Call for Applications

The Africa Center of Excellence in Internet of Things (ACEIoT) at the University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology, invites qualified applicants to the following programs:

  1. PhD in IoT with Specialisation in Wireless Intelligent Sensor Networking
  2. PhD in IoT with Specialisation in Embedded Computing Systems

There are full and partial scholarship opportunities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The deadline is March 16, 2018.

For more info visit < Applications now open for PhD Studies- Deadline extended up to March 16, 2018>

Website <www.aceiot.ur.ac.rw 

Fifth ACE Supervision Missions ready to be launched

 

In line with the ACE project’s monitoring and evaluation strategy, Supervision Teams consisting of experts in the thematic disciplines of Agriculture, Health and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will be embarking on the 5th supervision missions to 11 ACEs in West and Central Africa between 12th March and 17th April 2018. The Centres to be visited are The Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER); Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA); Pan African Materials Institute (PAMI); Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre Kumasi (RWESCK); Centre for Excellence in Reproductive Health and Innovation (CERHI); Ecole Nationale Superieure de Statistique et d’economie Appliquee (ENSEA);  Centre d’Excellence Africain Mines et Environnement Minier (CEA-MEM); ACE in Mathematics, Informatics, and ICT (CEA-MITIC);  ACE in Poultry Sciences (CERSA);  ACE for Phytomedicine Research and Development (ACEPRD); and ACE in Maternal and Child Health (CEA-SAMEF).

Representatives from the Association of African Universities (AAU) and the World Bank will also be part of the supervision mission.

Objectives

The purpose of the mission is to assess the extent to which implementation is consistent with the agreed timelines and outcomes set out in the Project Appraisal Document (PAD). It is also to track progress, achievements and impacts made by each ACE.  The mission further presents the opportunity for experts to provide technical advice on addressing challenges facing the Centres in project execution.

Background

The Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project emphasizes results-oriented management and supervision based on tracking results and how these feed into achievement of the Project’s goals. In line with this, frequent monitoring and evaluation is required to ensure the Centres implement activities according to their approved Implementation Plans and Annual Work Plans. Since its inception in 2014, four supervision missions have been undertaken by teams of experts and representatives of World Bank and AAU to various ACEs to monitor progress and make recommendations towards attainment of the Project’s goals. Logistical arrangements for the Fifth Supervision Mission are at an advanced stage. Click here to see timetable.

ACE for Development Impact – Stakeholders meet to discuss strengthening and scaling up the Project

Stakeholders of the Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE) Project in West and Central Africa, including Ministers of various countries in the region, have met to deliberate on ways to strengthen the development impact of the ACE project.  Discussions on scaling up the activities of high performing centers and increasing the number of participating countries were also key on the agenda.

Held in Dakar, Senegal on January 16-17, 2018, the meeting was attended   by sector ministers or their representatives, experts, and other stakeholders from Burkina Faso, Guinea, Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Ghana, Djibouti, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mauritius, Gambia, Senegal, Togo, China, Kenya, USA and Spain. Representatives from the World Bank, ECOWAS and the Association of African Universities (AAU), were also in attendance.

Presentations made at the meeting outlined the performances and challenges of the initial phase of the Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence Project (ACE I), as well as lessons learnt in project implementation, which should feed into the ACE for Development Impact (ACE III) Project. It was indicated that ACE I had proven productive with regard to enrollment, partnerships, graduate Internships, National and International Accreditations, and external funding. Over 12, 000 students have for instance, been enrolled in post graduate programmes while 11 programmes have attained international accreditation with several others gaining national accreditation, since the inception of the ACE 1 project.   Some Centers have also generated considerable external funding.  One such example is the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP, Ghana),  which has been able to generate US$ 10 million from external sources.

Participants of the Dakar meeting were also briefed on the selection process, sector prioritization and status of the ACE for Impact Development (ACE III) Project.

As the Regional Facilitating Unit for the ACE III Project, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) represented by Professor Hamidou Boly, Commissioner for Education, Science and Culture, explained the role of the Commission in promoting Higher Education policies within the region. The Commissioner noted that, ACE III Project activities would be implemented through one of the Commission’s Higher Education specialized agencies.

The Association of African Universities (AAU) assured the meeting of its constant support to the project as well as its willingness to work with ECOWAS through the  provision of regional technical services such as Monitoring and Evaluation, Verification, Organization of Workshops and related Logistics.

The Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE) was launched in April, 2014 and was introduced by the World Bank in collaboration with the governments of selected countries in Africa. It is aimed at enhancing specialization in addressing common regional development challenges through high quality training and applied research. ACE I has 22 centers in 8 countries (from West and Central Africa), while ACE II has 24 centers in 8 Countries (from East and Southern Africa).

AAU is the Regional Facilitation Unit (RFU) for ACE I while the Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) manages ACE II.

ACE III Project to Commence this year

 

Following the success of the phase 1 of the African Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) project, The World Bank in conjunction with the RFU and African Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE 1) recognized the need to escalate the success and expand the benefits accrued to the Centres and their Countries.  This decision gave birth to ACE III which was announced at the ACE I & ACE II Joint Workshop held in November, 2017 at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

ACE III will focus on increasing the quality and relevance of post-graduate education in selected universities through regional specialization, applied research, upfront University-Industry linkage and better Regional and International coordination. ACE III is not an absolute replacement for ACE I, but rather seeks to build on the success achieved and expand the reach of the benefits from ACE I. It further aims at upscaling performing Centers hence, only performing ACE I Centers will be upgraded to ACE III. The Regional Facilitation Unit for the ACE III is the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Secretariat. Regional services such as Monitoring and Evaluation, Verification and Logistics will be provided by the Association of African Universities (AAU) on consultancy basis.

