REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

“RECRUITMENT OF KOBO TOOLBOX DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS CONSULTANT”

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Avenue Joseph Anoma, 01 B.P. 1387, Abidjan, CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Corporate IT Services Department (CHIS)

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: (+225) 27 20 26 22 61/ (+225) 27 20 26 25 83

  1. The African Development Bank hereby invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the following Assignment: Kobo ToolBox data collection and analysis Consultant. 
  1. Context and objectives: 

As part of its digital strategy to become a Smart Bank, AfDB has initiated major digital transformation projects mainly focused on the automation of business and operational processes. 

In this context, the consultant will have to work with the IT & Operations teams of the Bank, Kobo ToolBox and partners such as the World Bank, to design and deploy the Kobo ToolBox based solution for Remote Project Supervision of the operation projects, and Build capacity among AfDB’s Task Managers, government agencies and Country Teams. 

The project will focus on Africa central region countries (RDGC) which includes 7 Bank’s country members, with the Bank’s presence in 6 countries through 5 Country Offices (Cameroun, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Tchad and Central African Republic) and 1 Liaison Office (Republic of Congo). 

More details about the assignment are provided in the terms of reference attached as Annex 1. 

 

  1. Essential skills and qualification: 
  • Substantial experience in the administration of digital data collection and analysis tools (including platform administration, questionnaire creation, field data collection, data analysis), through KoBo Toolbox.
  • Advanced skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial analysis, and experience in the creation of both static maps and interactive mapping applications.
  • Knowledge of M&E systems, especially as they apply to fragile contexts, demonstrated through field experience.
  • Excellent communication skills, with an ability to adapt to an audience that is operational, but not necessarily knowledgeable of ICT issues.
  • Fluent English or French language skills, enabling the consultant to conduct interactive technical trainings in English or French, and to produce high-quality written outputs. Advanced French language skills are an advantage.
  • Excellent workflow management skills and a proactive attitude.
  • Ability for teamwork in a multicultural environment.
  • Client Orientation – Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.
  • Ability to analyze complex information quickly and simply for audiences.
  • Good political and personal judgment.
  • Strong communication/interpersonal skills
  • Proven analytical background.
  • Advanced skills in MS office applications, in particular Excel and PowerPoint.
  1. The Corporate Information Technology Services Department (CHIS) invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (CV, copies of diplomas, documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.). 
  1. The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedures shall be in conformity with the Bank’s procedures for the acquisition of consulting services funded by the administrative or capital expenditure. Please, note that interest expressed by a consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist. 
  1. The estimated duration of services is 06 months, renewable once based on the quality of the work provided and the satisfaction of all stakeholders with whom the consultant will work. The estimated starting date is 01 September 2021. 
  1. Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00 hours, Abidjan Local Time. 
  1. Expressions of interest must be received by email at the address below no later than Friday, 23 July 2021 at 17:00 hours, Abidjan local time and specifically mentioning “Kobo ToolBox data collection and analysis Consultant”. 

For the attention of: IT Recruitment Team African Development Bank 

Corporate IT Services Department (CHIS) Avenue Joseph Anoma, 01 B.P. 1387, Abidjan, CÔTE D’IVOIRE 

Phone: (+225) 27 20 26 22 61

Email : [email protected]

 

  1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SHORT LIST 
  1. A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end the request of expressions of interest. The consultants on the shortlist will be judged on the following criteria on the basis of their updated resume.
Level of education in general 20%
Educational level compared to the field of mission 20%
Years of experience in general 20%
Number of years of experience relevant to the mission 40%

ANNEX 1 – TERMS OF REFERENCE

RECRUITMENT OF A DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS CONSULTANT

REMOTE PROJECT SUPERVISION SYSTEM (RPSS) –  A KOBO TOOLBOX BASED SOLUTION-

  1. BACKGROUND

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier pan-African development institution established in 1964, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including of 54 African member countries and 26 non-regional member countries. The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for

transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In order to sharply focus the objectives of the Ten-Year Strategy (2013 – 2022) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas, all of which will accelerate our delivery for Africa, have been identified for scaling up, namely, energy, agrobusiness, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa. The Bank is seeking to build a senior management team that will lead the successful implementation of this vision.

  1. CONTEXT

As part of its digital strategy to become a Smart Bank, AfDB has initiated major digital transformation projects mainly focused on the automation of business and operational processes.

