1. Background
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the African Union’s Specialized Agency for
Capacity Development in Africa, is invested in supporting African institutions to improve their
capacity to efficiently and effectively leverage the continent’s expertise and resources to
realise real and lasting change for its people.
In line with this mandate, ACBF is implementing the Program on “Strengthening Capacity of
Strategic Partner Institutions in Africa” (SPIA) which is designed to provide capacity
improvement support to targeted new and existing Africa-based institutions operating in bio-medical research and development areas. The program seeks to promote innovation and
transformative ideas, co-created, translated, accepted, and adopted to specific local needs,
with the understanding that this approach will lead to more excellent scientific, technical, and
fiduciary capabilities, greater administrative and logistical capacities, and greater nimbleness
to respond to the ever-changing Research & Development landscape for strategic institutional
partners.
Under the SPIA Program, ACBF is supporting the African Institute for Biomedical Sciences
and Technology (AIBST Foundation), in enhancing its institutional capacity to effectively
deliver on its mandate. AIBST Foundation is a pan-African, non-profit, public charitable
organisation created to support, strengthen, and promote science and innovation in Africa. By
enhancing AIBST Foundation’s institutional capacity, ACBF believes that this will promote
scientific innovation that can address Africa’s development challenges.
Against this background, ACBF seeks services of an individual consultant to develop a of
Cost-Recovery Policy and Guidelines for AIBST Foundation, that will support the
implementation of its programs and operations during the period covered by its strategic plan
(2023-2027) and beyond. AIBST will also require capacity-building training session for its staff
on the implementation of the developed Framework.
2. Objective of the assignment
The main objective of the consultancy is to assess the partner institution’s finance and
budgetary methodologies in view of developing a comprehensive cost recovery framework
and cost allocation toolkit (policy, model, and guidelines) that allows the institution to visualise
the actual financial impact of its activities and make better and informed decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Review the current cost recovery framework, relevant financial policy documents, key processes, and major cost drivers to understand how the institution classifies and apportions costs across activities.
- Develop the appropriate cost definitions and classifications and recommend appropriate cost-recovery rates using international best practice.
- Develop cost allocation toolkit that will aid the institution in aallocating costs that areincurred to the proper appropriations and funding accounts.
- Use appropriate methodology (“work distribution study”, interviews, etc.) to estimate cost of personnel time and other resources required for effective project management activities.
- Develop and document the principles and methodologies for cost recovery and guidelines that ensure that all eligible costs associated with project management activities are properly captured.
- Develop and document the rationale for the cost allocation method.
- Bench mark the cost recovery rates calculated and assess if they are too low or too high. Develop and recommend practical strategies for either outcome including rationalization, and management of costs.
- Training of relevant staff members on the cost recovery with a Training of Trainers (ToT) approach as well as develop tools which can be updated in the future.
Requirements
- Advanced university degree in business, finance, accounting, or a professional accounting qualification certificate from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy.
- At least 10 (ten) years’ experiences in financial analysis, business analysis, accounting or related field in a government, public sector, or non-profit environment.
- Experience in internationally applicable costing methodologies which include, Cost Accounting or Cost/Price Estimating based on at least 3 (three) previous assignments carried out in the last 7 (seven) years.
- Proven experience in financial policy and procedures formulation preferably in a consultancy setting in multiple organizations.
- Ability to actively engage key leaders throughout the process to ensure buy-in of internal stakeholders.
- Strong writing and presentation skills demonstrated in the application documents.
- Experience in training and coaching teams
Salary
TBA
How to Apply
Click The Button Below To Download Full Document Selection Process The consultant will be selected based on an assessment of both the technical proposal and the financial offer. The Consultant should be ready to undergo a one-on-one video conferencing assessment should need be, as part of the technical evaluation process. The EOI should include as a minimum: A proposal responding to the points in this ToR, with reference list of at least 3 previous similar assignments. A time plan in accordance with the table in point 3 above should be included. Candidates are welcome and even encouraged to propose a different process/timeline should other models be considered more effective or complete. The proposal should not exceed 5 pages. A copy of Curriculum Vitae (CV) for the individual(s) conducting the consultancy. * A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs, disclosing all relevant budget items for completing this assignment. Your final proposal should be passworded. Your financial proposal should be informed by deliverables – use table 1 to prepare your financial proposal . The deadline for submission is 17 April 2026 at 1700 CAT. The proposals together with the requested documents above is to be sent to the following e-mail address: [email protected] . The e-mail and all documents are to be marked with subject “Cost-Recovery Policy and Guidelines-AIBST
About the Company
The African Institute for Biomedical Sciences and Technology (AIBST Foundation) is a pioneering non-profit organization established in Zimbabwe. Based primarily in Harare, AIBST is dedicated to advancing biomedical research, innovation, and technological development to address critical health challenges facing Africa. The institute focuses on cutting-edge scientific investigation, postgraduate training, and developing local capacity in areas such as genomics, vaccine manufacturing, and drug discovery. Through strategic partnerships and a commitment to excellence, AIBST aims to strengthen Zimbabwe's scientific infrastructure and contribute to sustainable health solutions across the continent. It serves as a vital hub for developing skilled professionals and fostering groundbreaking research outcomes relevant to the Zimbabwean and broader African context.
Pioneering biomedical research and innovation for health in Africa, from Zimbabwe.