East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP): Harmonization of TVET Qualifications Framework in EASTRIP countries and at least ten (10) Occupational Standards in the EASTRIP Priority areas

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Country: Uganda

Project Name: East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project

Grant No.: D-3860

Assignment Title: Harmonization of Qualifications and Occupational Standards in TVET

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): UG-IUCEA-197602-CS-CQS

The Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include development of an approved Regional Harmonized Qualifications Framework for TVET and at least ten (10) Regionally Harmonized Occupational Standards in the EASTRIP priority areas. The estimated professional staff-months are 24 with an estimated implementation period of eighteen months. The expected start date of assignment is April 2021.

1. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The main objective of this contractual assignment is to have an approved Regional Harmonized Qualifications Framework for TVET as well as at least TEN (10) Regionally Harmonized Occupational Standards in the EASTRIP priority areas. As a result of achieving this, integration in the region as well as labor transfers are expected to be smoothened.

1. OVERVIEW OF KEY TASKS

1. Review of the National Qualifications Frameworks of the three countries, identify differences and cause of such and work with IUCEA/RFU and the already composed Technical Working Group as well as other stakeholders in bridging the gaps in all the countries to come up with a Harmonized TVET Qualifications Framework for the three EASTRIP Countries.
2. Work with all stakeholders in mapping and drafting required policy or legal documentation and follow through for relevant approvals until the changes are approved and subsequently the Harmonized framework
3. Identify Candidate Occupational Standards in the EASTRIP priority areas and strategize methodology of coming up with the TEN standards until they are Harmonized across the three countries using different stakeholders.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: (www.eastrip.iucea.org and www.iucea.org ).

The IUCEA now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information (in English ONLY) demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:

1. Eligibility and legal documents (certificates of incorporation/registration, valid trading license, valid tax clearance and Powers of Attorney) for the firm. Additionally the  Powers of Attorney for Joint Ventures must be authorized by the parties to the JV. 
2. General experience of the consultancy firm of at least ten years in educational reviews.
3. Relevant specific experience of at least one assignment in the past ten years in Sub Saharan Africa. Relevance shall be to TVET curriculum or qualifications framework. Added advantage if the Qualifications Framework or Occupational Standards were harmonized among two or more countries.
4. Evidence of technical and managerial capability to undertake the assignment including (mention the areas of expertise).  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” July 2016, revised November 2017 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower as further detailed per paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations. 

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 Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the aforementioned Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0830 to 1630 hours, Monday to Friday except Ugandan public holidays.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below either in person, by mail or by e-mail by 1100hrs of 30th December 2020, Ugandan time.

Project Coordinator – EASTRIP

The Inter University Council for East Africa

Attn: Dr. Cosam Joseph

Plot 7110 Kampala

Plot M833 Kigobe Rd, Kyambogo

Kampala, Uganda

E-mail: cosam@iucea.org and copy to ckakooza@iucea.org

The Planned Procurement activities for this exercise (Subject to changes) is as follows;

Ag. Executive Secretary