National Research and Education Network Specialist

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)

COUNTRY: Republic of South Sudan

PROJECT: Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP)

PROJECT ID: P176181

GRANT No: IDA-E180

CONSULTING SERVICES: A Consultant to establish South Sudan National Research Education Network (SSNREN)

DUTY STATION: MICT&PS Project Building, Juba- South Sudan

Ref No: SS-MICT&PS-475695-CS-INDV

The Government of the Republic South Sudan (GoSS), through the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services (MICT&PS) has received a grant of US$67 million 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 project development objective is to address connectivity needs for countries in the Horn of Africa region. The project is structured around four main components: (i) Connectivity Market Development and Integration. This component will provide support to develop terrestrial cross-border connectivity and expand backbone and last-mile connectivity to rural and remote communities. (ii) Data Market Development and Integration. This component will provide support to the integration and development of the data market, to enable secure exchange, storage and processing of data across borders, including strengthening the environment for cybersecurity. (iii) Online Market Development and integration. This component will provide support to the integration and development of the online market, through targeted support for e-service enablers and digital skills. (iv) Project Management and implementation. This component will provide technical assistance and capacity support for project preparation and implementation.

The main objective of the consultancy is to coordinate and supervise activities leading to the establishment of the SSNREN

Responsibilities: The Consultant is required to do everything necessary to coordinate the first strategies for establishing, institutionalizing, developing, and sustaining an established NREN in South Sudan. He/she provide technical guidance to ensure compliance and adhering to the general procedures and guidelines of the World Bank (WB) in order to ensure quality output of program interventions and all other tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) that will be provided upon submission of application (in person or by E-mail) and can be found at the following website: www.mictps.gov.ss/eardip-south-sudan

Government officials or civil servants will not be considered unless: (i) they are on leave of absence without pay or have resigned or retired six months prior to the date of the advert; and (ii) their employment will not create Conflict of interest.

Duration: The assignment period is expected to take 12 Months from the date of contract commencement.

Selection Criteria: The selection shall be based on qualification, experience and skills of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualification, experience and skills should include: Graduate qualifications in Telecommunications, ICT, Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Education Management, Public Administration, Economics, or related field, and Previous participation in an NREN establishment is a must; At least Ten (10) years of relevant work experience managing or leading a national NREN projects/ programs or managing Campus Area networks in an NREN participating public university; Extensive experience of working on digital initiatives in the education sector, including on issues such as Campus Area Networks, school connectivity, and NRENs; Remarkable resource mobilisation skills is desirable; Experience in either the EAC, IGAD, COMESA region is an advantage; Expert skills in conducting surveys, use of digital tools for survey, and research; Use of ODK / Kobo Collect software is an added advantage; Familiarity with Geographical Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and Remote Sensing System (RSS) is an added advantage; Ability to work in difficult and fragile environment such as South Sudan; Ability to easily understand the social and cultural diversion ; Strongly results-oriented and able to manage a workload with minimal supervision in a short time schedule; Ability to lead and work in multi-disciplinary teams; Excellent team building, interpersonal relationship management and negotiation skills, and ability to resolve conflicts constructively; Demonstrated ability to listen and integrate ideas from diverse views, create partnerships and collaborate with others, advocate and influence, resolve conflicts constructively, and work effectively across boundaries even without active guidance from the management; Ability to maintain strategic overview and manage priorities yet be detail-orientated within a dynamic, fast-paced environment; Strong oral and written communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills; Ability to make forward-looking and practical decisions and operate effectively in a results-oriented and implementation culture; Should demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and integrity.

The MICT&PS now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the Services.

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’ 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.

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) for selection of individual consultant Which can be found at the following website: www.worldbank.org/procurement

Interested Consultants may obtain further information at the address given below from 9:00 to 16:00 Hrs. on working days (Monday through Friday). 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.

Deadline for submission: The Expression of interest (EOI) and the CV completed in the prescribed form must be delivered to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by July 31, 2025, at 17:00 Hours (South Sudan Time)

Further details of this REOI are provided in the Terms of Reference (TOR), which may be obtained upon request in person or by e-mail to the address given below. Application through e-mail is highly encouraged.

Attention: Project Manager

Project Implementation Unit (PIU),

Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services (MICT&PS)

Location: Juba, Opp. Bank of South Sudan

Republic of South Sudan

E-mail: [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]