In this context the consultant will have to work with the IT & Operations teams of the Bank, Kobo ToolBox and partners such as the World Bank, to design and deploy the Kobo ToolBox based solution for Remote Project Supervision of the operation projects, and Build capacity among AfDB’s Task Managers, government agencies and Country Teams.

The project will focus on Africa central region countries (RDGC) which includes 7 Bank’s country members, with the Bank’s presence in 6 countries through 5 Country Offices (Cameroun, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Tchad and Central African Republic) and 1 Liaison Office (Republic of Congo).

  1. CONSULTANCY AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF WORK

3.1. Objectives

The RPSS platform aims to provide the project teams with tools for remote supervision, real-time safeguards monitoring, and portfolio mapping for coordination across projects and partners. The in-field collection of structured digital data will automatically feed into a centralized system.

The integrated data will include any kind of indicators, based on tailor-made forms; photos, audio, videos; time and date stamps; and GPS coordinates that allow for automated geo-mapping of the information.

The RPSS aims to systematically allows operations to enhance the transparency and accuracy of M&E and increase the accountability of third-party monitoring.

Based on the above aims, the main objectives are to achieve the following:

  • Setup the RPSS platform based on Kobo ToolBox solution for Monotoring and evaluation (M&E) of the operation projects financed by AfDB.
  • Implement the RPSS’s method systematically across the portfolio, to allow for real-time supervision and coordination of operations via a centralized platform that puts all field data on an interactive map.
  • Build capacity among concerned persons within the Africa Central Region including government agencies, AfDB’s Task Managers, and Country Teams to use the RPSS independently and sustainably, customized to their specific project needs.

3.2. Scope of work

  • The consultant will work remotely and embedded in the project team that includes members from the AfDB’s IT department (CHIS) and the General Directorate for Africa Central Region (RDGC). The consultant will also interact with the Kobo ToolBox support team as well as the GEMS1 team within the World Bank’s Fragility, Conflict and Violence Group (FVC).
  • Among available options, the solution to be hosted in servers (i) within the Kobo ToolBox platform, (ii) within the AfDB’s data center, and ((iii) in AfDB’s server in cloud. The various possible architectures will be discussed within the project team, the consultant will have to document and recommend a solution that better meet the AfDB’s needs.
  • KoBoToolbox has several advanced features built in based on its open-source libraries, which include useful add-ons for advanced use cases and many ways to use APIs. The consultant will be called to work on the integration of some existing platforms to RPSS solution, such as “ Africa Information High Way”, “Map Africa”, satellite imagery provider, AfDB’s corporation applications,…etc. A maximum of Three (3) main application will be chosen for integration with Kobo ToolBox in agreement with the consultant, and this based on their utility, feasibility, and availability.
  • The consultant will work on the detailed design and architecture of the recommended Kobo ToolBox based solution, then proceed with the implementation. Apart from what Kobo ToolBox will provide, the AfDB’s team will provide any software, hardware and access rights required for the implementation of the solution.
  • The integrated data can include any kind of indicators, based on tailor-made forms; photos, audio, videos; time and date stamps; and GPS coordinates that allow for automated geo-mapping of the information. Using these tools systematically allows operations to enhance the transparency and accuracy of M&E and increase the accountability of third-party monitoring.
  • The consultant will provide direct operational support to the CHIS team as well as project Task Managers (TMs) and client representatives in Africa Central Region. A major task will be to oversee the RPSS and implement the solution across the RDGC’s portfolio. In this regard, the Consultant will be responsible for managing the RDGC’s accounts of the digital data collection and analysis platform (RPSS) and conduct customized analysis according to the AfDB’s needs. The focus will be to support operational Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Supervision, Safeguards Monitoring and continuous Mapping of the
  • GEMS : Geo-Enabling initiative for Monitoring and Supervision Operational Portfolio across the RDGC’s 7 countries. This will require the consultant fully available to guarantee a close collaboration with the Country Program Officers (COPs) and the Task Mangers (TMs) colleagues.
  • The Consultant will have to develop a training guidelines, handbook, protocols and technical platforms, for systematizing and scaling the RPSS support across projects and clients. The consultant will support the CHIS team in (1) rolling out a standard learning package on the RPSS platform; (2) developing and managing effective integration with other platforms on which project data can be mapped; and (3) establishing internal standards and guidelines for the sustainable implementation of the RPSS method and its gradual scaling across client countries. In this regard, the consultant will closely work with CHIS team, as well as other units and partners, in particular the Kobo ToolBox support team, and World Bank’s GEMS Team.
  • After finalizing the RPSS solution setup, the Consultant will provide three (3) types of training:
  • Technical training for the IT team on RPSS administration and monitoring. The trained person should be able to handle autonomously the implementation of the identified improvement possibilities, especially integrations with other applications, data analysis and presentation tools, … etc.
  • Training of trainers: training of a team of trainers who will have the task of providing trainings on the PRSS at the regional level first, then afterwards at the level of the entire Bank.
  • Training of users of the solution. The Consultant will ahve to provide trainings to end users identified within the Region. They will be e composed of Bank’s staff or Bank’s External Clients. We aim to train during the RPSS deployment phase a minimum 100 persons: 30 Bank’s staff and 10 persons per countries in the Region (10 persons x 7 countries).
  • The Consultant to propose the training program, with the number of days required for each type of training, and training planning. The Project Team (CHIS and RDGC) will examine and approve the proposed training program, then provide all logistical and organizational support to ensure the smooth running of the training.
  • After the training, each participant should have acquired the necessary skills to use the tools and methods independently for the benefit of the portfolio’s M&E system and supervision needs. The Consultant will provide the participants the access to a RPSS’s central digital platform for monitoring the portfolio in near real-time.
  • During the trainings and after the trainings, the Consultant will have to oversee the sustainable application of the PRSS method across the RDGC’s portfolio and ensure that gradually all projects are integrated in the system. In this regard, the Consultant will be called to provide follow-up support to users to ensure that the system is leveraged sustainably. Help to digitize data collection questionnaires for specific clients and projects, explore options for collaboration on data exchange and analysis with partners, and produce practical guidance material and source books on complementary field-appropriate ICT tools and procedures for operational engagement in RDGC/ Central Africa countries contexts.
  • The consultant will also support the wider “Smart Bank “ agenda. In this regard, the consultant will work with the CHIS team and RDGC team to explore and apply complementary field-appropriate ICT tools and procedures to increase effectiveness and accountability of operational engagement. ICT-based approaches that will be explored include inter alia (a) the use of mobile networks and SMS-based systems for citizen engagement, beneficiary feedback, and grievance redress mechanisms; (b) leveraging ‘big data’, call detail records, and other data sources for complementary monitoring tasks; and
  • satellite-based earth observation and remote sensing through drones and sensor technology for supervision activities. The above list is not exhaustive and may be extended during implementation of the activity.