Centers will be selected as part of ACE III based on prior performance in ACE I. The selection criteria will emphasize on productivity of Centers in meeting targets and also making regional impacts, strengthening institutional support, strengthening industry/sector engagement and commitment.

Potential ACE III Centres should have an Advisory Board, applicable measures to initiate institutional and governmental partnerships, encourage increase in female enrollment and also plan for sustainability of the Centres after the project comes to an end, thus, alternative sources of revenue. Again, Centers involved in ACE III should have a foundational structure and a regional network with regards to faculty training and curriculum development.

ACE III looks forward to creating strong links with existing ACEs and Upgrading existing academic programme among others.

It is expected to kick start in March. The Evaluation and selection process will consist of a Desk Review followed by a Panel discussion and later, site visit if a submitted proposal meets the required criteria. The purport of this process is to ensure the selection procedure meets International standards.

Proposals are due to be submitted on June 2018, whilst the Desk and Panel Review as well as the site visits will be held in late June and July/August 2018 respectively.

The AAU wishes all interested ACE I centers the very best of luck and a successful New Year!!!

 

ACE III Project to Commence this year

 

Following the success of the phase 1 of the African Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) project, The World Bank in conjunction with the RFU and African Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE 1) recognized the need to escalate the success and expand the benefits accrued to the Centres and their Countries.  This decision gave birth to ACE III which was announced at the ACE I & ACE II Joint Workshop held in November, 2017 at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

ACE III will focus on increasing the quality and relevance of post-graduate education in selected universities through regional specialization, applied research, upfront University-Industry linkage and better Regional and International coordination. ACE III is not an absolute replacement for ACE I, but rather seeks to build on the success achieved and expand the reach of the benefits from ACE I. It further aims at upscaling performing Centers hence, only performing ACE I Centers will be upgraded to ACE III. The Regional Facilitation Unit for the ACE III is the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Secretariat. Regional services such as Monitoring and Evaluation, Verification and Logistics will be provided by the Association of African Universities (AAU) on consultancy basis.

Centers will be selected as part of ACE III based on prior performance in ACE I. The selection criteria will emphasize on productivity of Centers in meeting targets and also making regional impacts, strengthening institutional support, strengthening industry/sector engagement and commitment.

Potential ACE III Centres should have an Advisory Board, applicable measures to initiate institutional and governmental partnerships, encourage increase in female enrollment and also plan for sustainability of the Centres after the project comes to an end, thus, alternative sources of revenue. Again, Centers involved in ACE III should have a foundational structure and a regional network with regards to faculty training and curriculum development.

ACE III looks forward to creating strong links with existing ACEs and Upgrading existing academic programme among others.

It is expected to kick start in March. The Evaluation and selection process will consist of a Desk Review followed by a Panel discussion and later, site visit if a submitted proposal meets the required criteria. The purport of this process is to ensure the selection procedure meets International standards.

Proposals are due to be submitted on June 2018, whilst the Desk and Panel Review as well as the site visits will be held in late June and July/August 2018 respectively.

The AAU wishes all interested ACE I centers the very best of luck and a successful New Year!!!

 

Consulta Consultation pour la Vérification D’un Environnement D’eseignement et D’apprentissage Amélioré

ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITÉS AFRICAINES

PROJET DE CENTRES D’EXCELLENCE DE L’ENSEIGNEMENT SUPÉRIEUR EN AFRIQUE (CEA) 

TERMES DE RÉFÉRENCE (TdR) 

CONSULTA CONSULTATION POUR LA VÉRIFICATION D’UN ENVIRONNEMENT D’ENSEIGNEMENT ET D’APPRENTISSAGE AMÉLIORÉ

HISTORIQUE

L’Association des universités africaines (AUA)

L’Association des universités africaines est l’organisation et le forum de consultation, d’échange d’informations et de coopération entre les établissements d’enseignement supérieur en Afrique. Il représente la voix de l’enseignement supérieur en Afrique sur les organismes régionaux et internationaux et soutient la mise en réseau des établissements d’enseignement supérieur dans l’enseignement, la recherche, l’échange et la diffusion d’informations.

L’Association a été fondée à Rabat (Maroc) le 12 novembre 1967 en réponse aux recommandations d’une conférence de l’UNESCO de septembre 1962. Avec une adhésion initiale de 34 membres, l’Association compte désormais 380 membres issus de 46 pays africains, en traversant des frontières linguistiques et d’autres. Au cours de ses 50 années d’existence, l’Association a fourni une plate-forme de recherche, de réflexion, de consultation, de débats, de coopération et de collaboration sur les questions relatives à l’enseignement supérieur. Grâce à ses programmes variés, il a établi et renforcé son rôle dans les cinq sous-régions d’Afrique et possède ainsi une capacité unique de convoquer des dirigeants et des décideurs institutionnels de l’enseignement supérieur de toutes les régions du continent ainsi que des questions clés liées à l’enseignement supérieur africain et au développement. De plus, l’Association assure le leadership en identifiant les questions émergentes et en soutenant les débats ainsi qu’en facilitant le suivi approprié par ses membres, ses partenaires (y compris d’autres institutions régionales telles que l’UEMOA, le CAMES, etc.) et d’autres parties prenantes.

Dans la poursuite de ses objectifs de promotion de l’enseignement supérieur en Afrique, l’AUA, avec le soutien financier de ses membres et de ses partenaires financiers, entreprend des programmes et des activités répondant aux enjeux et aux défis actuels de l’enseignement supérieur africain. Pour s’assurer que ses interventions répondent aux besoins de ses membres, l’AUA organise une Conférence Générale tous les quatre ans et une Conférence de Recteurs et Présidents des Universités Africaines (COREVIP) tous les deux ans pour faire le point sur ses programmes et Recommandations, ainsi que de délibérer sur les questions émergentes dans l’enseignement supérieur africain.

