Consultancy: Technical Advisor / Connectivity Expert

THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AND POSTAL SERVICES (MICT&PS)

The Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP)

Project ID. P176181; Grant No. E1780

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI) FOR CONSULTING SERVICES

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION

CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR CONNECTIVITY SPECIALIST/EXPERT

REFERENCE NO: SS-MICT&PS-330546-CS-INDV

• The Government of the Republic of South Sudan has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

• The consulting services (“the Services”) include: to be part of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at the MICT&PS, and will be responsible for leading the overall technical aspects of the project in preparation and implementation with respect to the Broadband Infrastructure and Access activities.

• The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment found at the following website: www.mictps.gov.ss/eardip-south-sudan

• The Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services (MICT&PS) now invites eligible 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 short-listing criteria are:

• At least Master’s Degree (preferred) in Network Engineering, ICT, Telcom Engineering, or equivalent relevant field from a reputable University,

• At least eight (8) years of extensive experience of designing and implementing digital infrastructure and access initiatives, incorporating best practice. Prior experience of working on government- and/or donor-funded national optical fibre backbone and private sector broadband infrastructure related projects preferred. Prior experience of designing digital infrastructure and access initiatives that crowd in and support the private sector is considered an advantage,

• Industry certifications and project management certification is an added advantage,

• Track-record of assessing technical needs and specifications, supporting planning as well as and supervision of large, complex, and nation-wide digital infrastructure projects of a similar scale and technical nature, their planning, monitoring and evaluation,

• Demonstrated knowledge of the digital infrastructure and device value-chain, as well as broadband market in post conflict setting like South Sudan (demand and supply side), including market player, key challenges and opportunities for development, as well as innovative and emerging approaches to last-mile connectivity, and telecommunication technologies such as 5G;

• Demonstrated knowledge of key regulatory and policy issues related to the telecommunication sector and broadband market development - e.g. competition, affordability, quality of service (QoS), local content, spectrum management and infrastructure sharing etc. Familiarity with the digital inclusion and universal broadband access agenda, as it pertains to South Sudan, including experience of working on related initiatives,

• At least 5 years’ experience working with development projects financed by multilateral Organization such as the World Bank, African Development Bank etc in the capacity of a technical specialist or project management, is advantageous,

• Extensive experience of dealing with the private sector, digital infrastructure and IT providers and managing related contracts and providing related quality assurance,

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, methods of ICT and infrastructure-project planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

• The Consultant(s) will be selected in accordance with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, dated July 2016 and revised September 2023 (Fifth Edition) which can be found at the following website: www.worldbank.org/procurement.

• The initial duration of the consultancy services is twenty (24) months, and can be extended for further duration subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

• 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” Fifth Edition of September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

• A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant’s Selection (IC) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

• Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours [weekdays Monday to Friday 0800hrs to 1700hrs local time excluding public holidays]. Interested Consultants are required to continually and constantly check the MICT&PS website: www.mictps.gov.ss/eardip-south-sudan for any additional information or clarification that may arise before the submission date.

Undersecretary – Telecommunication Sector

Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP)

Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services

Email addresses: [email protected] and copy to [email protected];

• Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address above (in person, or by e-mail) by 2nd August, 2024 at 5.00 pm.