Development of NSDS in South Africa

SADC SECRETARIAT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION)

COUNTRY: Botswana

NAME OF PROJECT: REGIONAL STATISTICS PROJECT (RSP)

PROJECT ID: P175731

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICS (NSDS) OF SOUTH AFRICA- BW-SADC-563161-CS-INDV

REFERENCE NUMBER: SADC/3/5/2/460

DATE OF ISSUE: 9 September 2026

The SADC Secretariat, through the Regional Statistics Project (RSP) (P175731), has received grant financing from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank. The Project Development Objective is to strengthen the institutional capacity of SADC to produce, disseminate and use quality statistics while increasing regional harmonisation and collaboration. Under the Project, SADC is implementing Component 1: Harmonisation, Quality and Dissemination of Core Social and Economic Statistics.

In view of the above, the SADC Secretariat is undertaking several interventions aimed at strengthening the SADC Regional Statistical System (SRSS) and enhancing the production, quality, harmonisation, dissemination and use of regional statistics. These interventions include technical assistance and capacity building activities in priority statistical areas, including poverty statistics, statistical software and data processing, survey methodologies, national accounts, environment and climate change statistics, statistical communication, quality assurance and harmonised regional statistical guidelines.

The SADC Secretariat intends to apply part of the proceeds of the grant towards the consulting services to coordinate and compile a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) for South Africa, in support of the objectives of the Regional Statistics Project.

The SADC Secretariate invites submissions from suitably qualified and interested individual consultants to conduct the training, recruited as individual consultants following World Bank Procurement Regulations dated September 2023.

Title: Individual Consultancy to Develop the National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS) of South Africa (1 Position)

Accountable: Senior Officer, Research and Statistics

Duration of Assignment: 180 Calendar Days

The Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of this consultancy is to support National Statistical offices (NSOs) on strategic and policy aspects pertaining to Official Statistics to strengthen governance and provide strategic direction ensuring fulfillment of its mandate in the development process at national and international level.

Specific objectives

The specific objective of this consultancy is to develop a draft NSDS for South Africa as a guiding policy framework for coordination and implementation of statistics in support of national priorities and responsive to regional, continental and global agendas. The NSDS also need to cater for specific issues such as advocacy, communication, gender mainstreaming, cybersecurity, results-based framework, innovative data sources and others relevant.

Expected results

The consultant is expected to achieve the following results in the following as part of drafting the NSDS:

Assessment and review of the existing policy and strategic frameworks identifying gaps and challenges amongst others with a defined and well-structured stakeholders engagement plan;

ii. Identification of specific and impactful recommendations with justification for implementation towards drafting of the NSDS and its strategic focus areas and discussion within the governance structure for consideration; and iii. Detailed explanation of the strategic focus areas with a results-based monitoring & evaluation framework aligned to national and international priorities/commitments. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

This assignment is expected to be carried out by an individual consultant expert and should be an expert in strategic and policy formulation in Official Statistics. The specific profile is provided below:

Qualifications and Skills

A minimum of a Degree in Statistics, Economics or related field. A Master’s Degree those having a PhD in the same field shall be an added advantage.

General Professional Experience

The Expert Must have at least ten (10) years of experience in statistical coordination of statistical systems at the highest level.

Specific Professional Experience

At least 5 years of experience of leading a statistics department at national, regional, continental or global level; Demonstrated experience in at least 2 exercises of coordinating the development and implementation, of policy frameworks guiding statistical functions in statistics such as NSDS and related; Demonstrated Experience on undertaking high-level activities pertaining to advocacy, gender mainstreaming, communication, innovative data sources, cybersecurity and applying results-based monitoring & evaluation within the national statistical system.

Duration of the assignment

The Individual Consultant will be recruited for 180 Calander Days.

Facilities to be provided by the Client

For the expert working on this consultancy, the Contracting Authority shall facilitate for visa entry in South Africa, if required.

Location of Employment

The assignment may involve traveling to Pretoria, South Africa.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection Method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Mode of Application

Interested Individuals Consultants meeting the stated requirements should submit their Expressions of interest including updated detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) and copies of professional certificates must be delivered in a written form