Le projet CEA

Pour accélérer la croissance, la productivité et les progrès dans la réalisation des objectifs de développement durable, la région a besoin d’investissements dans la production de capital humain bien formé, qui reste malheureusement à la fois qualitativement et quantitativement insuffisant en Afrique. Pour répondre à ce besoin, la Banque mondiale et un groupe de travail africain ont conçu le projet des Centres d’excellence de l’enseignement supérieur en Afrique (CEA). L’objectif du projet est de promouvoir la spécialisation régionale parmi les universités participantes dans des domaines qui répondent à des défis particuliers de développement régional et de renforcer les capacités de ces universités pour offrir une formation de haute qualité et de la recherche appliquée.

Le projet ACE suit une approche régionale et disciplinaire. Les trois domaines disciplinaires concernés sont Agriculture, Santé et STIM (Science, Technologies, Ingénierie et Mathématiques). Cette approche est nécessaire pour se concentrer sur les besoins spécifiques de développement autour de trois des grandes sciences appliquées; et afin d’intégrer les parties prenantes de niveaux différents, d’assurer l’effet de tache d’huile dans toute l’Afrique et d’attirer une masse critique d’expertise en Afrique et à l’échelle internationale. Il assure également des économies d’échelle pour les pays voisins moins dotés, pour devenir des CEA. Les CEA ont été choisis dans le cadre d’un processus rigoureux, fondé sur le mérite et transparent, impliquant des instructeurs de certaines régions d’Amérique du Nord, d’Europe et d’Afrique. Il y a 22 CEA situés dans des établissements d’enseignement supérieur dans huit des neuf pays participants de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre (République du Bénin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigéria, Sénégal et Togo), qui sont à divers niveaux de mise en œuvre du projet.

OBJECTIF DE LA CONSULTATION DE L’IDL

Le modèle de financement de projets d’investissement (FPI) de la Banque mondiale est utilisé pour financer les activités du projet CEA, ce qui implique que les fonds sont décaissés aux CEA en fonction de l’atteinte satisfaisante des résultats prévus et prédéterminés de la mise en œuvre du programme, autrement dénommé indicateurs de décaissement-liés (IDL). Une approche de financement axée sur les résultats est utilisée ici car elle met l’accent sur la prestation des résultats et le projet CEA est le premier projet à appliquer l’approche de l’IDL à un projet régional.

Les IDL comprennent les résultats de l’éducation et de la recherche obtenus sous forme d’un nombre accru d’étudiants régionaux; atteindre les objectifs de qualité de l’éducation; recherche publiée; nombre de stages et de revenus externes générés. D’autres comprennent la qualité, l’efficacité et l’approvisionnement en temps opportun et la gestion financière, ainsi que l’amélioration de l’enseignement et de l’environnement d’apprentissage. Chaque IDL a un prix de décaissement unitaire par unité de résultat obtenu. Les CEA rendent compte de la réalisation des IDL, qui doivent être vérifiées indépendamment auparavant. Les résultats vérifiés sont chiffrés et décaissés aux CEA.

L’objectif général de cette mission est de visiter les sites des CEA qui ont rapporté la réalisation de l’IDL sur l’amélioration de l’environnement d’enseignement et d’apprentissage (travaux de génie civil et équipement) et de vérifier les jalons tels que rapportés par les CEA.

DESCRIPTION DE LA MISSION

Le plan de mise en œuvre de chaque CEA décrit quatre (4) principaux jalons pour améliorer l’environnement d’enseignement et d’apprentissage en fonction des activités spécifiques menées par le CEA. On s’attend à ce que chaque CEA témoigne de la réalisation des jalons suivant par exemple : contrat signé pour la réhabilitation d’un bâtiment; contrat signé pour la livraison de matériel de laboratoire ou d’apprentissage spécifié; les travaux de réhabilitation à mi-parcours ou terminés; matériel de laboratoire, d’apprentissage ou de mobilier livré et installé; étudiants et chercheurs en laboratoire et utilisant l’équipement.

Chaque CEA a des jalons différents, mais ils constituent un ensemble de jalons communs à tous les CEA, qui sont :

  1. Signature d’un contrat de construction, les preuves incluent (i) une copie signée du contrat avec un bon des quantitatifs (ii) le certificat qui atteste que le Plan de gestion environnementale et sociale (PGES) est respecté (iii) les procédures de passation de marchés pertinentes du Manuel de passation des marchés (PM) approuvé a été suivi (iv) Le contrat de construction doit être sur le site Web de ce CEA.
  2. x pour cent d’achèvement du bâtiment, la preuve comprend (i) la certification du x pour cent d’achèvement de la construction par un architecte / ingénieur acceptable par la Banque.
  3. Matériel de laboratoire acheté ou fourni contrat signé / facture avec la certification de l’approvisionnement, les documents de passation de marchés pertinents sont disponibles pour les audits post-passation du marché.
  4. 100 pour cent achèvement du bâtiment et 80% de l’équipement installé et en cours d’utilisation par les professeurs et les étudiants. Les preuves incluent des photos et une liste de contrôle de tous les équipements sous contrat avec un statut et l’emplacement du matériel acheté. Tous les équipements doivent être inscrits dans le catalogue d’actifs de l’université.

SERVICES REQUIS ET PRINCIPALES TÂCHES

Les services requis consisteront principalement à effectuer des visites de terrain à chaque CEA et à vérifier les jalons achevés annoncés, à rédiger des rapports et à présenter des conclusions à l’AUA / BM.

