Description de l'offre

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Position Title 01 National Individual Consultant to Provide Methodological and
Technical Support for the Design of a Digital Hub in Buea and an
Agricultural Hub in Bamenda

Project Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the
North-West and South-West of Cameroon
Reporting to Programme Coordinator - RP
Duty Station Yaoundé - Cameroon
Duration of Assignment Seven (07) months
Travel Required Yes

HOW TO APPLY ? 

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at :  https://procurement-notices.undp.org/ 

Close Date    27/05/2026 13.00

A. Background/Context
Since 2016, Cameroon has been affected by a protracted socio‑political crisis in the North‑West
(NW) and South‑West (SW) regions, with severe humanitarian, social, and economic consequences.
The crisis has resulted in significant loss of life among civilians and combatants, widespread
destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure, and the displacement of large segments of the
population within and beyond national borders.
Assessments conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development
(MINEPAT) in 2019 and updated in 2020 highlighted the scale of the damage to the social and
economic fabric of the two regions. More than 116,000 people were affected by housing destruction,
with 23,273 housing units damaged or destroyed, and over 200 villages burned down across the
NW and SW regions. The education and health sectors were severely impacted, with numerous
schools and health facilities damaged or rendered non‑functional. Transport infrastructure also
suffered extensive damage, limiting access to markets, basic services, and economic opportunities.
The humanitarian situation has continued to deteriorate. As of February 2025, the United Nations
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported over 583,000 internally
displaced persons (IDPs) in the NW and SW regions, more than 73,000 refugees in neighbouring
Nigeria, and approximately 1.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Women, youth,
and other vulnerable groups constitute a large proportion of those affected and face persistent
barriers to education, employment, and essential services.
In response to the crisis, the Major National Dialogue held in 2019 recommended the development
of a comprehensive framework for recovery, reconstruction, and development in the affected
regions. This recommendation was operationalized through the Presidential Plan for Reconstruction
and Development (PPRD), which is anchored in Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020–
2030 (NDS30). The PPRD adopts a phased approach comprising recovery, reconstruction, and
long‑term development, with a strong focus on restoring livelihoods, rebuilding infrastructure,
revitalizing local economies, and promoting social cohesion.
UNDP has been supporting the Government of Cameroon in the implementation of the recovery
phase of the PPRD since 2020, following the signature of the project document designating UNDP
as Implementing Partner. Beyond immediate recovery, the present interventions seek to lay the
foundations for sustainable reconstruction and development, particularly by fostering inclusive
economic opportunities for youth, women, and vulnerable populations.
In this context, strengthening local innovation ecosystems and employment pathways has emerged
as a strategic priority. The proposed establishment of a digital hub in Buea and an agricultural hub
in Bamenda responds directly to this objective by aiming to enhance skills development, innovation,
entrepreneurship, and value‑chain integration, while leveraging the comparative advantages of the
regions. To ensure that these initiatives are technically sound, context‑responsive, and sustainable,
high‑quality feasibility studies are required.
The recruitment of a Senior Consultant to provide methodological and technical support for the
Design of a Digital Hub in Buea and an Agricultural Hub in Bamenda, is therefore essential. This
consultancy will ensure that the subsequent feasibility studies are informed by best practices,
anchored in national and international experience, and aligned with the strategic objectives of the
PPRD.
B. Objective of the Assignment
The overall objective of the assignment is to provide technical and methodological support to the
PPRD Management Unit throughout the process of preparing, procuring, and supervising
feasibility studies for a digital hub in Buea and an agricultural hub in Bamenda.
Specifically, the assignment aims to:
− provide a well-documented analysis of existing and successful digital and agricultural hub
models to inform the conceptualization of the proposed hubs;
− draw practical lessons from comparable experiences through structured benchmarking
exercises in Cameroon and internationally;
− develop comprehensive, coherent, and implementable Terms of Reference for the
recruitment of a specialized consulting firm to conduct the feasibility studies;
− support the PPRD Management Unit during the execution of the consulting firm’s
contract, including technical guidance, quality assurance, and review and validation of the
firm’s inception, interim, and final deliverables.
C. Expected Outputs
By the end of the assignment, the following results are expected:
1. In-depth and contextualized knowledge of digital and agricultural hub models (including
governance, institutional anchoring, service offerings, business models, and impacts) is
available to guide the design of the proposed hubs.
2. Relevant good practices and success factors from national and international experiences
are identified, analyzed, and synthesized to inform the project’s strategic choices.
3. Robust and UNDP-compliant Terms of Reference for the recruitment of a consulting firm
are developed and validated, covering all technical, institutional, and operational
dimensions required for the feasibility studies.
4. The feasibility study process is technically sound and quality-assured, with the PPRD
Management Unit supported in assessing, reviewing, and validating the consulting firm’s
deliverables.
D. Expected Deliverables and schedule of payments rates
The Consultants shall deliver the following documents (digitally) within the corresponding timeline:
Steps Deliverables Quality Criteria Delivery
Time
Payment
No Entitled Rate
1 Inception Deliverable 1:
“Inception report” including:
− a detailed methodology and
planning
− a review of theoretical and
empirical literature on digital
and agricultural hubs;
− a comparative analysis of
existing models and
typologies.
− an informed proposal of
national and international
benchmarking
− Logical structure
and clarity of the
methodology and
related planning.
− Quality and
completeness of
documentary
research
− Clear and
Professional
