EOI – Individual Consultant for the Preparation of the 2022 CRFA Profiles at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) – 2 Openings Contract

Job Title: EOI – Individual Consultant for the Preparation of the 2022 CRFA Profiles

Location: Home-Based
Consultant Type: Individual Consultant
Department making the request: Transition States Coordination Office (RDTS)
Period of Assignment: from May 15, 2023, to July 31, 2023
Expected Start Date of the Assignment: May 15, 2023
Slot: 2 Openings

Brief description of the Assignment

• The main responsibility of the two consultants is to produce, in English, high-quality analytical profiles reflecting on the 2022 capacity and pressure scores of the Country Resilience and Fragility Assessments (CRFA) framework. CRFA profiles are to be produced for all African countries (59) and regions (5).

Background

• Over the past decade, Africa has seen enormous growth and transformation that has expanded opportunities and improved living conditions for millions of people. Yet, there are significant risks that this momentum could be undermined by important pressures-continuing patterns of exclusion and poverty, unemployment, high migration, rapid urbanization, climate change and poor management of natural resources-that threaten to overwhelm existing institutional capacities for managing political, economic, social, and environmental challenges. These pressures are making countries more vulnerable.
• The Transition States Coordination Office (RDTS) oversees and leads the implementation of the African Development Bank Group’s fragility agenda. It coordinates the Bank Group’s work-at analytical, strategic, and operational levels-on addressing fragility and building resilience in local, national and regional institutions.
• To support its analytics, RDTS has put in place since 2018 the Country Resilience and Fragility Assessment (CRFA). The CRFA is a tool that brings new quantitative rigor to measuring both capacities and pressures within all Regional Member Countries (RMCs) and regions across Africa.
• An innovation within the multilateral development sphere, it provides a systematic understanding of fragility drivers, and entry points for strengthening national and regional resilience.
• The CRFA uses over 125 data metrics which feed into seven dimensions: 1) Inclusive Politics; 2) Security; 3) Justice; 4) Economic and Social Inclusiveness; 5) Social Cohesion; 6) Regional Spillover Effects; 7) Climate/Environmental Impacts. Under the coordination of RDTS, the Bank had successfully rolled out the CRFA for all RMCs and regions in 2019,2020 and 2021.
• The approved CRFA scores for 2022 and the trends over the past three years will feed into the Bank knowledge products, including the 2022 CRFA profiles.

The Role of the Consultants

• Under the direct supervision of the CRFA coordinator, and the general oversight of RDTS Director, the consultants shall assist RDTS in the preparation of the CRFA profiles for all the 54 RMCs and 5 regions.
• Based on the quantitative findings of the CRFA scores, each profile narrates a qualitative analysis of the capacities and pressures underpinning the context. While contextualizing drivers of fragility throughout the seven dimensions of the CRFA, the profile aims at building a positive narrative that helps identify entry points for resilience and facilitate their mainstreaming in the Bank strategic and operational engagements.
• The consultants will be responsible for delivering the first and the revised drafts of all CRFA profiles.
• The preparation of a profile, which consists of a standardized format of around 150 words for each of the seven CRFA dimensions, requires a background research, information cross-checking, and technical analysis of the CRFA scores.
• It entails the following requirements:
  • Build on the 2019 2020 and 2021 profiles and complete the provided template with a narrative to contextualize and analyze the 2022 CRFA scores, and their trends over the last three years.
  • Input and cross-check the scores and graphics into the template from the provided CRFA 2022 results.
  • Ensure consistent language and terminology to describe the levels of capacity and pressure across all profiles, based on the template guidance.
  • Ascertain the template formatting remains consistent across all profiles and does not exceed the maximum number of words allowed.

To this end, the consultants shall:

• Produce in English the first drafts of their designated share (30) of CRFA profiles (See Annex I).
• Submit the completed drafts of CRFA profiles for the reviews and guidance of fragility specialists, through the CRFA coordinator.
• Produce in English the second drafts of the CRFA profiles by incorporating the appropriate changes following the review phase.
• Upon request, carry out additional tasks.

Required Qualifications

• At least a Master’s Degree or its equivalent in Economics, Politics, Sociology, Finance, Public Policy, International Affairs, Law, or related fields.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in, Economics, Macro-Economics, International Development, or a related field, with proven skills in professional writing.
• Very strong ability to interpret quantitative data and communicate and write creatively and concisely in English, and at least a passive knowledge of French.
• Knowledge of the Bank Group’s approach to addressing fragility and building resilience, its various financial instruments, strategies and policies, as well as of its resource mobilization and on-lending activities is an added advantage.
• Familiarity with the ongoing discussions within the international development community, especially in the field of peacebuilding and socioeconomic resilience in Africa.
• Demonstrated record of operational effectiveness, client orientation, problem solving, communication and teamwork.
• Capacity to deliver high-quality and timely outputs and ability to use computer packages.

Duration and Location

• The consultants shall carry out the services for a period May 15, 2023, to July 31, 2023. The consultation will be home-based, with regular coordination with the Bank’s HQ.

Deliverables
The consultants will take responsibility for specific duties described in Section 2 of these Terms of Reference. These include producing high quality and timely first and second drafts of the CRFA profiles in accordance with the following indicative timeframe.
Deliverables Indicative Dates

Deliverables	Indicative Dates
First draft	Completion of first 10 (10/30) country/regional profiles May 25, 2023
First draft	Completion of second 10 (20/30) country/regional profiles June 6, 2023
First draft	Completion of third 10 (30/30) country/regional profiles June 20, 2023
Second draft	Incorporate edits to the profiles, as needed July 31, 2023

Accountabilities

• The consultants will work under the general oversight of RDTS Director and the direct supervision of the CRFA coordinator.
• They will report to the CRFA coordinator upon the specific tasks undertaken.

Remuneration

• Remuneration will be commensurable with experience, in line with the Bank Group’s compensation guidelines.
• In addition, if the consultant needs to travel to take up this assignment, round trip economy class air-tickets-with the shortest route-will be provided.
• The consultants will be responsible for their personal health insurance at their own cost. The coverage shall include all medical expenses, including those resulting from illnesses or injuries that may happen during the assignment.

Application Closing Date
8th May, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Expressions of Interest to: [email protected] and [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.