REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

The Republic of Azerbaijan

Employment Support Project

Loan No.: 9172-AZ

Assignment Title: Provision of follow up visits and mentoring services for SEP beneficiaries, and assistance in organization of matching awards, wage subsidy and OJT services and intermediation of apprenticeship activities

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): AZ-MLSPP-494385-CS-QCBS

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Employment Support Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. 

The consulting services (“the Services”) include provision of follow up visits and mentoring services for SEP beneficiaries, and assistance in organization of matching awards, wage subsidy and OJT services and intermediation of apprenticeship activities, with 48 month of implementation period (expected to start about January 2026).

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following link: https://azespmy.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/office_esp_az/Efco8BJHcI5Dn7FNSMwao68BCYOeaImGzOYWmL0yna4V_A?rtime=JoRSKCG93Ug 

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population / Employment Support Project now invites eligible consulting firms (“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:  experience in implementation of projects with similar nature and complexity (i.e. providing mentorship services, follow up visits, and/or comprehensive training to SMEs, Business Associations); experience in developing mentorship and follow up guidelines; experience for delivery of mentorship services for SEP and SME; experience in organization of post-training follow-up visits for SEP and SME; regional experience in similar regions and circumstances. Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

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 Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Quality and Cost-based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 hours).

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by July 29, 2025.

Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population / Employment Support Project

Attn: Mr. Fagan Asgarov, Project Coordinator

27, Nazim Hikmet str.,

Rich Plaza, 1st entrance, 2nd floor 

AZ1100, Baku, Azerbaijan

Tel: (99412) 5253449

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]