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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF A CONSULTING FIRM TO DEVELOP THE SMART AFRICA DIGITAL SKILLS INDEX

1.      ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The Smart Africa Alliance is a partnership among African countries adhering to the Smart Africa Manifesto (herein after referred to as “the Manifesto”), the African Union (AU Commission, AUDA, specialized institutions and Regional Economic Communities), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the Private Sector, Academic and Research Institutions.

The Smart Africa Alliance (or Smart Africa) is a bold and innovative commitment from African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent, ushering Africa into a knowledge economy through the usage of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). 

On 30th-31st January 2014, the Smart Africa Manifesto was endorsed by all Heads of State and Government of the African Union at the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa. This development places the Manifesto at the heart of the ICT agenda in Africa beyond just the 7 original signatories at the Summit to all African countries. The Smart Africa Alliance has since grown to include 32 African countries that represent 815+ million people.

The Smart Africa Manifesto aims to put ICT at the center of the continental and national socio-economic development of Member States. This means increasing access to ICT solutions, improving accountability, efficiency, and openness through ICT, promoting the introduction of advanced technologies in telecommunication, strengthening the private sector, leveraging ICT to promote sustainable development.

The Smart Africa Alliance as an organization is the framework for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Manifesto, designed to make it actionable. The Smart Africa Alliance is not a profit-oriented organization.

2.       PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) is the delivery vehicle of the Smart Africa capacity building and skills development activities across the various digital skills spectrum. It is a pan-African dynamic learning ecosystem in which African citizens of all ages and social classes can gain or improve their digital skills, gain qualifications, meet the emerging talent needs of employers, industry or be self-reliant.

The birth of SADA was driven by the need to meet a genuine need of sustainable jobs driven by the fact that 15% of the world’s working-age population are expected to be from Africa by 2030. The governments of the Smart Africa Member States recognize the urgency to drive inclusion and economic growth through the development and adoption of strategies for education and skills development to build this required future workforce. Digital skills development at all levels – from basic to competency-based – is required to allow the uptake of new technologies in the economy, increase productivity, support growth while avoiding unnecessary disruptions in the labor market and society.

The development of the Africa Digital Skills Index will provide a comprehensive picture of the state of digital skills in Africa, and measure the level of digital skills and competency across countries and within the continent. It will be an essential tool to inform policy and decision-making, promote digital inclusion, and improve digital skills development strategies for member states.

3.      OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED OUTCOME

The primary objective of the consulting firm's mission is to develop and to pilot the Africa Digital Skills Index to measure the progress of African countries in Digital Skills and competencies development, and support African countries in their efforts to improve digital skills and competencies and unlock the full potential of the digital economy. The specific objectives are:

• Develop a standardized methodology and framework for assessing digital skills across Africa, which will provide the theoretical foundation for the index, with all concepts and variables to be measured, as well as their inter relationships and contribution towards the overall index
• Development the Smart Africa Digital Skills Index Methodology report, outlining the approach and methodology used, details of the selection and weighing of indicators, and the modeling techniques and aggregation method used to calculate the index scores.
• Create the Digital Skills Index and Database, containing the collected data for each indicator, and used to calculate the index score for countries and regions.
• Use the index to identify strengths and gaps in digital skills across different sectors, verifying the validity and reliability of the indicators used and the overall index score at national, or regional level.
• Provide recommendations to policymakers to enhance digital skills development,

4.      SCOPE OF WORK

The consulting firm is tasked to design the digital skills index for Africa through the following suggested, but not exhaustive steps:

• Undertake extensive desk research to compile a synthesis of digital skills initiatives assessment and indices globally and in Africa.
• Develop a methodology and framework for assessing digital skills in a specific context of countries and regions.
• Identify key indicators and data sources required to measure digital skills proficiency, as well as present the relationship between these variables and how they integrate and aggregate towards the overall index score.
• Collect and analyze data on digital skills from all key stakeholders.
• Creation of the Digital Skills Index Database, containing the collected data for each indicator, and used to calculate the index score for countries and regions.
• Develop the index capturing best practices and success stories across Africa digital skills development.
• Conduct stakeholders’ consultations and workshops to gather input and validate the index framework and findings.
• Prepare a comprehensive report presenting the index and its development process.
• Provide a documentation including presentation materials to aid the dissemination of the index.

