Job Description

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(Consulting Services — Firm Selection)

Date of Issue: 25th March 2024

Country: Republic of Sierra Leone Name of Project: Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project

Consulting Services: Recruitment of a Consulting Firm to conduct a

Comprehensive study to assess the supply and demand of digital skills and to evaluate the potential of the gig economy to provide employment opportunities to youth, women, and people with disabilities in Sierra Leone.

Reference No: SL-MOFED-367854-CS-QCBS

I Introduction

[he Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has committed to transforming its economy based on a more inclusive and human-centric digital growth and development approach A high-level vison for the digital economy is articulated in the new National Digital Development Policy (NDDP), which was approved by the Cabinet In December 2021 setting the GoSL Vision to transform Sierra Leone Into an inclusive digital economy and society and to leverage digital technology to support the GOSL to deliver on its national development plan effectively and efficiently. [ho Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project (SLDTP) aims to expand access to broadband internet, Increase digital skills and Improve government capacity to deliver public services digitally. The project Will support the development of a strong enabling environment for the nation’s digital transformation and digital development agenda as articulated in the National Digital Development Strategy.

The assignment aims to tackle Sierra Leone’s digital literacy gap by offering digital skills training for youth, women, and persons With disabilities (PWDs) to enable them to improve their livelihoods and address challenges in their communities. Training activities will Include a Digital Literacy Training Scheme targeting youth outside of the formal education system, With a focus on women and PWDs, as well as an Innovation Series consisting of events for youth The curricula for these activities Will be informed by comprehensive market and feasibility studies, as described below.

ll. Objectives

The general objective of this activity is to undertake a Comprehensive study to assess the supply and demand of digital skills and to evaluate the potential of the gig economy to provide employment opportunities to youth, women, and people with disabilities in Sierra Leone. Specifically, the assignment focuses on two key areas:

1. Comprehensive study to assess the supply and demand of digital skills. – Conduct a market study to assess available skills in the target areas to determine in-demand skills;

• Conduct a detailed assessment of the local digital ecosystem to determine the capacity of key stakeholders to deliver basic, intermediate, and advanced digital skills training to youth beneficiaries. – Program policy and programmatic recommendations to enable youth, women, and persons With disabilities to access opportunities in the digital gig economy.
• Provide a strategic roadmap for employment promotion and 10b creation in Sierra Leone by leveraging global and regional gig work platforms.

The Project Coordination unit of the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project now Invites eligible consulting firms

(“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. The shortlisting criteria are. core business and years In business, relevant experience, technical and managerial capability of the firm. Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section 111 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016

Revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, September 2023, and National Public Procurement Act 2016, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association IS In the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be Jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Base Selection (QCBSY method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and detailed Terms of Reference can be obtained at the link below: https://moic.gov.sl/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ SLDTP-Digital-Skilts-and-Gig-Economy-Studies-TOR.pdf

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail on or before Tuesday 11th April 2024 at 12:00 GMT.

Project Coordination unit

Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project

Attn: The Project Coordinator

8th Floor,

Youyi Building

E-mail: pcu@sldtp.moic.gov.sl

CC: procurement@sldtp.moic.gov.sl

Please indicate clearly the Name of the Assignment in the email subject heading and attachment as only electronic submission will be accepted.