Country:                    Africa

Name of Project:       ACBF Regional Capacity Building Project, Africa

Consulting Services: End of Project Evaluation for Zambia Indigenous Small And Medium Business Associations (ZAISMBA)  Capacity Building Project, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Project ID No.:          P122478, Grant No.: 6470-3A

Expression of Interest: ACBF/EOI/042/12/RIDA

1. Introduction

This request for expressions of interest follows the General Procurement Notice for this project that appeared in UN Development Business online on 1 June 2011. 

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) was established on 9 February 1991 as the outcome of a partnership between African governments and the international donor community. The major donors to the Foundation include African countries, non-African countries, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank.  Since its establishment, the Foundation has evolved through five distinct phases: an initial phase (1992 – 1995); an institutionalization phase (1996 – 1999); the phase involving the integration and implementation of the Partnership for Capacity Building in Africa (PACT) (2000 – 2001); the first Strategic Medium Term Plan (SMTP I), 2002-2006; and the SMTP II, 2007-2011.

The African Capacity Building Foundation has received a grant from the World Bank towards the cost of the ACBF Regional Capacity Building Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this funding towards Consultancy Services to undertake an  End of Project Evaluation for Zambia Indigenous Small And Medium Business Associations (ZAISMBA) Capacity Building Project, Lusaka, Zambia

The project was designed within the broader context of enhancing the capability of the private sector in Zambia to effectively contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the country’s vision 2030. The project focused on the following four specific objectives:

• Enhance public private interface for effective engagement of indigenous small and medium    business enterprises in Zambia;
•  Provide advisory and technical services to ZCSMBA and ZIBA members;
• Increase the ability of indigenous small and medium business enterprises to access resources through the Citizen’s Economic Empowerment Program; and
• Strengthen the institutional and human capacity of ZCSMBA and ZIBA emerging them as a one-stop Centre on indigenous small and medium enterprise issues.

2. Objectives and Scope of the Assignment

Purpose:         The purpose of the Evaluation is to provide an independent, systematic and objective assessment of the overall performance of the ZAISMBA Project including a review of the design, implementation and results vis-à-vis project objectives. The evaluation is also intended to respond to the ACBF accountability and learning requirements as defined in the ACBF Evaluation Policy by providing concrete assessment of the extent to which the project enhanced the institutional capabilities of ZCSMBA and ZIBA, improved professionalism and voice of the associations in advancing the cause and interest of their constituents including their ability to engage government, civil society and donors on private sector development issues.

Further, the evaluation is expected to identify and document success stories, design and implementation gaps and opportunities as well as recommend ways by which ACBF can fine-tune its support for private sector capacity development in Africa.

Specifically, the evaluation is intended to:

• Review the project design process including an assessment of the logic of the intervention, the underlying assumptions and the relevance of choices made (i.e. activities and processes) to achieve of the objectives of the project;

• Assess the extent to which the project outputs and outcomes including intended and unintended results as well as positive and negative outcomes have been achieved, and any shortcomings/challenges experienced;

• Critically analyze the implementation, coordination and feedback mechanisms used for integrating lessons and recommendations into the project’s decision making processes. Especially assessing whether and how the findings, recommendations and lessons from the project reports i.e. quarterly reports and midterm review reports informed decision making processes during its implementation;

• Assess the project’s contribution to the ACBF Strategic Priority for catalyzing capacity public private interface and assess the level of stakeholder involvement in the project and whether this involvement has been appropriate to the goals of the project;

• Assess the likelihood of continuation of  project results  and benefits after ACBF funding has ended;



• Assess ZAISMBA’s communication approaches and strategies and their impact on raising awareness about ACBF at all levels in country and;

• Document success stories and lessons learned; and distinguishing between lessons specific to ZCSMBA and ZIBA, and lessons that may be applicable to other ACBF project portfolio and for learning.

3. Request for Expression of Interest

ACBF now invites eligible and qualified Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services giving a description of similar assignments, evidence of familiarity with end of project evaluations and capacity building issues.

• Click here to download a detailed Terms of Reference 

        4.    Qualifications of Consultants

The End of Project Evaluation will be undertaken by a professional consultant with at least a Masters Degree in a relevant field with over Six (6) years experience in undertaking evaluation for development interventions. The Consultant should also have demonstrated ability to assess complex projects/programmes and draw forward looking conclusions and recommendations. The consultant shall have Proven experience in evaluation of capacity development initiatives and Knowledgeable of private sector development. Project management experience and experience with international organisations are a necessity. The Consultant will also have a working knowledge of the political-economy and developmental considerations of the project environment, proven record of delivering professional results and excellent writing and communication skills in English.

          5.    Selection of Consultants

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (May 2004, revised October 2006 and May 2010). Expression of Interest clearly marked “Expression of Interest to undertake an  End of Project Evaluation for Zambia Indigenous Small And Medium Business Associations (ZAISMBA) Capacity Building Project, Lusaka, Zambia” can be submitted as hard copies at the address below on or before 1700 hours local time on 7^th September 2012.

The closing date has been extended from 21^st august 2012.

The Executive Secretary
The African Capacity Building Foundation
7th & 15th Floors, Intermarket Life Towers
Cnr. Jason Moyo Ave/Sam Nujoma Street
Harare, Zimbabwe

Tel: (263-4) 700208/10, 790398/9, 702931/2
Fax: (263-4) 702915, 792894
 

Or through email using the following address root@acbf-pact.org