Gap Analysis of ICT Security of law enforcement agencies and criminal justice bodies and Development of requite instruments, legal Framework and a Cybersecurity Bill

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Consultancy Service for The Gap Analysis of ICT Security of law enforcement agencies and criminal justice bodies and Development of requisite Instruments, Legal Framework, and a Cybersecurity Bill

Country: The Republic of The Gambia

Project Name: Digital Transformation for Africa / Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (DTfA/WARDIP SOP1)

Project ID: P176932

Reference: WARDIP/C3.4.2/2025/CS/ICS002

Assignment Tittle: Gap Analysis of ICT Security of law enforcement agencies and criminal justice bodies and Development of requisite Instruments, Legal Framework, and a Cybersecurity Bill

Duration of the assignment: Six (6) months

Date of Issued: 23RD March 2026

Deadline of submission: 17TH April 2026

Selection Method: INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION(ICS)

Background:

The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (MoCDE), is implementing the World Bank-funded Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) SOP 1 Project to enhance digital infrastructure, promote cybersecurity, and ensure robust ICT legal frameworks, among others. As part of this initiative, a consultancy is required to undertake a gap analysis of the current ICT security of law enforcement agencies and criminal justice bodies, legal and regulatory frameworks, and develop requisite instruments, including a comprehensive Cybersecurity Bill to address identified gaps.

The initiative is in line with the National Cybersecurity Policy, Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2026. Specifically, under Section 4.3, Pillar 3 of the Policy focuses on reinforcing the legal and regulatory framework for cybersecurity. As stipulated in the policy document, the objective of Pillar 3 is “To strengthen the existing legal and regulatory framework to adequately address cybercrime and facilitate the criminalization of acts related to cyber-crimes that are not addressed by existing law, yet pose a potent threat to national security”

Based on the aforementioned realities, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy through WARDIP PIU, is hereby recruiting an individual Consultant to conduct a Gap Analysis of ICT Security of law enforcement agencies and criminal justice bodies and develop requisite Instruments, Legal Framework, and a Cybersecurity Bill.

Objectives of the Assignment

The consultancy aims to:

• Undertake a comprehensive gap analysis of the current ICT security of law enforcement agencies and criminal justice bodies, legal, and regulatory frameworks such as the IC Act 2009, National cybersecurity policy 2022-2026, among others.

• Develop requisite instruments to address identified gaps, including preventive, substantive, procedural, privacy, and data protection issues.

• Draft a Cybersecurity Bill that aligns with international standards (such as the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection, ECOWAS Directives on Cybersecurity, among others) and caters to the specific needs and context of The Gambia.

Consultant Qualifications:

The consultant should possess the following qualifications, experience, and skills tailored to the assignment:

• Must possess advanced academic qualifications (Master’s or higher) in Cybersecurity, ICT Law, or related fields.

• Must possess proof of documentation/qualification/certification of strong understanding of international cybercrime frameworks, trends, and strategies for digital crime mitigation.

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in ICT security, cybercrime legislation, and cybersecurity framework development.

• Proven track record of at least 10 years in ICT security consultancy, cybercrime policy, and legal framework development.

• 5 years demonstrated experience in conducting gap analyses and drafting ICT-related policies, frameworks, and legislation/Bills in line with international standards.

• Prior engagement in similar assignments, preferably within developing countries or regions with comparable contexts is a Must.

• Must have 3 years familiarity with The Gambia’s legal system and/or international standards for cybercrime prevention, such as the AU Malabo Convention Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection, UN Cybercrime Convention, the ECOWAS Directive on the Fight against Cybercrime and other relevant conventions.

(Note: The Project would not bear the cost of any additional expert)

Deliverables:

Expected Outcomes and Deliverables with Timelines: The assignment is expected to be completed within 6 months, with each phase allocated specific timelines:

Phase 0: 1 Month

Phase 1: 1 Month

Phase 2: 1 Month, 1 Week

Phase 3: T0 - 2 Months (5 Months, 1 Week)

Phase 4: 3 Weeks

Submission of Expressions of Interest (EOI)

Interested firms must submit the following documents:

• A cover letter expressing interest in the assignment.

• Detail CV indicating qualifications and experience.

• Evidence of similar assignments completed, including references.

The attention of interested firms is drawn to paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (July 1st, 2016, revised in November 2017, Augus 2018, September 2023 and 7th Edition Feb 2025). A firm will be selected in accordance with the INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION(ICS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and the full TOR can be obtained from the email addresses below during office hours from 08:00 to 16:00 GMT on Mondays to Thursdays and from 0800 to 12:30 GMT on Fridays.

• Sent to the Project Coordinator: [email protected]

• Attention to the Project Procurement Specialist: [email protected]

Physical Address of the Project:

Digital Transformation for Africa –

Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program

C/O Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy

Bertil Harding Highway, Stadium Junction, Bakau, The Gambia, West Africa.

Digital Address (Google Maps): F889+WWH