Lesotho Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project: Engagement of a Communications Firm to Support CAFI

Project ID: P175783

Project Title: Lesotho Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project

Borrower Bid Reference: LS-MTI-326389-CS-CQS

Published Date: 23-Nov-2022

Details:

Government of Lesotho

COMPETITIVENESS And Financial Inclusion project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES- FIRM SELECTION)

Country                  :   Lesotho

Project Name         :   Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion

Credit No.              :   P175783- LSO

Assignment Title   :   Communications Firm for CAFI

Reference No.       :   CAFI – WB – 0016

The Government of Lesotho has received a loan from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank to implement the Lesotho Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project. The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to “increase access to business support services and financial products targeted at MSMEs and entrepreneurs, especially women and youth”.

The success of the project will be measured against the following key results indicators:

1. Number of enterprises benefitting from private sector initiatives of the program (Of which are women-owned, of which are youth-owned);

1. Value of financing (seed funding, grants, partial credit guarantee, MSME resilience funds) accessed by enterprises through the program (Of which are women-owned);

1. Percentage of enterprises supported by the program with increased revenue (Of which are women-owned, of which are youth-owned); and

1. Percentage of enterprises supported by the program with increased employment (Of which are women-owned, of which are youth-owned.

The project has three components of which Project Management and implementation support is one of them.  This component will provide support for the management and implementation of project-associated activities.  Activities to be financed include salaries of Project Management Unit (PMU) staff/consultants in areas of project management; project coordination, fiduciary specialists (e.g. procurement, financial management); a dedicated environment and social safeguards (E&S) specialist; project communication; and citizen engagement.  This component will also cover modest office equipment and independent audits and learning/training for the PMU and beneficiary agencies, through the official closing date of the project. It is expected that all consultant terms of reference (TORs) will clearly stipulate knowledge transfer and hands on training to ministry staff.  Special attention will be devoted to promoting equal participation of women in all decision-making bodies under the project and contributing to tackling barriers in recruitment, retention, and promotion.  

To promote stakeholder engagement through communications, outreach, and sharing of information and experiences on project activities and events with stakeholders, the CAFI PMU intends to engage a communications firm.

The Project Management Unit is therefore seeking the services of a Consultancy Firm to (i) prepare and implement a communication strategy and action plan for the project; (ii) promote participation of all stakeholders in the project for sustainability; (iii) develop awareness materials based on the needs assessment and ensure that they reach all the stakeholders through different communication channels; (iv) publicize project implementation progress; and (v) enhance media and online presence of the project (websites, facebook, twitter, etc.).

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the e-mail addresses given below.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry through the project Management Unit (PMU) now invites eligible Communication Firms to indicate their interest in providing the required Services.  Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have at least 10 years’ experience in communication and media relations, stakeholder engagement and experience in reporting. The shortlisting criteria are: (evidence of registration in the firm’s home country; the firm’s core business; relevant experience; technical and managerial capacity; cost of the assignment; experience in similar conditions in the SADC region; and the available experts with experience and qualifications in similar assignments).   Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

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” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest (paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations).

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy 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.

The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours [08h00 to 16h30 hours local time].

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form, in sealed envelopes labelled "COMMUNICATIONS FIRM FOR CAFI" with the name of the firm on the reverse side of the envelope, to the address below in person or by mail by Thursday, 16th December, 2022 at 16h30. Submissions can also be sent to mpotsane@psc.org.ls with a copy to rrapakeng@psc.org.ls as a single attachment.

The Project Manager

Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project

1st Floor ‘Matanki House

P.O. Box 747,

Maseru 100

Lesotho

Tel.: (+266) 22 315 100

NB: Only shortlisted firms will be contacted.

Organization/Department: Ministry of Trade and Industry

Name: Chaba Mokuku

Address: 1st Floor, Matanki House, Cnr Balfour & Kingsway Road, P.O. Box 747, Maseru 100

City:

Province/State:

Postal Code:

Country: Lesotho

Phone: 266 22315100

Email: cmokuku@psc.org.ls

Website: