1. Background
1.1 About ACBF
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) was established in 1991 to build sustainable human and institutional capacity in support of Africa’s development. ACBF strengthens capacity development across the continent through investments in capacity building, knowledge sharing, and technical assistance to countries, as well as regional and sub-regional organizations.
ACBF’s approach focuses on identifying and addressing capacity gaps while ensuring stakeholder ownership, sustainability of interventions, and alignment with other development funding institutions. The Foundation is a product of collaboration between African governments and the international funding partners and community.
As the African Union’s Specialized Agency for Capacity Development, ACBF’s mission is to secure Africa’s future by building sustainable human and institutional capacity to drive economic growth, enhance governance, and foster long- term sustainable development
1.2 About the project
ACBF is implementing a project aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of six Africa-based institutions specializing in biomedical research and development. This investment is driven by the challenges in drug research and vaccine development in Africa, which were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project underscores the urgent need to enhance Africa’s sovereignty in drug research and vaccine development. Through this initiative, ACBF seeks to fortify these institutions by strengthening their institutional capacity and advancing skills development, ensuring they are better equipped to fulfil their mandate effectively.
ACBF has identified the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology (AiBST), a biomedical institute for biomedical research and education, which combines scientific discovery with real-world solutions to transform healthcare on the continent, as one of the beneficiary institutions of the project. AiBST is based in Harare, Zimbabwe
2. Objective of the assignment
The overall objective of this assignment is to develop a resource mobilization Strategy for AiBST, that will consider the current global funding landscape, identify new actors, explore new funding modalities, and outline a strategic approach to leveraging existing and new funding partnerships and initiatives.
The Strategy will provide recommendations on how to diversify AiBST’s financial resource base while effectively utilizing available resources. The Strategy is critical in effectively implementing the Institute’s strategic planning and securing its long-term sustainability.
Scope of work
Specifically, the consultant is required to undertake the following-
- Review AiBST’s history, Strategy; work plan; project proposals, products, and funding models to better understand the needs, identify funding gaps and help position the organization for sustainable resource mobilization.
- Consult with the AiBST team to understand the organization's vision, mission, and focus areas.
- Conduct a mapping for current funding partners and develop strategies for expanding current funding initiatives.
- Map out similar biomedical organizations in Africa and highlight funding partners and possibility of partnerships with AiBST
- Conduct a comprehensive analysis of potential funding partners based on geographic and thematic interest and assess the feasibility of securing multiyear and thematic funding.
- Map funders' strategic areas of interest and explore opportunities for partnerships from emerging funders.
- Develop a plan to engage new funder groups (traditional and non-traditional) and effectively re-engage existing funders.
- Develop funding strategies inclusive of objectives for fundraising, methods, and focus (bilateral, private sector, public funding, foundations, including innovative financing initiatives and mechanisms to stabilize the flow of funds, with a focus on both traditional and non-traditional funding sources.
- Provide strategies for AiBST to structure service offerings and including pricing of services as part of funding diversification.
- Recommend strategies to streamline internal processes that link to resource management and financial sustainability including prioritization, planning and coordination of resource utilization. Assess AiBST’s internal capabilities and structures and propose strategies for alignment with an effective and efficient institutional resource mobilization model.
- Training of key AiBST Staff in preparation of bankable project proposals and any related skills necessary for the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
3. Key Deliverables and timelines
The assignment is expected to be conducted in 30 working days stretched over 2 months covering June and July 2025. The expected end date is 30 July 2025. The key deliverables are as follows.
Table 1: Key deliverables and Timelines
| Key deliverables | Completion Timelines | |
| Preparation and presentation of an Inception Report to AiBST summarizing the consultant’s understanding of the scope of work, deliverables, and a detailed work plan including tasks, duration, start and finish dates. | 4 days | |
| A comprehensive resource mobilization strategy that fully responds to the scope of work in section 2, including the situation analysis, a critical analysis of past fundraising experience, exploration of future opportunities and strategies, and detailed workflow and plan on how AiBST will raise funds to support the achievement of its key results. | 15 days | |
| An annex that maps funding partners’ interests, priorities, funding windows, typical funding amounts, focal points, and points to clear actions that should be taken to mobilize funds and develop/maintain relationships with donors. | 5 days | |
| A capacity building and skills development plan for key staff in mobilizing and leveraging resources and developing and maintaining partnerships. | 4 days | |
| Training of key Staff in preparation of bankable project proposals and any related skills necessary for the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy. (The scope and specificities of the training required will depend on what is agreed as a priority between the service provider and AiBST, also taking account of resource availability) | 2 days |
****NOTE: Your financial proposal should be aligned with the table above
4. Technical Expertise Required
The Consultant will have the demonstrated capability of developing resource mobilization/ fundraising and partnership building strategies.