Le (s) Consultant (s) effectue (nt) les tâches suivantes sur le site du CEA :

  • Vérifier la preuve du contrat de construction signé (y compris une copie de la facture des quantitatifs et du certificat PGES);
  • Vérifier et certifier l’étendue et la qualité des travaux de génie civil. Cela inclura la/l’ :
    • Vérification du pourcentage d’achèvement des travaux de construction, de réhabilitation ou de rénovation;
    • Examination et commentaire de la qualité des matériaux utilisés. Par exemple, les mécanismes de contrôle de qualité utilisés pour les matériaux de construction comme – béton / briques / fils électriques, etc.
    • Vérification si les coûts indiqués / rapportés par le CEA sont dans une fourchette raisonnable de la qualité et de l’étendue des travaux entrepris sur le site.
    • Vérification que chaque bâtiment achevé est mis dans son utilisation prévue.
  • Contrôler l’exactitude et vérifier le pourcentage d’achèvement du bâtiment tel que certifié par un ingénieur / architecte qualifié acceptable par la Banque mondiale;
  • Vérifier si l’équipement de laboratoire signalé par le CEA est celui qui se trouve sur le site avec la documentation nécessaire (factures, certificats, etc.);
  • Vérifier si tous les équipements de laboratoire achetés et installés ont effectivement été installés et sont en service ;
  • Vérifier que le CEA a une liste de contrôle de tous les équipements achetés avec l’état et l’emplacement de tous les équipements ainsi que tous les équipements inscrits dans le catalogue d’actifs de l’université ;
  • Rédiger un rapport basé sur les constatations ci-dessus de la mission de vérification, joindre les documents pertinents et soumettre le rapport à l’AUA / Banque mondiale dans la semaine suivant la visite du site. L’AUA / Banque mondiale fournira des questions / commentaires / commentaires dans les 5 jours suivant la réception du rapport ;
  • Finaliser le rapport en intégrant les réactions / commentaires de l’AUA / Banque mondiale dans les 3 jours suivant la réception des commentaires. Voir l’annexe ci-dessous pour le modèle suggéré à soumettre avec le rapport.

 

DURÉE DE LA VISITE TERAIN

La visite de chaque CEA devrait avoir lieu en deux jours ouvrables. Le consultant peut être tenu de passer des journées supplémentaires, le cas échéant, et après autorisation officielle par l’AUA.

La consultation peut être demandée de visiter plusieurs CEA dans la région pour vérifier l’amélioration de l’environnement d’enseignement et d’apprentissage sous réserve de performances satisfaisantes et de disponibilité des jalons à vérifier.

 

GESTION DE LA MISSION ET DE LIVRABLES

La mission sera supervisée par la RFU et la Banque mondiale, tandis que la coordination et la supervision de la mission seront sous la responsabilité du coordonnateur du projet CEA et du personnel de suivi et évaluation (S&E) de l’AUA et de la Banque mondiale.

Le/la consultant(e) produira des rapports de ses missions de vérification. Le consultant doit soumettre tous les livrables au coordonnateur du projet CEA.

ARRANGEMENTS LOGISTIQUES

L’AUA se chargera des arrangements de voyage nécessaires, y compris un billet aller-retour en classe économique; et facilitera les formalités de visa et d’hébergement pour le Consultant pour tous les déplacements liés à cette mission, ainsi que le transport local en aller-retour des sites de vérification. L’AUA couvrira également les frais d’hébergement et fournira une indemnité journalière de subsistance (selon les taux actuels de la Banque Mondiale) pour la durée de toute activité liée aux CEA.

PROFIL PROFESSIONNEL ET EXIGENCES DÉSIRABLES

Profil de Consultant :

L’Association des universités africaines invite les consultants éligibles à indiquer leur intérêt à fournir les services demandés. Les Consultants intéressés doivent fournir des informations démontrant qu’ils possèdent les qualifications requises et l’expérience pertinente pour fournir les Services. Le consultant doit avoir :

  • au moins une licence en génie civil structure (avec au moins cinq ans d’expérience post-qualification) ou une licence en architecture (avec au moins cinq années d’expérience post-qualification) ou dans un domaine connexe pertinent;
  • Expérience solide en tant que consultant en vérification de travaux de génie civil et / ou de matériel ou service connexe pour un nombre prouvé de missions ;
  • Haute intégrité, bonne assertivité et capable de résister à la pression ;
  • Des connaissances avérées des établissements d’enseignement supérieur africains (y compris les universités, les instituts de recherche et les organisations régionales) ;
  • Expérience pratique de travail en Afrique et de travail régional ;
  • Expérience de travail dans des contextes multi-acteurs ;
  • Excellentes aptitudes à l’oral et à l’écrit, en anglais ou en français.

L’attention des consultants intéressés est attirée sur le paragraphe 1.9 des Guides de la Banque mondiale: Sélection et emploi des consultants [sous les prêts de la BIRD et les crédits et subventions de l’ADI] par les emprunteurs de la Banque mondiale (Le guide de l’édition de janvier 2011 concernant des accords légaux), exposant la politique de la Banque mondiale en matière de conflits d’intérêts.

Un consultant sera sélectionné conformément à la méthode de comparaison de CV décrite dans le guide du consultant.

On peut obtenir de plus amples renseignements à l’adresse ci-dessous pendant les heures de bureau, soit de 9 h 00 à 17 h 00. 

COMMENT APPLIQUER/SOUMISSIONER

Les lettres de demande doivent être envoyées électroniquement à l’adresse ci-dessous, au plus tard le 31 janvier, 2017.

Les demandes doivent comprendre :

  • Un curriculum vitae détaillé décrivant l’expérience professionnelle et la qualification du candidat pour le poste.
  • Deux (2) lettres de référence, dont l’une devrait être celle du supérieur hiérarchique du candidat dans son présent emploi, s’il s’agit d’un(e) employé(e).

