Government of Lesotho
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION SUPPORT PROJECT
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)
CONSULTING SERVICES: REVIEW OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMES) POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Financing Agreement Reference : 2100150036596
Sector : Enterprise Development
Project ID No.: P-LS-KF0-002
The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho has received financing from the African Development Fund towards implementation of the Economic Diversification Support Project and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this loan to payments under the contract for consultancy services for the Review of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Policy and Legal Framework.
The overall objective of the assignment is to engage an individual consultant who will conduct a comprehensive review and update the MSME policy and Legal Framework in order to align the two with the national objectives and international best practice. The consultant is expected to undertake review and gap analysis of the existing MSMEs Policy within the context of national strategies and plans; undertake review of related sector policies, legislations and frameworks in order to ensure harmonization and integration of issues affecting the private sector, MSMEs and entrepreneurship development. Further the consultant will identify institutional and environmental factors that hinder development of MSMEs and recommend policy measures to address the constraints, as well as assess the existing governance and institutional structures and mechanisms for MSMEs development and make necessary recommendations on improvement of coordination and governance. Having carried out the review and gap analysis on the existing MSMEs Policy, the consultant will then be expected to assist Government in preparing a draft MSMEs Policy; draft legal provisions for MSME Act and develop a detailed implementation framework, as well as comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan. Lastly the consultant will determine the capacity to implement policy and develop a capacity building plan for operationalization of the policy.
The estimated duration of this assignment is 3 months from the date of signing of the contract.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Candidates are expected to have the following qualifications: (i) at least a Master’s degree or equivalent in the fields of Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Public Policy, or other related disciplines; (ii) at least 10 years’ work experience in public policy formulation and review, including strategy development with specific focus on private sector development, MSMEs development and entrepreneurship; (iii) experience in policy analysis and legal review within the MSME sector; and (iv) exposure to best international practices is desirable. Interested consultants must provide CVs indicating that they are qualified to perform the services including description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, etc.
Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the Procurement Policy and Methodology for Bank Group Funded Operations, dated October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 08.00 hours to 16.30 hours.
EOIs must be delivered to the address below by 9th March 2020 at 16.30 hours and mention “Review of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Policy and Legal Framework”
Attn : The Project Manager
Economic Diversification Support Project (EDSP)
Ministry of Trade and Industry
1st Floor, Matanki House,
Corner Kingsway and Balfour Road
P.O. Box 747
Maseru, Lesotho
E-mail : tmofelehetsi@psc.org.ls with a copy to ltsoinyane@psc.org.ls