AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Ref.: IOM/BDEV.2/2021/04/001

Date: 27 April 2021

INDEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION (IDEV) Impact Evaluation of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Public Finance Modernization Support Project (PAM-FP)

Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) for the recruitment of Individual Lead Consultant

 

 

  1. The Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) of the African Development Bank (AfDB or “the Bank”) hereby invites Individual consultants to indicate their interest for the Impact Evaluation of DRC Public Finance Modernization Support Project – PAM-FP (hereinafter “The assignment”). The services to be provided under the assignment include the following:
  • Support formulation of the evaluation design;
  • Provide technical leadership and work with the evaluation team for conducting the impact evaluation; and
  • Draft and finalize the impact evaluation technical report.

Background

  1. The mission of the Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB, or Bank) is to enhance the development effectiveness of AfDB initiatives in its regional member countries (RMCs) through independent and instrumental evaluations and partnerships for sharing knowledge.
  1. In March 2012, the African Development Bank approved the financing of Democratic Republic of Congo Public Finance Modernization Support Project “PAM-FP” to improve the capacity to mobilize public domestic resources. The project was implemented during 20121 – 2017.2
  1. The project was implemented in six3 out of 26 provinces of the DRC. The main components of the project were:
  • Component 1: Support the modernization of tax administrations in four (4) provinces, namely Katanga, Tshopo (Province Orientale), Kinshasa, and Ituri. The main activities associated with this component were (i) Construction or rehabilitation of administrative buildings of the General Direction of Taxes (DGI).
  • Reorganization of the central tax administration, through the acquisition of office furniture, the modernization of certain Tax Centers (CDI), and Synthetic Tax Centers (CIS); (iii) Capacity building of the staff of the tax administrations on tax collection. 
  • Component 2: Improve the allocation of resources and the efficiency of public finance management in four (4) provinces, namely Kongo-Central (Bas-Congo), Maniema, Kinshasa and Tshopo (Province Orientale), through the establishment of the minimum platform for local public finances. The activities associated with this component were: (i) Institutional strengthening of the Public Finance Reform Steering Committee (COREF) by providing a building, office supplies and furniture;
  • Implementation of a computerized expenditure chain; (iii) Implementation of a computerized payroll system; (iv) Acquisition of hardware for the targeted provincial structures; (v) Capacity building of civil servants to use the new systems and software.
  1. The specific objective of the project was to continue the reorganization of tax administration services, and to improve the allocation of resources and the efficiency of public finance management in the target provinces.

Evaluation process, deliverables and timeline

  1. The assignment will have the following three phases.
  • Inception This will include the definition of methodology for assessing the quantitative and qualitative impact of the PAM-FP project on specific outcomes for the final target beneficiaries (Tax administration, taxpayers, and firms). It will provide a detailed description of the program, types of interventions and implementation and the details of the quantitative and qualitative impact analysis design and methodology, survey questionnaires, sample designs, guides for Focus Group and Interview of Key
  • The approval year
  • The completion year
  • Katanga, Tshopo (Province Orientale), Ituri, Kinshasa for the component 1; and Kongo-Central (Bas-Congo), Maniema, Kinshasa and Tshopo for the component Informants. It will also outline the implementation plan. The draft inception report will be presented for discussion and validation.
  • Implementation Phase. It will include desk review, questionnaire pre-testing; oversee the data collection process; provide guidelines for data entry and recording; organize focus group and key informants interviews; and communication with other evaluation team members and national researchers. A national research/ statistical institute, to be recruited by the Bank, will undertake the survey.
  • Report Writing Phase. This will include econometric analysis and validation, preparation of draft and final impact analysis (quantitative and qualitative) report containing all findings and conclusions, supporting evidence and appropriate explanation of the methods used. The consultant will prepare jointly with evaluation team the technical report. The deliverables of the consultant will include the following (in English):
  • Inception Report; and
  • Technical Impact Evaluation report. Timeline: the work of the lead consultant will begin in the first week of May and end by December 2021.
  1. The consultant is expected to have a strong background in quantitative impact evaluation methods and techniques, preferably in the economic governance and/or public resource mobilization sector, with good knowledge of qualitative approaches. The Consultant shall have the following minimum qualifications and experiences:
  • At least Master’s degree in Economics, International Development, Development Economics, Public Finance, Public Administration, or related disciplines, with a strong research component.
  • At least 7 years of experience in leading impact evaluation projects in developing countries. Specific experience in public finance management, tax and compliance issues, institutional support projects etc. would be an advantage.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of qualitative and quantitative data and statistical analysis shown by peer-reviewed publications on impact evaluation.
  • Expertise in designing methodology and data collection tools.
  • Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, with a working knowledge of the other.
  • An understanding and knowledge of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and Democratic Republic of Congo would be an added advantage.
  • Strong technical skills with advanced knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Stata software.
  • Effective communication and people skills.

Application process

  1. Interested eligible Individual Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to provide the services (documentation, references for similar services, and experience in comparable assignments).
  1. More specifically, interested candidates should provide the following in support of the EOI:
    • An updated CV;
  • Details of similar assignments completed recently and in the past 5 years, with links to evaluation reports/or related research articles;
  • References and contacts for previous assignments and clients; and
  • Confirmation of their availability during the indicated period.
  1. Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: from 09:00 to 17:00 hours (GMT).
  1. 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. Expressions of interest must be received by e-mail at the address below no later than 07 May 2021, 17:00 Hours local time and specifically mentioning “Expression of Interest for Consultancy Services: IMPACT EVALUATION OF DRC PAM-FP PROJECT”. For the attention of: Mr. Eric Kere Independent Evaluation Development (IDEV) African Development Bank Avenue Joseph Anoma 01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01- Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire Tel : +225 27 20 26 4694

E-mail : [email protected]

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