Les lettres de candidature et les pièces justificatives des candidats doivent être envoyées par courrier électronique à l’adresse suivante :

The Secretary General

Association of African Universities,

African Universities House,

Aviation Road Extension,

P.O. Box AN 5744,

Accra-North, GHANA

Tel: (233) 21 774495/761588

Fax: (233) 21 774821

Email:  secgen@aau.org

Website:  www.aau.org

 

ANNEXE

Le Tableau 1 ci-dessous est un modèle suggéré pour les travaux de génie civil (construction de bâtiments, rénovations et réhabilitation) avec une liste de contrôle à vérifier par le consultant et à soumettre avec le rapport. Veuillez noter que toutes les vérifications doivent être conformes à ce que la Banque mondiale a approuvé pour chacun des CEA dans leur formulation 2.8 de l’IDL.

Tableau 1

Vérification (Oui/Non)
CEA/

Université

Description sommaire de jalon d’avancement des travaux de génie civil Numéro du jalon Contrat signé et sur le site du CEA Facture de

Quantitatifs disponible et acceptable

Le certificat du PGES est disponible Pourcentage

d’achèvement est tel que rapporté

Si le bâtiment est achevé, est-il utilisé pour l’usage prévu ?
1 Année 80% de la construction terminée du bâtiment terminé 2          
             

Le Tableau 2 ci-dessous est un modèle suggéré pour l’achat et l’installation du matériel (y compris les meubles) avec une liste de contrôle à vérifier par le consultant et à soumettre avec le rapport. Veuillez noter que toutes les vérifications doivent être conformes à ce que la Banque mondiale a approuvé pour chacun des CEA dans leur formulation 2.8 de l’IDL.

Tableau 2

Vérification (Oui/Non)
CEA/

Université

Description sommaire du jalon de l’achat / de l’installation du matériel majeur (basé sur la formulation 2.8 de l’IDL) Numéro du jalon Factures /

Certificats disponibles

installation d’équipement  acceptable Preuve d’utilisation de l’équipement Liste de contrôle de tous les équipements achetés (avec état et emplacement)  

 

Matériel entré dans le catalogue d’actifs de l’université

1 Année Matériel acheté, installé et utilisé 4          
             

 

Call for Consultants for Verification

ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES

AFRICA HIGHER EDUCATION CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE (ACE) PROJECT 

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) 

CONSULTANCY FOR THE VERIFICATION OF IMPROVED TEACHING & LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

 

BACKGROUND

The Association of African Universities (AAU)

The Association of African Universities is the organization and forum for consultation, exchange of information and co-operation among higher education institutions in Africa.  It represents the voice of higher education in Africa on regional and international bodies and supports networking among institutions of higher education in teaching, research, information exchange and dissemination.

The Association was founded in Rabat, Morocco on November 12, 1967 in response to recommendations of a September 1962 UNESCO conference. With an initial membership of 34, the Association now has 380 members drawn from 46 African countries, cutting across language and other divides.  Over the nearly 50 years of its existence, the Association has provided a platform for research, reflection, consultation, debates, co-operation and collaboration on issues pertaining to higher education.  Through its varied programmes it has established and increased its role in the five sub-regions of Africa and thus possesses a unique capacity to convene higher education institutional leaders and policy-makers from all parts of the continent and on key issues related to African higher education and development.  In addition, the Association provides leadership in the identification of emerging issues and support for debating them and facilitating appropriate follow-up action by its members, partners (including other regional institutions such as UEMOA, CAMES etc.) and other stakeholders.

In pursuit of its objectives of promoting higher education in Africa, the AAU, with financial support from its members and funding partners undertakes programmes and activities that respond to topical issues and challenges in African higher education. To ensure that its interventions are relevant to the needs of its members, the AAU holds a General Conference once every four years, and a Conference of Rectors, Vice Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities (COREVIP) biennially to take stock of its programmes and make recommendations, as well as deliberate on emerging issues in African higher education.

The ACE Project

To accelerate growth, productivity and progress in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the region needs investment in the production of well-trained human capital, which remains both qualitatively and quantitatively woefully inadequate in Africa. To address this need, the World Bank together with an African Working Group designed the Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project. The objective of the Project is to promote regional specialization among participating universities within areas that address particular regional development challenges and strengthen the capacities of these universities to deliver high quality training and applied research.

The ACE Project follows a regional and a disciplinary approach. The three disciplinary fields involved are Agriculture, Health and STEM (Science, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics). This approach is necessary to focus on specific developmental needs around three of the major applied sciences; and in order to integrate stakeholders of various levels, ensure spill-over throughout Africa and attract a critical mass of expertise from within Africa and internationally. It also ensures economies of scale for less endowed neighboring countries, to become ACEs. The ACEs were selected through a rigorous, merit-based and transparent process involving reviewers from parts of North America, Europe and Africa. There are 22 ACEs located in higher education institutions in eight of the nine participating countries in West and Central Africa (Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo), which are at various stages of project implementation.

THE GOAL OF THE DLI CONSULTANCY

The Investment Project Financing (IPF) model of World Bank is used to finance the ACE project activities, implying that funds are disbursed to the ACEs based upon the satisfactory achievement of agreed, pre-specified programme implementation progress and performance results, otherwise called the disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs). A results-based financing approach is used here since it increases focus on delivery of results and the ACE Project is the first project to apply the DLI approach to a regional project.

The DLIs include the education and research results achieved in the form of increased number of regional students; reaching education quality benchmarks; published research; number of internships and external revenue generation. Others include quality, efficient and timely procurement and financial management, as well as improved teaching and learning environment.

Each DLI has a unit disbursement price per unit of result achieved. The ACEs are reporting the achievement of the DLIs, which need to be independently verified before. The verified results are costed and disbursed to the ACEs.

