Tajikistan Socio-Economic Resilience Strengthening Project: Market Research

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

CONSULTING SERVICES – Selection of firms

Republic of Tajikistan

Socio-Economic Resilience Strengthening Project (SERSP) P168052

Assignment Title: Conduction of market assesment, as described in the TOR.

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): NSIFT-SERSP-CS--09

The Republic of Tajikistan has received grants from the World Bank toward the cost of the Socio-Economic Resilience Strengthening Project (SERSP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The Consulting services ("Services") include: identify growth opportunities for young micro-entrepreneurs in the SERSP areas in GBAO and Khatlon region within existing local markets, avoid overcrowding with similar products or service-oriented activities, and identify niches for innovation within the component 2 Youth Inclusion and Livelihoods of the Tajikistan Socio-Economic Resilience Strengthening Project (SERSP).

Duration of the assignment is 6 months.

The draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website : www.nsift.tj. The final version of the terms of reference will be provided in the RFP (Request for Proposals).

The NSIFT invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to express 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:

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant practical field experience in one or more of the following areas: socio-economic and / or household economics assessments; risk and vulnerability assessments, market assessments.
• Experience and expertise in the design of livelihood programs in vocational education and training, employment, employment promotion, entrepreneurship development, private sector development, small business development in urban and rural areas; income-generating activities; Cash assistance.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting evaluations for planning and / or evaluation purposes. Familiarity with established assessment and analysis tools is desirable (eg, household economics approach; sustainable livelihood framework; Market analysis; Minimum Economic and Rehabilitation Standards, etc.).
• Experience in conducting in-depth market research and local livelihood assessments.
• Previous international experience and experience in Tajikistan

Interested Consultants must pay attention 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 and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s qualification Selection method (CQS) set out in the Procurement Regulation.

Further information can be obtained from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 at the address:

Republic of Tajikistan, 734013, Dushanbe city, 25 Behzod street (fourth floor of the State Institution «Tajikfilm» building), phone numbers: + (992-37 ) 2218753, 2213108, 2212478; e-mail: info@nsift.tj; web: www.nsift.tj.

Expressions of interest are presented to the attention of Siddikzoda Sh. M., Executive Director of the National Social Investment Fund of Tajikistan (NSIFT) in hard copy, via email or by fax no later than 15:00 on January 28, 2021, at the following address:

Republic of Tajikistan, 734013, Dushanbe city, 25 Behzod street (fourth floor of the State Institution «Tajikfilm» building)