TERMS OF REFERENCE – EXPLORING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EVIDENCE ALLIANCE IN AFRICA

DEADLINE: March 15, 2022
OPEN JOB

Background

African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), IDinsight, and International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) are seeking support to explore the creation of a multi-organizational Evidence to Policy Alliance in Africa. We believe that the combined experiences and capabilities of like-minded evidence to policy organizations could radically shift the funding and delivery models that would ensure greater efficiency and impact in Africa. The Alliance partners, once established, could also bring together and build the capacity of other smaller institutions to reap the collective dividend of a coherent approach to evidence-informed policymaking and a stronger ecosystem of partners.

Objectives of the Assignment

  1. Align on the overall purpose and principles for the alliance, ensuring that the alliance is a value add for policymakers and civil society on the African continent.
  2. Develop membership arrangements that leverage members’ comparative advantages.
  3. Develop a clear and productive governance structure that facilitates a clear allocation of roles and responsibilities, and enables multiple paths to enhance evidence-informed policymaking across the continent.
  4. Advice on basic structures that will allow the operationalization of the agreed governance structure.

Scope of Work 

  1. Summarize learning from existing models: Conduct a literature review to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of “evidence-to-action” alliances; and recommend strategies to mitigate any negative impact. Facilitate meetings with existing and comparable alliances both in the development sector, and more broadly, and interview them to identify facilitators and barriers in the establishment of an alliance within this sector. Alliances that we look to learn from could include the Africa Evidence Network (AEN), Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI), EdTech Hub, Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI), etc.
  2. Review opportunities and identify paths through which evidence to policy alliance could be useful:  Conduct a Theory of Change (ToC) exercise to identify the models and areas where operating as an alliance would be of higher value than operating as individual/independent organizations. The ToC should have clear inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes,  Based on the results of the activities above, an evidence-informed decision will be made on whether to proceed in establishing an evidence alliance or not. If the decision is to proceed, then the activities below will follow:
  3. Set up governance structure: Use findings from the literature review to ensure the proposed governance structure follows best practices and avoids common mistakes. Provide options for roles and responsibilities of partner organizations and understand the legalities of setting up such structures (patents, taxation, etc.).  Facilitate the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with partner organizations. Define parameters for membership, exit clauses, and monitoring frameworks.
  4. Facilitate the development of arrangements for alliance formation and membership: Organize and facilitate consultative meetings with key institutions and other stakeholders to align on arrangements for membership. Propose potential partner organizations once the criteria have been finalized.
  5. Identify and develop the materials, policies, structures, and tools that will allow the operationalization of the agreed governance structure: Develop baseline organizational policies and materials, and identify and recommend tools and platforms that will be required for the day to day collaboration of the alliance (e.g. email and office software, website platform, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, etc.)
  6. Contribute to a proposal for external funding: Provide input for a proposal that includes the concept of the alliance for potential funders. Also, advise on the TOR for a promotional strategy for once the alliance is established.

Assignment Duration

The assignment is expected to take place between March 2022 and August 2022. In the case that after the first two activities are completed and a decision is made to not pursue or to delay the establishment of an alliance, then the assignment will end in March 2022.

Assignment Location

The majority of the assignment can be conducted remotely (preferably in a time zone compatible with African time zones). Most meetings and interviews will be virtual, with the exception of design workshops to potentially be held in Nairobi in March.

Key Deliverables

Deliverable Due date
1 Comprehensive Report (that includes a literature review, lessons from other alliances, and a Theory of Change) June 15, 2022
2 The governance structure for the alliance (including membership criteria, baseline policies, potential alliance partners, and recommendations  internal systems to govern the alliance) June 15, 2022
3 Revised proposal for additional funding August 15, 2022

 

Required Qualifications and Skills

  1. Master’s degree in economics, public policy, public health, demography, or other relevant social science fields that includes a focus on international development issues.
  2. A minimum of 5 years of experience in the development sector in Africa.
  3. Experience developing or operationalizing a group of organizations.
  4. Excellent command of oral and written English (knowledge of another language e.g. French, would be beneficial).
  5. Demonstrated experience of having undertaken similar assignments in multiple African countries.
  6. Have an in-depth understanding of the evidence-to-policy-making ecosystem in Africa.

Procedure for Submission of Expression of Interest

To apply for this opportunity please prepare a short proposal outlining the following:

  • A short statement of your capabilities and experience of undertaking similar assignments.
  • Your overall approach and methodology for completing this assignment.
  • CV(s) of consultant(s) who will undertake the work.
  • Proposed Budget (this should include the consultancy fee and any other anticipated costs related to the assignment).
  • Proposed number of days, timeline, and associated milestones.

Interested candidates kindly send completed proposals to consultancies@aphrc.org and cc procurement@aphrc.org  with the subject line “Evidence Alliance Consultancy.” by March 15, 2022. Short-listed proposals will be contacted for further discussion.

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the protection of vulnerable persons.