Expression of Interest for IFC 1001 Stars Project Massar Market Expansion, Inclusive Talent Sourcing and Platform Enhancement. Publication Date: 05/20/2026 12:00 AM EDT EOI Deadline: 06/11/2026 11:59 PM EDT About IFC: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group, headquartered in Washington, D.C. It focuses on promoting sustainable private sector investment in developing countries to reduce poverty and improve peoples lives. IFC provides a range of financial products and advisory services to help businesses, industries, and governments enhance corporate governance, operational performance, and sustainability. Additionally, IFC supports the structuring of public-private partnerships to improve access to high-quality infrastructure and basic services, fostering economic development and job creation in emerging markets. About the Project: The 1001 Stars Project aims to create income-generating job and contracting opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (= inclusive jobs) in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS) across the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The project seeks to enable access to enhanced workplace environments, new jobs, and digitally enabled income-generating contracts for target groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities (or people of determination), and forcibly displaced people. This project is aligned with IFCs Gender & Economic Inclusion Roadmap 2030 priorities and focuses on addressing barriers to inclusive employment in FCS through awareness-building, workplace enhancements, digital contracting opportunities, and facilitating inclusive investment. About IFC-Al Ghurair Foundation Massar Partnership: In 2025, IFC partnered with the Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) under the 1001 Stars project to expand AGFs Massar Al Ghurair initiative, which includes an AI-powered job-matching platform for learners, job seekers, and employers. The platform provides partner employers with real-time insights on skills demand and labor market trends. This partnership aims to expand the platforms regional reach beyond the UAE, with a focus on increasing learning and employment opportunities for marginalized groups including women, youth, people with disabilities (or people of determination)., and forcibly / internally displaced people across the Arab region. The objective of this consultancy is for a qualified firm to provide technical, strategic, and operational support in expanding the Massar Al Ghurair initiative / online platform into Jordan and other Arabic-speaking markets, with a focus on mobilizing marginalized job seekers to the platform for learning and job opportunities as well as employers who are committed to recruiting or contracting them. The firm will focus on mobilizing employers and marginalized job seekers, enhancing the platforms features for accessibility and local relevance, and using regional labor market insights to guide platform development. A. SCOPE OF WORK The consultancy firm will undertake the following key activities: 1. Regional Labor Market Conduct a quick market mapping in target markets, starting with Jordan, to identify focus sectors, local partners for mobilizing employers, and job seekers. 2. Employer Engagement Identify and onboard reputable employers in target markets committed to inclusive hiring practices, leveraging IFCs and AGFs networks, local business associations, and IFCs investee companies. Facilitate partnerships with business associations, private sector networks to promote the platform to employers and mobilize select large/strategic employers to the platform through targeted outreach activities. 3. Talent Sourcing & Inclusion Partner with local and international organizations (e.g., NGOs, training providers) to mobilize job seekers from marginalized groups to the platform through targeted outreach activities, including women, youth, forcibly displaced persons (FDPs), and persons with disabilities ( or people of determination). Develop guidance materials, user support mechanisms, and tools specifically customized to job seekers from these marginalized groups to help them navigate the platform (including how to access learning opportunities and how to connect to employment opportunities). 4. Platform Enhancement & Localization Advise on adapting the platforms interface, language, and features to local contexts and ensure inclusiveness. Support the design of dedicated sections for marginalized job seekers and inclusive employers. Recommend accessibility tools for people with disabilities (or people of determination) (e.g., screen readers, contrast settings, keyboard navigation, functions for people with hearing disabilities). Provide feedback and technical guidance to ensure the platform meets best practices in inclusivity, user experience, and active job posting management (e.g., detecting and removing ghost or inactive postings). 5. Platform Benchmarking and KPI Alignment Conduct an initial benchmarking exercise of platform performance for specific groups of jobseekers (including women, youth, forcibly displaced persons (FDPs), and persons with disabilities ( or people of determination)) against key indicators. Support AGF and IFC in defining and tracking KPIs for market expansion, employer engagement, and inclusion outcomes. Provide regular reporting on progress, challenges, and lessons learned. A. DELIVERABLES / SPECIFIC OUTPUTS EXPECTED FROM CONSULTANTING FIRM The consultant is expected to deliver: 1. Market mapping & Target Market Selection Note outlining rationale for priority countries and sectors. 2. Employer Mobilization Activities: including an employer mapping list and outreach activities implemented. 3. Talent Sourcing & Inclusion Tools outreach activities to learners and jobseekers implemented, and support tools for marginalized job seekers to navigate the platform developed. 4. Platform Enhancement & Accessibility Recommendations recommendations developed. 5. KPI & Performance Framework Baseline KPIs, monitoring framework, and methodology for tracking platform performance and inclusion outcomes. 6. Progress Reports Periodic reports documenting activities, challenges, and lessons learned, aligned with AGF-IFC review schedules. Timeline: 6 months the timeline is flexible and would be adjusted according to progress. Acceptance of Deliverables Materials, in English unless otherwise specified will be accepted if delivery by the Consulting firm is timely and meets the requirements specified above. The Project Team Leaders from IFCs Gender and Economic Inclusion Department will have the final word regarding acceptance of deliverables. · QUALIFICATIONS OF FIRM The consulting firm (or consortium) should demonstrate strong expertise and a proven track record in digital employment solutions, private sector engagement, and inclusive labor market interventions in the Middle East region. The firm should meet the following qualifications: · Professional Experience: labor market development, digital job platforms, skills-to-employment matching, or employability programs. · Technical Expertise: Demonstrated experience in AI-powered or digital job matching platforms, inclusive digital platform design, accessibility for persons with disabilities ( or people of determination), and gender-responsive solutions. · Labor Market & Inclusion Knowledge: Proven expertise in labor market analysis, employability programs, and inclusive employment, with a focus on youth, women, and forcibly displaced persons (FDPs). · Regional Experience: Prior work in the MENA region, particularly Jordan and other Arabic-speaking markets, including market expansion, employer engagement, and partnership-building with private sector actors, governments, and development organizations. · International Development Exposure: Experience working with international organizations such as IFC, World Bank, UN agencies, or bilateral donors, especially on employment and inclusion initiatives. · Data & Analytical Skills: Strong capacity in data analysis, KPI benchmarking, and generating actionable insights from labor market and platform analytics. · Project & Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to manage projects, coordinate multiple stakeholdersincluding private sector, NGOs, and development partnersand produce high-quality reports and strategic recommendations. B. SPECIFIC INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE WORLD BANK GROUP IFC will provide guidance, input, oversight, and approval of the deliverables in a timely manner. The Firm will integrate IFC inputs and feedback into all drafts before submitting final deliveries. IFC may also participate in data collection as necessary, including meetings/interviews. The Firm will have a designated project lead to engage with IFC. The Firm will work with and directly report to IFC Gender and Economic Inclusion Group. In addition, the Firm is expected to collaborate and work closely with relevant stakeholders and project partners where needed and advised by the IFC team. C. SPECIAL TERMS & CONDITIONS / SPECIFIC CRITERIA · Proposal Submission Requirements: Technical proposals must not exceed thirty (30) pages (excluding annexes) and include: the Consultants understanding of project objectives, proposed project approach, workplan and timeline, actual team composition with roles and responsibilities and bios. The IFC team is flexible and open to suggestions on approaches to delivering this assignment. The Firm is requested to add any suggestions in their proposal and present a mitigation plan to manage potential risks and delays. · Confidentiality: All data and information Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/6915/view.html
