Dear Colleagues,

 

I would like to bring to your attention to a call for expressions of interest in a research project in Ethiopia that we are issuing.  Responses should be submitted electronically by the 11th August, 2009 to Elinor Caborn, AFCAP Procurement Manager at [log in to unmask] We would welcome your consideration of this EoI and hope to hear from you soon.

 
Yours sincerely
 

Jeff Turner
Programme Manager
African Community Access Programme (AFCAP)
Tel: +44 (0)113 278 1994
Fax: +44 (0)709 239 1156
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web: www.afcap.org
 

 

 

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST 
 
AFRICA COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAMME
 
 
The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) is financing the Africa Community Access Programme (AFCAP). AFCAP is a research initiative designed to address the challenges of providing reliable access for poor communities in Africa. AFCAP is based around a portfolio of research, demonstration and training projects, which identify and support the update of low cost, proven solutions for rural access that maximise the use of local resources. For more information, please visit www.afcap.org. DFID has contracted Crown Agents to manage AFCAP. 
 
As part of our programme activities in Ethiopia AFCAP has been asked by the Ethiopian Road Authority (ERA) to support a research consultancy to assist Government of Ethiopia in the “Preparation of a Manual and Standard Bidding Documents for Low Volume Roads”. 
 
The purpose of these documents is to promote rational, appropriate and affordable implementation of projects providing low volume roads that makes appropriate use of local resources and is cost-effective and sustainable.  
 
The Manual and Standard Bidding Documents (Design, Supervision, Construction and Maintenance) for Low Volume Roads in Ethiopia will promote the use of local resources and the cost-effective and sustainable provision of low volume roads.  They will cover the construction and maintenance of both paved and unpaved (engineered earth and gravel) roads.  They will take into account local variations in implementation and management strategy, topography, climate, geology and availability of road construction materials, as well as typical traffic found on paved and unpaved low volume roads in Ethiopia. They will also take into account current and emerging the maintenance capacity of road agencies and the private sector.
 
An important additional element of the programme includes training and dissemination of the Manual and Bidding Documents to stakeholders in the federal and regional governments, the private sector and within the academic institutions.  This will be achieved through visits to the demonstration sites under the parallel project on “Design Standards & Specifications for Low Volume Roads”, which will be established in the principal regions of the country, as well as preparation of training materials and conducting training workshops and seminars in each of the principal regions.  
 
We are looking for a series of Lead Authors for different sections of the Manual, Standard Specifications and associated Training Materials, who are specialists in the following areas:
 


 Planning, appraisal (incl. social impacts) and feasibility studies for Low Volume Roads 

Geometric design and earthworks for Low Volume Roads

Drainage, hydrological design and appropriate structures for Low Volume Roads

Pavement design, materials and surfacings for Low Volume Roads

Construction methods and approach to Low Volume Roads works (Labour, intermediate equipment and equipment based)

Maintenance techniques for Low Volume Roads

Cross cutting issues including environment, employment, gender and HIV/AIDS.
 
We are looking for individuals with an appropriate Degree and minimum of 20 years general experience in rural roads and road transport with 15 years practical experience in the specialist field.  Previous experience of preparing text and illustrations for manuals, works contracts and other technical documents is desirable. 
 
It is expected that, on average, each section of the Manual, Specifications and Training Materials will require 3.5 months of input over a six month period commencing in September 2009.  The Lead Authors will participate in consultation, training and dissemination activities in Ethiopia, but drafting of text for the documents can be carried out at home base.  If justified, and meeting the profile requirement, a lead author may cover more than one specialist area.
 
Individuals with relevant experience are invited to express interest in providing these services. Interested individuals should submit their full CV and contact details with an indication of the specialist area(s) they are interested in providing. Organisations that employ suitable staff may also express interest, but are required to nominate specific individuals who meet the criteria above. The CV of any nominated individuals should be provided, rather than information on the employer organisation. 
 
Expressions of Interest should be submitted in English by email to [log in to unmask] by 11th August, 2009.