Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) Consultancy Services to Develop an African Corruption Measurement Tool and Methodology

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO DEVELOP AN AFRICAN CORRUPTION MEASUREMENT TOOL AND METHODOLOGY

Reference No. AUABC/CONS/2020/01

  I: General Background of the Consultancy

The Member States of the African Union adopted the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) at the Second Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union held in Maputo (Mozambique), on 11th July 2003. The Convention entered into force on 5th August 2006, thirty (30) days after the deposit of the fifteenth (15th) instrument of ratification. To date Forty-four (44) countries have ratified the Convention and are States Parties to it.

The Convention, pursuant to Article 22(1) established the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC or the Board) as a follow-up mechanism for the Convention with the following objectives;

• Document and analyze corrupt activities;
• Advise the AU and member states on all matters relating to corruption;
• Monitor and report on implementation and compliance with the Convention; and
• Engage in advocacy and outreach to prevent corruption.

Further, Article 22 section 5-C of the AUCPCC calls on the Board to develop methodologies for analyzing the nature and extent of corruption in Africa. In fulfilling this mandate, the Board organized its 2^nd Annual African Anti-Corruption Dialogue in October 2018 around the topic of corruption measurement and assessment. The Dialogue brought together the national anticorruption agencies and other key stakeholders to discuss and exchange ideas and concepts on corruption measurement. Specifically, the dialogue facilitated the sharing of the experience on the use and application of the diverse methodologies currently being used within member states.

On the other hand, the 4^th African Governance Report (2016) by United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)- on “Measuring Corruption in Africa: The International Dimension Matters” identified that most corruption indicators are very limited in providing policy options whose implementation would help to fight corruption and called for more research on development of corruption methodologies that address such shortfalls.

It is against this background that the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption intends to commission a consultant firm to study, research, review and consolidate a possible corruption measurement tool and methodology that is fact based and objective and takes into consideration the reality and status of governance in Africa. The study will develop a rigorous methodology that will facilitate the identification of corruption indicator(s) that measures the magnitude of corruption in Africa taking into consideration the institutional & policy dimensions.

II: Objectives of the Consultancy

The general objective of this consulting assignment is to research, conceptualize and design an African corruption measurement tool and methodology. Specifically the study will develop a conceptual framework that will provide a methodological approach in determining the envisaged corruption measurement. The methodology is to determine and develop measurement indicator/indicators that reflect the reality of the corruption phenomenon in Africa. This measurement shall be borne out of consensus with players and stakeholders in the anticorruption spectrum within African Union member states.

III: Scope of the Consultancy

The consulting firm is expected to:-

• Develop a conceptual and analytical framework for the development of a tool and  methodology for corruption measurement;
• Determine basic corruption measurement with possible indicators that could be used for policy reform and building in Africa;
• Determine the data needs (qualitative and quantitative) for the corruption measurement;
• Develop a baseline database for the measurement
• Run a simulation for methodology and measurement using five country data set to test its feasibility;
• Conduct validation session in five region of Africa; and Provide post development support including training on the methodology and the measurement as well as validation session in the five regions of Africa.

The above activities that constitute the scope of work will be carried out using mainly desk research and interviews and face to face consultations whenever necessary(mindful of the travel restrictions due to COVID-19 Pandemic). The consulting firm shall work closely with the Board’s Working Group on Corruption Methodology to provide expertise in developing the methodology for the measurement of corruption in Africa. The consultant will also identify other key players to be consulted in the development of the conceptual framework leading to the designing of the methodology.

IV: Deliverables, Reporting Requirements and Time Frames

It is estimated that the study shall take no more than 60 consulting days spread over a period of 3 months. The final deliverable is expected to be submitted by 30^th December 2020. The Consultants shall be required to submit an inception Inception report, including the proposed plan of work and methodology for the study 7 days after signing of contract. After that the Consultant shall engage in consultative works and drafting of the conceptual framework for at least a period of 20 days. Once the conceptual framework is approved, designing of the methodology and corruption measurement shall commence through constant consultations between the Consulting firm, the Board, and selected key stakeholders. The Consultant will also be required to provide post designing support which is envisaged to happen in 2021.

V: Consultancy Fees

Consulting Firm will be selected under the Fixed budget selection method and payment shall not exceed USD 36,000.00 as consultancy fees for this assignment. The first tranche of 20%, will be paid after submitting the inception report. The second tranche of 40 percent will be paid after submitting the first draft of the conceptual framework. The 40% of the contract sum shall be paid after the submission of the proposed corruption methodology and measurement. At each stage there shall be discussions on the report with AUABC Working Group On Corruption Methodology and payment shall be made after report is deemed satisfactory by the Working Group.

VI: Qualifications and Experience

The Consulting Firm shall be selected based on the following minimal education qualifications and experience of team members as well as cumulative experience of the Consulting firm:

VII: Composition of Team Members

It is expected that the consulting firm shall have at the minimum 3 experts as follows:

• An Expert in governance, (those with focus on anti-corruption thematic area will have added advantage);
• A statistician with demonstrable experience working with both quantitative and qualitative data; and
• A Researcher with demonstrable experience in governance and corruption measurement/assessment.

VIII: Educational Qualifications of Team Members

The consultants should have post-graduate qualifications in Social Sciences – such as Political Science, Law, Economics, Statistics – relevant to the expertise of the team member as outlined in the composition of team members above). The Team Leader must have PHD qualification. A strong background in research in governance with a focus on anti-corruption studies is a must.

IX: Experience and Skills of Team Members

• At least 10 years demonstrable experience in research related to corruption, and/ or governance issues in Africa;
• Track record and sound expertise in analysis and use of corruption data and familiarity with measuring corruption and its correlations with various variables;
• At least 10 years of conducting research both qualitative and quantitative)
• Excellent understanding of issues of corruption and governance;
• Good understanding of regional and global legal and policy normative frameworks on corruption in Africa;
• Experience in preparing reports in the field of anti-corruption and those with publications on governance and corruption thematic area will have an added advantage;
• Verifiable references of previous work of similar nature; and
• Proficiency in English language and knowledge of French language would be an asset.

X: Profile of the Consulting firm

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience working on projects relating to development, good governance and anti-corruption studies and research in Africa;
• Track record working on research projects that are multicultural and cross country dimensions;
• Experience in research and studies that require development of methodology and assessment frameworks; and
• At least 10 years of research experience in the field of good governance, or specifically corruption.
• Must be form African Union Member State

XI: Evaluation and qualification criteria

For evaluation of the expressions of interest, the following criteria will be applied:

• Educational qualification(s) and relevant skills of team members (15 points);
• Team members experience related to the assignment – role in the Consultancy (30) points);
• Firm’s experience related to the assignment (20 points) and
• Technical approach and methodology (35 points).

XII: Submission of Proposal

Interested Consulting Firms are requested to submit the following documents for AUABC’s consideration:

• Detailed Technical Proposal (including work-plan, technical approach and methodology to carry out the consultancy
• Profile of the Firm
• CV of the team members
• Understanding and interpretation of the TOR
• List of Publications and reports produced which are relating to the assignment
• Financial proposal
• Two reference letter from previous clients

XIII: Submission

• EOIs must be submitted to: [email protected] with Copy to [email protected]
• The Title of the Assignment and Procurement reference number should be clearly indicated in the subject matter of the email
• The deadline for submission is 14^th October  2020 at 15:00Hrs East Africa Time (GMT +3)