Request for Proposals — Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Assignment for the AI4D Africa Initiative

Deadline

September 13 by 13:00 (EDT)

Topic(s)

Artificial Intelligence, Development, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning

Duration

3 years

Funded by

IDRC and Sida

Region(s)

Africa

Contact

lempey@idrc.ca

Budget

CA$200,000

Status

Open

Type

Consultancy

AI4D Africa requests proposals from experienced consulting firms and/or groups of experts that are based in Sub-Saharan Africa and specialized in monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) and adaptative program management, where requirements are described in section 2 of the official document above, the Statement of Work (“Services”).

The procedures employed by the selected team will be expected to uphold the African Evaluation Guidelines, published by the African Evaluation Association in 2020. In addition, we recommend that applicants familiarize themselves with the evaluation principles articulated in Evaluation at IDRC.

Key Dates

1

August 9, 2021

RFP issue date

2

September 3, 2021

Deadline for enquiries

3

September 13, 2021

RFP close date

4

October 1, 2021

Commencement of services

Interested applicants shall propose the most suitable approach to co-design and implement a three-year monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) strategy that drives the program adaptation and strategic decision making with key implementing partners of the AI4D Africa initiative.

Given AI4D Africa focuses on flexible, iterative, and participatory principles, potential approaches include utilization-focused evaluation, developmental evaluation, program theory driven evaluation, outcome mapping, and culturally responsive evaluation among others. The services will include periodic, timely, accurate, and actionable feedback to allow for the adaptive and participatory management of the initiative.

Eligibility and requirements

IDRC is looking for proposals from consulting firms and/or groups of experts that:

Have their headquarters based in Sub-Saharan Africa;
Have a proven record of MEL and adaptative management practices in different regions of Africa; and
Have the ability to work in both English and French at a minimum.

Scope

Throughout the three-year period, it is expected that the MEL team provides ongoing support for learning and reporting. This is expected to be done virtually, with some travels and monitoring visits should the global context in the post-pandemic context allows for it, and the nature of the services will evolve to reflect ongoing priorities and needs.

An inception report with the proposed participatory and adaptive MEL tools should be submitted three months after contract signature.

Yearly reports will be expected to highlight challenges, lessons learned and recommendations progress toward the objectives.

These are the minimal expectations, but other complementary forms of communications, such as briefs and infographics, are welcome.

IDRC reserves the right to close the contract if performance is not satisfactory. Assessment of performance will be conducted yearly to ensure progress and alignment on the vision and accompaniment of the MEL providers.

+ Expand

How to Apply

The preferred method of proposal submission is electronic, via email, in Microsoft Word or in PDF format to the RFP Authority named on page 1 of the official document.

Proponents email subject line should cite “RFP#21220005 -Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Assignment for the AI4D Africa Initiative” when submitting via email.

Important Note: Email messages with large attachments can be slowed down in servers between the Proponent’s email and the RFP Authority’s email inbox. It is the Proponent’s responsibility to ensure that large emails are sent sufficiently in advance to be at IDRC by the close date and time. Proponents should use electronic receipt confirmation and or contact the RFP Authority to confirm receipt.

Important Note: The maximum size of an email that IDRC can receive is 10MB. If necessary, Proponents can send multiple emails.

The Proponent’s electronic submission should consist of five (5) files (i.e. 5 separate documents) as noted in section 4.3 of the document.

Changes to the submitted proposal can be made, if required, provided they are received as an Addendum (or an Amendment) to, or clarification of, previously submitted proposal, or as a complete new proposal to cancel and supersede the earlier proposal.

The addendum, clarification, or new proposal should be submitted as per the delivery instructions outlined above, be clearly marked “REVISION”, and must be received no later than the submission deadline. In addition, the revised proposal should include a description of the degree to which the contents are in substitution for the earlier proposal.

Ready and Eligible?

Apply Now!

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