Consultancy to Develop Regional Guidelines for Increasing Digital Inclusion and Universal Access for Refugees, Host Communities, Returnees and IDPs for IGAD Member States

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

Request for Expression of Interest

(Consulting Services – Firms Selection)

Country: IGAD Secretariat

Name of project: Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project

Project No.: P176181

Grant No.: IDA-E1670

Assignment Title: Development of Regional Guidelines for Increasing Digital Inclusion and Universal Access for Refugees and Returnee Communities within the IGAD Member States Reference No.DJ-IGAD-537703-CS-CQS

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include conducting the development of regional guidelines for increasing digital inclusion and universal access for refugees[1] and returnee communities[2]. The increased digital access is intended to empower the refugees and returnees to have digital identification, gain skills and capabilities needed to generate an income, contribute effectively to the economy and promote self-reliance. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) and Scope of Work for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://igad.int/consultancies or can be obtained at the address given below.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) 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 selection criteria:

The firm selected will need to demonstrate:

Extensive experience in supporting regional and or digital policies and regulations, with experience advising on various ICT policies, especially on digital inclusion and universal access.

A demonstrated track record of completing similar assignments, with a focus on relevance and recent experience. This includes legal reviews, the review of national/regional digital inclusion and universal access policies/strategies.

Prior experience in implementing national digital accessibility standards.

Prior experience of working closely with the public sector, private sector and other relevant stakeholders, especially in digital inclusion among refugees and returnees.

Demonstrated familiarity with the Horn of Africa context.

Availability of the Key Experts indicated in the ToRs.

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” First Published July 2016 and revised Fifth Edition September 2023 (“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 the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consulting firm will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during the following office hours 0900 and 1600 hours from Monday to Friday excluding lunch hour (1300 to 1400hours East African Time (EAT) and public holidays.

Expression of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by 20/May /2026 at 1100hours EAT using one of the following modalities: (i) deposit in the IGAD Office in the address below or (ii) send by e-mail to: [email protected] with copy to [email protected] and quote the Assignment title and Contract No (Development of Regional Guidelines for Increasing Digital Inclusion and Universal Access for Refugees and Returnee Communities within the IGAD Member States Reference No.DJ-IGAD-537703-CS-CQS) in the subject row. For expressions of interest that will be deposited at IGAD Office in Djibouti the packages should be clearly marked with assignment title and reference/contract No. as mentioned above.

Address:

IGAD Secretariat

P.O Box 2653, Ave Georges Clemenceau

Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti