TOR – Technical Report Reviewer

Short term consultancy for a technical reviewer of a report on the role of the African Development Bank in delivering renewable energy investments in Africa

1. Introduction

Christian Aid is an international development organization working globally with partners to implement integrated and innovative programs to end poverty by addressing the underlying causes. Christian Aid’s mission is to tackle the symptoms and root causes of poverty, challenge power structures which put people in poverty and deprive them of dignity and speak truth to power by building the voice and agency of communities to speak for themselves.

Our work to ensure that provision of reliable, affordable, renewable energy access for all is a key part of that, as energy is seen as an enabler for people to access a whole range of human rights including education, healthcare, and work opportunities. Our goal is ensuring transformative policies, practices, and investments (including investment policies and choices of financial institutions) that support a rapid shift away from fossil fuel dependency towards sustainable renewable energy alternatives, while guaranteeing universal access to clean and affordable renewable energy services.

The fossil fuel industry benefits from a range of subsidies by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), while financial flows to fossil fuels remain high across the world. Shifting public finance provided by national, regional, and global institutions will ultimately lead to a transformation of the global energy system from one based on fossil fuels to one rooted in renewable energy. In Africa it will allow energy policy to expand energy access to the poorest and more remote communities more cheaply and efficiently through distributed renewable energy while respecting human rights and promoting gender equality. We are working towards the overall goal of achieving secure, affordable, and sustainable renewable energy access for all by 2030, in line with SDG7, Agenda 2063 and the Paris Agreement.

To understand better the impact of AfDB and other MDBs’ investment in renewable energy, phase out of fossil fuels and enable evidence-based policy engagement, Christian Aid is analysing the role of AfDB investment in renewable energy showcasing the socio-economic benefits of investing in distributed renewable energy in ways that respect human rights, end energy poverty, and put the world on 1.5-degree pathway. The analysis will help inform Christian Aid and partners’ engagement with AfDB and other Multi-lateral Development Banks at national, regional and global levels in advocating for increased investment of public finance in renewable energy.

Christian Aid is therefore seeking a short-term consultant with knowledge of operations of development finance Institutions to review a report on the role of AfDB in delivering renewable energy investments in Africa.

2. Overall Objective

The purpose of this short-term consultancy is to review and analyze a report detailing AfDB financial flows and mechanisms to renewable energy and fossil fuels between 2015 and 2023.

The scope of work and specific tasks of this consultancy are:

1. Review an existing report on ‘the role of AfDB in delivering renewable energy investments in Africa’ for accuracy
2. Incorporate and interpret findings of data on bank projects between 2015 and 2023 into the report
3. Ensure the report copy and format are as agreed upon

3. Outputs and Deliverables

1. A reviewed and copy-edited report.

2. At most three meetings with a team from Christian Aid.

   Time frame

The assignment will require a level of effort not exceeding 7 working days from the date of signing the contract.

1. Consultant’s Profile

The consultant must have the following qualifications and experience to be eligible for this assignment:

1. Master’s degree in public finance, development communication, development studies, or other relevant social science with at least five years of experience in the field

2. A high level of understanding of operations of development finance institutions

3. Experience undertaking advocacy with Development Finance Institutions, preferably the African Development Bank

4. Experience developing or undertaking peer review for similar reports or briefs.

5. Excellent professional English writing skills

   Ethics and Safeguarding

It is the responsibility of the consultant (s) to strictly adhere to Christian Aid’s Safeguarding Policy. The consultant has the responsibility to ensure that any persons hired, used, or consulted during the process are made familiar with the policy and commit to abide by it during execution of this work. The consultant (s) must sign the policy prior to engagement in the assignment.

The application document required are as follows:

1. A cover letter outlining how the consultant meets the selection criteria
2. A CV of an individual consultant with a clear profile aligned to the ToR
3. Links or reports of assignments of similar nature undertaken by consultant
4. A daily rate in USD
5. Names and contact information of at least three references who can be contacted regarding relevant experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.