1.    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 28^th  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 the context of the implementation of the APRM Institutional Support Project, the APRM intends to recruit one (1) experienced communications consultant to support the development of a communication policy for the Mechanism, for which these Terms of Reference (TORs) are prepared.

This consultancy is necessary because, despite 15 years of its existence and efforts made, the APRM is largely unknown to the majority of the people of Africa and the rest of the world. For some stakeholders and observers, the APRM has not yielded improvements in governance and service delivery to citizens. Indeed, while a lot has been achieved in terms of countries that have voluntarily joined and agreed to subject themselves to peer scrutiny, a lot remains to be done in ensuring ownership and effective implementation of the recommendations emanating from the reviews as well as deep and informed participation of the citizenry. As the APRM marks its 15th Anniversary in 2018, it is important to pause and reflect on its achievements and challenges.

2.    Objective

2.1      The objective of the assignment is to help the APRM Secretariat to develop a communication policy that provides an overarching framework within which the most appropriate APRM communication tools and processes will be designed, developed and implemented.

3.    Scope of Services

The Communications Consultant shall:

1. In consultation with relevant staff of the APRM Secretariat and other stakeholders, prepare and submit a draft Communications Policy that aims to enhance the visibility of the APRM and its activities among the African public, including awareness building, advocacy and other measures to popularize the Mechanism;
2. In consultation with relevant staff of the APRM Secretariat and other stakeholders, prepare and submit a draft Communications Policy that identifies and enumerates the range of viable communication outlets, tools and processes that can best serve the goals of the APRM, and their respective pros and cons, as well as appropriate recommendations; and

• In consultation with relevant staff of the APRM Secretariat and other stakeholders, prepare and submit a draft Communications Policy that also contains detailed roadmap for its implementation along with associated resource implications, including financial and human resources.

4.    Reporting

• The Consultant shall report directly to the Project Coordinator and will submit all deliverables as per the ToR.

5.    Deliverables

• The Communications Consultant shall deliver the following specific outputs:

1. An inception report within four weeks of signing the consultancy contract;
2. The first full draft report of the Communications Policy within 12 weeks of signing the consultancy contract;

• Present the revised draft Communications Policy before an expert group meeting that will be convened by the APRM Secretariat for the purpose within 16 weeks of signing the consultancy contract; and

1. Finalise and submit the Communications Policy to the APRM Secretariat within 20 weeks of signing the consultancy contract.

6.    Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

1. Minimum of Master’s degree in governance, communication, marketing, media relations, journalism or related field.
2. An expert level understanding of the APRM and the governance challenges of the African Continent.

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in the development of public policy related to communications, including an appreciation of the role of social media and other modern communication techniques.

1. Demonstrated ability to write to a very high standard as evidenced by previous examples of relevant work accomplished in the field.
2. Fluency in spoken English or French and ability to write lucid reports and documents in English or French is required; knowledge of the other language will be an added advantage.
3. Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas and analyses clearly and tactfully, both orally and in writing.

7. Facilities and Services to be Provided by the Client

The APRM Secretariat shall:

1. Provide access to all information and stakeholders necessary in order for the consultant to carry out the assignment adequately; and
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.    Period of the Assignment and Payment

1. Pay 30% of Contract price upon submission and acceptance of the Inception Report;
2. Pay 30% of Contract price upon submission and acceptance of the first draft report of the Communications Policy; and

• Pay 40% of Contract price upon submission and acceptance of the Final Communications Policy.

9.    Location

The Consultant may carry out the assignment from a location of their choice.

10.        General Information

All consultancies will be advertised on an equal opportunity basis.

The performance criteria to be used to assess the consultant shall be based on the deliverables and scope of work defined in this ToR.

11. Language of Assignment

The communications policy may be presented in English or French.

12. Evaluation Criteria

The selection will be done based on the following criteria.

13.         Mode of Application

All applications in writing should be accompanied by up-to-date Certified Curriculum Vitae and supporting documents (Note: do not send originals) with the names and addresses of three referees, one of which should be the last consultancy and addressed to:

African Peer Review Mechanism Secretariat

Private Bag XO8,  Halfway House

Physical Address: 230 15^th Road, 1^st Floor,

Raandjies Park, Midrand, 1685,

South Africa

Contact: Project Coordinator

Email: [email protected]