5.      DELIVERABLES

The consulting firm should deliver the following outputs:

• A conceptual framework, which provided the theoretical foundation for the index, with all concepts and variables to be measured, as well as their inter relationships and contribution towards measuring digital skills in Africa.
• Development of the Smart Africa Digital Skills Index Methodology report, outlining the approach and methodology used, details of the selection and weighing of indicators, and the modeling techniques and aggregation method used to calculate the index scores.
• Creation of the Digital Skills Index Database, containing the collected data for each indicator, and used to calculate the index score for countries and regions.
• Country and regional reports, verifying the validity and reliability of the indicators used and presenting key findings of the index for each country or region.
• Submission of the Africa Digital Skills Index, and the executive summary report highlighting key findings and recommendations, in English and French languages.
• Documentation, mainly presentation materials such as PowerPoint slides and infographics to communicate the key findings of the digital skills index in a visually appealing and accessible format, in English and French Language
• A repository of data and indicators used in the index for future reference and updates.

6.      DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY

The selected consulting firm must carry out the project within four (4) months from the date of signing the contract.

The indicative timetable is as follows: 

7.      MISSION EXECUTION

The activities and outcomes of the consultancy will be guided by the ICT Skills development working group, to give overall strategic guidance with the support of the Smart Africa Secretariat. The purpose of this document is to present the details of hiring a consulting firm to help achieve the stated objectives.

8.      FIRM PROFILE AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal firm must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered during the evaluation:

• Must have 10 years of technical experience in conducting research and developing indices related to digital skills, education assessment, or technology.
• Have conducted similar studies relating to measuring digital skills and developing a country, or regional index.
• Demonstrate the ability to design user-friendly, intuitive deliverables and tools and toolkits.
• Familiarity with the African context and expertise in working with stakeholders in the region.
• Demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, and industry representatives.
• Proven track record in delivering high-quality reports and presentations.
• Ability to work in French or English.

The work shall be carried out by a firm with a lead team of at least Three (3) highly qualified consultants/experts in the requested specialties, namely:

Digital Skills and Education Expert (Lead Consultant) to guide the selection of methodologies, assessment approaches based on understanding of curriculum design and methods to develop the index. The minimum requirements below are examined during the evaluation:

• PhD degree level in education or related human sciences fields.
• Demonstrate experience and expertise in designing methodologies and frameworks, and tools for evaluating digital skills proficiency.
• Proficiency in digital skills development, curriculum design, instructional methods and training programs.
• Coordinating working groups in the education and skills development sectors.
• Demonstrate familiarity with different assessment approaches (self- assessment, performance-based assessments or standardized tests.
• Experience including working in Africa.
• Fluent in French or English.
• Having participated successfully in at least Two (2) projects of similar level of complexity.

Data Analyst: needed for collecting, processing, and analyzing data related to digital skills. The minimum requirements below are examined during the evaluation:

• An Academic master’s degree in Data Sciences or related field
• A minimum of ten (10) years of extensive experience in statistical data analytics,
• Proven proficiency in data analysis tools and software.
• Proven ability to identify trends, patterns and insights from data and translating them into meaningful findings (sample reports could be an added advantage).
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.
• Having participated successfully in at least two (2) reports of similar expected level of high-quality data analysis presentation.

