Local Government Performance Assessment in the Local Governance and Service Delivery Project — Republic of South Sudan

Local Governance and Service Delivery Project (LGSDP)

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)

COUNTRY: Republic of South Sudan

NAME OF PROJECT: Local Governance and Service Delivery Project

CONSULTING SERVICE: Local Government Performance Assessment of Counties in the Republic of South Sudan.

IDA Credit No: 5213-SD

Project ID No.: P127079

Ref No: MoFEP/LGSD/PMU/CS/3.10/15

The Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GRSS) is implementing the Local Governance and Service Delivery Project (LGSDP) financed by the International Development Association (IDA) as well as the bi-lateral donor Denmark. The LGSDP is implemented on behalf of GRSS by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MoFEP) and the Local Government Board (LGB).

The Project Development Objective of LGSDP is "to improve local governance and service delivery in participatingcounties in South Sudan." Key results include: (a) more inclusiveand participatory local planning, implementation and accountability processes that also address local drivers of conflict; (b) improved county government functionality and capacities through 'learning by doing'; (c) a more predictable and transparent system of transfers to country governments; and (d) expanded access to services in counties covered by the Project.

The Project comprises of four components: (i) block grants to counties for Payam Development; (ii) community engagement; (iii) institutional strengthening; and (iv) Project management support through a Project Management Unit (PMU) and State-level Project Coordination & Support Offices (SPCSOs).

The LGSDP supported the National Audit Chamber and Local Government Board to develop: (i) a Local Government Audit Strategy and Manual; and (ii) Local Government Performance Assessment Strategy and Manual respectively. The specific objectives of the Local Government Performance Assessment (LGPA) include to: (i) verify compliance of the LGs with the provisions of the laws, national guidelines and manuals; (ii) determine whether LGs have sufficient safeguards in place to manage discretionary development funds and therefore eligible to access various grants, such as e.g. the Payam Development Grant (PDGs) and the County Development Grants (CDGs ); (iii) assist the LGs to identify functional capacity gaps and needs, thereby contributing to guidethe institutional strengthening; (iv) enhance downwards, horizontal and upward accountability; and (v) contribute to the general LG monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems. The GRSS is planning a gradual roll-out of the LG Performance Assessments (LGPA) across the counties. As an interim measure, LGPA exercises will be conducted in the LGSDP participating counties.

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Local Government Board intend to apply part of the proceeds of this grant for consulting services under component three (3) to engage a firm that will conduct the performance assessment of the counties that received and used the Payam Development Grant in FY 2014/15. Thecounties are: Ibba and Ezo in Western Equatoria State and Yirol West and Rumbek East in Lakes State.

The assessment will be conducted in October and November 2015.

The Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Local Governance and Service Delivery Project in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning now invites eligible consulting firms ("Consultant") to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide informationdemonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevantexperience to perform the Services (brochures, description of similarassignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). The short listing criteria are as follows:

a) Specific experience in successfully implementing similar assignments;

b) Experience of relevant services in an environment similar to that of South Sudan; and

c) The technical and managerial organization of the firm. (Provide only the structure of the organization, general qualifications and number of key staff) Do not provide CV of staff

Attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employmentof Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by WorldBank Borrowers dated January 2011 ("Consultant Guidelines"), setting forth the World Bank's Policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other consultants in the form of a joint venture ora sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications. The nature of association, whether it is a joint venture or a sub consultancy, should clearly be stated. In case of joint venture the Consultant leading the joint venture should be mentioned.

A Consultantwill be selected in accordance with the Consultants' Qualifications (CQs) set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Interested Consultant may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 10:00 to 16:00 hours East African Time (GMT + 3) on all working days.

Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below(in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by Thursday 20th August 2015 at 5.00 P.M. East African Time.

Project Coordinator

Project Management Unit

Local Governance and Service Delivery Project,

Location: Local Government Board (West of Bank of South Sudan)

Juba, South Sudan

Tel No. +211 955 487 459 E-mail: [email protected]