Presentation of the
document.
Two (02)
weeks
after
kick-off
meeting
20%
2 Benchmarkin
g
Deliverable 2: “Benchmarking
Report” Including:
− the selection and
justification of relevant
national and international
experiences;
− key findings, good
practices, and lessons
learned;
− operational
recommendations adapted
to the NW and SW context
and the PPRD objectives.
− Quality and
completeness of
documentary
research
− Clear and
Professional
Presentation of the
document.
Five
weeks
after
kick-off
meeting
20%
4
Steps Deliverables Quality Criteria Delivery
Time
Payment
No Entitled Rate
3 Recruitment
of a
Consulting
Firm
Deliverable 3: “Terms of
reference for the recruitment
of a consulting firm” covering,
inter alia:
− institutional anchoring and
governance models for the
hubs;
− academic, professional, and
innovation-oriented content;
− identification and
characterization of target
beneficiaries;
− required technical studies
(topographic, geotechnical,
architectural, technical,
economic and financial, and
environmental and social
studies, as applicable);
− methodology,
implementation timeline,
expected deliverables,
reporting requirements, and
profile of the consulting
firm.
− Exhaustiveness
and precision of
the ToR.
− Completeness and
relevance of
information
provided.
− Clarity and
structure of
presentation of the
document.
Eight
(08)
weeks
after
kick-off
meeting
20%
4 Technical
Support and
Contract
Oversight
Deliverable 4: “Technical
Support and Contract
Oversight Outputs” including:
− a technical note providing
guidance during the
inception phase of the
consulting firm’s contract;
− documented technical
reviews and comments on
interim deliverables;
− a final technical validation
note assessing the quality
and completeness of the
final feasibility studies.
− Exhaustiveness
and precision of
the inventory.
− Exhaustiveness of
stakeholders met.
− Presentation of the
document.
Twentynine (29)
weeks
after
kick-off
meeting
20%
5
Steps Deliverables Quality Criteria Delivery
Time
Payment
No Entitled Rate
5 Mission
closure
Deliverable 5: “Final Mission
Report” documenting the
overall assignment, including:
− Overview of the
Assignment and
Methodological Approach
− Summary of Activities
Undertaken
− Key Findings and Outcomes
− Challenges and Constraints
Encountered
− Key Issues Requiring
Attention
− Final Recommendations
− Exhaustiveness
and precision of
the report.
− Evidence-based
recommendations.
− Professional
structure and
layout of
presentation of the
document.
thirty
(02)
weeks
after
kick-off
meeting
20%
All deliverables shall be submitted to the project for review and formal validation.
E. Methodological Sketch
The assignment will be implemented through a structured, phased and evidence-based
methodology, consistent with UNDP quality standards and contractual requirements. The approach
is organized into five sequential steps, each linked to a specific deliverable, timeline and payment
milestone, as outlined in the Deliverables Table.
• Step 1: Documentary Research and Methodological Design
Upon signature of the contract, the consultant will participate in a kick-off meeting with the UNDP
Supervisory Team to clarify objectives, scope of work, expected outputs, timelines, reporting
arrangements and quality assurance mechanisms.
The consultant will then conduct a comprehensive desk review covering, inter alia, theoretical and
empirical literature on digital and agricultural hubs; comparative analyses of hub models and
typologies; the PPRD PRODOC and related outcome assessments; impact assessment reports for
the North‑West and South‑West Regions; the organic frameworks of the Cameroon Government,
relevant line ministries, and concerned public establishments and enterprises (e.g. ANTIC, CAMTEL,
ART, IRAD); as well as applicable policies, strategies and regulatory texts. The desk review will also
consider selected private‑sector actors and agribusiness or digital companies with potential to
partner with the proposed digital and/or agricultural hubs.
The outputs will be consolidated in an Inception Report, presenting a detailed methodology and
work plan, key findings from documentary research, comparative analysis of models, and a
validated proposal for national and international benchmarking.
• Step 2: Benchmarking
6
Based on the validated inception report, the consultant will carry out benchmarking of relevant
national and international experiences related to digital and agricultural hubs. The analysis will
focus on governance arrangements, institutional models, financing mechanisms, sustainability
considerations and documented results.
This phase will result in a Benchmarking Report, including the selection and justification of
benchmarked experiences, key findings and lessons learned, and operational recommendations
adapted to the North-West and South-West Regions and aligned with PPRD objectives.
• Step 3: Recruitment of a Consulting Firm
Drawing on benchmarking results, the consultant will prepare comprehensive Terms of Reference
for the recruitment of a consulting firm to undertake feasibility and related studies. The ToR will
address institutional anchoring and governance models, target beneficiaries, required technical and
ancillary studies, implementation methodology, deliverables, reporting requirements, timelines and
profile of the consulting firm.
• Step 4: Technical Support and Contract Oversight
During implementation of the consulting firm’s contract, the consultant will provide technical
support and quality oversight, including technical guidance during the inception phase,
documented reviews of interim deliverables, and a final technical validation note assessing the
quality and completeness of the feasibility studies.
• Step 5: Mission Closure
At the conclusion of the assignment, a validation meeting will be organized with UNDP and key
stakeholders. Following validation, the consultant will submit a Final Mission Report documenting
the overall assignment, activities undertaken, key findings and outcomes, challenges encountered,
points of attention, and final recommendations.
F. Institutional Arrangement
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator of the Recovery
Programme at UNDP Cameroon, for general management of the assignment and the Regional
Coordinators for issues regarding each region.
A kick-off meeting will be convened at the beginning of the assignment. This meeting will serve to
clarify expectations, discuss the methodology, and align the workplans. A review meeting will be
held at the end of the assignment to assess the deliverables, reflect on the process, and agree on
any follow-up actions.
The consultant is expected to maintain regular communication via email or/and phone, report any
issues affecting delivery in writing as early as possible, and remain reachable for coordination
throughout the contract period.