The Consultant will be required to provide evidence of having successfully completed similar assignments and have the following minimum qualifications and attributes:
- An advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Development, Planning, Business Administration, Communication, or any other related field
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the global health and development landscape, and familiarity and/or experience with global health institutions, as well as the global challenges initiative are an added advantage
- Proven experience in the development sector, particularly the health sector, preferably in fundraising, resource mobilization or partnership building ideally including proposal and report writing, in the African context.
- Experienced in developing Resource Mobilization and strategic partnership Strategies for Not for Profit Regional and International Organizations is required.
- Good analytical, coherent, clear documentation/report writing skills.
- Good communication and facilitation skills.
- Proficiency in English.
5. Renumeration
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.
The Consultant is required to declare if they will tackle this assignment with the support of a partner and provide the technical qualifications and credentials of this partner.
ACBF will cover the costs of travel for a maximum of two members, where travel is required, and this cost should not be included in the financial proposal to be submitted by the Consultant.
6. Evaluation Criteria
The selection method for this assignment is individual consultant selection. The technical evaluation committee shall evaluate the technical Proposals, CVs and experience based on their responsiveness to the Terms of Reference, with a minimum technical score required being 80 Points specified below.
Table 2: Evaluation & Selection Criteria
| CRITERIA | POINTS | |
| Overall Experience of Consultant and demonstrated results |
20 | |
| Consultant’s experience as it relates to the academic and professional qualifications required for the assignment. | ||
| Consultant’s experience sought as stipulated in the RFP - demonstration of evidence of experience, relevance and quality of results achieved, most preferably/ in Scientific Research /Health institutions in Africa, and any other relevant credentials | 30 | |
Strategic Planning Approach Technical and Strategic strength of the proposed approach and methodology in undertaking the assignment, including the demonstrated understanding of the assignment as well as capacity to undertake it within specified/acceptable timelines. |
30 | |
Innovation The extent to which the proposal offers unique and innovative solutions that address the needs and objectives of AiBST - with clear demonstration of efficiency and effectiveness in the undertaking of the assignment |
20 | |
| Total points | 100 |
A technical proposal shall be rejected at this stage if it does not respond to important aspects of the Terms of Reference or if it fails to achieve the minimum technical score indicated. The minimum technical score required to pass is: 80 Points.
At financial evaluation, the most competitive financial proposal will be selected. The consultant should detail how their payments are structured and any related terms thereof.
- 4. Submission & 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. 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.
- A copy of Curriculum Vitae (CV) for the individual conducting the consultancy.
- A financial offer with a detailed breakdown of costs, disclosing all relevant budget items for completing this assignment. The financial proposal should be as per guide in Table 1 and must be encrypted with a password.
5. Location and working arrangements.
This assignment will be predominantly carried out remotely. The Consultant will be given access to the relevant information required to carry out the tasks set out in this assignment. The consultant will be required to provide his/her own workstation (laptop, Internet, telephone, scanner/printer, etc.) and have access to a reliable Internet connection.
AiBST, in collaboration with ACBF, will review draft reports for quality assurance and provide feedback on the deliverables. Approval of the documents and reports by AiBST as deliverables will be a prerequisite before any payment to be made to the consultant.
Language
All reports and documents must be presented in English.
6. Interested consultants are requested to submit their bid with the subject marked RFP Process No.: ACBF/REOI/004/25/SPIA/AiBST “Resource Mobilization Strategy for AiBST” to email address submission@theacbf.org or before 17.00 hours (local Harare time), on 23rd May 2025
