Individual Consultant (IC) perform the consultancy services to develop harmonized guidelines on use of GIS to estimate agriculture production, urbanization and environmental degradation. — Eastern Africa Regional Statistics Program-for-Results

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT) Name of Project: Eastern Africa Regional Statistics Program-for-Results (EARSPforR) Grant No : P176371 Assignment Title: Individual Consultant (IC) to perform the Consultancy services to Develop of Guidelines for Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Estimate Agricultural Production, Urbanisation and Environmental Degradation in Africa. Reference No . TN-STATAFRIC-AUC-546829-CS-INDV. Background Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide a powerful spatial framework for analyzing, modelling, and predicting changes in agriculture, urban expansion, and environmental degradation. In the recent past, there has been an increase in demand for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial statistics to support evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development planning in Africa. This growing demand offers an opportunity to improve the quality of data generated from these sources, to enhance the production of official statistics and monitoring development indicators across the continent. Agricultural transformation, rapid urbanisation and environmental degradation are three interlinked phenomena which are rapidly evolving and has structural challenges which require high-quality and spatially disaggregated data. These phenomena have profound implications on food security, economic development, climate resilience, and sustainable land management. Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in integration with Remote Sensing (RS), Earth Observation (EO) data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), offer transformative potential to address these data gaps challenges. To reap the full benefits and to increase adoption and use of these technologies, there’s need of harmonized reference documents which should adhere to international standards and recommendations. It is with this backdrop that the African Union seeks to recruit an individual consultant to develop continental guidelines that provide methodological, technical, institutional, governance, and operational guidance on the effective use of GIS in estimating agricultural production, urbanisation, and environmental degradation indicators. The guidelines are expected to support countries, National Statistical Offices (NSOs), Ministries of Agriculture, Ministries of Environment, urban planning institutions, regional organisations, and development partners in strengthening geospatial statistical systems in Africa. Objectives of the assignment The overall objective of this assignment is to develop practical guidelines that enable NSOs, RECs and other institutions/organizations in Africa to apply GIS technologies to the estimate and monitor agricultural production, urbanization, and environmental degradation. The specific objectives are to Review the existing international frameworks, methodologies, tools, and practices for GIS and remote sensing applications in the three thematic areas. Assess the current state of GIS adoption in African national statistical systems, identifying existing capacities, infrastructure gaps, data access constraints, and institutional barriers. Develop step-by-step, Africa-specific guidelines for the application of GIS to estimate agricultural production, urban growth patterns, and environmental degradation indicators; The guidelines should be tailored so that the implementation fits countries at different stages of statistical capacity (basic, intermediate, and advanced tiers). Develop recommendations for integrating GIS-based estimates into official statistical production processes at national and regional levels; and Develop supporting tools, templates, capacity building, and a assessment instrument for NSOs. Duration and Timeline The Individual Consultant (IC) is expected to produce a guideline document within 90 days from the date of signing the consultancy services contract. Reporting and supervision The Individual Consultant (IC) will work remotely with STATAFRIC staff and will provide regular updates according to the agreed timeline. The contract is proposed under the following terms and conditions: The duration of this contract is three months . The consultant is expected to send an updated C.V and a methodological note about the understanding of the entire assignment. Timeframe Activity Deliverables/ Outputs Anticipated Duration (Days) Defining the consultant’s approach to delivering the guideline. Methodological report outlining the consultant’s approach to undertaking this consultancy. This should be after the submission of an inception report. 10 days Development of guideline. Assessment report and outline of the guideline. 20 days Draft of the guideline. 30 days stakeholders’ consultations and validation report with feedback on the draft guideline 10 days Report for in-person presentation of the updated guidelines to STATAFRIC and other stakeholders 10 days Finalized guideline. 10 days Required Qualifications and Experience The Individual Consultant (IC) must have at least a master’s degree in Geospatial Sciences, Remote Sensing, Geography, Environmental Science, Agricultural Sciences, Statistics, or a related field. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in GIS, remote sensing, and/or geospatial statistics, with demonstrated application to at least two of the three thematic areas (agriculture, urbanisation, environmental monitoring). Proven experience working with or supporting National Statistical Offices, national mapping agencies, or regional statistical bodies, preferably in Africa. Demonstrated experience in developing methodological guidelines or technical manuals related to GIS and remote sensing. Hands-on experience with GIS software platforms (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS, GRASS GIS) and cloud-based geospatial platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine, Digital Earth Africa). Knowledge of international statistical standards and frameworks relevant to GIS-based statistics (UN-GGIM, FAO WCA, SDG geospatial indicators, UNCCD LDN). Experience facilitating stakeholder consultations and technical workshops. Demonstrated effective, oral, written communication skills and able to write concise and understandable reports for decision-makers. Knowledge of Africa's statistical landscape, regional economic communities, and monetary integration frameworks is a strong asset. Language proficiency in at least one of the AU languages (Arabic, English, French or Portuguese). Evaluation Criteria The Candidate shall be evaluated based on the following criteria: Evaluation Criteria General experience: 10% Use the general experience indicated in the ToR Specific experience: 40% Use the Specific experience indicated in the ToR Qualifications: 25 % Use the qualification indicated in the ToR Methodological note: 15 % Understanding the stipulated tasks in the ToR and the entire assignment. Language: 10 % The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest. The African Union Commission now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Individual Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. 