Project Coordinator

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Country: Ethiopia

Project Name: Regional Climate Resilience Project 2 (RCRP2)

Project ID: (P181308)

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Selection of Project Coordinator

Procurement Reference Number: ET-AUC-436715-CS-INDV

The African Union Commission has received financing from the World Bank toward the Implementation of Regional Climate Resilience Project 2 (RCRP2) and intends to apply part of the proceeds   for the selection of Project Coordinator to support the SEBE/AUC in the implementation of the project.

The Objective of the assignment is to strengthen the resilience of communities to Water- related disasters in Africa, the African Union Commission seeks to engage dedicated Project Coordinator is required to support the SEBE/AUC in the implementation of the Regional Climate Resilience Project 2 (RCRP2), funded by the World Bank

1. Scope of Assignment and Responsibility  

The RCRP2 Coordinator shall be responsible for overseeing the project implementation, monitoring and providing technical support, leadership and management to guide the project activities and ensure effective implementation of the project and quality outputs/outcomes. As well as being responsible for regular project monitoring and reporting (monthly, quarterly, biannual, annual) to the AUC Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate and the World Bank.

The specific duties of the RCRP2 Project Coordinator will include, but not limited to:

• Overall day-to-day management of the operations of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the RCRP2
• Coordinate and manage the overall conduct of the implementation of the Project in a timely manner and be responsible for its financial, administrative and technical oversight in line with AU and World Bank policies, guidelines and practices. Including development of term of references, concept notes, workshops organization and stakeholders’ engagement and consultations
• Provide secretarial services to the project’s Governance and participate, present to the Governance (prepare concept notes, logistics, agendas, reports, etc.)
• Develop the annual work plan and budget of the project, and ensure approval by the Project Governance
• Prepare Periodic Project Status Report (PSR) for review by the AUC, World Bank and the Governance
• Conduct, commission and coordinate monitoring and evaluation of the project activities
• Engage and maintain direct communication and dialogue with partners and other stakeholders to facilitate their understanding of the RCRP2 and strengthen partnerships – through establishment of RCRP2 platform on adaptation
• Liaise with the World Bank programs at the AU and ensure complementarity of the RCRP2 activities within AU related programs and similar activities carried out by AU Regional Economic Commissions (RECs) and AU Member States.
• Coordinate and liaise with the PCRP SOP1 (4 countries – Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique, and South Sudan) and two regional organizations (Southern Africa Development Community, SADC, and Nile Basin Initiative, NBI) – towards exchange of knowledge, capturing and documentation of lessons and good practices for replication and scaling up
• Coordinate the preparation, monitoring and reporting on the execution of the overall procurement plan of the project for the procurement of goods, consulting and non-consulting services consistent with procurement guidelines of the AU and the World Bank
• Ensure the provision of support to local and international consultants engaged under the project and ensure timely execution of the assignments and the high quality of deliverables against the term of references and international standards
• Contribute to the knowledge management processes (e.g., knowledge acquisition, production, storage, dissemination and use)
• Ensure visibility and awareness of the project with support from the communication teams at the AUC and the World Bank. Including, preparation of information and outreach materials for national, regional and international fora
• In liaison with the AUC environment and social Focal Point, the Project Coordinator shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP)
• Participate and contribute to AUC strategic planning, including overall climate change portfolio and SEBE/AUC programmatic and strategic agendas
• Respond to the changes pertinent to the project implementation and carry out any other functions related to the project that will, from time to time, be agreed-upon between the SEBE/AUC and the World Bank
• Ensure the project is properly closed out and project documentation completed and stored
• Lead the preparation of the Project Completion Report (PCR)
• Any other activity and assignment, as requested by the Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate.

1. Duty Station and Contract Duration

The Project Coordinator position is a full-time role for the duration of the project. The selected candidate shall be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the AU Headquarters. The initial contract amount shall be for one year with possibility of extension subject to resource availability, satisfactory performance, and approval of the appointing authority.

1. Required Qualification and work experience.

• At least a Master’s degree from a recognized university in any or combination of the following fields: environmental studies, natural resources, sustainable development, hydro-climatology, or related field or any equivalent educational background – with at least 10 years of working experience and extensive knowledge of climate, climate resilience, risks, natural disasters management, disaster risk management and vulnerabilities
• The candidate must be familiar with and have sound knowledge and skills of planning, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes mainly in the field of climate, climate risks, resilience and vulnerability
• Strong managerial leadership skills are essential including excellent organizational and analytical capabilities, setting priorities, taking initiatives and complete work plan deadlines
• Knowledge of the current developments related to climate change, climate vulnerability/ risk and resilience
• Experience in facilitating stakeholder engagement
• Ability to network at high political levels and across regions – i.e., a flexible, diplomatic, friendly and cooperative personality with a sensitive approach to national and regional political environments.
• Fluency in English and have excellent written and oral communication skills – any additional AU languages will be considered advantageous
• Effective computer skills (Excel, Word, power point, etc.).

1. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent planning, organizational and writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to work in multicultural environments, and ease in interpersonal relationships.
• Reliable and responsible personality and capacity to work under demanding professional circumstances and in an international environment.
• Excellent organizational and recordkeeping skills.
• Experience in dealing with senior business executives and government officials;
• A good team player while being independent and able to work autonomously

1. Evaluation and Qualification Criteria

• General experience – 10 Points
• Specific Experience relevant to the assignment – 50 Points
• Qualifications and Training – 30 Points
• Language – 10 Points

1. Consultancy Fee

The remuneration to be paid to the Project Coordinator is open to negotiation and the rates to be agreed will be dependent on the individual’s qualifications and experience and the applicable AU standard rates. Remuneration shall be monthly. The AUC shall pay the Consultant for services rendered at the rate(s) per man/month spent, subject to a maximum of eight hours per day in accordance with the rates agreed during contract negotiations. Fees payable does not include costs associated with project related travels, coordination/organization of project related activities and events, stakeholder dialogues, consultations and workshops. The AU will meet these costs

1. Institutional and Organizational Arrangement

The Project Coordinator shall perform the assigned tasks under the overall strategic leadership and guidance of the Director of the Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate and direct supervision of the Climate Change Senior Policy Officer.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

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

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 12 June 2025 at 15:00 hrs local time.  

African Union Commission,

Attn: Head of Supply Chain Management Division

Building C, 3rd Floor,

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-mails: tender@africa-union.org 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

(CONSULTING SERVICES– INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Project Name: Regional Climate Resilience Project 2 (RCRP2)

Project ID: (P181308)

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Selection of Project Coordinator

Procurement Reference Number: ET-AUC-436715-CS-INDV

1. BACKGROUND

The impacts of climate change challenge sustainable and inclusive development in Africa. The Six Assessment Report of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-AR6) released in 2023 indicated that Africa has contributed among the least to greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, key development sectors have experienced widespread losses and damages attributable to anthropogenic climate change, including biodiversity loss, water shortages, reduced food production, loss of lives, and reduced economic growth. Climate-resilient low-carbon development pathways must be in place to significantly minimize vulnerability to climate risk and related natural disasters.

Water security is critical for climate resilience, and there is a need for enhancing water investment. Water plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of African countries, in sustaining natural ecosystems, and in building climate resilience. The recent extreme variability in rainfall and river discharge across Africa has had largely negative and multi-sector impacts across water-dependent sectors. Projected changes present heightened cross-cutting risks to water-dependent sectors and require planning under deep uncertainty for the wide range of extremes expected in future. That means that Africa needs to act towards building its climate resilience through investing in water security in the continent. 

The African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032) recognizes that building the resilience of water investments in Africa is a critical response to the projected severe and more frequent impacts of climate change. It also promotes that climate-resilient water interventions need to consider gender inequalities since men and women are impacted by, and respond differently to, the impacts of climate change.

In recognition of these evolving challenges, the African Union (AU) developed the Africa Regional Climate Resilience Programme  is designed to enhance climate resilience in Africa’s water systems and strengthen capacity to manage water-related disasters in Africa as part of the Continental Africa Water Investment Program (AIP) that was adopted by the AU Heads of State and Government, as part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Priority Action Plan in February 2021. AIP was also endorsed by the Governance Council of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) in February 2019. The Africa Regional Climate Resilience Program is also aligned to the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Programme of Action for the implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015—2030 in Africa.

As part of implementing the above continental strategies and programs, and as part of supporting Member States to take climate action, the African Union Commission, through the Directorate for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE), developed an Africa Regional Climate Resilience Program in partnership with the World Bank. The programme aims to:

• Strengthen climate information systems for resilience and disaster risk management in Africa;
• Enhance climate resilience in Africa’s water systems; and 
• Strengthen resilience of communities to water-related disasters in Africa

In order to strengthen the resilience of communities to Water- related disasters in Africa, the African Union Commission seeks to engage dedicated Training Coordinator in the programme management Unit to support the continental capacity building under the Africa Regional Climate Resilience Program

1. OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the consultancy service is to strengthen the resilience of communities to Water- related disasters in Africa, the African Union Commission seeks to engage dedicated Project Coordinator is required to support the SEBE/AUC in the implementation of the Regional Climate Resilience Project 2 (RCRP2), funded by the World Bank.

1. SCOPE  AND RESPONSIBILITY

The RCRP2 Coordinator shall be responsible for overseeing the project implementation, monitoring and provide technical support, leadership and management to guide the project activities and ensure effective implementation of the project and quality outputs/outcomes. As well as be responsible for regular project monitoring and reporting (monthly, quarterly, biannual, annual) to the AUC Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate and the World Bank.