The overall objective of this assignment is to visit the sites of the ACEs that have reported achievement of the DLI on improved teaching and learning environment (civil works and major equipment procurement), and to verify the milestones whose formulation were approved by the World Bank and have been reported as completed by the ACEs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Implementation plan of each ACE describes four (4) main milestones for improving teaching and learning environment based upon the specific activities undertaken by the ACE. Each ACE is expected to show evidence of the achievement of the milestones such as: signed contract for rehabilitation of a building; signed contract for delivery of specified laboratory or learning equipment; halfway or completed rehabilitation work; delivered and installed laboratory, learning equipment, or furniture; students and researchers in laboratory and using the equipment.

Each ACE has different milestones approved by the World Bank and which will be provided to the Consultant as a reference. Below are examples of a set of milestones common to the ACEs, as well as guidelines for their verification:

  1. Signing of building contract, evidence includes (i) signed copy of contract with bill of quantities (ii) certificate that Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) were adhered to (iii) relevant procurement procedures from agreed Procurement Manual (PM) has been followed (iv) Building contract has to be on the website of that ACE.
  2. x percent completion of building construction, renovation or rehabilitation, evidence includes (i) certification of x percent completion of construction by an architect/engineer acceptable to The Bank.
  3. Laboratory equipment purchased or supplied contract signed/invoice with certification of procurement, relevant procurement documents are available for post-procurement audits.
  4. 100 percent completion of building and 80% of equipment installed and in-use by faculty and students. Evidence includes photos and checklist of all equipment contracted with a status and location of purchased equipment. All equipment has to be entered into asset catalogue of the university.

 

REQUESTED SERVICES AND MAIN TASKS

The services required will mainly involve field visits to individual ACEs and investigating the reported achieved milestones (in relation to what the World Bank approved in the DLI 2.8 formulation of the specific ACE), report writing, and presentation of findings to the AAU/WB.

The Consultant(s) shall undertake the following tasks at the ACE site:

  • Verify evidence of signed building contract (including copy of bill of quantities and ESMP certificate);
  • Verify and certify the extent and quality of civil works. This will include:
    • Verifying the percentage completion of building construction, rehabilitation or renovation;
    • Studying and commenting on the quality of materials used. For example, the quality control mechanisms used for building materials like – concrete / bricks / electrical wires etc.
    • Verifying whether the costs indicated/reported by the ACE are within reasonable range of the quality and extent of work undertaken on site.
    • Verifying that each completed building is being put into its intended use.
  • Verify whether the purchased laboratory equipment reported by the ACE is what is on the site with the necessary documentation (invoices, certificates, etc.);
  • Verify whether all the purchased and installed laboratory equipment have indeed been installed and are in use.
  • Verify that the ACE has a checklist of all equipment purchased with status and location of all equipment as well as all equipment entered into the asset catalogue of the university;
  • Write a report based upon the findings noted above of the verification mission, attaching relevant documents and submitting the report to AAU/World Bank within one week after the site visit. The AAU/World Bank will provide questions/feedback/comments within 5 days of receiving the report
  • Finalize the report, incorporating the feedback/comments from the AAU/world Bank within 3 days of receiving the comments. See the Annex for suggested template to be submitted along with report.

 

DURATION OF THE SITE VISIT

The visit to each ACE is expected to be undertaken in two working days. The consultant may be required to spend additional day(s) where necessary and after official clearance by AAU.

The consult may be requested to visit several ACEs in the region to verify improved teaching and learning environment subject to satisfactory performance and availability of milestones to be verified.

MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSIGNMENT & DELIVERABLES

The assignment will be overseen by the RFU and World Bank, while the coordination and supervision of the assignment will be under the responsibility of the ACE Project Coordinator and the M&E staff of AAU and World Bank.

The Consultant shall produce reports from his/her verification missions. The Consultant shall submit all the deliverables to ACE Project Coordinator.

LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

The AAU shall provide necessary travel arrangements including providing a round trip economy class ticket; and facilitating visa and accommodation arrangements for the Consultant for all travels related to this assignment, as well as local transportation to and from verification sites. The AAU will also cover accommodation costs and provide a daily subsistence allowance (per current World Bank rates) for the duration of any ACE-related event.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE AND DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Consultant’s Profile:

The Association of African Universities now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The Consultant should have:

  • At least BEng degree in Civil (Structural) Engineering (with at least five years post qualification experience), or BArch degree in Architecture (with at least five years post qualification experience) or in a related relevant field;
  • Strong experience as a civil works and/or equipment  verification consultant or related service for a proven number of assignments;
  • High integrity, kind assertiveness and able to withstand pressure
  • Proven knowledge on African higher education institutions (including universities, research institutions and regional organizations);
  • Practical experience of working in Africa and of working regionally;
  • Experience of working in multi-stakeholder contexts;
  • Excellent oral and writing skills, in English or French.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers [January 2011 Guidelines edition as per legal agreement] (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Comparison of CV method as set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 0900 to 1700 hours].

 

HOW TO APPLY

Application letters should be sent electronically to the address below latest by January 31, 2017.

Applications should comprise:

  • A detailed curriculum vitae describing applicant’s professional experience and qualification for the position.
  • Two (2) reference letters, one of which should be from the candidate’s supervisor in his/her current place of work, if an employee.

 

The application letters and supporting documents of candidates should be submitted by e-mail to:

The Secretary General

Association of African Universities,

African Universities House,

Aviation Road Extension,

P.O. Box AN 5744,   

Accra-North, GHANA

Tel: (233) 21 774495/761588

Fax: (233) 21 774821

Email:  secgen@aau.org

Website:  www.aau.org

ANNEX

The Table 1 below is a suggested template for civil works (building construction, renovations and rehabilitation) with checklist to be verified by the consultant and submitted along with the report. Please note that all verification should be in line with what the World Bank approved for each of the ACEs in their DLI 2.8 formulation.

