Consultancy Services for carrying out Financial Market Skills Assessment

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)

COUNTRY: Republic of South Sudan

PROJECT: Strengthening South Sudan’s Financial Sector (3SF)

PROJECT ID: P179278

GRANT No: IDA- E239

CONSULTING SERVICES: Consultant Services to conduct Market Skills Assessment in Banking & Finance Sector The findings of the Assessment shall inform BoSS Banking and Finance Sector Staff Capacity Enhancement & Curriculum Development for South Sudan Institute of Banking & Finance.

DUTY STATION: BoSS-HQ, Juba- South Sudan

Ref No: SS-BOSS-448930-CQS

The Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GoSS), represented by the Central Bank of South Sudan also referred to as Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), is implementing the Strengthening South Sudan’s Financial Sector (3SF) Project, which is being financed with a grant from the International Development Association of the World Bank. The objective of the project is to strengthen the institutional and supervisory capacity of the central bank and improve the efficiency of core financial sector infrastructure. This objective will be achieved by strengthening and modernizing the central bank, which is critical for financial stability and key for transforming the banking sector and driving private-sector growth.

The Project is primarily aimed at supporting the institutional strengthening of the Central Bank. The project is premised on the notion that a strengthened central bank is key for transforming the banking sector and spurring private sector led growth. In addition to supporting capacity building within BoSS, the project will also support the development of a holistic approach towards addressing existing financial sector challenges. The objective of the project is to strengthen the institutional and supervisory capacity of the central bank and improve the efficiency of core financial sector infrastructure. The project has four (4) components: ((i) formulating Financial Sector Policies; (ii) institutional strengthening of the central bank; (iii) development and modernization of key infrastructure; and (iv) project management and coordination.

3SF is seeking to use a portion of the grant to procure consulting services to conduct Market Skills Assessment in Banking & Finance Sector The findings of the Assessment shall inform BoSS Banking and Finance Sector Staff Capacity Enhancement & Curriculum Development for South Sudan Institute of Banking & Finance

The consulting services (“Services”) is required to conduct a Market Skills Assessment of the banking and financial sector in South Sudan by: Assess the current technical skills landscape within the banking and financial sector; Identify current and emerging skills and competencies required in the sector, based on sector growth projections, digital transformation, and anticipated policy or regulatory shifts; Map the skills gaps between existing workforce skills and capabilities and the sector’s present and future needs/industry demands; Review the availability, relevance, and quality of existing training programs, certifications, and higher education offerings related to banking and finance, and identify any gaps in training opportunities; Provide evidence-based recommendations for upskilling/reskilling initiatives; Design and organize required skills into categories or sets that correspond to the distinct functional areas within the banking and financial sector as detailed in the terms of reference.

Duration: The assignment period is expected to take 5 months, starting from the date of signing the contract. The firm should at least spend 50% of the contract time in the field.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained upon request through: [email protected] or [email protected]

The BoSS now invites eligible firms (“Consultant”) 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 as follows:

• At least ten (10) years of demonstrated experience in conducting skills assessments, Labour market studies, workforce competency mapping, developing/reforming and evaluating organizational structures, and any related activities, ideally within the financial sector

• Experience with methodologies for data collection and analysis (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups, job description analysis, competency frameworks).

• Proof of at least two similar assignments successfully completed in the last three years in the banking or financial Sector.

• Deep knowledge and extensive experience in the financial sector, including understanding of commercial banking, financial regulation and oversight, financial sector consulting, or related areas.

• Extensive experience working in Africa. Experience in fragile/post- conflict or conflict situations will be a significant advantage.

• Previous experience in World Bank or other donor-funded development projects specially in a related assignment is desired.

• Knowledge of South Sudan Financial sector will be an added advantage.

The attention of interested consultancy 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 revised November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020 [Procurement in investment Project Financing; Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services], setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other consultants in the form of a joint venture or a 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 Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based on Consultant's 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 South Sudan on all working days.

Expressions of interest (EOI) should be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by September 18, 2025 at 5.00 P.M (South Sudan Time) marked clearly as – “Expression of Interest for conducting Market Skills Assessment in Banking & Finance Sector The findings of the Assessment shall inform BoSS Banking and Finance Sector Staff Capacity Enhancement & Curriculum Development for South Sudan Institute of Banking & Finance.” and submitted to the address below.

Attention: Mr. Joseph Atem Bul

Project Coordinator (3SF)

Project Implementation Unit (PIU),

Bank of South Sudan (BoSS)

Location: BoSS HQ, Jondoru

Juba, Republic of South Sudan

E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

and copy [email protected]