The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) seeks to commission an independent evaluation of its public sector project portfolio comprising 69 projects approved between 2020 and 2025, with total financing of approximately US$2.67 billion. The assessment responds to evidence indicating gaps between expected development outcomes and actual performance, including implementation delays, slow disbursement, and underachievement of intended results.
Purpose of the Evaluation
The evaluation aims to:
- Assess the extent to which the portfolio is achieving its intended development objectives and outcomes.
- Examine the validity of project appraisal assumptions, theories of change, and development impact estimates.
- Identify the root causes of project implementation delays, slow disbursement, and performance gaps.
- Generate lessons learned and good practices.
- Recommend practical and prioritized actions to improve the performance of ongoing projects and strengthen the design and implementation of future operations.
Scope of Work
The evaluation will cover all 69 public sector projects approved during 2020-2025, including completed, ongoing, and non-disbursing projects. While the entire portfolio will be reviewed, approximately 20-30 projects will be selected for in-depth assessment using a representative sample across sectors, countries, project sizes, and performance categories.
Key areas of assessment include:
- Achievement of development results and outcomes.
- Quality of project design and appraisal processes.
- Project implementation performance.
- Efficiency of resource utilization.
- Portfolio management practices.
- Sustainability of project benefits.
- Lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.
Evaluation Approach
The evaluation will adopt a mixed-methods methodology, combining quantitative portfolio analysis with qualitative assessments. Activities will include:
- Portfolio and project document review.
- Analysis of performance, disbursement, and implementation data.
- Key informant interviews and stakeholder consultations.
- Comparative and root-cause analysis.
- Case studies of selected projects.
- Validation and triangulation of findings.
Consultant Profile
The assignment will be undertaken by an individual consultant with extensive experience in evaluation of development projects, programs, or portfolios. The consultant may engage supporting experts where necessary, while retaining full responsibility for the quality and delivery of all outputs. Required expertise includes evaluation methodologies, portfolio and project performance assessment, development finance, data analysis, and results-based management.
Intended Use of the Evaluation
The evaluation findings will support BADEA’s Management, Board, operational departments, and country partners in:
- Improving project implementation and portfolio performance.
- Strengthening project design and appraisal practices.
- Enhancing monitoring and results measurement systems.
- Informing future investment decisions and operational policies.
- Increasing the development effectiveness of BADEA’s public sector operations.
Interested individual consultants are invited to submit their curriculum vitae (CVs), along with evidence of relevant experience in carrying out similar assignments, to the Development Effectiveness Evaluation Office of BADEA via email at wadi.yousif@badea.org for consideration for shortlisting.