Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested firms should
provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and
relevant experience to perform the Services.

 The short-listing criteria for the firm are:
§ The firm’s core business shall be in innovation strategy, digital transformation,
digital ecosystems development, or related advisory services. The firm shall
demonstrate a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience,
with proven expertise in areas such as innovation strategy development, digital
economy and entrepreneurship, innovation management, Industry 4.0/5.0, and
21st-century skills frameworks. The firm should demonstrate sustained
engagement in strategy-level advisory services within the digital and innovation
domain.
§ The firm shall demonstrate proven experience in successfully completing at
least two (2) similar assignments related to the development of innovation
strategies, digital ecosystem strategies, entrepreneurship or innovation zone
strategies, preferably in African countries. Experience working with public
and/or private sector institutions, as well as experience on development partner–
financed assignments, will be considered an added advantage. The firm shall
briefly indicate the nature of the assignment, client, country, and period of
execution.
§ The firm shall demonstrate experience delivering advisory services in
developing or capacity-constrained country contexts, particularly within
government or public-sector institutional settings. This includes familiarity with
policy environments, institutional coordination challenges, and
ecosystem-building initiatives similar to those prevailing in Somaliland or
comparable contexts. Experience in fragile or emerging innovation ecosystems
shall be considered an advantage.
§ The firm shall demonstrate adequate technical and managerial capacity to carry
out the assignment, including a clear organizational and management structure,
internal coordination arrangements, and the ability to apply recognized
methodologies and best-practice frameworks relevant to innovation strategy and
digital ecosystems.
5. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection
(CQS) method set out in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers”

Fifth Edition of September 2023.