Table 1

Verification (Yes/No)
ACE/

University

Summary description of  Civil works Milestone Milestone number Contract signed & on ACE website Bill of

Quantities is available and acceptable

ESMP Certificate is available  

 

Percentage

Completion is as reported

 

If completed, is building being used for the intended purpose

1 YY 80% completed construction of building 2

The Table 2 below is a suggested template for equipment purchase and installation (includes furniture) with checklist to be verified by the consultant and submitted along with the report. Please note that all verification should be in line with what the World Bank approved for each of the ACEs in their DLI 2.8 formulation.

Table 2

Verification (Yes/No)
ACE/

University

Summary description of  major equipment purchase/ installation Milestone (based on DLI 2.8 formulation) Milestone number Invoices/

Certificates available

Acceptable Equip. installation Evidence of Equip. in use Checklist of all equip. purchased (with status & location)  

 

Equip. entered into asset catalogue of university

1 YY Equipment purchased, installed and in use 4

 

Call for Consultants for Verification

ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES

AFRICA HIGHER EDUCATION CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE (ACE) PROJECT 

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) 

CONSULTANCY FOR THE VERIFICATION OF IMPROVED TEACHING & LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

 

BACKGROUND

The Association of African Universities (AAU)

The Association of African Universities is the organization and forum for consultation, exchange of information and co-operation among higher education institutions in Africa.  It represents the voice of higher education in Africa on regional and international bodies and supports networking among institutions of higher education in teaching, research, information exchange and dissemination.

The Association was founded in Rabat, Morocco on November 12, 1967 in response to recommendations of a September 1962 UNESCO conference. With an initial membership of 34, the Association now has 380 members drawn from 46 African countries, cutting across language and other divides.  Over the nearly 50 years of its existence, the Association has provided a platform for research, reflection, consultation, debates, co-operation and collaboration on issues pertaining to higher education.  Through its varied programmes it has established and increased its role in the five sub-regions of Africa and thus possesses a unique capacity to convene higher education institutional leaders and policy-makers from all parts of the continent and on key issues related to African higher education and development.  In addition, the Association provides leadership in the identification of emerging issues and support for debating them and facilitating appropriate follow-up action by its members, partners (including other regional institutions such as UEMOA, CAMES etc.) and other stakeholders.

In pursuit of its objectives of promoting higher education in Africa, the AAU, with financial support from its members and funding partners undertakes programmes and activities that respond to topical issues and challenges in African higher education. To ensure that its interventions are relevant to the needs of its members, the AAU holds a General Conference once every four years, and a Conference of Rectors, Vice Chancellors and Presidents of African Universities (COREVIP) biennially to take stock of its programmes and make recommendations, as well as deliberate on emerging issues in African higher education.

The ACE Project

To accelerate growth, productivity and progress in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the region needs investment in the production of well-trained human capital, which remains both qualitatively and quantitatively woefully inadequate in Africa. To address this need, the World Bank together with an African Working Group designed the Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project. The objective of the Project is to promote regional specialization among participating universities within areas that address particular regional development challenges and strengthen the capacities of these universities to deliver high quality training and applied research.

The ACE Project follows a regional and a disciplinary approach. The three disciplinary fields involved are Agriculture, Health and STEM (Science, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics). This approach is necessary to focus on specific developmental needs around three of the major applied sciences; and in order to integrate stakeholders of various levels, ensure spill-over throughout Africa and attract a critical mass of expertise from within Africa and internationally. It also ensures economies of scale for less endowed neighboring countries, to become ACEs. The ACEs were selected through a rigorous, merit-based and transparent process involving reviewers from parts of North America, Europe and Africa. There are 22 ACEs located in higher education institutions in eight of the nine participating countries in West and Central Africa (Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo), which are at various stages of project implementation.

THE GOAL OF THE DLI CONSULTANCY

The Investment Project Financing (IPF) model of World Bank is used to finance the ACE project activities, implying that funds are disbursed to the ACEs based upon the satisfactory achievement of agreed, pre-specified programme implementation progress and performance results, otherwise called the disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs). A results-based financing approach is used here since it increases focus on delivery of results and the ACE Project is the first project to apply the DLI approach to a regional project.

The DLIs include the education and research results achieved in the form of increased number of regional students; reaching education quality benchmarks; published research; number of internships and external revenue generation. Others include quality, efficient and timely procurement and financial management, as well as improved teaching and learning environment.

Each DLI has a unit disbursement price per unit of result achieved. The ACEs are reporting the achievement of the DLIs, which need to be independently verified before. The verified results are costed and disbursed to the ACEs.

The overall objective of this assignment is to visit the sites of the ACEs that have reported achievement of the DLI on improved teaching and learning environment (civil works and major equipment procurement), and to verify the milestones whose formulation were approved by the World Bank and have been reported as completed by the ACEs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Implementation plan of each ACE describes four (4) main milestones for improving teaching and learning environment based upon the specific activities undertaken by the ACE. Each ACE is expected to show evidence of the achievement of the milestones such as: signed contract for rehabilitation of a building; signed contract for delivery of specified laboratory or learning equipment; halfway or completed rehabilitation work; delivered and installed laboratory, learning equipment, or furniture; students and researchers in laboratory and using the equipment.

Each ACE has different milestones approved by the World Bank and which will be provided to the Consultant as a reference. Below are examples of a set of milestones common to the ACEs, as well as guidelines for their verification:

  1. Signing of building contract, evidence includes (i) signed copy of contract with bill of quantities (ii) certificate that Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) were adhered to (iii) relevant procurement procedures from agreed Procurement Manual (PM) has been followed (iv) Building contract has to be on the website of that ACE.
  2. x percent completion of building construction, renovation or rehabilitation, evidence includes (i) certification of x percent completion of construction by an architect/engineer acceptable to The Bank.
  3. Laboratory equipment purchased or supplied contract signed/invoice with certification of procurement, relevant procurement documents are available for post-procurement audits.
  4. 100 percent completion of building and 80% of equipment installed and in-use by faculty and students. Evidence includes photos and checklist of all equipment contracted with a status and location of purchased equipment. All equipment has to be entered into asset catalogue of the university.