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” July 2016, revised November 2020 (“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. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 0900 to 1700 hours. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form following the above shortlisting criteria to the address below (in person, or by mail) before 06th August 2026 at 15:00 Hours Local Time, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Only submitted Expression of Interests (EoIs) mentioning the reference number “ TN-STATAFRIC - AUC-546829-CS-INDV “ in the subject field of the e-mail, will be considered. African Union Commission, Attn: Head, Supply Chain Management Division - Operations Support Services Directorate Building C, 3rd Floor, P.O Box 3243, Roosevelt Street Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 7700 – Ext 4305 Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 0442; +251 11-551-0430 E-mails: tender@africanunion.org Terms of Reference Individual Consultant (IC) to perform the Consultancy Services to Develop Guidelines for Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Estimate Agricultural Production, Urbanisation and Environmental Degradation in Africa. Background Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide a powerful spatial framework for analyzing, modelling, and predicting changes in agriculture, urban expansion, and environmental degradation. In the recent past, there has been an increase in demand for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial statistics to support evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development planning in Africa. This growing demand offers an opportunity to improve the quality of data generated from these sources, to enhance the production of official statistics and monitoring development indicators across the continent. Agricultural transformation, rapid urbanisation and environmental degradation are three interlinked phenomena which are rapidly evolving and has structural challenges which require high-quality and spatially disaggregated data. These phenomena have profound implications on food security, economic development, climate resilience, and sustainable land management. Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in integration with Remote Sensing (RS), Earth Observation (EO) data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), offer transformative potential to address these data gaps challenges. To reap the full benefits and to increase adoption and use of these technologies, there’s need of harmonized reference documents which should adhere to international standards and recommendations. It is with this backdrop that the African Union seeks to recruit an individual consultant to develop continental guidelines that provide methodological, technical, institutional, governance, and operational guidance on the effective use of GIS in estimating agricultural production, urbanisation, and environmental degradation indicators. The guidelines are expected to support countries, National Statistical Offices (NSOs), Ministries of Agriculture, Ministries of Environment, urban planning institutions, regional organisations, and development partners in strengthening geospatial statistical systems in Africa. Objectives of the assignment The overall objective of this assignment is to develop practical guidelines that enable NSOs, RECs and other institutions/organizations in Africa to apply GIS technologies to the estimate and monitor agricultural production, urbanization, and environmental degradation. The specific objectives are to Review the existing international frameworks, methodologies, tools, and practices for GIS and remote sensing applications in the three thematic areas; Assess the current state of GIS adoption in African national statistical systems, identifying existing capacities, infrastructure gaps, data access constraints, and institutional barriers; Develop step-by-step, Africa-specific guidelines for the application of GIS to estimate agricultural production, urban growth patterns, and environmental degradation indicators; The guidelines should be tailored so that the implementation fits countries at different stages of statistical capacity (basic, intermediate, and advanced tiers). Develop recommendations for integrating GIS-based estimates into official statistical production processes at national and regional levels; and Develop supporting tools, templates, capacity building, and an assessment instrument for NSOs. Specific Tasks The consultant shall undertake the following tasks; Task (i): Inception, Methodology and Landscape Analysis; Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing international guidelines, handbooks, methodologies, and standards related to GIS/Remote Sensing applications in agricultural statistics, urban monitoring, and environmental assessment, including those produced by FAO, UN-GGIM, UNECA, UN-Habitat, UNEP, World Bank, and the Global Strategy for Improvement of Agricultural and Rural Statistics. Map ongoing GIS-based data collection initiatives across Africa including Earth Observation programmes, land use and land cover mapping projects, and national geospatial data infrastructures Undertake a survey to assess the capacity of NSOs and RECs to adopt and institutionalize GIS-based statistical methods, covering software, hardware, human resources, data access, and legal frameworks. A representative sample of countries will be drawn for this survey spread across all RECs and with a mix of NSOs with different statistical capacities. Task (ii): Stakeholder Consultations: Conduct structured consultations with key stakeholders, including NSOs, ministries of agriculture, environment and urban development, RECs, national mapping and cadastral agencies, space agencies, academic institutions, and development partners operating in the geospatial domain. Task (iii): Development of the GIS Guidelines; Develop comprehensive guidelines aligned with the work of Specialized Technical Groups (STGs) and organize around three thematic pillars, with cross-cutting sections on foundational principles and institutional requirements. The guidelines shall cover, at minimum, the following: Foundational Framework; Conceptual and Institutional Foundations: Introduction to GIS, Remote Sensing, and Earth Observation for statistical purposes, role of GIS in the National Statistical System (NSS) and National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), international standards, Legal and ethical considerations, Governance and coordination mechanisms. Data Sources (prioritize open sources) and Infrastructure. Capacity and Institutional Readiness. GIS for Agricultural Production Estimation; Conceptual Framework: Definitions, the role of GIS in the agricultural statistics value chain, Integration with the World Programme for the Census of Agriculture (WCA 2020) and the Global Strategy for Agricultural Statistics. Estimation of crop Area, yield and production. Agricultural Sampling Frames. Disaster and Climate Risk Assessment for Agriculture. GIS for Urbanisation Estimation and Monitoring; Conceptual Framework: Definitions, International standards: UN statistical definition of cities and human settlements; Degree of Urbanisation (DEGURBA) methodology. Zoning, land use and change analysis. Population Distribution and Density Estimation. Urban Infrastructure and Services Mapping. GIS for Environmental Degradation Monitoring; Conceptual Framework: Environmental degradation categories in Africa, international monitoring frameworks Land cover changes and deforestation. Soil Erosion modelling, land degradation, desertification and dryland Monitoring. Water and air Quality and Pollution Monitoring. Quality Assurance, Dissemination, and Institutionalisation Accuracy Assessment and Validation Metadata Standards and Documentation Data Dissemination and Visualisation Institutionalisation and Sustainability Task (iv): Development of Supporting Tools and Templates. Task (v): Validation and Finalisation. Deliverables Methodological Report: A detailed report outlining the methodology to be used to undertake this consultancy and a stakeholder engagement strategy. This should be after submission of an inception report outlining the consultant's understanding of the assignment with a work plan, deliverables and timelines. Review/assessment Report: Summarizing findings from the assessment of existing practices and standards, and stakeholders’ consultations Draft of the Guidelines: Including detailed recommendations for the use of GIS in the three thematic areas Stakeholder validation Report: Summarizing feedback and input from stakeholders Report on presentation to STATAFRIC and wider stakeholders. Final Guidelines: Comprehensive and ready for adoption by relevant stakeholders. Duration and Timeline The Individual Consultant (IC) is expected to produce a guideline document within 90 days from the date of signing the consultancy contract. Reporting and supervision. The Individual Consultant (IC) will work remotely with STATAFRIC staff and will provide regular updates according to the agreed timeline. The contract is proposed under the following terms and conditions: The duration of this contract is three months . The Individual Consultant must send an updated C.V. and a methodological note on the understanding of the assignment. Timeframe Activity Deliverables/ Outputs Anticipated Duration (Days) Defining the consultant’s approach to delivering the guideline. Methodological report outlining the consultant’s approach to undertaking this consultancy. This should be after the submission of an inception report. 10 days Development of guideline. Assessment report and outline of the guideline. 20 days Draft of the guideline. 30 days Stakeholders’ consultations and validation report with feedback on the draft guideline. 10 days Report for in-person presentation of the updated guidelines to STATAFRIC and other stakeholders 10 days Finalized guideline. 10 days Required Qualifications and Experience The Individual Consultant (IC) must have at least a master’s degree in Geospatial Sciences, Remote Sensing, Geography, Environmental Science, Agricultural Sciences, Statistics, or a related field. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in GIS, remote sensing, and/or geospatial statistics, with demonstrated application to at least two of the three thematic areas (agriculture, urbanisation, environmental monitoring). Proven experience working with or supporting National Statistical Offices, national mapping agencies, or regional statistical bodies, preferably in Africa. Demonstrated experience in developing methodological guidelines or technical manuals related to GIS and remote sensing. Hands-on experience with GIS software platforms (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS, GRASS GIS) and cloud-based geospatial platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine, Digital Earth Africa). Knowledge of international statistical standards and frameworks relevant to GIS-based statistics (UN-GGIM, FAO WCA, SDG geospatial indicators, UNCCD LDN). Experience facilitating stakeholder consultations and technical workshops Demonstrated effective, oral, written communication skills and able to write concise and understandable reports for decision-makers; Knowledge of Africa's statistical landscape, regional economic communities, and monetary integration frameworks is a strong asset Language proficiency in at least one of the AU languages (Arabic, English, French or Portuguese). Evaluation Criteria The Candidate shall be evaluated based on the following criteria: Evaluation Criteria General experience: 10% Use the general experience indicated in the ToR Specific experience: 40% Use the Specific experience indicated in the ToR Qualifications: 25% Use the qualification indicated in the ToR Methodological note: 15% Understanding the stipulated tasks in the ToR and the entire assignment. Language: 10% Payment Terms and Milestones Payments will be made in installments based on the delivery and approval of the following milestones: No Activities and deliverables Remuneration Percentage Methodological report outlining the consultant’s approach to undertaking this consultancy. This should be after the submission of an inception report. 10% Assessment report and outline of the guideline. 10% Draft of the guideline. 40% Stakeholder’s consultations and validation report. 10% Report on presentations to STATAFRIC and other stakeholders 10% Finalized guideline. 20%