be analytical rather than descriptive.
v) Tables can be used to highlight areas of good practice and gaps requiring more study by the review mission.
vi) Tables and figures should be subtitled and sequentially numbered.
vii) Use the foot of each page for citations and other supplementary information (author, title, date, page numbering) that is tangential to the topic under discussion on the main page.
viii) Bibliography – provide a complete listing in the Harvard style.

3.9 Format for drafting the Targeted Review Report
A standard template for all Targeted Review reports is necessary to ensure comparability.

The content of the Report should be sufficiently comprehensive as the end-users, the Heads of States and Government, would not have to review related documents. In particular the Report should encompass a synthesis of the entire process (i.e. from accession stage to completion), and the substance of the thematic findings (flowing along thematic lines and by objectives and recommendations).
An executive summary of about 5 pages should be included in the Report.

3.10 The report shall provide the Country’s position regarding the Standards and Codes, as well as the Objectives of the APRM.

3.11 The Targeted Review Report shall follow the Framework enumerated under Deliverables.

3.12 Division of Labour
Each expert is principally expected to draft a report for his/her agreed/thematic area, and to supervise the work of all review mission participants working within his/her agreed/thematic area. The Team leader is expected to contribute and/or supervise the consolidation and collation of the overall report as necessary. It is imperative that the team leader takes note of all details pertaining to the events and work of the mission that he/she took part in.

4.0 DELIVERABLES
4.1 Prepare and submit a zero-draft report on the last day of the field work.
4.2 Prepare and submit a 50 page report a week after the completion of the field review mission. If it is necessary, revise and edit the report to reflect comments from the APR Panel, Secretariat, and other collaborators. The report shall include the following:

i) An Executive Summary of 5 pages with conclusions on the nature of issues discovered and the status of the theme under investigation. The Executive Summary should conclude with a bullet point summary of the main strengths and challenges the Country faces in this area;
ii) a short paper provided by the National Consultant and indicating the main areas requiring further exploration by the members of the country review mission;
iii) full disclosure of sources and citations and a full bibliography as mentioned under the scope of work.

4.3 The Reporting Framework shall be as follows:

4.3.1 Executive Summary
A one or two pages synthesis of the process and findings of the review, highlighting two or three good practices the Country wishes to share; two or three lessons it has learned; two or three challenges on which it wishes to hear about other Countries’ good practices; and two or three areas where it would need support in terms of decentralization, capacity building, technology, partnerships and so on.

4.3.2 Introduction
The Context and objectives of the review shall be presented here. The introduction may briefly describe key features of the Country context as it pertains to the theme of the Targeted Review, with a discussion of National priorities and targets as well as the critical challenges.

4.3.3 Methodology and Process for Preparation of the Targeted Review
This section may discuss the methodology adopted for the Targeted Review, including its scope, depth and limitations. Information on the process for preparation of the Targeted Review may be presented, and should include, for example, how different levels and sectors of Government contributed to the review; whether the Parliament was engaged; whether National evaluation/oversight Institutions contributed; how stakeholders from Civil Society, Academia, and the Private/Business sectors were involved; which consultations took place, and possibly whether another Member Country or other Institutions contributed to the review and so on.

4.3.4 Policy and Enabling Environment
i) Creating ownership at National level; and
ii) Incorporation in National Frameworks.

4.3.5 Institutional Mechanisms
i) The Review shall provide information on how the Country has adapted its institutional framework to the theme of the Targeted Review.
ii) In this regard, the Review shall bring to light how the views of different Ministries, Agencies, levels of Government and Non-Governmental Stakeholders are considered, and give prominence to the Institution in charge of coordination and integration.
iii) The Review shall consider highlighting efforts to mobilize Institutions around the theme of the Targeted Review, improve their functioning, and promote change.
iv) The Review shall also come up with information on how responsibility is allocated among various levels of Government (National, Regional and Local) for coherence. It would be useful to highlight how the Country intends to manage the review and monitor the post-review process.

4.3.6 Means of Implementation
Based on the challenges identified and the trends highlighted, the Review shall discuss how the means of implementation are mobilized, what difficulties this process faces, and the additional resources required, in relation to the theme of the Targeted Review, including financing, capacity development needs, as well as data and statistics knowledge sharing, technology, and partnerships.

4.3.7 Subsequent Steps and Commitments
The Review shall outline what steps the Country is taking or intends to take to consolidate its best practices and address the challenges identified.

4.3.8 Conclusion
i) A summary of the analysis, findings and policy implications shall be presented in this section together with the highlights of discussions on new or emerging issues identified during the review exercise.
ii) Finally, the reviewed Country shall indicate what lessons it has learned from the review process, what support it would need in the future for preparation of such reviews, and any adjustment it recommends be made to the guidelines to make them more use.

