Training of R
The SADC Secretariat has issued a Request for Expression of Interest to shortlist a consulting firm to conduct national training workshops on the R programming language across ten SADC Member States. The assignment falls under the Regional Statistics Project, funded through a grant aimed at strengthening statistical capacity in the region, and is being procured under World Bank Consultant Qualifications-based Selection procedures. The training is intended to build skills among National Statistics Office staff in using R for data management, processing and analysis of complex surveys, at both beginner and intermediate levels. The assignment duration is 20 months. Firms will be shortlisted based on their specific experience related to the assignment and the availability of qualified and experienced experts, weighted 40 and 60 points respectively. Interested firms must submit expressions of interest electronically in signed PDF format through the link provided, referencing the consultancy assignment name. The notice was published on 11 September 2026 with a closing date of 25 September 2026. Further details, including the full terms of reference, are available from the SADC Secretariat's Procurement Unit. This is a shortlisting stage for a firm-level consultancy, not the final training contract award.
Overview
The SADC Secretariat is seeking to hire a consulting firm to deliver national training workshops on the R programming language in ten SADC Member States, under the Regional Statistics Project (Project ID P175731) funded by a World Bank grant. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of national statisticians to manage large databases and analyze complex surveys using R, covering both beginner and intermediate levels.
Scope of Work
- 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.
Requirements & Qualifications
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. Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically in PDF format and dully signed via the provided link by 00.00 hours midnight Botswana time on 25 September 2026, and should mention the name of the consultancy assignment. Expressions of Interest must be submitted as one PDF file or zipped folder bearing the name of the applicant.
Addresses named in the notice
The notice text names 2 addresses. They are published elsewhere and we hold no copy, so each opens on its own site: