AUDA-NEPAD

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI) FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS
Title: Consultancy Services for the Strategic Assessment of Uganda’s Health Science and
Technology, Biosafety, and Environment Governance for Gene Drive Research and

Development
PROCUREMENT NUMBER: 167/AUDA/HCID/HC/ICS/2025
Method: Individual Consultants Selection (ICS) - Individuals Only

2.0 SCOPE/MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The IVM Consultant shall perform the following tasks:
a) Review and assess Uganda’s readiness to support the safe, ethical, and effective
research, development, and potential deployment of gene drive technologies—
particularly gene drive-modified mosquitoes (GDMs)—for malaria vector control. It

involves a combination of desk-based analysis, field-based assessments, and multi-
1.0 BACKGROUND

As Africa progresses toward the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063 and implements the
Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024), modern biotechnology has
emerged as a transformative force in addressing critical development challenges. Innovations such as
genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gene editing tools, and gene drive technologies are increasingly
being developed and tested to support food security, disease control, biodiversity protection, and climate
adaptation. Recognizing the importance of these innovations, the African Union Executive Council,
through Decision EX.CL/Dec.987(XXXII)Rev1, acknowledged the work of the African Union High-Level
Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) in assessing the potential of gene drive technologies for malaria
control and elimination. The decision calls on AU Member States to harness such emerging technologies
responsibly for socio-economic development
In alignment with these continental priorities, AUDA-NEPAD, guided by APET’s recommendations,
launched a pilot Integrated Vector Management (IVM) platform to strategically coordinate these efforts.
Malaria was selected as a pathfinder disease and gene drive technology as the pathfinder innovation.
This initiative has demonstrated the importance of coordinated research, regulation, and stakeholder
engagement to prepare for the potential deployment of gene drive-modified organisms (GDMOs). As gene
drive technologies move closer to field deployment, it is imperative that their development is supported by
robust, transparent, and adaptive biosafety and environmental governance systems. These systems must
be capable of assessing and managing risks, integrating ethical and societal considerations, and making
science-based decisions that are aligned with national interests and regional commitments.
Given Uganda’s high malaria burden, well-established research institutions, and regional leadership in
modern biotechnology regulation, the country is positioned to become a regional leader for gene drive
governance and deployment. However, this emerging opportunity also highlights the need for a
comprehensive legislative and regulatory gap analysis to ensure the country's frameworks are equipped
to address the potential opportunities, risks and challenges associated with gene drive organisms, align
with continental and international biosafety standards, including the AU frameworks on STI and the
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, support public trust, ethical oversight, and inclusive decision-making,
facilitate inter-agency coordination and multi-sectoral governance of modern biotechnology, enable safe
and effective management of gene drive technologies for public health, agriculture among others.

stakeholder consultations to inform evidence-based policy recommendations and a
national implementation roadmap;
b) Conduct desk review of National Policy and Legal Frameworks;
c) Conduct field visits to Regulatory Authorities and Research Institutions;
d) Engage Stakeholders and knowledge assessment; and
e) Develop and validate Roadmap on Integrated Vector Management platform and control.
3.0 AUDA-NEPAD now invites eligible individual consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their
interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information
demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform
the Services.
4.0 QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
Qualifications and Skills
A minimum of (Master’s) degree in Natural Sciences, Public Health, Law, Environmental
Regulation, Biotechnology, Biosafety, Vector Management, Genetics or other related
fields. PhD is an added advantage.
Experience
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in the field of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs), gene drive technologies, vector control, or related
biotechnology applications;
• Demonstrated experience working within Uganda’s health, biosafety, environmental,
or regulatory sectors or comparable East African settings is preferred
• Proven track record as a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator in research
projects addressing public health governance, malaria, vector-borne diseases, or
emerging infectious diseases;
• Experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating clinical trials, observational
studies, and epidemiological research; and
• Familiarity with biosafety risk assessments and environmental impact evaluations
related to biotechnology products.

5.0 SHORTLISTING CRITERIA
For evaluation of the expressions of interest, the following criteria will be applied:
a. Qualifications - Education and Relevant Training (30 points);
b. Experience related to the Assignment (40 points);
c. Similar previous experience related to the Assignment (20 points); and
d. Knowledge and experience of the region & local conditions (10 points).
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) method
set out in the AU Procurement Manual. Attached to the download on advert link are TORs, REOI
and Statement of Declaration of undertaking.
6.0 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents for AUDA-NEPAD
consideration:
I. Cover letter;
II. Signed declaration of undertaking (downloadable from AUDA-NEPAD website and
attached as Annex 1 below);
III. Curriculum Vitae (CV), indicating projects previously done by the Consultant; and
IV. Proof of stated Qualifications in the form of copies of the Degrees obtained.
7.0 REPORTING AND TIME SCHEDULES:
In undertaking this exercise, the consultant will be expected to frequently exchange and
interact with the , AUDA-NEPAD IVM Programme Coordinator.

8.0 Only Individual Consultants are eligible for this assignment if they fulfil the following
eligibility criteria:
a) Have no conflict of interest in relationship to performance of this assignment;
b) Are not subject to, and not controlled by any entity or individual that is subject to, a
temporary suspension or a debarment imposed by the African Union Commission, World
Bank or any other multilateral development bank and being listed on the website
http://www.worldbank.org/debarr or respectively on the relevant list of any other
multilateral development bank. Further, are not ineligible pursuant to a decision of the
United Nations Security Council;
c) Have not been convicted by a final judgement or a final administrative decision or subject
to financial sanctions by the United Nations or Country for involvement in a criminal
organisation, money laundering, terrorist-related offences, child labour or trafficking in
human beings; this criterion of exclusion is also applicable to legal Persons, whose
majority of shares are held or factually controlled by natural or legal Persons which
themselves are subject to such convictions or sanctions;
d) Are not being bankrupt, wound up or ceasing our activities, having our activities
administered by courts, having entered receivership, reorganisation or being in any
analogous situation;
e) Are not involved in corruption: offering, giving, receiving or soliciting, directly or indirectly,
anything of value to influence improperly the actions of another party;
f) They have not been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for
fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organization or any other illegal activity
detrimental to the AUDA-NEPAD financial interests;
g) they have not been declared guilty of gross professional misconduct proven by any
means which AUDA-NEPAD can justify;
h) Comply with their national tax and social security laws
Interested consultants may obtain further information from the address listed below. All
Expression of Interests should be sent electronically to email listed below.
9.0 Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by email on or before
August 21 2025 at 14:00 hours (South African Time). All EOI’s must be marked
“167/AUDA/HCID/HC/ICS/2025 – ‘’ Consultancy Services for the Strategic Assessment of
Uganda’s Health Science and Technology, Biosafety, and Environment Governance for
Gene Drive Research and Development’’ in the subject line of the email.
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The Chairperson Internal Procurement Committee (IPC)

AUDA-NEPAD

230, 15th Road, P. O. Box 218 Midrand,
1685 Johannesburg, South Africa

Email: [email protected] & copy [email protected]
Attention of: Head of Procurement Division