COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY ACCESS TRANSFORMATION IN MALAWI (ASCENT MALAWI)
PROJECT PROJECT ID: P502464
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AGENT (IVA) OF COMPONENT 2, OFF-GRID CONNECTION THROUGH SOLAR HOME SYSTEMS AND COMPONENT 4, CLEAN COOKING SOLUTIONS, OF THE ASCENT MALAWI PROJECT
DATE OF ISSUE: 16 FEBRUARY 2026
This request for expression of interest follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared in the United Nations Development Business (UNDB) on 31st January 2025
The Government of the Republic of Malawi through the Department of Energy Affairs (DOEA) in the Ministry of Energy and Mining (MOEM) has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) and Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) towards the cost of implementing the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Malawi (ASCENT Malawi) Project. It is intended that part of the proceeds of the financing wil be used to cover eligible payments under the contracts for Consultancy services.
The consulting services (the Services) intent is to procure an Independent Verification Agent (IVA) who shall provide consultancy services for independent verification of solar home systems and clean cooking solutions procured and installed with support from the Off-grid Market Development Fund (OGMDF) which is locally branded as the Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund (NNNF).
The objective of the assignment is to verify that recipients of the RBF and Debt Facility from the NNNF are complying with the stipulated uses of funds, eligibility conditions, and contractual obligations as defined in the Project Operations Manual (POM). This, among others, includes verification that the SHS and clean cooking solutions financed by the Project meet product, service, price, and customer (household) eligibility conditions.
The verification will be conducted in all project areas where Participating Organisations (POS) will be operating under Components 2 and 4. The scope of work under this assignment is the independent verification of:
POs are required to submit periodic (quarterly) reports of eligible SHS and clean cookstove sales made within the period to support their claims under the relevant financing windows. The IVA will play a critical role in ensuring that the POS meet their obligations in the manner specified in the Fund's POM which will be made available to shortlisted firms to inform their preparation of detailed technical and financial proposals.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TORS) for the assignment can be found at the following websites: Ministry of Energy and Mining (https://energy.gov.mw/resources/) and ASCENT Project (https://www.ascent.mw/resources/) or upon request through the following email address amopiha@ascent.mw/ amopiha@gmail.com copy to info@ascent.mw. All requests for clarification should be sent through above emails, and the Client will respond to the requested clarifications.
The DOEA 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 as follows:
A. Core business of the firm(s) and years in business
B. Relevant similar experience, which should specifically include the below:
i. Experience in assignments of similar nature, complexity and size
ii. Experience in field data collection and analysis using qualitative and quantitative methods, and report writing
iii. The consultant shall have expertise in monitoring, reporting, evaluation and independent verification of development projects or energy related services.
iv. Capacity to organize logistics in remote parts of Malawi is a must.
v. Previous experience with donor-funded projects is highly desirable.
C. Technical and managerial capability of the firm (provide only the structure of the organization, general qualifications, and number of key staff. Do not provide CVs of the staff. Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage).
The attention of consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14, 3.16&3.17 of the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non- Consulting and Consulting Services, "Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers" July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, September 2023 and February, 2025 ("Procurement Regulations), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications. Firms may partner either during the expression of interest or thereafter but the conditions applicable to the firm whose application is received will be applicable to the partnering firm.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 hour's local time Monday to Friday, Except National Holidays.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, or by mail and by e-mail to amopiha@ascent.mw/amopiha@gmail.com copy to info@ascent.mw by 14:00 Hrs. Local Time, on 9th March 2026.
The firms that will submit their EOI via e-mail must get confirmation of the receipt of their documents. In case the firm does not receive acknowledgement within two days of after sending the documents via email, they should call +265 888 870 806 or +265 999 138 270 for follow-up.
The Chairperson of Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee
Ministry of Energy and Mining
ASCENT Malawi Project
Area 47, Sector 5, House No. 66
Private Bag 309, Lilongwe 3, Malawi.
E-mail: amopiha@ascent.mw / amopiha@gmail.com / info@ascent.mw