Individual Consultant – To facilitate 2026 Annual Retreat – AHGC2
AFDB1JP00000961
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Posted On
2026-03-26
Period
2026-04-07 to 2026-05-01
Job Type
Temporary Full Time
Location
Abidjan 01CIV
Category
Business Professional
Description
Application Close Date
2026-04-05
Engagement Type
Individual Consultant
Job Family
2.Human Capital
A. Background Objectives
The African Development Bank Group is entering a transformative period following the inauguration of Dr. Sidi Ould Tah as its ninth President on 1 September 2025. The President has articulated a bold institutional vision through the Four Cardinal Points, which guide the Bank's strategic orientation: Enhanced Access to Capital: Mobilizing Africa’s Financial Resources; Reforming and Consolidating Financial Systems and Institutions for Global Agency; Harnessing Demographic Transformation for Economic Development; Building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Robust Value Addition. In this context of institutional renewal, the Civil Society and Community Engagement Division (AHGC2) plays a critical role as the Bank's interface with non-state actors across the continent. The Division's mandate—to coordinate engagement with civil society and diaspora, provide strategic guidance that strengthens inclusion, and maximize socioeconomic impact—has become even more essential as the Bank repositions itself under new presidential leadership. The Civil Society Engagement Action Plan 2024-2028, aligned with the Bank's Ten-Year Strategy 2024-2033, serves as the Division's strategic compass. This Action Plan establishes the Bank's first comprehensive framework for civil society engagement, structured around three pillars: (i) ensuring an enabling environment for civil society engagement in Africa, (ii) mainstreaming civil society engagement in the Bank's policies and projects, and (iii) generating knowledge and enhancing policy dialogue and advocacy. The year 2025 marked the first year of operational implementation of the Action Plan. The Division achieved significant milestones, including expanding the CSO Forum, strengthening collaborations through the Bank-CSO Coalition on Climate and Energy and the Bank-CSO Committee, and developing the Capacity Building Workplan. However, challenges persist regarding capacity gaps, visibility, and the impact of the Division's work, and the need to systematize engagement mechanisms. The year 2026 holds strategic importance: it marks the year for consolidating achievements before the mid-term review of the CSE Action Plan, scheduled for late 2026. This review will assess the effectiveness of approaches, measure progress toward objectives, and propose necessary adjustments for 2027-2028. Therefore, 2026 must be a year of documented performance, tested innovations, and tangible results that will inform this strategic evaluation. Furthermore, ongoing institutional reflections on the concept of Citizen and Diaspora Engagement signal a strategic evolution beyond traditional civil society engagement toward a more holistic approach that integrates direct citizen voice and diaspora mobilization. The establishment of the Financing Mechanism for Civil Society and Diaspora Engagement represents a major institutional innovation that will require strategic coordination in 2026. The 2026 Divisional Retreat will be held ahead of the departmental retreat scheduled for April 16–17, 2026, and will provide an opportunity for AHGC2 to review its priorities, align ongoing initiatives, and develop key operational inputs that will inform the department’s strategic orientations and inter-divisional coordination discussions. Retreat Objectives: • Define 2026 strategic priorities aligned with the President's Four Cardinal Points, the three pillars of the CSE Action Plan, and the Bank's Ten-Year Strategy. • Clarify roles, responsibilities, and internal coordination mechanisms in response to institutional innovations (e.g., the Financing Mechanism and the conceptual evolution toward Citizen & Diaspora Engagement). • Elaborate on the Division's 2026 work program with realistic, measurable indicators aligned with the Bank's development results, integrating robust monitoring and documentation mechanisms in preparation for the mid-term review. • Identify and structure strategic partnerships (internal and external) to achieve the
B. Scope of work
The consultant will design, facilitate, and document a highly interactive and results-oriented two-day divisional retreat for 11 participants from AHGC2. Responsibilities include: a) Design and Preparation • Conduct preliminary virtual consultations with the Division Manager and key staff to understand context, institutional dynamics, challenges, and expectations. • Design a detailed two-day retreat agenda incorporating: plenary sessions for strategic alignment, thematic working groups for in-depth pillar analysis, team-building and wellness activities, and structured reflection spaces. • Develop comprehensive facilitation tools, including session guides, templates for 2026 work plan development, and frameworks for priority-setting and decision-making. b) Facilitation of Two-Day Retreat (April 13-14, 2026) Day 1: Strategic Review, Lessons Learned, and Priority Setting • Opening session: Establish ground rules, create psychological safety, and set the tone for frank dialogue for staff and management. • Lead priority-setting session aligned with Four Cardinal Points, CSE Action Plan pillars, and departmental orientations. • Conduct structured team-building activity to strengthen cohesion and collaborative culture • Communication and traceability: Improve decision documentation, ensure systematic