TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) 

1. AFRILABS AND PROJECT BACKGROUND 

AfriLabs is a network organization supporting over 500 technology and  innovation hubs across 53 African countries. We support the growth of  technology hubs and their community to raise high potential entrepreneurs  that will stimulate economic growth and social development in Africa. We do  this by providing capacity building resources, financing, mentoring, and  networking opportunities to our network members. 

The donor Programme, implemented through the Programme Coordination  Unit (PCU) and its partners, is establishing fifteen (15) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across tertiary institutions in Nigeria’s South-West and South-South  geopolitical zones. These CoEs will deliver market-relevant digital skills training,  creative economy programming, innovation support, and enterprise  development services. 

Participating Host Institutions 

South-West Zone 

• Ile-Oluji — Ondo State 

• Iree — Osun State 

• Ilaro — Ogun State 

• Yaba — Lagos State 

South-South Zone 

• Uyo, Akwa Ibom  

• Ikot Osurua, Akwa Ibom 

• Eket, Akwa Ibom  

• Aleibiri, Bayelsa  

• Port Harcourt, Rivers 

• Port Harcourt, Rivers 

• Delta State  

• Benin, Edo State  

• Auchi, Edo State  

• Calabar, Cross River State  

• Ugep, Cross River State  

AfriLabs, as Lead Aggregator, is responsible for the coordination, selection,  onboarding, and oversight of ESOs that will serve as sub-grant implementation  partners at each CoE. A rigorous, transparent, and technically sound ESO  selection process is essential to the programme’s integrity and success. 

The ESO Independent application reviewer Expert plays a critical role in this  process by providing independent, structured, and evidence-based evaluation of ESO applications submitted under the donor programme. The reviewer  ensures that all applications are assessed consistently against approved  criteria, contributing to a credible, audit-ready selection outcome. 

2. PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT 

AfriLabs seeks to engage qualified and experienced ESO Independent  application reviewer Experts to independently evaluate ESO applications and  contribute to a fair, transparent, and technically rigorous ESO selection process.  The reviewer’s outputs will directly inform the final selection of ESO Partners  who will receive sub-grants under the donor programme. 

3. SCOPE OF WORK  

The ESO Independent application reviewer Expert will support the ESO  selection process across the following key areas:  

A. Inception and Alignment 

• Participate in reviewer onboarding, alignment, and calibration sessions  convened by AfriLabs. 

• Review and internalise the ESO selection criteria, evaluation  methodology, scoring templates, and compliance requirements before  commencing review. 

• Sign and return a conflict-of-interest declaration and confidentiality  agreement prior to accessing any application materials. 

B. Application Review and Technical Evaluation 

• Review all ESO applications assigned through the AfriLabs Team. 

• Assess applications against the defined evaluation criteria, including: 

  • Organisational capacity and governance structure 

  • Technical expertise and programme delivery track record 

  • Financial management systems and accountability

  • Track record in entrepreneurship support, incubation, and ecosystem  development 

  • Sector alignment with the digital and creative economy o Evidence of gender equality and inclusion commitments 

  • Evidence Local presence and institutional endorsement 

• Score each application using the approved scoring template, ensuring  every score is evidence-based and clearly justified. 

• Provide clear, structured comments for each evaluation criterion to  support transparency and audit compliance. 

C. Due Diligence and Verification Support 

• Review supporting documents submitted by applicants, including legal  registration documents, financial records, references, and past  performance evidence. 

• Identify inconsistencies, misrepresentations, gaps, or risks in application  submissions. 

• Flag high-risk, non-compliant, or insufficiently evidenced applications  for further review or clarification. 

• Support validation processes where required, including virtual or  physical verification visits. 

D. Documentation and Reporting 

• Submit fully completed scoring sheets and detailed evaluation notes  within agreed timelines. 

• Contribute written inputs to the consolidated ESO evaluation matrix and  selection report. 

• Provide clear justification narratives for shortlisted and rejected  applications. 

• Ensure all documentation meets the audit trail and donor compliance  standards required by the iDICE PCU and AfDB.

4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES 

5. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

Academic Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Economics, Development  Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or related fields. A  postgraduate degree is an advantage. 