  1. DELIVERABLES

Throughout the assignment, the consultant will submit the deliverables (listed below with “Acceptance required?” equal to “Yes”) for the Bank’s review and approval.

  • Work plan based on the objectives and scope of work above (paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2).
  • The report illustrating the study and analysis and possible architectural options.
  • The detailed design of the solution adopted, with the list of prerequisites and the detailed implementation plan.
  • PRSS solution working and tested.
  • Standards and guidelines for the sustainable implementation of the RPSS method and its gradual scaling across client countries.
  • The Training Program and materials (user guides, RPSS handbook, training documents, demo, online access, …etc.).
  • Training of 100 persons from government agencies, AfDB’s Task Managers, and Country Teams.
  • Oversee the sustainable application of the RPSS method across the RDGC’s portfolio and ensure that gradually all projects are integrated in the system.

Deliverables shall be deemed accepted unless the written rejection notification is received by the consultant in the timeframe specified.

If a rejection notification is received, the consultant will correct problems with a deliverable that are in scope for the project, after which the deliverable is deemed accepted.

  1. DURATION

The assignment duration is six (06) months. renewed once for six (06) additional months based on the quality of the work provided and the satisfaction of the clients, including all stakeholders with whom the consultant will work.

  1. LOCATION

The work will be carried out remotely during the Covid-19 lockdown period. If the situation changes, the work will be done at the Bank’s HQ in Abidjan.

  1. REPORTING LINE

The consultant will report to the Chief Regional IT coordinator for the Central Africa Region, and work closely with the Bank project manager, sponsor, THE government agencies, and other designees to manage project problems, risks, and change requests.

  1. REMUNERATION

The consultant will receive a monthly lump sum rate based on his experience and in accordance to the Bank’s rules. No additional benefits or per diem will be paid. The individual consultant is responsible for his/her own health insurance and own accommodation costs.

If the Bank asks the consultant to be physically present in a country of the Africa Central Region for a certain short period, the rules of the bank which governs travels will be applied, in particular in terms of subsistence allowance, transport costs and various other travel-related expenses justified by the Consultant and accepted by the Bank.