IT Network (PAUNET) Needs Assessment and Project Design Computer Hardware and Software Services

The African Union Commission has received financing from the African Development Fund toward
the cost of the support to the Pan African University, and intends to apply part of the agreed amount
for this grant to payments under the contract IT Network (PAUNET) Needs Assessment and Project
Design for the Pan Africa Union Project.
The service under this assignment is to provide IT Network (PAUNET) Needs Assessment and
Project Design. The consulting firm to conduct the ICT needs Assessment and a Technology
Infrastructure SWOT Analysis in the 4 currently operational PAU Institutes, in the planned PAU
institute in South Africa and in PAU Rectorate (Headquarter located in Yaoundé) and recommend a
Design, ICT Strategy and Business plan for the PAU Network.
The appointment will be scattered over a period of 4 to 5 calendar month maximum, and the tentative
starting date for the implementation of the contract is 14/05/2019.
The service to be provided will include, but not necessarily limited to the following:
 Develop a working document of the overall planning of the needs assessment and a Work plan
/Timeline for approval.
 Review all PAU related and other relevant policy documents of the AUC.
 Conduct a comprehensive SWOT analysis of the technological infrastructure and
management information systems (to be assessed) of the 4 operational PAU’s Institutes,
PAUSS planned for South Africa and PAU Rectorate. The Experts/Consultants will visit the
following places: the Rectorate, the PAU institutes: PAULESI, PAUSTI, PAUWES,
PAGHSS and the planned PAUSS, including a quick appraisal of the host universities’
existing infrastructure and management information systems.
 Develop the phased PAUNET Project document, including the following outputs:
- PAUNET proposed Network Design/Topology
- Proposed PAUNET- Network Operating Center structure (NOC)

- PAUNET Business Plan – including Risk Analysis, Budget, Financing Strategies and
Sustainability Plan
- PAUNET Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Strategic Plan
- PAUNET capacity building plan for ICT staff, administrative staff, academic staff and
researchers
- Overview of the PAUNET Staff /Skills Assessment Plan
- Recommended PAUNET external Policy committees, such as procurement committee,
board among other functions required

 Hold key informant interviews with senior faculty members of the five universities hosting
the PAU institutes (including the South African University that will host PAUSS) and identify
key elements that need to be included in the needs assessment plan.
 Present the draft PAUNET Project document at a ‘PAUNET Workshop’ that will bring
together key stakeholders and resource persons. This workshop will be organized by the client.
The African Union Commission now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing
these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to
perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions,
availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may constitute joint-venturesto enhance
their chances of qualification.
Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance
with the African Development Bank’s “Rules and Procedures for the use of Consultants” May 2008
Edition, revised in July 2012, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 08:00am
to 5:00PM from Monday to Friday
Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by 21st of December 2018 at 1500hours
and mention IT Network (PAUNET) Needs Assessment and Project Design)”.