Request for Proposal (RFP) at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The AU was announced in the Sirte Declaration in Sirte, Libya, on 9 September 1999, calling for the establishment of the African Union.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Request for Proposal (RFP) Senior Consultant for the Institutional Support for African Trade Observatory (ATO) Project

Reference: AUC/ETIM/C/012

Background
The Assembly/AU/Dec.394 (XVIII) of 18th May 2012 on Boosting Intra-Africa Trade and fast tracking the establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) adopted the architecture of the AfCFTA, includes an African Trade Observatory to be in the Department of Economic Development Trade Industry and Mining of the African Union Commission. The ATO is being established with the technical assistance of the International Trade Centre and the financial support of the European Union Commission. It is a useful instrument being designed to assist businesses identify and compare emerging opportunities across the continent.

By providing real-time and reliable data, the ATO equips African businesses with trade intelligence on trends, opportunities, and market access conditions. The ATO will also help Member States, Government Agencies and Policymakers in monitoring the AfCFTA implementation process, deepening of economic integration in Africa, and evaluating its impact on their economies.

The ATO will serve as the main repository of qualitative and quantitative African trade data and information and will perform the following functions:

• Collect trade and trade-related qualitative and quantitative data and information from Member States and other sources.
• Analyse trade and trade-related data and information, focusing on emerging issues such as regional value chains.
• Establish a data base for African trade that is used to publish and disseminate information on intra-African trade.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation process and impact of the AfCFTA and the BIAT.
• Provide relevant and detailed trade and trade-related information for the private sector.

Scope of Work
This Consultancy falls generally under the African Union Commission Program on Boosting Intra African trade. As such, the Consultant is expected to support the programing and projects under the 7 clusters of the African Union Action Plan on Boosting Intra-African Trade. However, the consultancy will specifically focus on the Trade Information Cluster of the Action Plan. With this background, the Consultant will have the following tasks:

• Coordinate the establishment of the ATO Unit within the Department of Economic Development Trade Industry and Mining;
• Facilitate meetings on Trade Information Cluster of BIAT, and generate Reports
• Facilitate sensitization, training and promotion of the Department’s activities on the Trade Information cluster, especially on the ATO and the Intra-African Trade Fair to all relevant Stakeholders
• In Liaison with ITC, develop a training programme in market analysis for delivery through on-site training programmes and through e-learning courses.
• Coordinate the meetings of Member States, Policy Organs, including Workshops, and Conferences related to the Trade Information Cluster of the BIAT Action Plan
• Support the process of reviewing the AU BIAT Action Plan. Leads the development of proposals and the interface with Member States and RECs and agencies in resolving implementation issues on BIAT Action Plan on Trade Information;
• Support resource mobilization for the implementation of programs and projects on the BIAT Action Plan and specifically the Trade Information Cluster
• Support the work of junior staff.
• Undertake any other duties that may be assigned from time to time by the Director of Economic Development, Integration and Trade.

Deliverables

• Inception Report detailing the understanding of the assignment as well as a detailed work program for the duration of the assignment.
• Training and sensitization program of on the main tools of the Trade information Cluster i.e. the ATO and Intra African trade Fair, this will be accompanied by activity reports of the training and sensitization conducted and a data base of trained ATO Focal Points in all AU Member States
• Monthly Reports on the progress made against the planned program of implementation.
• Midterm/assignment progress Report against the planned work program
• Final Report of the assignment including a Sustainability Plan for the ATO and the Intra African trade fair as well as recommendations both on the BIAT Action Plan In general and the Trade Information Cluster in Particular.
• Carry out a Final Briefing with management and ITC and other stakeholders to brief them on the outcomes of the assignment.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Leadership skills including strong ability to set clear goals, inspire and manage a team to deliver results
• In-depth knowledge of trade, market access and economic integration issues in the African continent
• Publications or studies in the area of trade analysis or market research
• Proven people and project management capabilities
• A successful track record in contributing to change in an organization
• Proven success in developing and maintaining or participating in the development of institutional stakeholder relations
• A successful track record in collaborating or participating in research projects between institutions
• Excellent drafting and communications skills
• Competency in statistical software management tools and data analysis tools (both offline as well as web based) including GTAP or any other programme.

Application Closing Date
6th April, 2022.

Submission of Documents
Proposal must be delivered in a written form to the address below:
African Union Commission,
Attn: Mr. Rico Bien Aime,
Ag. Head of Procurement Travel and Store Division,
Building C, Room-Open space,
P.O.Box 3243, Roosevelt Street
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 7700 - Ext 4305
Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 0442; +251 11-551-0430
E-mail: tender@africa-union.org and zerihuna@africa-union.org

N/B: lease submit to both emails.

Click Here (PDF) for detailed description of the RFP.