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: Connectivity Specialist (1)
DUTY STATION: MICT&PS Project Building, Juba- South Sudan
Ref No: SS-MICT&PS-544411-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 consultant is to be responsible for leading the overall project preparation and implementation with respect to the Broadband Infrastructure and Access activities.
Responsibilities: The Consultant is required to do everything necessary to coordinate and lead the overall project preparation and implementation with respect to the Broadband Infrastructure and Access activities. 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 24 Months from the date of contract commencement with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance of the Consultant.
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: Bachelor's degree in computer science, ICT, Telcom Engineering, or equivalent, with a minimum 7 years of relevant work experience; or Master's Degree (preferred) in Network Engineering, ICT, Telcom Engineering, or equivalent, with a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience; Industry certifications and project management certification is an added advantage; Extensive experience of designing and implementing digital infrastructure and access initiatives, incorporating best practice. Prior experience of working on government- and/or donor-funded national optical Fibre backbone and private sector broadband infrastructure related projects preferred. Prior experience of designing digital infrastructure and access initiatives that crowd in and support the private sector is considered an advantage; Track-record of assessing technical needs and specifications, supporting planning as well as and supervision of large, complex, and nation-wide digital infrastructure projects of a similar scale and technical nature, their planning, monitoring and evaluation; Demonstrated knowledge of the digital infrastructure and device value-chain, as well as broadband market in South Sudan (demand and supply side), including market player, key challenges and opportunities for development, as well as innovative and emerging approaches to last-mile connectivity, and telecommunication technologies such as 5G; Demonstrated knowledge of key regulatory and policy issues related to the telecommunication sector and broadband market development - e.g., competition, affordability, quality of service (QoS), local content, spectrum management and infrastructure sharing etc. Familiarity with the digital inclusion and universal broadband access agenda, as it pertains to South Sudan, including experience of working on related initiatives; Experience working with development partners in the capacity of a technical specialist or project management, including World Bank, AfDB or others is advantageous; Extensive experience of dealing with the private sector, digital infrastructure and IT providers and managing related contracts and providing related quality assurance; Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, methods of ICT and infrastructure-project planning, monitoring, and evaluation; Demonstrated experience in South Sudan or related fragile contexts.
HOW TO APPLY:
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, November 2020 and September 2023 [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 April 30, 2026, 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: procurement.eardip@gmail.com with a copy to eardippiu23@gmail.com