Request for Proposals-Board Evaluation Consultancy at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)

Objectives of the Assignment

The Evaluation is expected to:

• Obtain feedback and valuable input from all board members on how the full board and its committees are performing against generally accepted best governance practices.
• Support the Board in its commitment to continuous enhancement of its capacity to fulfil its governance mandate.
• Use the information provided through the evaluation to bolster the performance and effectiveness of Directors in their roles in executing the Board’s duties and set performance expectations for individual directors.
• Support in identifying the developmental areas/needs of the Board as a whole and individual Directors to enhance the skills of the Directors for effective delivery of the Board’s mandate.
• Provides the framework for setting Board and Board Committees priorities for the success of the institution.

The consultant is expected to employ skills and tools that will yield a higher level of success in the evaluation of the Board as a whole, its Committees and the individual directors. In this regard, the Consultant should have extensive experience managing similar assignments and have the capacity to deliver on the below scope and deliverables within the agreed timeline.

Scope and Deliverables

• Assessment of the performance of the Board as a whole, three Board Committees, one Sub-committee of the Board’s Committee, individual directors, and key Officers of the Company. The areas of assessment will include, but are not limited to the following:
• Board and Committees compliance with Terms of Reference.
• Board and Committees meeting effectiveness.
• Board relationship with/support to the CEO.
• Director engagement.
• Board structure; board processes, board roles and responsibilities, information flow and presentation, decision-making process etc.
• Assess the effectiveness of the Board succession plan and remuneration structure.
• The effectiveness of the corporate governance systems and processes (ethics, values, governance, controls, compliance, and risk management)
• Process for monitoring progress towards meeting the Board’s mandate, strategic plans, action plans and succession planning.
• Assessment of the Board’s relationship with its key stakeholders including the shareholder, Donors, and senior management.

Eligibility Criteria

• Consultants will be expected to provide a technical and financial proposal.
• The technical proposal shall be written in English and must provide the following information:
  • A brief description of the firm and an outline of recent experience on assignments of a similar nature. For each assignment, the outline should include the profiles of the staff proposed, the duration of the assignment, the contract amount and the firm’s involvement.
  • A detailed approach, methodology and work plan for performing the assignment.
  • The proposed team and their CVs, the tasks that would be assigned to each team member and their timing, and the number of years working with the Consultant.
  • Any additional information that may be required to conduct the assignment.
• The financial proposal must provide the following information:
  • List all costs associated with the assignment including any reimbursable expenses.
  • Local taxes, duties, fees, levies, and other charges are imposed under the law on the consultant.
  • The financial and technical proposal MUST be submitted separately. Submitting the two as one document will lead to disqualification.

Qualification & Key Competencies

• Proposed team members should possess a minimum of advanced Degrees and related qualifications in corporate governance, and/or law.
• Minimum of 5 years Experience in good corporate governance especially on board evaluations.
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking similar assignments for organizations of AECF size and scope.
• A company of good standing and reputation.
• Ability to render consulting services in the most professional, effective, and efficient manner.
• Strong influencing skills are required.
• The ability to analyze complex data from multiple sources is required.