Lot2: Consulting Services to Support Training of Women Entrepreneurs in Buganda South.

MINISTRY OF GENDER, LABOUR AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

GENERATING GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AND PRODUCTIVITY FOR WOMEN ENTERPRISES (GROW) PROJECT

Grant No. 0920-UG

Request for Expressions of Interest

(Consulting Services – Firms Selection)

Selection of Training Firms to Support Training of Women Entrepreneurs in Lot2: Buganda South (13 districts including; Kyotera, Rakai, Lyantonde, Kalangaala, Sembabule, Masaka, Masaka City, Lwengo, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu, Gomba, Butambala, Mpigi).

Reference No.: MGLSD-GROW/CONS/24-25/00048/2

Issued on: …………..

The Government of the Republic of Uganda has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of implementing the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for Consulting Services.

The Consulting Services ("the Service") include Training and Roll out of Core Courses to Micro and Small Women Entrepreneurs to expand their business. The training modules and participant workbooks have been translated to local languages commonly spoken in major regions including Luganda, Lunyakitara, Iteso, Lusoga, Lugishu. The modules for RHDS beneficiaries will be delivered in the commonly spoken languages in their areas like French, Sudanese Arabic and Swahili.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at https://mglsd.go.ug/

The Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development now invites eligible consulting firms ("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:

• Minimum of 8 years practical experience and evidence of having worked with women entrepreneurs in their previous assignments on delivering business development services, business ecosystem influencing work, or access to finance initiatives with documented proof of such activities for SMEs.

• Demonstrate understanding of the Uganda context including: the entrepreneurial ecosystem, key private sector actors and other SME development related initiatives being implemented either by the Government of Uganda or by other stakeholders

• The training firm should demonstrate ability to deliver content effectively to large audiences (beyond conventional classes of 50-100 participants) given the numbers the project is targeting. It is recommended that a single training should not have more than 100 participants

• Demonstrated experience and linkages for supporting MSMEs in Uganda

• Demonstrated experience in providing business development services in rural areas of Uganda and ability to provide training in local languages which can be done across the country.

• The training firm should have a track record in delivering BDS to large numbers with demonstrable results and satisfaction of financiers of repute.

• Demonstrated capacity to implement a large-scale training program.

• Should have knowledge and experience in gender and women rights issues that relate to the private sector and business development including knowledge and experience in gender lens investing.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF) Borrowers dated November 2020 (Procurement Regulations) 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 case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

Note that: The REOI for the consulting services under Lot 2 is being advertised concurrently with Lots (1, 3 and 4) and will be executed simultaneously. Therefore, a firm intending to participate in more than one lot must propose different Key Experts for each lot.

Consultants 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 (0800 to 1700 hrs).

Expressions of interest must be delivered to 7th Floor (PDU) in a written form not later than 15th November, 2024 at 11:00Hours. Consultants may make arrangements to have their Expressions of interest delivered by courier services. However, no liability will be accepted for loss or late delivery.

Expression of Interest should be Addressed to:

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.

Gender and Labour House, Plot 2, George Street,

P.O. Box 7136

KAMPALA

Tel: +256 414 347 854

Email: [email protected]