REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Issue Date: 05/11/2024

Proposal Due Date: 18/11/2024

Anticipated Award Date: 01/12/2024

RFP Number: 031

To Whom It May Concern:

The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to support dialogue and advocacy with the governmental institutions towards policy reform in four key sectors: energy, agribusiness, ICT, and wood processing. In partnership with IREX, its Policy Working Groups (PWG), and Council Leads, the consultant will support the drafting of a Workforce Development Policy Landscape Document for the Energy sector and support the updating of the Policy Landscape Documents in the Agribusiness, ICT, and Wood Processing sectors. The Policy Action Plans serve as a framework for policy reform dialogue between the government and Sector Workforce Councils. Additionally, the consultant will support the Activity and the Sector Workforce Councils in developing policy on the selected option to anchor the Councils within relevant legal and institutional frameworks[1].

IREX reserves the right to withdraw this request for proposal at any time up to the award of the contract and the issuance of this RFP does not guarantee an award.

Proposal Requirements

Consultants interested in providing this service must submit a proposal, which demonstrates the capacity to provide the activities below.

The consultant will work with the Activity, Council Leads, and PWGs to complete the following activities:

1. Review the Workforce Development Policy Landscape document in sectors of Agribusiness, ICT, and Wood Processing.
2. Develop the Workforce Development Policy Landscape document of the Energy sector.
3. Develop the Scope of Work (SoW) of the Energy Sector Policy Working Group.
4. Develop the Policy Action Plan for the Energy sector.
5. Update Policy Action Plans for Agribusiness, ICT, and Wood Processing sectors.
6. Identify workforce policy actions and/or constraints and support PWGs to articulate policy proposals to the Government.
7. Work with Sector Workforce Councils to advance workforce development policy reform.
8. Prepare Policy Actions for the Government as identified by the PWG of the Agribusiness, Energy, ICT, and Wood Processing sectors.
9. Develop policy on the selected option to anchor Sector Workforce Councils within the relevant legal and institutional framework.
10. Continually support the Activity and PWGs to provide input to (strategic) documents published through the Government’s Public Consultation Platform.
11. If needed, support the Activity to review the Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on establishing Sector Workforce Councils and By-laws.
12. Other legal-related matters of the Activity (on an as-needed basis). 

Time frame: The Consultancy is expected to start in December 2024 and finish by December 2026.

Required qualifications and experience:

• A master’s degree in legal studies, preferably related to business law, public administration, law and government, workforce development policies, or other relevant fields.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in policy reforms and advocacy with governments.
• Experience in working with Government institutions and other relevant bodies, in reviewing and drafting government programs, frameworks, laws, by-laws, and other pieces of policy, preferably related to workforce and private sector development.
• Experience in working to establish or support the functioning of similar bodies such as the Sector Workforce Council is preferable.
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities in the sectors of ICT, Agribusiness, Wood Processing, and Energy is preferable.
• Knowledge of international best practices and standards in the private sector and workforce development.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality consultancy services on time and within budget.

Mode of engagement:

The consultant will coordinate activities with the Activity, PWGs, and relevant Council Leads in person and/or remotely.

Application submission instructions:

CV: Applicants must submit a CV that emphasizes relevant experience for this assignment, including past positions held and key successes and achievements for each. Please include the country where you are currently located as well as countries/regions where you have experience alongside relevant language skills.

Cover Letter: Please submit a cover letter briefly outlining general information about yourself, limited to 2 pages or less. Cover letters should include:

• A brief consultant profile.
• Proposed gross daily rate and reasonableness within the market rate.
• Indication of availability from December 2024 to December 2026.

Proposal Submission

If you are interested in furnishing this service, please e-mail a proposal to [email protected] . All submissions should reference RFP 031. If you decide to submit a proposal, it must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date indicated above. Late submissions will only be considered if in the best interests of the project, and then at IREX’s sole discretion. All proposals, pricing and costs submitted must be valid for a period of not less than sixty (60) calendar days from the closing date indicated above.

Proposal Evaluation

The criteria for evaluation of proposals are listed below in descending order starting with the most important factors to be evaluated.

• Price Competitiveness (40%)
• Technical Expertise & Customer Service (30%)
• Past references and demonstration of relevant work (30%)

Evaluation and ranking of proposals will be conducted by IREX following the closing date listed above. IREX may at its discretion ask for additional information or documentation.

Renewal

IREX reserves the right, based on the availability of funding and vendor performance, to enter into subsequent contractual agreements with the winning vendor for a period of up to three years without issuing a new RFP.

[1] A preliminary evaluation of potential options has been completed. The consultant is expected to continue work on the selected option and work with the Activity and Sector Workforce Councils to finalize the work.