REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN

MODERNIZING THE NATIONAL STATISTICAL SYSTEM PROJECT IN TAJIKISTAN (MNSSP)

CONSULTING SERVICES

P173977

# STAT/MNSSP/QCBS/2021-01

 In response to the request of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for financial assistance, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“World Bank”), as the administrator allocated appropriate funds for the «Modernizing the National Statistical System Project in Tajikistan» in amount 10 million UDS. The Project Development Objective is to enable the Agency for Statistics to modernize statistical production, dissemination, and improve user engagement. The Project design is based on the achievements of the previous TAJSTAT and TAJSTAT-II projects to sustain the progress achieved, and is formulated to support the implementation of the NSDS until 2030. Within the framework of “Modernizing the National Statistical System Project in Tajikistan”, the Agency on Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan it is planned to hire a consultancy company for the implementation of the Twinning Partnership.

To achieve this goal, the TP includes the following main tasks:

• For assignments linked to TP work but not included in the TP TOR the TP will develop terms of reference for international consultants and experts, as well help AS with recruitment, hiring, evaluation of their work and recommendations of the consultants /experts. Be responsible for all aspects of the organization, conducting training and seminars (workshops, seminars, internships outside the country, etc.) both on the job and off the job. According to the results of the trainings to present the reports and practical recommendations on the NSS improvement taken into the account the sustainability of the system development.
• In cooperation with the AS on the basis of established indicators of the project to prepare a monitoring and evaluation plan of the project.
• Provide practical assistance to the AS in attracting donors to finance the remaining activities on the NSDS by 2030 and, if it is needed, to develop a new strategy for the development of NSS.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the link: ToR_TWINNING PARTNERSHIP

Agency on Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan/”Modernizing of the National Statistical System Project in Tajikistan” now invites Consulting Companies (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consulting Companies should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are:

• It is envisaged that the TP will most likely be a Consortium of a State statistical offices and a private company /private companies that will provide technical assistance to the national statistics system. The TP is required to have experience in the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market economy. Another requirement for the TP is the ability to provide working communication in Russian between the AS and the TP.
• The TP Team-leader shall be familiar with the statistical aspects involved in this project. He/she should be aware of aspects related to the system of statistics of Tajikistan, which may have an impact on the results of the Project implementation; act as the main authorized partners of the AS, and take into account cultural differences; know the main International and European standards in the field of statistics; to determine when it is necessary to unobtrusively/carefully, but firmly / unswervingly, to ensure progress, to achieve an appropriate pace of implementation of the process of change. Experience in working with the statistical agencies of the CIS is preferable.
• The TP should have highly qualified specialists in the field of statistics, mathematics, economics, and IT, in addition, successful projects in the field of statistics funded by international organizations, including the World Bank, progress in the development of international standards in the field of statistics, as well as tracking indicators in the field of SDGs, harmonization of international statistical methodology at the level of individual countries/regions.
• Experience in the use of alternative sources of data for the formation of official statistics, including “big data”, membership in inter-agency working groups in the field of statistics is prefer.
• The TP team should include an ICT expert with broad experience in statistical data systems operation/design in a National Statistical Office or in an international organization.
• The TP team experts should have skills and knowledge in the subject matters covered by the Project.

Agency on Statistics under the President of Tajikistan/ “Modernizing the National Statistical System Project in Tajikistan” now invites consulting companies (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are:

1. It is envisaged that the TP will most likely be a consortium of a state statistical offices and a private company /private companies that will provide technical assistance to the national statistics system. The TP is required to have experience in the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market economy. Another requirement for the TP is the ability to provide working communication in Russian between the AS and the TP.
2. The TP Team-leader shall be familiar with the statistical aspects involved in this project. He/she should be aware of aspects related to the system of statistics of Tajikistan, which may have an impact on the results of the Project implementation; act as the main authorized partners of the AS, and take into account cultural differences; know the main International and European standards in the field of statistics; to determine when it is necessary to unobtrusively/carefully, but firmly / unswervingly, to ensure progress, to achieve an appropriate pace of implementation of the process of change. Experience in working with the statistical agencies of the CIS is preferable.
3. The TP should have highly qualified specialists in the fields of statistics, mathematics, economics, as well as IT, and also successfully completed projects in the field of statistics funded by international organizations, including the World Bank; successfully experience in the development of international standards in the field of statistics, as well as monitoring of SDG indicators, harmonization of international statistical methodology at the individual countries/regions level.
4. Experience in the use of alternative data sources for the formation of official statistics, including “big data”, membership in inter-agency working groups in the field of statistics is preferable. The TP team should include an ICT expert with broad experience in statistical data systems operation/design in a National Statistical Office or in an international organization. The TP team experts should have skills and knowledge in the subject matters covered by the Project.

Key Experts for the task will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The expression of interest should include sections demonstrating the companies’ competence in each shortlisting criteria listed above.

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” Fourth Edition November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest,  and will also be subject to the Bank’s Anti-Corruption Guidelines (dated July 2016).

Consultants may associate with other companies to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a consortium. In case of a consortium all the partners shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the “Quality and Cost Based Selection – QCBS” method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 17:00 (Dushanbe time):

Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form to the address below (in person or by mail, or e-mail) by 17:00 (Dushanbe time) March 15, 2022 to:

Agency on Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan/«Modernizing the National Statistical System Project in Tajikistan»

Contact Information:

Ms. Gulnora Hasanzoda, Director

Agency on Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan/«Modernizing the National Statistical System Project in Tajikistan»

Address: 17 Bohtar Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Tel: (992 37) 227-49-01

Fax: (992 37) 221-43-75

E-mail: z.giyasova@mnssp.tj

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