G. Work Duration
The engagement is for (90) Working days within three (07) months.
H. Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments
UNDP will issue a contract based on the deliverables outlined in this Terms of Reference to engage
the selected consultant. The contract will follow an output-based lump-sum payment modality,
regardless of any extension of the duration specified.
The total amount quoted in the consultant’s financial proposal must be an all-inclusive lump-sum,
covering all costs required to deliver the assignment. This includes the professional fee,
communication, accommodation, subsistence, transportation for meeting with key stakeholders,
and any other applicable costs the consultant may incur in completing the assignment. Costs related
to benchmarking activities within Cameroon or abroad shall be borne by UNDP. No additional costs
outside those explicitly stated in the approved financial proposal will be reimbursed except those
relating to national and international benchmarking missions.
Payments will be made in line with the approved payment schedule in Section D above, upon
certification of satisfactory completion of each deliverable by the Programme Coordinator of the
Recovery Programme at UNDP Cameroon.
I. Duty Station
The consultant will be based in Yaoundé.
J. Qualifications of the Successful Individual Consultant
QUALIFICATION MAXIMUM SCORE
(100 POINTS)
Education and Qualification
− Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, management, development
studies, engineering, digital transformation, agribusiness, planning
− Master’s degree in computer science
− Proven training in project management
(20)
10
5
5
Professional Experience
− At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in the design,
technical support, or evaluation of complex and large-scale development
projects, particularly in the areas of digital innovation, agriculture, or
territorial development
(35)
5
− Proof of invention of equipment in the field of technology and innovation 10
8
− Proof of patent application submission 10
− Experience in conducting analytical reviews and benchmarking exercises 5
− Proof of providing technical assistance during implementation of digital
hubs
5
Language Proficiency
− English and French: Proficiency in one and working knowledge in the
other
(10)
10
Comprehension and Methodology
− Relevance of the methodological approach
− Integration of personal experience
− Coherence of the mission planning
(35)
15
10
10
100
K. Recommended Presentation of Offer
Interested individual consultants are required to submit the following documents to demonstrate
their qualifications and suitability for the assignment:
1. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV): The CV should clearly outline relevant academic and
professional experience
2. Technical Proposal: A concise document outlining the following:
− A brief explanation of why the applicant considers themselves the most suitable for
the assignment.
− A clear and structured methodology for delivering the assignment, while synergizing
with another consultant, in line with the Terms of Reference.
− A proposed work plan showing key activities, deliverables, and indicative timelines.
− A portfolio of relevant consultancy assignments or related documentation, where
applicable.
3. Contact details of the applicant: Include a valid phone number and email address.
4. Contact details of two (2) professional referees: Referees should preferably be former
supervisors familiar with the applicant’s work in similar assignments. Provide the full name,
title, organization, phone number, and email address for each referee.
5. Financial Proposal: A financial offer indicating a fixed all-inclusive lump-sum contract price,
supported by a detailed breakdown of costs. This should include the consultant’s
professional fee, and any foreseeable costs related to the assignment (e.g. transport,
accommodation, communication, incidental costs etc). The financial proposal should follow
the standard UNDP template.
9
All required documents must be submitted electronically via the UNDP Quantum system.
Applications sent by email or other means will not be considered.
L. Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer
The procedure for analysing the technical and financial offers received will take place in two (02)
stages:
Step 1 = Evaluation of technical offers out of 100 points
This evaluation will be made in accordance with the criteria below:
Eliminatory criteria
- False declaration or falsified documents
- Academic qualification less than master’s degree
- Technical score less than 70%
Technical score: following result of section J
Step 2 = rating of financial offers.
It should be noted that only financial offers relating to technical offers having met the eliminatory
criteria and obtained at least 70/100 of the total points assigned to the technical offer will be
considered.
Lowest financial proposal will receive a financial score of 100 points.
The formula to be used for the calculation of the financial score for other technically qualified
candidates will be the following:
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