Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project

Summary

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST DATE OF ISSUE: 13th November,2025 CONSULTING SERVICES : HIRING OF A PROJECT MANAGER FOR REAL-TIME GROSS SETTLEMENT (RTGS) FOR AUTOMATED CHEQUE PROCESSING/AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE (ACP/ACH) FOR BANK OF SIERRA LEONE. Ref: SL-BSL-522986-CS-INDV The Government of Sierra Leone has received a grant of US$40 million under the Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project (SLSFIP) to support the development of an inclusive financial system in line with the strategic objectives of Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024 - 2030 and the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022–2026. The objective of the SLSFIP is to promote a more inclusive and resilient financial sector for individuals and micro, small, and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). The scope of the project is specifically geared towards contributing to building resilience to economic, financial, and climate-related shocks with digital financial services (DFS) and access to finance interventions and strengthening institutional capacity and systems of the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL). The project will provide support (a) for the adoption and usage of transaction accounts, expansion of digital financial access points, and further development of the National Payment System infrastructure, and (b) increasing access to credit for MSMEs through provision of liquidity to financial institutions to on-lend to MSMEs and improving the financial credit infrastructure. A key activity of this initiative is the upgrade of the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), Automated Clearing House (ACH), and Automated Cheque Processing (ACP) systems, critical to ensuring a safe, efficient, and interoperable National Payment System (NPS). The Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) recognizes the increasing demands of digital financial services and aims to modernize its payment system infrastructure to align with international standards and regional interoperability requirements. The upgrade will enhance automation, security, real-time monitoring, and efficiency, enabling seamless integration with regional payment networks. To ensure smooth implementation, alignment with project objectives, and effective coordination between vendors and stakeholders, BSL seeks to hire a Project Manager to oversee and facilitate the implementation process. Objectives and Specific duties of the Consultant The Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and ensuring the successful delivery of the RTGS, ACH, and ACP system upgrades by the selected vendors. The PM will: Act as BSL’s primary point of contact with vendors and key stakeholders. Oversee vendor deliverables, ensuring adherence to scope, timelines, and quality standards. Facilitate collaboration between BSL, vendors, and financial institutions. Identify and mitigate risks or bottlenecks in the implementation process. Ensure compliance with regulatory and operational requirements. Deliverables The Project Manager will be responsible for the following key deliverables: Project Implementation Plan – outlining key milestones, risks, and mitigation strategies. Vendor Performance Reports – monitoring vendor adherence to project scope and contract terms. Testing & Quality Assurance Report – documenting UAT results and system performance validation. Stakeholder Engagement Reports – summarizing key meetings, issues, and resolutions. Post-Implementation Review Report – evaluating project outcomes and providing recommendations. Duration The consultancy is expected to last for 12 months, with all assignments concluded within the project timeline. Mode of Application Note: The Consultant will be selected in accordance with Individual Consultant (IC) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IDA Grants by World Bank Borrowers, Sixth Edition February 2025 All expressions of interest should be sent to the email below: slsfip@bsl.gov.sl copy: mariamatommy@bsl. gov.sl mohamedlwurie@bsl.gov.sl Closing Date: 27th November 2025 The Closing Date and time for receipt of applications is 27th November, 2025 at 5:00pm/ 17:00GMT You can send a mail to the email address above for the full Terms of Reference(TOR) if required. Only short-listed consultant will be contacted