5.0 TIME FRAME
i) The Targeted Review Consultancy will be conducted in 14 days.

6.0 QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES.

6.1 Education

The Consultant should have one of the following education profile:

• A PhD in Economics, and/or Political Science, and/or Business Administration, and/or Corporate Governance, and/or Socioeconomic Development with a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience, or in related fields/theme or;
• A Masters’ degree in Economics, and/or Political Science, and/or Business Administration, and/or Corporate Governance, and/or Socioeconomic Development with a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience or in related fields/theme.

6.2 Experience, skills and competencies

i)Have at least ten (10) years progressively responsible in National/International experience in the relevant thematic area.
ii) Have produced relevant research pertinent to Socioeconomic Development (SED), and/or Democracy and Political Governance (DPG), and/or Economic Governance and Management (EGM); and/or Corporate Governance;
iii) Have produced Project or Program Reports when participating in or coordinating National or Regional Program or Project relevant to the thematic area with contribution to the Report Publication.
iv)Extensive knowledge of the Constitutive Act of the African Union as well as the overall objectives of the APRM, in the thematic area of Socioeconomic Development (SED), and/or Democracy and Political Governance (DPG), and/or Economic Governance and Management (EGM), and/or Corporate Governance (CG);
v) Knowledge of current trends and best practices in development issues and in particular internationally accepted governance codes and standards;
vi) Knowledge of post-conflict Socio-economic context of African countries
vii) Broad knowledge of international relations and development issues in Africa in general global terms;
viii) Broad knowledge of one/or more Africa Country’s international relations and development issues;
ix) Demonstrate effective ability for teamwork, as well as the ability to work independently
x) Have project management experience and able to respect deadlines; and
xi) Language: The applicant must be able to communicate and write in English or French fluently. Knowledge of other AU languages may be an added advantage.

7.0 FACILITIES AND SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT
The APRM Secretariat shall:
8.1 Provide access to all information and stakeholders necessary for the consultant to carry out the assignment adequately; and
8.2 To the extent a meeting may be necessary between the consultant and the staff of the APRM Secretariat, facilitate travel and pay other related expenses from APRM resources.

8.0 PAYMENT

i) A lump sum amount will be paid to the Consultant for the work.
ii)Payment will be linked to deliverables and timeframe.

9.0 LOCATION

The Consultant shall carry out the assignment in the Country of Review and at a location of their choice.

10.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

i) All consultancies will be advertised on an equal opportunity basis.
ii) The performance criteria to be used to assess the consultant shall be based on the deliverables and scope of work defined in this Terms of Reference
iii) The Roster will be maintained for three (3) years.

11.0. LANGUAGE OF ASSIGNMENT

The Language of assignment shall be English or French.

12.0 EVALUATION CRITERIA
Mandatory criteria

12.1 Education
A PhD in Economics, and/or Political Science, and/or Business Administration, and/or Corporate Governance, and/or Socioeconomic Development with a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience, or in related fields or;

A Masters’ degree in Economics, and/or Political Science, and/or Business Administration, and/or Corporate Governance, and/or Socioeconomic Development with a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience or in related fields or;

12.2 Experience, skills and competencies
i) Have at least ten (10) years progressively responsible in National/International experience in the relevant thematic area; and
ii) Fluent in English or French (verbal and written).
Additional Evaluation Criteria Max. Point

i) Have produced research relevant pertinent to Socioeconomic Development (SED), and/or Democracy and Political Governance (DPG), and/or Economic Governance and Management (EGM); and/or Corporate Governance; 15%

ii) Have produced Project or Program Reports when participating in or coordinating National or Regional Program with contribution to the Report Publication; 15%

iii) Extensive knowledge of the Constitutive Act of the African Union as well as the overall objectives of the APRM, in the thematic area of Socioeconomic Development (SED), Democracy and Political Governance (DPG), Economic Governance and Management (EGM); Corporate Governance (CG); 20%

iv)Knowledge of current trends and best practices in development issues and in particular internationally accepted governance codes and standards; 10%

v)Knowledge of post-conflict Socio-economic context of African countries; 10%

vi)Broad knowledge of international relations and development issues in Africa in general global terms; 10%

vii)Broad knowledge of one/ or more African Country’s’ international relations and development issues; 10%

viii) Demonstrate effective ability for teamwork, as well as the ability to work independently; 5%

ix) Have project management experience and able to respect deadlines 5%

Total Score
100%

12.3 Candidates who score 70% or higher will be considered as technically qualified to be included in the pool as experts for the category they have applied for.
13.0 REMUNERATION
The Consultant shall provide their financial proposal as and when they are called upon.

14.0 MODE OF APPLICATION

All applications in writing should be accompanied by up-to-date detailed Curriculum Vitae with the names and addresses of three referees, one of which should be the last consultancy.

The Consultant is required to send her/his CV with information (on her/his education, experience, expertise, skills and former position capability pertinent to the items related to the evaluation criteria as described in the paragraph 12.0.

The applications to be addressed to:
African Peer Review Mechanism Secretariat
Private Bag XO8, Halfway House
Physical Address: 230 15th Road, 1st Floor,
Raandjies Park, Midrand, 1685,
South Africa

Contact: Project Coordinator
Email: [email protected]