Terms of Reference Individual consulting services for the development of Cost-Recovery Policy and Guidelines for an ACBF partner institution-African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology
Consultancy, Research Jobs
Job Description
1. 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 Foundation), 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 of
Cost-Recovery Policy and Guidelines for AIBST Foundation, 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 main objective of the consultancy is to assess the partner institution’s finance and
budgetary methodologies in view of developing a comprehensive cost recovery framework
and cost allocation toolkit (policy, model, and guidelines) that allows the institution to visualise
the actual financial impact of its activities and make better and informed decision-making.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specifically, the consultant is required to undertake the following-
• Review the current cost recovery framework, relevant financial policy documents, key
processes, and major cost drivers to understand how the institution classifies and
apportions costs across activities.
• Develop the appropriate cost definitions and classifications and recommend
appropriate cost-recovery rates using international best practice.
• Develop cost allocation toolkit that will aid the institution in aallocating costs that are
incurred to the proper appropriations and funding accounts.
• Use appropriate methodology (“work distribution study”, interviews, etc.) to estimate
cost of personnel time and other resources required for effective project management
activities.
• Develop and document the principles and methodologies for cost recovery and
guidelines that ensure that all eligible costs associated with project management
activities are properly captured.
• Develop and document the rationale for the cost allocation method.
• Bench mark the cost recovery rates calculated and assess if they are too low or too
high. Develop and recommend practical strategies for either outcome including
rationalization, and management of costs.
• Training of relevant staff members on the cost recovery with a Training of Trainers
(ToT) approach as well as develop tools which can be updated in the future.
Qualifications and Experience
Technical Expertise Required
The Consultant will be required to provide evidence of having successfully completed similar
assignments and have the following minimum qualifications and attributes:
• Advanced university degree in business, finance, accounting, or a professional
accounting qualification certificate from an internationally recognized institute of
accountancy.
• At least 10 (ten) years’ experiences in financial analysis, business analysis,
accounting or related field in a government, public sector, or non-profit environment.
• Experience in internationally applicable costing methodologies which include, Cost
Accounting or Cost/Price Estimating based on at least 3 (three) previous assignments
carried out in the last 7 (seven) years.
• Proven experience in financial policy and procedures formulation preferably in a
consultancy setting in multiple organizations.
• Ability to actively engage key leaders throughout the process to ensure buy-in of
internal stakeholders.
• Strong writing and presentation skills demonstrated in the application documents.
• Experience in training and coaching teams
Other modalities
• Shortlisted candidates will be expected to deliver a presentation on the proposed
methodology and workplan as part of the assessment process
• The contracted Consultant is expected to work from his/her own office. 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.
5. Remuneration
The Expert will be contracted at lumpsum amount to be agreed on. This is inclusive of the
fees due to the supporting partner if applying as a team
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 proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs, disclosing all relevant budget
items for completing this assignment. Your final proposal should be passworded.
Your financial proposal should be informed by deliverables – use table 1 to
prepare your financial proposal .
The deadline for submission is 17 April 2026 at 1700CAT.
The proposals together with the requested documents above is to be sent to the following e-
mail address: submission@aibst.edu.zw . The e-mail and all documents are to be marked
with subject “Cost-Recovery Policy and Guidelines-AIBST
