Country:         Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)

Name of the Project: Somalia Productive, Resilient, and Inclusive Growth (SPRING)

Assignment Title: WTO Market Access Advisor

Project ID:     P501662

Individual/Firm:   Individual Selection

Deadline for submission of EOI: April 12 ,2026 at 4:00pm

Ref No.   SO-MOF-531452-CS-INDV

1.       Background: In May 2025, the Federal Republic of Somalia, through its Ministry of Finance (MoF) launched the Somalia Productive, Resilient, and Inclusive Growth (SPRING) project. The project development objective is to promote private sector-led growth and job creation by improving the business-enabling environment, strengthening the financial system, and enhancing access to finance.  

The SPRING project is organized around four components (three mutually-reinforcing and one supporting): (i) Component 1: Improving the enabling environment for the private sector; (ii) Component 2: Deepening financial sector reforms and strengthening institutional capacity; (iii) Component 3: Enhancing access to finance and resilience for MSMEs; and (iv) Component 4: Project Management. A wide range of activities will be implemented as part of this project to reach its development objective, such as improvements to regulatory/institutional frameworks, the rollout of the digital ID system, financial sector reforms, the creation of a risk-sharing mechanism, and the provision of business development services for micro, small and medium enterprises in select economic sectors, among others.

The MoF received US$105 million from the World Bank, including US$10 million from the Somalia Multi-Partner Fund to implement the SPRING project. As part of this initiative, under Component 1, the MoF intends to apply part of the proceeds to finance the position of Market Access Advisor. Somalia is advancing its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), a process led by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) through the Office of the Chief Trade Negotiator (OCTN) under the Office of the President. Within the World Bank–financed SPRING Project, the Market Access Advisor will provide specialized technical support to accelerate the preparation of Somalia’s WTO Goods Market Access Offer and enhance institutional readiness across relevant ministries and agencies. processes.

2.        Responsibilities: The Advisor will support Somalia’s WTO accession in trade in goods by preparing tariff offers, conducting tariff and HS analysis, and supporting negotiations with WTO Members while aligning commitments with EAC integration. The role will also advise on customs and regulatory reforms, strengthen coordination among key institutions, support policy analysis and consultations with Federal Member States and the private sector, and build government capacity to implement WTO commitments.

All other specific tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website link https://moci.gov.so/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WTO-Market-Access-Advisor.pdf

1.       Skills and qualifications

 Selection Criteria: The selection shall be based on the qualifications, experience and skills of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualifications, experience and competencies include:

•             Master’s degree in business administration, economics, Trade, Finance, or related field.

•             Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in customs valuation, tariff analysis, and trade negotiations with exposure to WTO accession.

•             Proven ability to work across multiple ministries and agencies, fostering inter-institutional collaboration.

•             Demonstrated expertise in capacity building, policy analysis, and technical drafting.

•             Excellent communication, negotiation, and report-writing skills.

•             Fluency in English required; knowledge of Somali is an advantage.

•             Prior experience in fragile or post-conflict environments is highly desirable

2.       Duration: The proposed duration for the assignment is Twelve Months (12) calendar months from starts date.

3.       The Ministry of Ministry of Finance now invites eligible consulting (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services and furnish the Curriculum Vitae (CV).

4.      Attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14, 3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services dated in September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.    

5.      A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations.

1.      Interested Consultant may obtain further information (in person or by e-mail) at the address below during office hours from 8.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Saturday to Thursday except on public holidays.

2.        Deadline for submission: Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) by April 12, 2026, at 4:00pm (Somalia Local time)

Attention; Project Coordinator

SCALED-UP Project

Ministry of Finance

Federal Government of Somalia

Shangani District, Mogadishu, Somalia

Email Address:  [email protected]