Country:                     Ghana

Name of Project:        Second Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence for Development Impact Project (2^nd ACE Impact)

Grant No.:                  D5330

Assignment Title:     External Evaluation of the Development Impact of the Africa Centres of Excellence Impact Project 

Reference No.:           GH-AAU-GHANA-229175-CS-QCBS

The Association of African Universities has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Second Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence for Development Impact Project (2^nd ACE Impact Project) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include an independent external evaluation of the extent to which the ACEs have contributed towards development Impact as per the agreed indicators. Secondly the evaluation will make an overall independent assessment about the past performance of the project, paying particular attention to the impact of the project activities against its objectives. Finally, the consultancy will identify key lessons and propose practical recommendations for follow-up actions.

The assignment will be undertaken for a maximum period of four (4) months effective the time of signing the contract until the submission of the final report. The services are expected to commence in May 2021.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be accessed from here – https://blog.aau.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TOR-External-Evaluation-ACEs-Contribution-to-Development-Impact-Final-2.pdf

The Association of African Universities now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are:

1. Demonstrated experience in conducting evaluations of higher education projects that span across various countries.
2. Broad experience with universities, international and regional research, and development projects in Africa will be a requirement.
3. Demonstrated practical field level support for regional / international organizations in Africa on the development and use of monitoring and reporting tools.
4. Experience in and knowledge of capacity development and higher education in Africa
5. Demonstrated and internationally recognized consultancy service delivery.
6. Full working knowledge of English and of French languages.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, revised in November 2017, and in August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 and revised in November 2017, and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest available on this link http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/178331533065871195/Procurement-Regulations.pdf

 Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualification-based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e., 0900 to 1700 hours GMT.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person mail or by e-mail) by 1700 hours GMT on 07 May 2021 and specifically mentioning Consultancy Services for the External Evaluation of the Development Impact of the Africa Centres of Excellence Impact Project for the attention of:

Sylvia Mkandawire (Dr.)

 Program Manager, ACE Impact

Association of African Universities

African Universities House, Trinity Avenue, East Legon, Accra, Ghana

P. O. Box AN 5744, Accra-North, Ghana

smkandawire@aau.org     

https://ace.aau.org/  |  https://www.aau.org /