Development of qualification programs, skills certification schemes, and international accreditation of vocational training programs — Employment Support Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) The Republic of Azerbaijan Employment Support Project Loan No.: 9712-AZ Assignment Title: Development of qualification programs, skills certification schemes, and international accreditation of vocational training programs Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): AZ-MLSPP-562949-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 development of qualification programs, skills certification schemes, and international accreditation of vocational training programs , with about 36 months of implementation period (expected to start about December 2026- January 2027) . The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following link: TOR 5_ Terms of reference_eng_final_for REO.docx 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 of similar nature and complexity (development of competency frameworks or occupational and education standards, curricula, and assessment tools); experience in designing and organization of vocational training programs; experience in developing skills assessment; regional experience in similar contexts in skills development sector, preferably in Azerbaijan or comparable countries. 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 August 18, 2026. 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: fagan.asgarov@esp.az; aybeniz.hajiyeva@esp.az