Policy and Strategy Expert with a focus on policy development and strategy formulation to guide the alignment of the index finding with policy goals and strategies. The minimum requirements below are examined during the evaluation:

• A Master’s degree in public policy, education policy, or related fields.
• At least 5 years of extensive experience in education policy development and strategies.
• Proven knowledge on policy frameworks, initiatives, and best practices related to digital skills development.
• Having participated successfully in the elaboration of reports similar or higher level of complexity in the last 5 years.
• Experience working in Africa

The Consultancy firm shall propose additional staff as part of the consulting team as necessary with adequate justification towards the realization of study objectives with dedicated roles/positions for evaluation explicitly detailed.

9.      EVALUATION CRITERIA

The following model will be used to evaluate all respondents and proposals submitted:

1. Technical Evaluation Criteria

The financial proposal of only those firms which secure a minimum score of 70/100 in the technical evaluation will be opened.

St= Score for the Technical Evaluation

2. Financial Criteria

Once the technical criteria have been evaluated, the costs of all bids will be listed from low to high. Computing the cost criteria score will be accomplished by use of the following formula:

The Applicant getting maximum marks on 70-30 weightage (70% for technical and 30% for financial) will be selected as Consultants for the Client. The weights given to the Technical (T) and Financial Proposals (F) are T = 0.70 and F = 0.30

The Final Score (S) is calculated as follows: S = St*T + Sf*F

10.   SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSALS

All technical and financial proposals must be submitted in English

Mandatory Administrative Documents

• Company registration certificates.
• Tax clearance certificates.
• Social Security clearance.

Technical Requirements

• Firms corporate profile/Executive summary.
• Firm background, experience, and expertise related to digital skills and skills index.
• Detailed proposed methodology, approach, and tools for developing the Africa digital skills index.
• Detailed work plan timeline for completing the assignment.
• Team composition and specific responsibilities per staff.
• Consultancy services performed with references and contacts.
• Detailed updated Curriculum Vitae for the proposed staffs.
• Recommendation letters or certificate of completion from previous similar assignments. Letters should be provided with the letterhead of the recommending client and must be signed and stamped.

Financial Requirements

• Summarized Total Cost VAT Inclusive (Value of tax indicated on final cost)
• Breakdown of a remuneration package
• Breakdown of reimbursable expenses

Notes:

1. Indicate your preferred payment terms under financial proposal
2. A withholding tax of 15% will be applicable for Firms not VAT registered with Rwanda Tax Administration (RRA) and 18% VAT will be applicable for registered firms in Rwanda.

• All Financial Proposals/offers should be password protected and Smart Africa will request for it for bidders who have been qualified in the technical evaluation per Lot.

1. All Financial Offers should be quoted and submitted in USD Currency.

11.    SUBMISSION PROCESS

Technical and financial proposals must be submitted via email in pdf format showing each the nature of the offer concerned (technical or financial offer); The proposals must be sent to the email: procurement@smartafrica.org  not later than 09^th October 2023at, 05:00 pm local time (Kigali).

Kindly note that late submissions will be automatically disqualified.

12.   RIGHTS RESERVED 

1. This RFP does not obligate the Smart Africa Secretariat (SAS) to complete the RFP process.
2. SAS reserves the right to amend any segment of the RFP prior to the announcement of a selected firm.
3. SAS also reserves the right to remove one or more of the services from consideration for this contract should the evaluation show that it is in SAS’s best interest to do so.
4. SAS also may, at its discretion, issue a separate contract for any service or groups of services included in this RFP. SAS may negotiate a compensation package and additional provisions to the contract awarded under this RFP.
5. Smart Africa reserves the right to debrief the applicants after the completion of the process due to the expected high volume of applications and avoiding the compromise of the process.

13.   ENQUIRIES 

Any enquiries will only be received and addressed three (3) days or more prior to the bid submission deadline. Prospective respondents who may have questions regarding this RFP may submit their enquiries to tenderenquiries@smartafrica.org

14.   ANTI-CORRUPTION 

Smart Africa is committed to preventing and not tolerating any act of corruption and other malpractices and expects that all bidders will adhere to the same ethical principles.