TOR – DEVELOPMENT OF THE APRM TOOLKIT FOR NATIONAL GOVERNANCE REPORTING

DEVELOPMENT OF THE APRM TOOLKIT FOR NATIONAL GOVERNANCE REPORTING

CONSULTANCY SERVICES 

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

Project: Development of a Comprehensive National Governance Reporting Toolkit

 Introduction

The African Union Heads of State and Government established the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in 2003 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. The APRM seeks to contribute to the redress of challenges in governance and socio-economic development among member states of the African Union. The APRM focuses on four thematic areas: (i) Democracy and political governance; (ii) Economic management and governance; (iii) Corporate governance; and (iv) Socio-economic development. In fostering these practices, the APRM supports participating countries to undertake a Country Self-Assessment and field an independent eternal review mission the outcomes of which culminate into a peer review exercise at the level of Heads of State. The review among others involves extensive and detailed consultations with government, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders, culminating in a peer review exercise at the level of Heads of State and Government.

A key feature of the APRM is that it is a homegrown, home-led and home-owned initiative. This feature, and its voluntary nature, are important in buttressing and consolidating Africa’s ownership of its governance and self-determination. As an assessment and monitoring tool, the APRM also participates in tracking progress towards meeting the governance-related aspects of regional and international development aspirations and commitments including AU’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1. Project Description

At the 32^nd African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in February 2019, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the APRM in collaboration with Africa Governance Architecture (AGA) presented the Africa Governance Report (AGR) to the Assembly. The Report, as developed by Africans for Africans, had a purpose of (a) providing an assessment of the status of African governance, (b) providing a basis for tracking of governance developments and analysing trends on the continent, (c) informing the Africa public on the trends in governance, and (d) determining recommendations for the enhancement of governance in promoting African progress. The report focussed on key five pillars, namely: a) Transformative leadership, b) Constitutionalism and the rule of law, c) peace, security and governance, d) the nexus of development and governance, and e) role of regional Economic Communities (RECs) in African governance. The report proposes a range of recommendations for enhancing transformative leadership, such as aligning National Strategies/Visions to the AU Agenda 2063 and the UNSGDs 2030, and the National Plan of Actions of the APRM and most importantly the report recommends that countries establish regular national reviews/ national governance reports, to assess performance in governance. Hence, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government through a decision, endorsed the Report (AGR) and urged Member States to develop their National Governance Reports as a self-assessment tool, to own and improve national governance. In this regard, the APRM is seeking an independent Consultant to develop a toolkit that will comprise the guidelines, framework of indicators, templates and other advisory aspects on national governance reporting. The Toolkit will thus guide African Union Member States in developing their national governance reports

2. The rationale for National Governance Reporting

Of benefits to African Countries to develop their National Governance reports are:

1. National governance reports have the potential to ensure regular, periodic and continuous assessment of selected governance areas,
2. National governance reports imbue a sense of ownership of the country’s governance;
3. National governance reports are a foundation for regular and continuous assessment on governance to detect areas with shortcoming in a view to improve them.
4. Regular reporting assist governments to formulate informed policies but most importantly they can be a source of best practices that can be shared among Member States;
5. Regular reports could provide a basis for member states to support the Continental Secretariat execute the Expanded Mandate
6. The National Governance Reports will provide up-to-date, credible and reliable data on governance in Africa, that could be utilised as inputs into the Bi-Annual African Union Report “Africa Governance Report”.

3. The Assignment

Under direct supervision and guidance of the APRM Project Coordinator and overall authority of the APRM Continental Secretariat, Chief Executive Officer, the Consultant will support the APRM to design a National Governance Reporting Toolkit comprising of a Concept Note, Methodology, and a reporting template, framework of indicators and parameters for African Union Member States. The Consultant will provide the services to the APRM Continental Secretariat along the following milestones:

1. To assess the state of governance on the continent, the mechanism needed to support national efforts for effectively monitoring governance;
2. To incorporate the key recommendations of the Africa Governance Report at the national level;
3. To provide technical direction to the identification and selection of context-relevant and universally admissible key indicators and parameters for the national governance report;
4. To translate the collective national governance visions of African Union states as defined in Agenda 2063, UNSDGs Agenda 2030 and the APRM National Plan of Action and the APRM Thematic Areas into a national governance report guideline.

4. To achieve these milestones, the Consultant shall undertake the following tasks

1. Draft a background paper on the rationale and value of regular national governance report for national and continental development in africa;
2. Develop a comprehensive multi-stakeholder, multidisciplinary methodology for development of national governance reports;
3. Identify indicators and parameters on governance that reflect African realities based on the APRM Questionnaire, APRM 4thematic areas, AU Agenda 2063, UN Agenda 2030;
4. Develop an online electronic reporting template aligned the AGA approved, AU Agenda 2030, the UNSDGs and the APRM Thematic areas;
5. Design and package a training programme on national governance reporting;
6. participate in meetings of the Taskforce group to further discuss and finalise the Toolkit.

5. Deliverables

1. Background/Discussion Paper on Governance Reporting in Africa;
2. Guideline on Methodology and Parameters for National Governance Reporting;
3. Online Electronic Template for National Governance Report;
4. Develop a Training Package on National Governance Reporting.

6. Reporting

The Consultant shall report directly to the Project Coordinator and will submit all deliverables as per the Terms of Reference.

7. Timeframe

1. The first Draft should be available within 3 weeks of signing the consultancy.
2. Present the first Draft of the Toolkit before the Taskforce group meeting that will be convened by APRM in November 2019
3. Finalise and submit the Toolkit on National Governance Reporting to the APRM within 2 weeks after the Taskforce meeting of November 2019.

8. Personal Attributes and Corporate Orientation

1. Must be a citizen and Passport Holder of an African Union member country
2. Demonstrates integrity and adherence to the African Union values
3. Must have an excellent track record of ethical standards evidenced by testimonials from diverse referees,
4. Promotes the African Union – APRM vision, mission and strategic objectives,
5. Demonstrates thoroughness, availability, positive attitude towards team work and proactivity.

9. Operational skills

1. Ability to undertake online and desk research, ensure results-based management and reporting;
2. Good knowledge of African Union Agenda 2063, African Union shared values, UNSDGs and the APRM key thematic areas and good understanding of governance matters in Africa;
3. An expert level of understanding the APRM and governance challenges on the African Continent.

10. Education

1. A Doctoral degree from an internationally recognised institution in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, International Political Economy, Public Governance or other closely related field.

11. Experience

Academic research and work with research institutions, universities, think tanks and Multilateral Organisation or policy advisories related to the thematic areas in the context of Africa is required. Experience with the African Union, APRM or other international institutions is an added advantage.

1. At least 10 years of professional experience in governance and policy-related practice and/or research;
2. Excellent research, drafting and publishing track record;
3. Experience in development of Toolkits for the public sector, research and project management with national sectoral programmes and international projects.

12. Payment

The full payment will be made after total completion of assignment.

13. Location

The Consultant may carry out the assignment, from a location of his/her choice to be agreed to and approved by the APRM Continental Secretariat and subject to a fixed reporting and communication schedule to be defined in the obtaining contract.

14. General Information

All consultancies are 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.

15. Language of assignment

The APRM National governance reporting Template (Toolkit) may be presented in English or French.

16. Evaluation Criteria

The selection will be done based on the following criteria.

17. Mode of Application

All applications in writing should be accompanied by up-to-date Certified Curriculum Vitae and supporting documents, 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]

Closing date: 10^th October 2019 at 1700 hrs RSA time.