Professional Experience 

• Minimum of five to seven (5–7) years’ experience in one or more of the  following: 

  • Programme evaluation and structured assessment 

  • Entrepreneurship ecosystem development and ESO management

  • Innovation hub operations, incubation, or acceleration 

  • SME/enterprise support programme design or implementation 

  • Grant management, due diligence, or donor-funded programme  oversight 

• Demonstrated experience reviewing grant, accelerator, or programme  applications in a structured evaluation setting. 

• Familiarity with donor-funded development programmes (AfDB, World  Bank, EU, or similar). 

• Experience working within or evaluating organisations operating in the  digital and creative economy is an advantage. 

Skills 

• Strong analytical, evaluative, and critical thinking skills. 

• High attention to detail, objectivity, and impartiality. 

• Excellent written communication and documentation skills. • Ability to work within structured evaluation systems, scoring frameworks,  and defined timelines. 

• Familiarity with conflict-of-interest management in competitive  selection processes. 

6. DURATION AND LEVEL OF EFFORT 

• Duration: Short-term engagement aligned with the ESO application  review cycle. 

• Level of Effort: Determined by the number of assigned applications and  the review timeline communicated at onboarding. 

• Mode: Primarily remote, with mandatory participation in virtual or in person TEC moderation sessions (if necessary). 

• Confidentiality: All application materials and evaluation outputs are  strictly confidential and must not be shared with third parties.

7. REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS 

The ESO Independent application reviewer Expert will report to: 

• AfriLabs Project Lead 

And will work closely with: 

• ESO Selection Coordinator 

• Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) 

• Donor Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) 

8. REMUNERATION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE 

Remuneration will be disbursed 100% upon successful completion of the  assignment and approval of the final evaluation report by AfriLabs. 

• Payment processing: within Sixty (60) days of completion, written  approval, and submission of a valid invoice. 

• No payment will be made for incomplete, unapproved, or late  deliverables. 

• All payments are subject to applicable statutory tax deductions. 

Applications should only be submitted if the applicant is in full agreement with  the remuneration and payment terms stated in this TOR. AfriLabs will not enter  into negotiations on the financial proposal after award. 

9. METHOD OF APPLICATION

Note: 

• Since we do not know the number of applications to be reviewed, we  kindly suggest that each applicants should state in their financial  proposal the unit cost of review per application. Negotiations will be  conducted only with qualified applicants.

• AfriLabs Hub members are required to submit applications through  their registered organizations. Applications from individuals claiming to  be AfriLabs Hubs will not be considered. 

10. IMPORTANT SUBMISSION NOTES 

• Download the Vendor Information Form before completing it. Do not  edit or alter the uploaded template. 

• Submit your complete application package by email to  bids@afrilabs.com with the subject line: Independent application  reviewers for ESO. 

• Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

• The deadline for submission is 30th July, 2026 on or before Close of  Business (COB) 5PM WAT. 

• AfriLabs hub members are strongly encouraged to apply using their  organisation name, where the assignment falls within their thematic  areas and expertise. 

• Applications from women and/or women-owned organisations are  strongly encouraged. 

11. EVALUATION CRITERIA 

12. DISCLAIMER

• AfriLabs reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to select and enter into  negotiations with any individual or organisation it deems qualified, and  to terminate such negotiations at any time without incurring any liability  to the applicant.  

• The issuance of this advertisement does not constitute a commitment  or obligation on the part of AfriLabs to award a contract. 

• Submission of an application does not guarantee selection.  

• AfriLabs is not obligated to provide reasons for non-selection.  

• Any form of canvassing of AfriLabs staff, board members, or associates in connection with this advertisement will result in automatic  disqualification. 

• Any perceived conflict of interest that is not declared will result in  disqualification. 

 Important: This procurement process is entirely free of charge. AfriLabs will  never request payment at any stage of the application or selection process. If  you are contacted by anyone requesting fees in connection with this TOR,  please report it immediately to procurement@afrilabs.com. Beware of  fraudsters. 

For clarification purpose, please send an email to procurement@afrilabs.com before the closing date of the advertisement 

Acronyms: 

ESO- Enterprise Support Organisations 

CoE- Centre of Excellence 

TEC- Technical Evaluation Committee