TERMS OF REFERENCE

Request for proposals (RFP) for the Recruitment of a Consulting Firm for the Development of a Pan- African Women and Girls Gender Impact Assessment Framework

1. INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL BACKGROUND

1.1 About Smart Africa Alliance

The Smart Africa Alliance is a bold and innovative commitment from African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the African continent with the vision to transform Africa into a Single Digital Market by 2030. Its 5-point manifesto seeks; to put ICT (Information and Communication Technology) at the centre of national socio-economic development agenda, to improve access to ICT especially Broadband, to improve accountability, efficiency, and openness through ICT, to put the Private Sector First and to leverage ICT to promote sustainable development.

As of May 2024, The Smart Africa Alliance membership included 40 Member States, International partner organizations including the Africa Union Commission (AUC) and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) among others, as well as International Private Sector Members. The Smart Africa Secretariat (SAS) is based in Kigali, Rwanda[1].

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:

T0*: Time when the contract is signed

5. PROFILE OF THE FIRM

Smart Africa is seeking to engage a consulting firm with extensive experience in developing gender impact assessment frameworks tailored to the African context. The selected firm should demonstrate a strong track record in gender-focused digital transformation initiatives, particularly those aimed at promoting gender equity and women's empowerment through digital technologies across the continent.

The consulting firm must showcase prior work experience in developing frameworks that encompass a wide range of parameters, including gender impact assessment, gender equity monitoring, and gender auditing within ICT interventions. Evidence of three (3) similar assignments, preferably within African organizations and governments, should be provided, supported by recommendation letters of projects demonstrating expertise in gender-related initiatives and digital transformation.

 The Consulting firm should be able to satisfy the following criteria.

1. Expertise in ICT Gender Analysis: Proven expertise in ICT gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and developing gender-sensitive frameworks within the digital transformation space, with a strong understanding of African contexts and challenges.
2. Socio-economic Background: Strong background in socio-economic analysis, with the ability to assess the impact of digital initiatives on gender equity & equality, women's empowerment, and socio-economic development in African communities.
3. Research and Data Analysis: Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, data analysis, and evidence-informed decision-making towards gender-responsive programming and policy formulation.
4. Applicants must be legal entities or a joint venture. In the event of a joint venture, all the member parties are jointly and severally liable for the contractual clauses.
5. Have a proven track record in Consulting work in Africa. The Consultant must have had experience in conducting similar Consulting work for other inter-governmental or regional organisations, multi-national companies, or non-governmental organisations in the region.
6. Applicants must provide any document that the Smart Africa Secretariat may reasonably request, establishing to the satisfaction of Smart Africa being the Contracting Authority that they continue to be eligible to compete.
7. The consulting firm should demonstrate familiarity with internationally recognized best practices and methodologies for digital economy, gender impact assessment, and M&E.
8. Ability to work in an English and French environment.

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

Lead Consultant/Head of Mission (Impact Assessment/M&E Specialist) with the minimum requirements below to be considered for the evaluation:

• A minimum of a master’s degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, statistics, data science or a related field, providing a strong foundation in M&E methodologies and techniques.
• At least 7 years of extensive experience specifically in gender impact assessment/monitoring and evaluation, with a proven track record of leading impact assessment and M&E activities for development projects, including gender-focused initiatives and ICT interventions.
• Expertise in designing, implementing, and managing M&E systems using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, tools, and frameworks, tailored to assess the impact of gender-sensitive programs and ICT interventions.
• Knowledge and experience in applying gender analysis frameworks and tools to M&E processes, ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into data collection, analysis, and reporting, although not necessarily a primary expertise.
  • Advanced skills in data analysis software, statistical analysis, and report writing, enabling the M&E expert to analyze complex data sets, generate actionable insights, and communicate findings to diverse stakeholders.
  • Experienced in leading and coordinating project teams comprising a range of expert profiles, ideally across national boundaries and in remote settings in the development of national gender digital transformation strategies.
  • Experienced in supporting the development of multi-stakeholder institutional frameworks and mechanisms in Africa.
• Having participated in at least one (1) similar project in the last 5 years.
• Experience working in Africa.
• Languages: English and French

ICT Gender Studies Expert with the minimum requirements below to be considered for the evaluation:

• A minimum of a master’s degree in gender studies, women's studies, social sciences, international development, or a related field. Additional certifications or training in gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, or gender-responsive programming would be an advantage.
• At least 5 years of experience in conducting research, analysis, and policy development on gender-related issues, with a focus on gender mainstreaming, women's empowerment, and gender equality in ICT, digital development or related sectors. The candidate should have a track record of leading gender-sensitive initiatives, conducting gender assessments, and providing technical assistance on gender issues to government agencies, international organizations, or NGOs.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret gender-disaggregated data and information. Proficiency in gender analysis tools, methodologies, and frameworks is essential.
• Experienced in supporting the development of multi-stakeholder institutional frameworks and mechanisms in Africa.
• Experience working in Africa.
• Having participated in at least one (1) similar project in the last 5 years.

