Consultancy services for endline evaluation

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC WORKS SOUTHERN AFRICA TRADE AND CONNECTIVITY PROJECT (P164847)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

NAME OF PROJECT: SOUTHERN AFRICA TRADE AND CONNECTIVITY PROJECT (P164847)

Credit No: 6870-MW

Grant No: D804-MW

Assignment Title: PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR PROJECT END LINE EVALUATION

Reference No .: MW-MTPW-571610-CS-QCBS

Date of issue: 17th September, 2026

BACKGROUND

1) The Government of Malawi (GoM) has obtained a credit and grant from the International Development Association (IDA) under the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project to support efforts to reduce trade costs and time, increase access to improved infrastructure, and increase value chain development in targeted corridors of Malawi and Mozambique, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

2) The consulting services (“the Services”) include;

Assess the extent to which the project has achieved its Development Objective and component level outcomes as defined in the Project Appraisal Document (PAD). Evaluate the relevance of the project’s design and its continued alignment with the development priorities of Malawi.

Assess the effectiveness and impact: understand the changes (positive or negative, intended or unintended) that the project has contributed to.

Examine efficiency: evaluate how well resources were used compared to results achieved.

Ensure accountability: provide evidence to the Government of Malawi and other stakeholders that resources were used responsibly.

Support sustainability: Assess the extent to which observed results are likely to be sustained institutionally, financially, and technically after project closure, and identify key risks to sustainability.

The overall contract duration shall not exceed four and a half (4.5) months (18 weeks). Notwithstanding this duration, all services, deliverables, revisions and final outputs shall be completed no later than 30 June 2027. This date shall constitute a firm contractual deadline. The Consulting firm shall make any adjustments necessary to the work plan, implementation schedule, sequencing of activities and allocation of resources, at no additional cost to the Client, to ensure that all services and deliverables are completed by this date. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the website and address given below. 3) The Ministry of Transport and Public Works now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: a) Core business of the firm(s) and years in business; b) Relevant similar experience, which should specifically include the below: The consulting firm must demonstrate: A minimum of 5 years of experience in project evaluation, particularly for large-scale development projects funded by international financial institutions. Firms with more experience will have an added advantage. Proven expertise in designing, implementing and writing evaluations of regional trade, private sector development, and transport facilitation projects and regional integration in Southern Africa. Proven experience in conducting impact evaluations. The firm shall submit either: copies of its two most recent impact evaluation reports; or references from two clients clearly demonstrating that the firm has successfully conducted impact evaluations. Strong analytical and report-writing skills. Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research. Proven experience in working with multilateral donors (e.g., World Bank, AfDB, EU) and government agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa. An understanding of World Bank policies and procedures for project evaluation. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage . Experience conducting participatory, co-creative validation workshops.

c) Technical and Managerial capability of the firm. (Provide only the structure of the organization, general qualifications and experience, and number of key staff. Do not provide detailed CV of the staff. Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage). The firm may propose other experts required to execute this assignment.

TEAM COMPOSITION The Consulting firm's personnel, nominated for this assignment, shall be suitably qualified and experienced. As a guide, the following is an indication of the minimum level of training and experience expected of the key members: Team Leader - with a minimum of Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Transport Planning, Business Administration, International Trade, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation and at least 15 years’ experience in leading complex evaluating donor-funded infrastructure or (e.g. World Bank, AFDB) regional trade facilitation projects and have undertaken at least 3 similar recent assignments. International Trade Facilitation Expert -with a minimum of a Master’s degree in International Trade, Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration, Logistics and Supply Chain Management or any related field and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in trade facilitation, customs modernization, or regional integration and have undertaken at least 3 similar recent assignments. Private Sector Development Expert – with a minimum of Master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics or related field, and a minimum of 10 years experience on private sector development issues and in depth understanding of agribusiness supply chains. Prior experience in the private sector is a strong advantage. Transport Corridor Expert with - a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Transport Planning, Infrastructure Management, or a related field and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in corridor-level infrastructure planning and development, performance-ba