Consultancy Services for Indipendent Vrification of DLIs — Malawi Foundational Learning Program for Results

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MALAWI FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING PROGRAM FOR RESULTS (MFLP) REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRM CONSULTANT SELECTION) Country MALAWI Name of Project MALAWI FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING PROGRAM FOR RESULTS (MFLP) Project No. P507745 Assignment Title CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO CONDUCT INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION OF RESULTS OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE DISBURSEMENT LINKED INDICATORS Reference Number MW-MOBSE-556139-CS-QCBS Issue Date 25th June, 2026 The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), is implementing the Malawi Foundational Learning Program for Results (MFLP), with support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and intends to engage an Independent Verification Agent (IVA) to review and independently verify achievement of the Disbursement Linked Results (DLRs) measured annually under the Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs). The consulting services (“the Services”) include assessing the performance in each DLI in line with the DLI verification protocols specified in the Program documentation (including Program Appraisal Document, Financing Agreement, Program Operations Manual and other documents). The Consultant shall conduct the assessment in a transparent and independent manner that will provide valid evidence of results (for accountability and decision making on disbursements). This shall include the Education Management Information System data analysis; review of documentation; and physical verification on sample basis or any other institutionalized primary data source of the MoEST in order to provide data quality assurance that will trigger disbursements linked to achieved DLIs. The assignment will involve: Reviewing the project documents as well as relevant guidelines and frameworks to get a comprehensive understanding of the scope of the assignment; Developing a detailed methodology for assessing results against each DLI, based on the DLI protocols provided in Annex 2, in order to produce credible evidence; Preparing a detailed realistic, time-bound work plan indicating timing of activities, responsibilities, and use of resources; Validating data collection tools, processes and analysis methodologies for MoEST’s raw data used to report on DLRs; Conducting data quality assurance on raw data provided by MoEST, including confirming total levels of achievement as evidenced by the data are aligned with the MoEST’s reported achievement, using agreed definitions; Sampling and tracing data sources in selected institutions, validating against data returns used in MoEST for reporting on DLRs; Conducting verification using alternative sources in selected institutions (for example observation of completion of construction; review of bank statements); validate against data returns used in MoEST for reporting on DLRs; provide estimation error range in the reported data based on the above; Assessing the progress made for each DLI against the agreed targets; Assessing the performance of implementation agencies and/or systems at various levels to chart their progress against the DLIs that they are expected to achieve at the given time; In case of non-achievement of targets, identify major barriers and constraints, which impede progress towards the attainment of the agreed DLI targets; and provide recommendations and plausible solutions to overcome the barriers identified; Recommending periodic improvements (if any) required to strengthen the quality of data collection, processing and analysis to strengthen data used for DLI reporting; Preparing DLI Verification Report Participating and presenting findings to the MoEST, Development Partners and the World Bank at the Education Technical Working Group meetings on the results of the verification. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the address given below. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should submit updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and relevant supporting documents demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: The consulting firm should demonstrate: Extensive experience in program evaluation, verification or similar activities (preferably 10 years or more and done at least similar work in similar context), should also have records showing that similar work was done within the last five years in Sub-Saharan African countries; Demonstrated capacity and experience in planning and organizing workshops and consultation meetings with various stakeholders at national and decentral levels; Capacity to begin work on preparation of tasks provided immediately upon signing of contract; The team shall include at least one member with at least 8 years’ experience in inspection and classroom observation on lesson deliverly; The team shall include at least one member with at least 5 years experinece in construction supervision and certification of completion of construction works based on the standard designs; Demonstrate patience and the capacity to work amicably with the Client in all tasks and be able to adhere to time schedules in terms of deliverables as indicated in the Inception Report; Be able to work closely with the Directorates of Education Planning and Secondary Education under the guidance of the responsible officer/component manager. In addition, there should be a satisfactory and proven quality management system within the firm. The consultant is expected to field a multi-disciplinary team, involving but not limited to the following key experts (Full details in the ToRs): Team Leader Data Manager Education Specialist. Contract Duration The IVA shall be engaged on a four-year contract, subject to annual performance reviews. The contract may be terminated at any annual review if performance is deemed unsatisfactory. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2025) setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:30 hours (Malawi time), Monday to Friday , except on public holidays. Expressions of Interest, including detailed Curriculum Vitae and copies of professional certificates, must be delivered in written form to the address below (in person, or by email) by 7th July, 2026 at 16:00 Hours Malawi Time. Address for Clarifications and Collection of TOR’s: The Deputy Director of Education Planning Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Capital Hill Private Bag 328 Lilongwe, Malawi Cell: +265 993 65 25 69 email: jamesnamfuko@gmail.com or The Principal Economist Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Capital Hill Private Bag 328 Lilongwe, Malawi Cell: +265 886 72 74 05 Email: fidelis.jimu@education.gov.mw Address for Submission of EOI’s The Chairperson Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Capital Hill P.O. Box 328, Lilongwe, Malawi Phone: + 265 1 789 422/ 0995 554 448 Email: keziemwale@gmail.com Copy: Eswap.mw@gmail.com