 

REQUESTED SERVICES AND MAIN TASKS

The services required will mainly involve field visits to individual ACEs and investigating the reported achieved milestones (in relation to what the World Bank approved in the DLI 2.8 formulation of the specific ACE), report writing, and presentation of findings to the AAU/WB.

The Consultant(s) shall undertake the following tasks at the ACE site:

  • Verify evidence of signed building contract (including copy of bill of quantities and ESMP certificate);
  • Verify and certify the extent and quality of civil works. This will include:
    • Verifying the percentage completion of building construction, rehabilitation or renovation;
    • Studying and commenting on the quality of materials used. For example, the quality control mechanisms used for building materials like – concrete / bricks / electrical wires etc.
    • Verifying whether the costs indicated/reported by the ACE are within reasonable range of the quality and extent of work undertaken on site.
    • Verifying that each completed building is being put into its intended use.
  • Verify whether the purchased laboratory equipment reported by the ACE is what is on the site with the necessary documentation (invoices, certificates, etc.);
  • Verify whether all the purchased and installed laboratory equipment have indeed been installed and are in use.
  • Verify that the ACE has a checklist of all equipment purchased with status and location of all equipment as well as all equipment entered into the asset catalogue of the university;
  • Write a report based upon the findings noted above of the verification mission, attaching relevant documents and submitting the report to AAU/World Bank within one week after the site visit. The AAU/World Bank will provide questions/feedback/comments within 5 days of receiving the report
  • Finalize the report, incorporating the feedback/comments from the AAU/world Bank within 3 days of receiving the comments. See the Annex for suggested template to be submitted along with report.

 

DURATION OF THE SITE VISIT

The visit to each ACE is expected to be undertaken in two working days. The consultant may be required to spend additional day(s) where necessary and after official clearance by AAU.

The consult may be requested to visit several ACEs in the region to verify improved teaching and learning environment subject to satisfactory performance and availability of milestones to be verified.

MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSIGNMENT & DELIVERABLES

The assignment will be overseen by the RFU and World Bank, while the coordination and supervision of the assignment will be under the responsibility of the ACE Project Coordinator and the M&E staff of AAU and World Bank.

The Consultant shall produce reports from his/her verification missions. The Consultant shall submit all the deliverables to ACE Project Coordinator.

LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

The AAU shall provide necessary travel arrangements including providing a round trip economy class ticket; and facilitating visa and accommodation arrangements for the Consultant for all travels related to this assignment, as well as local transportation to and from verification sites. The AAU will also cover accommodation costs and provide a daily subsistence allowance (per current World Bank rates) for the duration of any ACE-related event.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE AND DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Consultant’s Profile:

The Association of African Universities now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The Consultant should have:

  • At least BEng degree in Civil (Structural) Engineering (with at least five years post qualification experience), or BArch degree in Architecture (with at least five years post qualification experience) or in a related relevant field;
  • Strong experience as a civil works and/or equipment  verification consultant or related service for a proven number of assignments;
  • High integrity, kind assertiveness and able to withstand pressure
  • Proven knowledge on African higher education institutions (including universities, research institutions and regional organizations);
  • Practical experience of working in Africa and of working regionally;
  • Experience of working in multi-stakeholder contexts;
  • Excellent oral and writing skills, in English or French.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers [January 2011 Guidelines edition as per legal agreement] (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Comparison of CV method as set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 0900 to 1700 hours].

 

HOW TO APPLY

Application letters should be sent electronically to the address below latest by January 31, 2017.

Applications should comprise:

  • A detailed curriculum vitae describing applicant’s professional experience and qualification for the position.
  • Two (2) reference letters, one of which should be from the candidate’s supervisor in his/her current place of work, if an employee.

 

The application letters and supporting documents of candidates should be submitted by e-mail to:

The Secretary General

Association of African Universities,

African Universities House,

Aviation Road Extension,

P.O. Box AN 5744,   

Accra-North, GHANA

Tel: (233) 21 774495/761588

Fax: (233) 21 774821

Email:  secgen@aau.org

Website:  www.aau.org

ANNEX

The Table 1 below is a suggested template for civil works (building construction, renovations and rehabilitation) with checklist to be verified by the consultant and submitted along with the report. Please note that all verification should be in line with what the World Bank approved for each of the ACEs in their DLI 2.8 formulation.

Table 1

Verification (Yes/No)
ACE/

University

Summary description of  Civil works Milestone Milestone number Contract signed & on ACE website Bill of

Quantities is available and acceptable

ESMP Certificate is available  

 

Percentage

Completion is as reported

 

If completed, is building being used for the intended purpose

1 YY 80% completed construction of building 2

The Table 2 below is a suggested template for equipment purchase and installation (includes furniture) with checklist to be verified by the consultant and submitted along with the report. Please note that all verification should be in line with what the World Bank approved for each of the ACEs in their DLI 2.8 formulation.

Table 2

Verification (Yes/No)
ACE/

University

Summary description of  major equipment purchase/ installation Milestone (based on DLI 2.8 formulation) Milestone number Invoices/

Certificates available

Acceptable Equip. installation Evidence of Equip. in use Checklist of all equip. purchased (with status & location)  

 

Equip. entered into asset catalogue of university

1 YY Equipment purchased, installed and in use 4

 

Contact: smkandawire@aau.org | Association of African Universities | P. O. Box AN 5744,
Accra-North, Ghana | Tel +233-547-728975 All Rights Reserved © 2022