Request for Expressions of Interest: Job Evaluation, Grading and Remuneration Framework Consultancy Services
Programme: Sustainable Irrigated Horticulture, Health and Business Development Programme (SIHHBDP)
Procuring Entity: Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
Reference Number: SIHHBDP/HR/C032/CQS/2026 (CQS)
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Assignment Duration: 6–8 weeks
Procurement Method: Consultants’ Qualifications Selection (CQS)
Date: October 2026
1. Background
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, through the Sustainable Irrigated Horticulture, Health and Business Development Programme Project Implementing Unit (SIHHBDP-PIU), invites eligible and qualified consulting firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for consultancy services to conduct job evaluation and grading and develop a remuneration philosophy and framework.
The assignment will provide an independent, practical, and defensible framework that promotes internal equity, market competitiveness, affordability, and public accountability.
The consultancy will be procured using the Consultants’ Qualifications Selection (CQS) method in line with the Public Procurement Act 2023.
2. Scope of Services
The selected Consultant will be expected to:
- Review relevant organisational and human-resource documents.
- Analyse and validate all approved positions.
- Apply a recognised job-evaluation methodology.
- Develop a coherent grading structure.
- Benchmark remuneration and benefits.
- Formulate a remuneration philosophy and governance framework.
- Design and cost salary ranges and phased implementation options.
- Recommend policy improvements.
- Transfer knowledge to PIU personnel.
- Validate findings.
- Submit a consolidated final report and implementation roadmap.
3. General Requirements
Interested consulting firms should:
- Request the detailed scope of work and submission forms (EOI-1 to EOI-4) by email from [email protected].
- Complete the provided submission forms with accurate details.
- Attach any additional relevant information as necessary.
Deadline for requesting submission documents: 6 November 2026 at 16:30 SAST (GMT+2).
4. Duration of Assignment
The assignment is expected to take approximately six (6) to eight (8) weeks from contract commencement.
5. Shortlisting Criteria and Eligibility
5.1 Shortlisting Criteria
Interested consulting firms must provide information demonstrating their capacity and experience in the following key areas:
A. Organisational Capability
- Organisational structure.
- Quality-assurance arrangements.
- Access to multidisciplinary job-evaluation systems.
B. Financial Capacity
The applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to perform the contract without undue reliance on anticipated payments under the contract.
The applicant’s available financial capacity must be at least LSL 120,000.00.
Alternatively, applicants may provide:
- A bank reference letter and/or evidence of an available, confirmed credit facility from a recognised financial institution, confirming the applicant’s financial standing and access to funding.
- Audited financial statements for the last three (3) completed financial years, prepared in accordance with applicable financial reporting standards.
C. General Experience
The Consultant must demonstrate:
- At least ten (10) years of general professional experience in human resources management and organisational development.
- Experience in at least two (2) similar assignments, detailing the nature, duration, and services provided, particularly for public-sector institutions, project implementation units, development programmes, or comparable organisations.
- At least one of the similar assignments must have been undertaken in Southern Africa.
- Verifiable references or documentary evidence confirming satisfactory completion of the assignments.
D. Relevant Similar Experience
The Consultant must demonstrate satisfactory completion of at least two (2) comparable assignments within the past eight (8) years involving:
- Job analysis, job evaluation, and grading across executive, managerial, professional, specialist, and support positions.
- Market remuneration benchmarking.
- Salary-range design.
- Development of remuneration philosophies and benefits frameworks.
- Remuneration governance.
- Affordability and financial-impact analysis.
- Implementation planning.
At least one of the two assignments must have used a recognised methodology, such as Patterson, Hay, Mercer IPE, Castellion, or an equivalent methodology.
Evaluation and Scoring
Expressions of Interest will be evaluated using the following rating system:
| Rating | Score |
|---|---|
| Poor | 1 point |
| Average | 2 points |
| Good | 3 points |
| Excellent | 4 points |
- Total available score: 16 points.
- Minimum qualifying score: 12 points (75%).
Firms meeting the minimum qualifying score will be ranked from highest to lowest. The highest-ranked qualified firm will be invited to submit its technical and financial proposals for review and contract negotiations in accordance with the Consultants’ Qualifications Selection method.
5.2 Eligibility Criteria
A firm must provide evidence of being legally registered and incorporated in its country of establishment, including partnerships, and must comply with the eligibility requirements of the Public Procurement Act 2023.
6. Clarifications
Consultants seeking clarification on this Request for Expressions of Interest must submit their requests by email to:
Email: [email protected]
Deadline for clarification requests: 30 October 2026.
Deadline for responses from SIHHBDP-PIU: 3 November 2026.
7. Submission Instructions
Expressions of Interest must be submitted electronically in password-protected PDF format to:
Email: [email protected]
Hand-delivered submissions will not be accepted.
Email Subject:
Expression of Interest – Job Evaluation, Grading and Remuneration Framework – SIHHBDP/HR/C032/CQS/2026
Password Submission Window:
The password for the EOI document must be sent no earlier than 9 November 2026 at 12:00 noon SAST (GMT+2) and no later than 9 November 2026 at 13:30 SAST (GMT+2).
Submission Documents Must Be Addressed To:
The Acting Chief Executive Officer
Sustainable Irrigated Horticulture, Health and Business Development Programme Implementation Unit
3rd Floor, Letsie Office Park
Constitution Road
Maseru 100, Lesotho
Final Submission Deadline: 9 November 2026 at 13:30 SAST (GMT+2).
Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
Public Opening: 9 November 2026 at 14:00 SAST (GMT+2). The link to the public opening will be shared one day before the opening.
8. Reservation of Rights
SIHHBDP-PIU reserves the right to accept or reject any or all Expressions of Interest and/or cancel the procurement proceedings in accordance with the Public Procurement Act 2023.
Enquiries and Submission Contact
Email: [email protected]
Important: Interested consulting firms should ensure that all submission requirements are met and that their Expressions of Interest are received before the stated deadline.