Consulting Services for Business Advisory Services to Beneficiaries (Grantees) of Gender Inclusive Workplace Infrastructure in Eastern Region

MINISTRY OF GENDER, LABOUR AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT GENERATING GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AND PRODUCTIVITY FOR WOMEN ENTERPRISES (GROW) PROJECT

Project ID: P176747

Grant No. 0920-UG Request for Expressions of Interest (Consulting Services – Firms Selection) CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES TO BENEFICIARIES (GRANTEES) OF GENDER INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE INFRASTRUCTURE

Reference No .: MGLSD-GROW/CONS/25-26/00071-UG-MOGLSD-547665-CS-CQS Issued on: August 13, 2026

The Government of the Republic of Uganda has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of implementing the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for Consulting Services. The Project Development Objective is to increase access to entrepreneurial services that enable women entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises in targeted locations, including host and refugee communities. The Project is being implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD) jointly with Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) as an implementing Entity.

Under subcomponent three (3A & 3B) the project intends to Establish and Equip Common User Production Facilities (CUPFs) and Enable Access to Gender-Inclusive Workplace Infrastructure respectively. It will provide grants to support innovation and business expansion for women-owned businesses through the establishment of common user production facilities. The aim is to provide demand-driven infrastructure and facilities to improve productivity of women as a step towards enterprise growth and transition. The target beneficiaries include women entrepreneurs who are managing micro and small businesses. Approximately 25,000 female entrepreneurs, including from refugee-hosting districts, are expected to benefit from this intervention for target beneficiary reach projection. The implementation of this subcomponent will be done by the MGLSD with technical support from the Business Advisory Services firm The Consulting Services ("the Service") include Consultancy services to provider Business advisory services to beneficiaries of Gender Inclusive Workplace Infrastructure and Common User Production Facilities (CUPFs) beneficiary enterprises for Lot 1 – Central Region, Lot 2- Northern Region, Lot 3- Western Region, Lot 4- Easter Region . The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at https://mglsd.go.ug/procurement/ The Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development 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 is as follows: At least five (5) years’ proven experience in providing business advisory, enterprise development, business incubation, MSME support programmes or related consultancy services. Demonstrated experience in business planning, business model development, sustainability planning, financial management and operational strengthening for MSMEs, cooperatives, shared production facilities or similar enterprises. Proven experience in market systems development, value chain strengthening, market feasibility assessments and enterprise growth strategies in sectors such as agro-processing, dairy, leather, crafts or related productive sectors. Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering capacity-building, mentoring and technical assistance programmes for entrepreneurs, business associations, incubators or enterprise support institutions. Experience in grants management, financial oversight, operational efficiency improvement and support to enterprises funded by Government, Development Partners or Donor-funded programmes. At least five (5) years’ experience in implementing and monitoring Environmental and Social (E&S) safeguards, including stakeholder engagement, grievance redress mechanisms (GRM), occupational health and safety, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation. Demonstrated experience working with Government Ministries, Development Partners, private sector organizations and multi-stakeholder programmes supporting women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and MSME growth. Experience in monitoring, supervision and reporting for donor-funded projects, including establishment of performance monitoring systems and preparation of analytical and implementation reports.

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” Seventh Edition, September 2025 “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 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 Qualification selection (CQS) method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016 revised September 2025. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (0800 to 1700 hrs). Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below in a written form not later than September 2, 2026 at 1100hrs. Consultants may make arrangements to have their Expressions of interest delivered by courier services however, no liability will be accepted for loss or late delivery. Expressions of Interest should be Addressed to: The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, P.O. Box 7136, KAMPALA

Expressions of Interest should be delivered/sent to: 7th Floor, Gender and Labour House,