Under the overall strategic leadership and guidance of the Director of the Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate and direct supervision of the Climate Change Senior Policy Officer. The specific duties of the RCRP2 Project Coordinator will include, but not limited to:

1. Overall day-to-day management of the operations of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the RCRP2
2. Coordinate and manage the overall conduct of the implementation of the Project in a timely manner and be responsible for its financial, administrative and technical oversight in line with AU and World Bank policies, guidelines and practices. Including development of term of references, concept notes, workshops organization and stakeholders’ engagement and consultations
3. Provide secretarial services to the project’s Governance and participate, present to the Governance (prepare concept notes, logistics, agendas, reports, etc.)
4. Develop the annual work plan and budget of the project, and ensure approval by the Project Governance
5. Prepare Periodic Project Status Report (PSR) for review by the AUC, World Bank and the Governance
6. Conduct, commission and coordinate monitoring and evaluation of the project activities
7. Engage and maintain direct communication and dialogue with partners and other stakeholders to facilitate their understanding of the RCRP2 and strengthen partnerships – through establishment of RCRP2 platform on adaptation
8. Liaise with the World Bank programs at the AU and ensure complementarity of the RCRP2 activities within AU related programs and similar activities carried out by AU Regional Economic Commissions (RECs) and AU Member States.
9. Coordinate and liaise with the PCRP SOP1 (4 countries – Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique, and South Sudan) and two regional organizations (Southern Africa Development Community, SADC, and Nile Basin Initiative, NBI) – towards exchange of knowledge, capturing and documentation of lessons and good practices for replication and scaling up
10. Coordinate the preparation, monitoring and reporting on the execution of the overall procurement plan of the project for the procurement of goods, consulting and non-consulting services consistent with procurement guidelines of the AU and the World Bank
11. Ensure the provision of support to local and international consultants engaged under the project and ensure timely execution of the assignments and the high quality of deliverables against the term of references and international standards
12. Contribute to the knowledge management processes (e.g., knowledge acquisition, production, storage, dissemination and use)
13. Ensure visibility and awareness of the project with support from the communication teams at the AUC and the World Bank. Including, preparation of information and outreach materials for national, regional and international fora
14. In liaison with the AUC environment and social Focal Point, the Project Coordinator shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP)
15. Participate and contribute to AUC strategic planning, including overall climate change portfolio and SEBE/AUC programmatic and strategic agendas
16. Respond to the changes pertinent to the project implementation and carry out any other functions related to the project that will, from time to time, be agreed-upon between the SEBE/AUC and the World Bank
17. Ensure the project is properly closed out and project documentation completed and stored
18. Lead the preparation of the Project Completion Report (PCR)
19. Any other activity and assignment, as requested by the Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate.

1. INSTITUTIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The Project Coordinator shall perform the assigned tasks under the overall strategic leadership and guidance of the Director of the Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate and direct supervision of the Climate Change Senior Policy Officer.

1. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Project Coordinator should have at least the following qualifications, abilities and skills :

• At least a Master’s degree from a recognized university in any or combination of the following fields: environmental studies, natural resources, sustainable development, hydro-climatology, or related field or any equivalent educational background – with at least 10 years of working experience and extensive knowledge of climate, climate resilience, risks, natural disasters management, disaster risk management and vulnerabilities
• The candidate must be familiar with and have sound knowledge and skills of planning, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes mainly in the field of climate, climate risks, resilience and vulnerability
• Strong managerial leadership skills are essential including excellent organizational and analytical capabilities, setting priorities, take initiatives and complete work plan deadlines
• Knowledge of the current developments related to climate change, climate vulnerability/ risk and resilience
• Experience in facilitating stakeholder engagement
• Ability to network at high political levels and across regions – i.e., a flexible, diplomatic, friendly and cooperative personality with a sensitive approach to national and regional political environments.
• Fluency in English and have excellent written and oral communication skills – any additional AU languages will be considered advantageous
• Effective computer skills (Excel, Word, power point, etc.).

1. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent planning, organizational and writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to work in multicultural environments, and ease in interpersonal relationships;
• Reliable and responsible personality and capacity to work under demanding professional circumstances and in an international environment;
• Excellent organizational and recordkeeping skills;
• Experience in dealing with senior business executives and government officials;
• Good team player while being independent and able to work autonomously.

1. PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

The performance of the Training Coordinator will be evaluated on a quarterly basis, based on criteria’s related to the assignment.

1. DURATION AND TIMING

The contract duration will initially be for twelve (12) months with possibility of extension for the entire project period, based on satisfactory performance.

1. DUTY STATION

The consultant will be based in the AU Headquarters.

1. REMUNERATION

The remuneration to be paid to the Project Coordinator is open to negotiation and the rates to be agreed will be dependent on the individual’s qualifications and experience and the applicable AU standard rates.

 Remuneration shall be on a monthly basis. The AUC shall pay the Consultant for services rendered at the rate(s) per man/month spent, subject to a maximum of eight hours per day in accordance with the rates agreed during contract negotiations.

1. FACILITIES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE BY AUC

The following shall be made available by the AUC:

• Office accommodation.
• Photocopying facilities, and Stationery.
• Support with visa facilitation.
• Internet Access

1. EVALUATION AND QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

1.  General experience – 10 Points

2.  Specific Experience relevant to the assignment – 50 Points

3.  Qualifications – 30 Points

4.  Language – 10 Points