Request for Expression of Interest (EOI)-Firms

For

Consulting Service for the Review of the IGAD Regional Strategy 2021-2025 and Development of the New IGAD Regional Strategy 2026-2030.

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Background

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is a Regional Economic Community (REC) encompassing eight Member States in the Horn of Africa (HoA) region: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. Established in 1986 as the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), its initial mandate was to address the challenges of drought, desertification, and famine in the HoA region. In 1996, IGADD was restructured into IGAD, with a broader mandate to include peace, security, economic cooperation, and integration.

With a vision for “a resilient, peaceful, prosperous, and integrated region,” IGAD strives to enhance regional cooperation and integration to promote sustainable development, human security, and socioeconomic transformation. Its mission focuses on adding value to the collective efforts of the Member States to achieve peace, security, and prosperity.

Over the years, IGAD has made significant strides in its strategic priorities, including:

• Advancing Peace and Security: IGAD has facilitated peace processes in South Sudan and Somalia and contributed to resolving the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict, showcasing its pivotal role in regional stability.
• Economic and Social Development: Through regional integration, IGAD supports infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and social programs targeting education, health, and gender equality.
• Agricultural Development and Environmental Resilience: Recognizing the centrality of agriculture to the livelihoods and economies of Member States, IGAD has prioritized sustainable agricultural practices, food security initiatives, and market integration. Simultaneously, IGAD addresses critical environmental challenges through drought disaster resilience programs, natural resource management, and climate change adaptation strategies

As the current IGAD Regional Strategy (2021–2025) approaches its conclusion, the need for a comprehensive successor strategy for 2026–2030 has become evident. This new strategy will build on the successes and lessons of the past while addressing emerging challenges and aligning with global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.

The main objective of the assignment:

The main objective of this consultancy is to review the current IGAD Strategy 2021-2025 and develop a comprehensive, inclusive, and actionable new IGAD Regional Strategy 2026–2030 that aligns with IGAD Vision 2050, regional and global development frameworks, and addresses emerging challenges and opportunities in the region.

The specific objectives of the assignment:

• Review of the Current IGAD Strategy (2021–2025): Conduct a comprehensive final evaluation of the current IGAD Strategy 2021-2025.
• Formulation of new IGAD Strategy 2026-2030: Develop a comprehensive, inclusive, and actionable new IGAD Regional Strategy 2026–2030 that aligns with IGAD Vision 2050, regional and global development frameworks

The duration of the assignment:

The assignment will be for (60) sixty  days from the date of the contract signature.

The Required Qualifications:

The assignment will require a consultancy firm with a multidisciplinary team of experts to ensure comprehensive review of the current strategy and development of the new IGAD Regional Strategy 2026-2030. The firm and its proposed team should meet the following qualifications:

The Consultancy Firm:

• Experience: Proven track record of at least 5-10 years in strategic planning, regional development, and policy formulation, preferably within Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa or similar contexts.
• Portfolio: Demonstrated expertise in handling large-scale, complex regional or international development assignments involving multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Capacity: Ability to mobilize a multidisciplinary team with expertise in key thematic areas such as peace and security, economic development, agriculture, climate change, health, gender, and governance.
• Regional Understanding: In-depth knowledge of the IGAD region’s socio-economic, political, and environmental landscape, as well as familiarity with regional and global frameworks such as the African Union Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Availability of the availability of appropriate skills among the firm’s proposed staff.

The IGAD Secretariat 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 ventures to enhance their chances of qualification.

Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the IGAD “Procurement Manual -Revised May 2021 which is available on the IGAD website https://igad.int/

• No Technical or Financial Proposals Required in this Stage.
• This Request for Expression is for the selection of firms.
• Only shortlisted firms will be contacted for the further stages of the procurement process.

Further and detailed information are available in the attached Terms of Reference (TORs).

How To Apply

The consulting firms should submit their Expression of Interest (EOIs) to: procurement@igad.int not later than Sunday 9^th February 2025).

Procurement Unit
Administration and Finance
IGAD Secretariat
Avenue Georges Clemenceau
E-mail: procurement@igad.int
P.O. Box 2653,
Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti

Download Attached ToR in PDF below
TORs -IGAD Strategic Plan