Consultancy services to support the implementation of an Economic Inclusion Program — Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (Lesotho)

KINGDOM OF LESOTHO MINISTRY OF GENDER, YOUTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS PROJECT (PSLP) REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – QUALITY AND COST BASED SELECTION (QCBS) METHOD) LOAN NO: P177814 CREDIT NO: IDA -71480 -LS ASSIGNMENT TITLE: SUPPORT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION PROGRAM REFERENCE NO: LS-MOSD-462680-CS-QCBS DURATION: 24 MONTHS The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho through the Ministry of Social Development (MGYSD) has secured credit from the World Bank in the amount equivalent to US$26.5 million toward the implementation of Pathways to Sustainable Livelihood Project (PSLP) for a five (5) year period up to 2027.

The MGYSD intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. Component 1 of the Project, aims to provide support for carrying out economic inclusion activities in selected community councils, including: (a) providing Productive Grants to Selected Beneficiaries for purposes of starting or expanding/improving existing income generating activities; (b) providing micro entrepreneurship and soft skills training, including developing and providing gender-transformative and empowerment skills training and technical assistance to actively engage women and youth, to reduce gender based violence risks, and to reduce gender gaps; (c) forming and/or strengthening savings groups (i.e., village savings and loans associations) and mentoring groups; (d) providing referral services to health, nutrition, and education and hygiene, among others; and (e) establishing a professional independent team to support the design, delivery and supervision of the Project interventions.

The assignment is required to be completed in a period of approximately 24 months from the signing of the contract and foresee the delivery of the required services and targeted outputs in two rounds. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the address given below and via email at the following address: • Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (MGYSD) at 1st Floor, 1010 Building, Bus Stop, Opposite Pitso Ground, Maseru • E-mail: thato.mofelehetsi@gov.ls Cc masechaba.nthunya@gov.ls The Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development now invites eligible consulting firm or a consortium (“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: • Experience (at least 5 years) in designing, implementing and monitoring of economic inclusion programs, trainings of entrepreneurs or youth, community development activities or other related, in a developing country context, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa. • Experience in managing economic inclusion programs is an advantage. • Experience in implementing large-scale programs. • Experience in Lesotho or in consortium with companies with that experience is an advantage. • Strong understanding of the operational and economic environment of developing countries, with a preference for relevant experience working with local community ecosystem actors, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. • Organizations should be Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and/or Non-profit organizations.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. 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” July 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”), updated September 2023, 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 Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 8h00 to 16h30.

Expression of Interest shall be submitted in English. All correspondence exchange shall be in English. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (by e-mail) by 20th December 2024 with the mention: SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION PROGRAM – LOT II.

Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (MGYSD) 1st Floor, 1010 Building Bust Stop, Opposite Pitso Ground Attn: Thato Mofelehetsi, Procurement Specialist P/Bag A222, Maseru – Lesotho E-mail: thato.mofelehetsi@gov.ls Cc masechaba.nthunya@gov.ls