Socio-Economic Development Expert with a focus on ICT with the minimum requirements below to be considered for the evaluation:

• A University graduate with a minimum of a master’s degree in economics, ICT, Social Sciences and Project Management, or other related fields.
• Having at least 5 years of professional experience in conducting socio-economic research, analysis, and impact assessments and programs, preferably with a focus on gender equity & equality, women's empowerment, and ICT development
• Have work experience in development of sustainable ICT projects in Africa, and in the member countries of the Smart Africa Alliance.
• Excellent track record of strategy development on ICT Research and Development in Africa at both national and continental level.
• Experience working in Africa.
• Having participated in at least one (1) similar project in the last 5 years.

Additionally, a legal expert with in-depth knowledge of relevant legal frameworks, regulations, and standards governing ICT, data protection, including cybersecurity, and international human rights instruments and a storyteller will be an advantage

6. EVALUATION METHOD AND CRITERIA

The evaluation method is Fixed budget approach. The following model will be used to evaluate all respondents and proposals submitted:

a. Technical Evaluation Criteria

The financial proposal of only those firms which secure a minimum score of 80/100 in the technical evaluation will be opened.

St= Score for the Technical Evaluation

b. Financial Criteria

All bidders should note that the evaluation method is Fixed Budget Approach. The firm with the highest evaluated technical score among those bidders that achieved the minimum technical score 80% will be invited to negotiate the Contract.

7. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSALS

A specific outline must be followed to facilitate the Smart Africa Secretariat’s review and evaluation of the responses received.

A response to this RFP must include the following sections in the order listed:

1. A cover letter confirming the firm’s interest to provide the services required
2. Mandatory Administrative documents
   • Company/Institution registration certificate
   • Tax clearance certificates
3. A technical proposal containing the following content:
   • Executive summary
   • Business experience/Profiles
   • Approach and Methodology
   • Work Plan / Schedule
   • Mission team experience/profiles
   • Updated Curriculum Vitae for the team and academic certificates required
   • Firm recommendation letters of successful completion for similar past assignments, duly signed by right authority
4. Financial Proposal containing the following tables.
   • Summary of Costs.
   • Breakdown of price per user group on daily rate;
   • Breakdown of remuneration user group on daily rate;
   • Reimbursable expenses user group applicable.
   • Miscellaneous Expenses if any

Notes:

• Indicate your preferred payment terms under financial proposal
• A withholding tax of 15% will be deducted from payments 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
• All Financial Offers should be quoted and submitted in USD Currency.

8. SUBMISSION PROCESS

Soft copies of both Technical and financial proposals must be sent to: procurement@smartafrica.org showing each the nature of the offer concerned (technical or financial offer), not later than 12^th July 2024 at, 5:00 PM local time (Kigali), addressed to Procurement Office of Smart Africa Secretariat, with subject marked: 114/SA/RFP/05/2024:  Pan- African/Continental Women and Girls Gender Impact Assessment Framework.

9. RIGHTS RESERVED

• This RFP does not obligate the Smart Africa Secretariat (SAS) to complete the RFP process.
• SAS reserves the right to amend any segment of the RFP prior to the announcement of a selected firm.
• 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.
• 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. 
• The Smart Africa reserves the right to debrief the applicants after the completion of the process due to expected high volume of applications and avoiding the compromise of the process.

Late proposals will be rejected.

10. VALIDITY

Proposals and quotes must remain valid for 180 days after the date of closing noted above. After the closing date and time, all proposals received by the Smart Africa Secretariat become its property.

11. ENQUIRIES

Any inquiries will only be received at least 5

 working days before the bid submission deadline. Prospective respondents who may have questions regarding this RFP may submit their inquiries to tenderenquiries@smartafrica.org .

12. 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.

[1]https://smartafrica.org

[2] https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/publications/prices2022/ITU_Price_Brief_2022.pdf