SELECTION OF CONSULTING FIRMS BY THE WORLD BANK GROUP
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
Electronic Submissions through WBGeProcure RFx Now
ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
Assignment Title: Pre-Feasibility Studies for DIGITAL HUBS for the Economic Inclusion of PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION
The consultancy aims to support the World Bank in fostering economic inclusion for persons with disabilities via digital development. It involves conducting pre-feasibility studies in three countries to either establish or scale digital hubs for vocational training and labor services for people with disabilities. The process includes assessing labor market dynamics, identifying digital skills gaps, and understanding barriers to inclusion. The consultancy will review existing programs, infrastructure, and readiness in six countries to select three for in-depth studies. It will also consider gender and other exclusion factors, coordinating with various stakeholders, including governments and disability organizations.
The scope of work is in two phases: idea development and pre-feasibility studies. The first phase assesses conditions in six countries to select three with the highest potential for impact and readiness for digital hubs. The second phase involves detailed pre-feasibility studies in the chosen countries to evaluate the viability of establishing digital hubs, considering market, technical, financial, and economic aspects, as well as potential risks and environmental and social impacts. The studies aim to provide a foundation for further feasibility studies and project execution.
FUNDING SOURCE
The World Bank Group intends to finance the assignment / services described below under the following:
- BB: Bank Budget
- TF0C2598: SFLAC
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility restrictions apply:
- Solid expertise in vocational training programs, digital inclusion, and disability inclusion.
- Experience in research design, data collection, and analysis.
- Solid expertise of labor market assessments and good understanding of global and regional trends of digitalization of labor skills. Understanding the local market of the 6 pre-selected countries would be a plus.
- Knowledge of barriers to accessing the labor market for persons with disabilities and their careers.
- Market analysis, business development, socio-economic and finance competencies.
- Demonstrated understanding and relationship with different stakeholders (government, private sector, organizations of persons with disabilities) will be a major plus.
- Documented experience leading similar projects, particularly in disability inclusion and economic empowerment.
- Certified knowledge in accessible and inclusive technologies, and in knowledge transfer to people with disabilities.
- Experience working with the World Bank, international organizations, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders in the region.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish.
- Experience facilitating workshops or meetings with diverse groups of people, including with accessibility considerations.
- The firm and associated consultants shall keep all work and services carried out hereunder for the World Bank entirely confidential.
- The firm and associated consultants shall provide professional, objective and impartial services without consideration for future work with the World Bank Group.
- The firm and associated consultants shall avoid undertaking other assignments that constitute an actual or apparent conflict of interest.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents. Where a group of firms associate to submit an EOI, they must indicate which is the lead firm. If shortlisted, the firm identified in the EOI as the lead firm will be invited to the request for proposal (RFP) phase.
Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through WBGeProcure RFx Now
NOTES
Following this invitation for EOI, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.
Only those firms which have been shortlisted will be invited to participate in the RFP phase. No notification or debrief will be provided to firms which have not been shortlisted.
If you encounter technical difficulties while uploading documents, please send an e-mail to the Help Desk at corporateprocurement@worldbank.org prior to the submission deadline.