Harmonised Prices Statistics Guidelines

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 REVISE AND UPDATE THE SADC HARMONISED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX METHODS AND PROCEDURES IN SADC REGION; BW-SADC-563158-CS-INDV

REFERENCE NUMBER: SADC/3/5/2/470

DATE OF ISSUE: 29 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 revise and update the SADC Harmonised Consumer price Index Methods and Procedures in SADC region , 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 revise and update the SADC Harmonised Consumer price Index Methods and Procedures in SADC Region (1 Position)

Accountable: Senior Officer, Research and Statistics

Duration of Assignment: 90 Calendar Days

The Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of this exercise is to revise and update the Manual “Harmonised Consumer Price Index Methods and Procedures in SADC Region”.

Specific objectives

The specific objective of this assignment is to revise and update the SADC Harmonised Consumer Price Index (HCPI) Methods and Procedures Manual to ensure consistency with current national CPI compilation practices, incorporate emerging methodological developments and international recommendations, address issues and recommendations identified by Member States during the review process, and strengthen the harmonisation, comparability, and quality of consumer price statistics across the SADC region. In addition, they are also intended to be applied or used as a tool for undertaking subsequent methodological reviews and training in the region as part of sustainable capacity building.

Expected results

The consultant is expected to achieve the following results in the following chronological order: Inception report, detailing preliminary findings, approach/methodology for the task, a work plan, gaps identified, and remedial action to be taken to fill the gaps. The structure of the revised methodological document in terms of a draft table of content should also be provided at this stage; Draft Harmonized SADC HCPI methods and procedures, including scope of work as stated at Section 3 in this TOR and agreed issues in inception report; and Final version of Harmonised Consumer Price Index Methods and Procedures in SADC Region including Validation workshop report documenting inputs from Member States and Secretariat for amending in final report.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

This assignment is expected to be carried out by a consultant with in-depth knowledge in consumer price indices. The specific profile is provided below:

Qualifications and Skills A minimum of a Degree in statistics, economics or related field. A Master’s degree and above shall be an advantage. Written and oral fluency in the English language is essential. Knowledge of French and Portuguese would be an asset. Excellent oral and written communication, analytical, presentation and report writing skills in English Language. Excellent time management and organizational skills to prioritize workload and deliver needful during the training week.

General Professional Experience The Consultant must have at least 15 years of specific experience in undertaking and managing statistical functions in the area of prices statistics.

Specific Professional Experience At least ten (10) years’ experience in collection, production, dissemination, revision of weights, and rebasing of HCPI at national/international level; Demonstrated experience in the development of HCPI guidelines and tools at national/international level; Experience in undertaking at least three (3) technical assistance/capacity building in the area of HCPI in developing countries, preferably in Africa, as a resource person.

Duration of the assignment

The Individual Consultant will be recruited for 90 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 is commissioned by the SADC Secretariat based in Gaborone, Botswana. However, this Assignment will primarily be executed through desk research and virtually. Therefore, there will be no travelling to the SADC Secretariat offices in Gaborone, Botswana.

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