REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
PROCUREMENT NUMBER: APRM/AU/ICINT/TREGM/ZIM/07/2025.
INDIVIDUAL INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A TARGETED REVIEW ON “THE ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT THEMATIC AREA”
Public Sector-Governance
Financing Agreement reference:
Project ID No.:
Country: Zimbabwe
Project Title:
BACKGROUND
1.1 The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a mutually agreed instrument voluntarily acceded to by African Union (AU) Member States as a self-monitoring mechanism for promoting good governance. One of the APRM’s key instruments is the Targeted Review, which focuses on specific governance and socio-economic development issues in a given country as identified by the Member State or the APRM.
1.2 Zimbabwe’s economy has undergone significant changes over the past two decades, underlined by the illegal, unwarranted, and unjustified economic and political sanctions imposed by some Western countries outside the multilateral framework. Despite the sanctions induced adverse environment, Zimbabwe implemented a number of key macro-economic and fiscal reforms aimed at stabilising the macro-economic environment that promoted investment and fostered inclusive growth. Between 2013 and 2018, Zimbabwe introduced Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIMASSET), a national development plan which was meant to achieve sustainable development and social equity. The plan focused on four key areas: food security and nutrition, social services and poverty eradication, infrastructure and utilities, and value addition and beneficiation. Notwithstanding, it should be noted that ZIMASSET did not adequately address the existing macro-economic challenges mainly because of disinvestment, capital flight, lack of access to international finance, insufficient funding among others. Most of these challenges were emanating from the illegal sanctions.
1.3 In an effort to build on the foundations of ZIMASSET, Zimbabwe implemented the Transitional Stabilization Programme (TSP) from October 2018 to December 2020, with a view to stabilising the economy. From 2021 to 2025, Zimbabwe introduced the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), a five-year plan aimed at driving growth and stability underpinned by the Vision to achieve an Empowered and Prosperous Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.
1.4 Within the framework of the APRM, Zimbabwe has requested a Targeted Review on Economic Governance and Management thematic area to demonstrate a firm commitment to uphold the principles of good economic governance, transparency, and accountability. The government continues to implement public financial management reforms and measures to enhance fiscal discipline, for the attainment of national, regional and global development priority areas.
1.5 Through its active participation in the APRM process, Zimbabwe reaffirms its dedication to the continent’s shared vision of economic resilience, social progress, and good governance. It is against this background that the APRM through this initiative seeks to identify the best economic governance, transparency, and accountability practices that Zimbabwe exudes and can be shared with other countries. It is also an opportunity for Zimbabwe to highlight gaps in economic governance and management that need to be strengthened. It should be noted that the entire Targeted Review process in Zimbabwe shall be locally led and nationally owned.
2 OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
2.1 The objective of the APRM’s Targeted Review on Economic Governance and Management in the Republic of Zimbabwe, as outlined in these Terms of Reference for the recruitment of the consultant, is to facilitate an inclusive, evidence-based consultation process with a broad range of national stakeholders on key economic governance and management practices in the country. The consultant will engage government institutions, private sector actors, civil society, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders to assess the strengths and gaps in Zimbabwe’s economic policies, public financial management systems, and institutional frameworks. Based on these consultations, the consultant will identify good practices and gaps.
2.2 The National Consultant will propose clear, actionable, and context-specific recommendations aimed at strengthening economic governance and management and supporting Zimbabwe’s sustainable development objectives not only in line with the National Vision 2030, but also with APRM’s principles, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
The duration of the assignment is estimated at sixty (60) days including field days, starting from the date the contract is signed. In consultation with relevant staff at the APRM Continental Secretariat, APRM National Secretariat and other stakeholders, the consultant shall prepare and submit the following on the 14th day from the date of the contract:
- The Structure/Framework of the Report, a PowerPoint Presentation and the Key Highlights Paper on the theme and submit the three documents on the 14th day from the date of the contract.
- Prepare and submit a Zero-Draft Report, a Power Point Presentation and the Key Highlights Paper on the 28th day from the date of the contract.
- Prepare and submit the First Draft Report, a Power Point Presentation, and the Key Highlights Paper on the last day of the field mission.
- Prepare and submit the Second Draft Report, a PowerPoint Presentation, and the Key Highlights Paper 14 days after the completion of the field mission.
- QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
3.1 The Consultant MUST have one of the following educational backgrounds, experiences and skills and MUST ATTACH THE RELEVANT CERTIFICATES AND TESTIMONIALS:
- A PhD in Economics, Public Finance, Macroeconomics or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of proven professional experience in economic governance, public financial management, macroeconomic policy analysis, economic development or;
- A Master’s in Economics, Public Finance, Macroeconomics or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of proven professional experience in economic governance, public financial management, macroeconomic policy analysis, economic development, or;
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Economics, Public Finance, Macroeconomics or a related field with minimum of 10 years of professional experience in in economic governance, public financial management, macroeconomic policy analysis, economic development.
The APRM invites eligible Individual International Consultants to indicate their interest in the above-mentioned consultancy by providing the requisite information and documentation:
- Full curriculum vitae that includes information on educational qualifications, professional experience, and expertise.
- Proof of all academic and professional qualifications by submitting copies of relevant certificates and testimonials.
- Provide one relevant writing sample/ published report demonstrating writing and research experience and skills in The Economic Governance and Management thematic area.
The short-listing and the selection procedure shall be done in accordance with the AU Procurement Manual, version April 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be issued with the Terms of Reference for the exercise.
Interested Consultants may obtain further information by contacting tenderinfo@aprm-au.org during office hours (8h00 -17h00 SAST). Clarification shall be published on the APRM website (www.aprmau.org) and MUST be requested not less than seven days prior to the closing date of the bid.
SUBMISSION OF BID:
- Expressions of interest must be submitted via email: tender@aprm-au.org on or before 23 July 2025 at 14h00 South African Time. The EOI Shall be Opened on 23 July 2025 at 14h00 South African time.
- Submission to be titled: PROCUREMENT NUMBER: APRM/AU/ICINT/TREGM/ZIM/07/2025-EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IN TARGETED REVIEW: INDIVIDUAL INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A TARGETED REVIEW ON “THE ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT THEMATIC AREA”
- Only bids submitted on time shall be accepted. Bids submitted with the wrong submission title shall be rejected.
Procurement office
African Peer Review Mechanism
Private Bag x09, Halfway House, 1685
Physical Address: 230 15th Street, Randjies Park, 1st Floor
Midrand, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 256 3400/01/29
Submission email: tender@aprm-au.org