action updates, and increase the clarity of “next steps” (who does what, by when). Day 2: Operational Planning, Innovation, and Action Commitments • Facilitate co-development of the Division's 2026 work program with clear activities, timelines, responsibilities, and measurable indicators. • Guide working group sessions on innovation, partnerships, and operational instruments for 2026. • Facilitate clarification and validation of the 2026 roles and responsibilities matrix. • Facilitate identification and structuring of strategic partnerships (internal and external) necessary for 2026. • Conduct closing session: synthesis of key decisions, commitment statements from team members, validation of next steps, and accountability mechanisms. Throughout the Retreat: • Ensure balanced and inclusive participation from all team members, creating space for diverse voices and perspectives • Manage group dynamics, facilitate constructive dialogue, and navigate any conflicts or tensions that emerge • Maintain high energy levels and sustained engagement through varied facilitation methodologies (active learning, simulations, case studies, design thinking) • Capture emerging ideas, cross-cutting issues, and innovative proposals in a dynamic parking lot for follow-up • Ensure comprehensive real-time documentation through accompanying professional note-taker c) Post-Retreat Documentation and Follow-Up • Produce a retreat report within 13 working days of the retreat, including: validated 2026 work program with deliverables/activities/timelines/responsibilities/indicators, roles and responsibilities matrix, strategic decisions and action points with clear accountability, lessons learned. • Provide strategic recommendations for mid-year review retreat and continuous improvement based on observations and team dynamics.
C. Deliverables Expected
• Inception Report: Comprehensive retreat design including detailed two-day agenda with session objectives and methodologies, facilitation approach and tools, templates for work plan and matrices, pre-reading materials package. • Facilitation of Two-Day Retreat (April 13-14, 2026): Effective in-person facilitation of all sessions, ensuring achievement of retreat objectives. • Draft Retreat Report: Comprehensive documentation including 2026 work program, roles and responsibilities matrix, key decisions and actions. • Final Retreat Report: Finalized report incorporating Division feedback
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
The Consultant will be hired for twenty (19) working days from April 7, 2026, to May 01, 2026, as follows: • April 7-10, 2026: Pre-retreat preparation (4 working days) – document review, consultations, agenda design, tools development, pre-reading materials preparation • April 13-14, 2026: In-person facilitation of two-day strategic retreat (2 working days) • April 15- May 01, 2026: Post-retreat documentation, report drafting, finalization, and debrief (14 working days) The Consultant will receive a lump sum payment upon satisfactory completion of all deliverables and acceptance by the Division Manager. The Bank's guidelines on remuneration of consultants will apply, based on the candidate's qualifications and years of experience. The Consultant is responsible for their own health insurance.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
The Civil Society and Community Engagement Division (AHGC2) invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.). The Bank will provide: • Access to relevant background documents (Civil Society Engagement Action Plan 2024-2028, 2025 Annual Report, 2025 work plan, departmental retreat outcomes, etc.) • Logistical support for retreat venue in Abidjan, including meeting rooms, accommodation, and meals • Technical equipment for facilitation (projector, flipcharts, markers, etc.) • Coordination support from AHGC2 retreat planning committee • Travel arrangements and costs for consultant and note-taker (flights, accommodation, per diem) as per Bank rules
F. Duty Station
The Consultant will work remotely during preparation and documentation phases but must be physically present in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, for the two-day retreat facilitation (April 13-14, 2026). The Consultant should be available for virtual coordination meetings with the Division throughout the assignment period.
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
The consultant must have: • At least 5 years of experience in evaluation, organizational development, and/or leadership facilitation. • Demonstrated experience in strategic retreat facilitation and planning. • Proven mastery of participatory methodologies and facilitation tools. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English or French, with working knowledge of the other language. • Previous experience with the African Development Bank or similar institutions (asset). • Understanding of international development, governance, and civil society engagement.
H. Supervisor
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Task Manager with oversight from the Manager of the Civil Society and Community Engagement Division (AHGC2). The consultant will maintain regular communication with the retreat planning committee throughout the assignment and will coordinate closely with the Task Manager for logistical and administrative matters. All deliverables shall be submitted to the Task Manager for review and the Manager's approval. The payment will be released upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of all deliverables.
Consultancy Input Days
19.00
Qualifications
Qualification
Assessment
Regular Consultant
Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution
