Training of R

SADC SECRETARIAT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS-BASED SELECTION- CQS) SHORTLISTING

COUNTRY: Botswana

NAME OF PROJECT: REGIONAL STATISTICS PROJECT (RSP)

PROJECT ID: P175731

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: CONSULTANCY TO HIRE A FIRM FOR UNDERTAKING OF NATIONAL TRAININGS ON R IN TEN (10) SADC MEMBER STATES

REFERENCE NUMBER: SADC/3/5/2/463

DATE OF ISSUE: 11th September 2026

Background

The SADC Secretariat through the Regional Statistics Project has received a grant. The aim of this grant is to strengthen the institutional capacity of SADC and participating countries to produce, disseminate and use quality statistics while increasing regional harmonization and collaboration.

The main guiding frameworks are SADC Vision 20250 and the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030 (RISDP 2020-2030). The Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP), the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP), the Industrialisation Strategy and the Roadmap, among others, are complementary guiding frameworks for achieving the regional integration agenda. SADC has also developed various Protocols for domestication and implementation by Member States including the most recent one, the Protocol on Statistics, to enhance harmonization of statistics. The operating framework for implementing statistical activities as priorities for the region is the Regional Strategy for Development of Statistics (RSDS) and is aligned to SADC Vision 2050 and RISDP 2020-30.

Demand for quality and harmonized statistics has been on the rise to monitor progress in developmental agendas at national, regional, continental, and global level. The scope of data demand cuts across economic, social, and on emerging issues such as climate change, disaster-risk, environment and others related.

The SADC Secretariate intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring a FIRM FOR UNDERTAKING OF NATIONAL TRAININGS ON R IN TEN (10) SADC MEMBER STATES

The SADC Secretariat invites submissions from suitably qualified and interested firms to conduct the trainings, recruited following World Bank Procurement Regulations dated September 2023.

Title: CONSULTANCY TO HIRE A FIRM FOR UNDERTAKING OF NATIONAL TRAININGS ON R IN TEN (10) SADC MEMBER STATES

Accountable: Senior Officer, Research and Statistics

Duration of Assignment: 20 months

The Objectives of the Assignment: The overall objective of this exercise is to train Member States on the use of statistical software for management of large databases and analysis of complex surveys. With Specific objectives: to provide participants with basic knowledge about the syntax and basis of the R programming language and to provide an overview of the main packages of R which are important for the statistical production process; and to provide participants with intermediate level knowledge on R for production and dissemination of official statistics. The detailed scope of work can be obtained from the terms of reference below.

The SADC Secretariat now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consulting firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (i.e., Company profile detailing alignment to the assignment, description of similar assignments undertaken, experience in similar conditions and availability of appropriate skills among staff).

The consulting firm should have significant in-depth expertise and knowledge in R with experienced master trainers on Python in statistical data processing and analysis, spatial data analysis, big data, quantitative and quantitative data analysis, modelling and data visualization, especially for official statistics. The consultancy firm should also have in depth experience in design and implementation of training materials for official statistics Training and capacity building conducted under this assignment must align with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and its applicable Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). Work under this consultancy is also expected to incorporate gender-sensitive approaches in all project activities and conduct a GBV/SEA/SH risk assessment.

Establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with 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” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. which is available on the Bank’s website at https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/Procurement-Regulations-September-2023.pdf . The Consultant will be selected under the Consultants Qualifications-based Selection.

The firms will be shortlisted using the following criteria:

Evaluation Criteria

Points

Firm specific experience related to the assignment 40

Availability of Qualified and Experienced Experts 60

Total 100

Interested consultants may obtain further information and detailed terms of reference at the address below during office hours 08h00hours to 16h30hours Botswana time.

Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically in PDF format and dully signed via this LINK: https://collab.sadc.int/s/8RpqPdNA5ZfZLa5

by 00.00 hours midnight Botswana time on 25 September 2026 and should mention the name of the consultancy assignment . CONSULTANCY TO HIRE A FIRM FOR UNDERTAKING OF NATIONAL TRAININGS ON R IN TEN (10) SADC MEMBER STATES

Firms are advised to submit their proposals during working hours for support in case of any technical problems. Expressions of Interest must be submitted as one PDF file or zipped folder bearing the name of the applicant.

Below is the address for obtaining further information:

The Procuring entity: SADC Secretariat

Head of Procurement Unit

Telephone: [contact details removed] / 3951863

Fax: 39728