Terms of Reference Consultancy Services for an individual consultant to develop a Knowledge Management (KM) Strategy Framework for the African Institute of Biomedical Science & Technology (AIBST) .
Consultancy, Research Jobs
Job Description
Background
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the African Union’s Specialized Agency for
Capacity Development in Africa, is invested in supporting African institutions to improve their
capacity to efficiently and effectively leverage the continent's expertise and resources to
realise real and lasting change for its people.
In line with this mandate, ACBF is implementing the Program on “Strengthening Capacity of
Strategic Partner Institutions in Africa” (SPIA) which is designed to provide capacity
improvement support to targeted new and existing Africa-based institutions operating in bio-
medical research and development areas. The program seeks to promote innovation and
transformative ideas, co-created, translated, accepted, and adopted to specific local needs,
with the understanding that this approach will lead to more excellent scientific, technical, and
fiduciary capabilities, greater administrative and logistical capacities, and greater nimbleness
to respond to the ever-changing Research & Development landscape for strategic institutional
partners.
Under the SPIA Program, ACBF is supporting the African Institute for Biomedical Sciences and
Technology (AIBST), in enhancing its institutional capacity to effectively deliver on its
mandate. AIBST Foundation is a pan-African, non-profit, public charitable organisation created
to support, strengthen, and promote science and innovation in Africa. By enhancing AIBST
Foundation’s institutional capacity, ACBF believes that this will promote scientific innovation
that can address Africa’s development challenges.
Against this background, ACBF seeks services of an individual consultant to develop a
knowledge management strategy framework for AIBST, that will support the implementation
of its programs and operations during the period covered by its strategic plan (2023-2027)
and beyond. AIBST will also require capacity-building training session for its staff on the
implementation of the developed Framework.
2. Objective of the assignment
The overall objective of this assignment is to develop a Knowledge Management Strategy
Framework for AIBST that enhances knowledge creation, capture, sharing, and utilization
across the organization.
The specific objectives of the assignment are:
❖ Assess current KM practices, systems, tools, and identify any gaps at AiBST
❖ Benchmark AiBST against global KM best practices in science research institutions.
❖ Identify knowledge needs and priorities
❖ Design a practical and scalable KM strategy defining how AiBST captures, curates, stores,
shares, and applies knowledge.
❖ Develop implementation and governance structures
❖ Build internal capacity through a validation and training workshop.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of work
The consultant is required to undertake the following-
• To carry out a diagnosis/assessment of the knowledge and information management
capacities of AiBST to assess the current state of Knowledge Management in the
organization. This assessment must identify the processes, infrastructure, and human
resources available to researchers in addition to their knowledge and skills in terms of
knowledge management.
• Systematically capture lessons, best practices, research outputs, and
implementation experiences across AiBST programs related to Knowledge
Management.
• Develop a KM strategy framework that can ensure improvement in the creation,
acquisition, storage, transfer, utilization, and dissemination of knowledge within AIBST
and among its stakeholders, including its sub-grantees, network partners and target
audiences.
• Consolidate the existing intellectual property policy document to produce a
comprehensive knowledge management strategy
• Standardize knowledge management systems and processes - Establish clear
frameworks, tools, and guidelines for knowledge generation, storage, and use and
dissemination.
o Identify and recommend appropriate knowledge management tools and
technologies, including relevant and cost-effective digital tools or systems that can
enhance effective knowledge management of AiBST;
o Provide framework for the development and utilization of digital tools and
repositories to improve access to knowledge products and sharing.
• Propose a phased implementation roadmap, including milestones, responsibilities,
estimated resources, change management approach, etc,
• Provide a training to AIBST staff with an aim of comprehending and implementing the
Strategy. These are orientation sessions to ensure that the strategy is mainstreamed
across all departments, and it can be operationalized
Qualifications and Experience
Required Qualifications
The Consultant will be required to provide evidence of having successfully completed similar
assignments and have the following minimum qualifications and attributes:
• Master’s degree in Knowledge Management, Information Science, Organizational
Management, Development Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences or
other fields related to the scope of the assignment.
• At least 7 years of proven knowledge management or technical advisory experience in
Knowledge management.
• Proven experience with similar assignments - developing at least 2 knowledge
management strategies/policies or frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience working with international organizations, NGOs,
government institutions, or development agencies.
• Understanding of research workflows, laboratory knowledge flows, and scientific data
management
• Familiarity with KM tools and digital platforms
• Excellent English report writing and communication skills.
• Proven experience facilitating training on knowledge management or related fields
within development/research institutions.
• Experience in the specific sector of health is an added advantage.
6. Modalities of Delivery
The Consultant is expected to work from his/her own office virtually. The consultant will have
access to relevant information necessary to carry out the tasks planned. The consultant will
be required to provide their own workstation (laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and
have access to a reliable internet connection.
The development of the KM Strategy will draw heavily on primary data collected via various
means such as survey, group discussions, and interviews with key stakeholders, and
secondary data from desk review. The analysis of this data is expected to inform the
formulation of a knowledge management strategy with an associated action plan. The
knowledge management strategy should include an identification of the relevant tools key to
disseminating knowledge.
• The consultant is expected to carry out a diagnosis/assessment of the knowledge and
information management capacities of AiBST. This assessment must identify the
processes, infrastructure, and human resources available to researchers in addition to
their knowledge and skills in terms of knowledge management.
• The assessment is expected to inform the formulation of a knowledge management
strategy with an associated action plan. The knowledge management strategy should
include an identification of the relevant tools key to disseminating knowledge.
This consultancy will also include the provision of technical support as part of the knowledge
management strategy development process, to facilitate the presentation of knowledge in
formats that are suitable for its dissemination to diverse target groups
How to Apply
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Selection Process
The consultant will be selected based on an assessment of both the technical proposal and
the financial offer. The Consultant should be ready to undergo a one-on-one video
conferencing assessment should need be, as part of the technical evaluation process. The
EOI should include as a minimum:
• A proposal responding to the points in this ToR, with reference list of at least 3 previous
similar assignments. A time plan in accordance with the table in point 3 above should
be included. Candidates are welcome and even encouraged to propose a different
process/timeline should other models be considered more effective or complete. The
proposal should not exceed 5 pages.
• A copy of Curriculum Vitae (CV) for the individual(s) conducting the consultancy.
• A financial offer with a detailed breakdown of costs, disclosing all relevant budget
items for completing this assignment.
The deadline for submission is 17 April 2026 at 1700CAT.
The proposal together with the requested documents above is to be sent to the following e-
mail address: submissions@aibst.edu.zw . The e-mail and all documents are to be marked
with “Knowledge Management Strategy Framework for AIBST”
