Network Reinforcement and Access Project

Summary

The Kingdom of Eswatini Eswatini Electricity Company REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES) FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNICATION STRATEGY CLOSING DATE: 03 OCTOBER 2025 Kingdom of Eswatini Network Reinforcement Project (NRAP) Loan No.: P166170 Assignment Title: Procurement of Communication Strategy C Reference No . SZ-ECC-513375-CS-QCBS The Kingdom of Eswatini with Eswatini Electricity Company being the implementing Agency has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Network Reinforcement Project (NRAP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include the development and implementation of a project communication strategy that will promote project visibility, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness. The consultant together with the EEC and Energy Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy will drive a comprehensive communications campaign to all stakeholders including the public at large, the communities benefitting from the project and the campaign shall be driven through various media platforms and physical meetings and roadshows. The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the primary procurement stage for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest . The Eswatini Electricity Company 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: the consultant firm must have at least three years' experience in large-scale PR campaigns (energy/infrastructure projects preferred), strong media networks (Eswatini radio, print, digital), video production & digital marketing expertise (social media management, SEO, analytics), community engagement experience (roadshows, stakeholder consultations), gender-sensitive communication strategies and be fluent in English & SiSwati in presenting content that is culturally appropriate. Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The shortlist will contain one (1 ) to Eight (8) firms. 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. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Without limitation on the generality of the foregoing, Consultants shall not be hired under the circumstances set forth below: a firm that has been engaged by the Borrower to provide Goods, Works, or Non-consulting Services for a project (or an affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that firm), shall be disqualified from providing Consulting Services resulting from, or directly related to, those Goods, Works, or Non-consulting Services. This provision does not apply to the various firms (Consultants, contractors, or suppliers), which together are performing the contractor’s obligations under a turnkey or design and build contract; a firm that has been engaged by the Borrower to provide Consulting Services for the preparation or implementation of a project (or an affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that Consulting firm), shall be disqualified from subsequently providing Goods, Works, or Non-consulting Services resulting from, or directly related to those Consulting Services. This provision does not apply to the various firms (Consultants, contractors, or suppliers), which together are performing the contractor’s obligations under a turnkey or design and build contract; neither a Consultant (including personnel and sub-consultants), nor an affiliate (that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that Consultant), shall be hired for any assignment that, by its nature, creates a conflict of interest with another assignment of the Consultant; Consultants (including their experts and other personnel, and sub-consultants), that have a close business or family relationship with a professional staff of the Borrower, or of the project implementing agency, or of a recipient of a part of the Bank’s financing, or any other party representing or acting on behalf of the Borrower, that is directly or indirectly involved in any part of: the preparation of the ToR for the assignment; the selection process for the contract; the supervision of the contract; may not be awarded a contract, unless the conflict stemming from this relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptable to the Bank throughout the selection process and the execution of the contract. 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 Framework Agreement arrangements described in the Procurement Regulations and to be specifically set out in the Request for Proposals. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08h00 – 16h45. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) by 03 October 2025. Eswatini Electricity Company Attn : Procurement Specialist Thobeka Gama Eluvatsini House, Mhlambanyatsi Road P.O.Box 258 Mbabane Eswatini, H100 Tel: +268 2409 4062 E-mail: thobeka.gama@eec.co.sz copied to joseph.ncwane@eec.co.sz