Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
Request for Expression of Interest
(Consulting Services – Firms Selection)

Country: IGAD Secretariat

Name of project: Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project

Project No.:  P176181

Grant No.:  IDA-E1670

Assignment Title:  Consultancy for the  Development of a Regional Digital Trade Strategy for IGAD Region

Reference/Contract No: DJ-IGAD-413486-CS-QCBS-2

1. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
2. The consulting services (“the Services”). IGAD is inviting qualified firms to undertake a readiness and in-depth situational analysis and develop a Regional Digital Trade Strategy. The objective of this consultancy is to support the development of an E-Commerce Strategy for the Horn of Africa region.

More specifically, the consultancy it is expected to:

1. Undertake a background review of the digital trade ecosystem in the Horn of Africa countries
2. Propose a strategic vision of digital trade in the HoA countries in the medium and long term.
3. Identify priority areas for regional integration and cooperation among countries and fast track the development of the e-commerce development across the region
4. Develop an implementation plan with its monitoring and evaluation and resource mobilization frameworks
5. The scope of services, consulting team profiles, reporting requirements, and other particulars of the assignment are detailed below.
6. The assignment is expected to take twenty (20) weeks from the date of contract commencement. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) and Scope of Work for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://igad.int/consultancies or can be obtained at the address given below.
7. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria:

The firm selected will need to demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in the global legal aspects of digital trade and e-commerce policy and development of strategies and regulatory frameworks.
• A demonstrated track record of successfully completing similar assignments, with a focus on relevance and recent experience. This includes legal reviews, the development of policies and strategies, and formulating actionable recommendations to enhance E-Commerce based on recognized standards.
• Comprehensive knowledge of international and regional best practices on digital trade including legal aspects and cyber-related concerns
• Knowledge of and practical experience with local and Regional E-Commerce models
• Prior experience of working closely with public sector especially in the ICT development
• Demonstrated familiarity with the Horn of Africa context.

While the Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage, however, the firm shall demonstrate as having the requisite technical capacity to undertake the assignment in the submitted company profile. At later stage; the firm shall propose a core team comprising of at minimum (1) Team Leader, and (1) legal expert, (with the qualifications described in the Terms of Reference “ToRs”). The firm may include additional team members as necessary to ensure the timely, accurate, and complete completion of the assignment, as per project requirements.

At the proposal stage, the consulting firm must provide a staffing plan with names, roles, and CVs for the core project team as part of the proposal.

6. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” First Published July 2016 and revised Fifth Edition September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
7. 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.
8. A Consulting firm will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-Based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
9. Further information can be obtained at the address below during the following office hours 0900 and 1600 hours from Monday to Friday excluding lunch hour (1300 to 1400hours East African Time (EAT) and public holidays.

Expression of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by 24/12/2024 at 1100hours EAT using one of the following modalities: (i) deposit in the IGAD Office in the address below or (ii) send by e-mail to:  procurement@igad.int with copy to hassan.salah@igad.int and quote the Assignment title and Contract No ( Consultancy for the  Development of a Regional Digital Trade Strategy for IGAD Region) – Contract No.: DJ-IGAD-413486-CS-QCBS-2) in the subject row. For expressions of interest that will be deposited at IGAD Office in Djibouti the packages should be clearly marked with assignment title and reference/contract No. as mentioned above.

 
Address:
IGAD Secretariat
P.O Box 2653, Ave Georges Clemenceau
Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti

Download the attached ToR document in PDF below
ToR – digital trade strategy final version