Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM)
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CORPORATION OF MALAWI (ESCOM) LTD
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)
COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY ACCESS TRANSFORMATION IN MALAWI (ASCENT MALAWI) PROJECT
PROJECT ID: P502464
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E) SPECIALIST
DATE OF ISSUE: 8th May, 2025
1. Introduction
The Government of Malawi is currently implementing the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Malawi (ASCENT Malawi) Project with funding from the World Bank. The project development objective is to increase clean and sustainable energy access in Malawi, aligning with ASCENT’s Program Development Objective of increasing clean and sustainable energy access in Eastern and Southern Africa. There are five main components to be implemented under ASCENT. Three components will be implemented by the Ministry of Energy while two components will be implemented by ESCOM. The two components under ESCOM, as described below, are Last Mile Grid Connection and Technical Assistance and Capacity Building.
2.0 The Position
The Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist will be part of the ASCENT Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and will be responsible for the overall monitoring and evaluation of the Project activities. Specifically, the M&E specialist shall be responsible for reporting, storing and maintaining project records. The Specialist shall also be responsible for carrying out project assessments, evaluations, and other aspects of monitoring and evaluation in liaison with the head of M&E Department in ESCOM as well as other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the project. Additionally. working with the Deputy Project Manager (DPM), the M&E Specialist shall provide Secretariat services to the project. The M&E Specialist will be reporting directly to the Project Manager.
3.0 The Objective of this Assignment:
The main objective of this position is to support the monitoring and evaluation of project activities in accordance with the methodology prescribed in the project implementation manual (PIM) including ) collecting and compiling relevant data for project results indicators in coordination with the ESCOM; (i) evaluating results; and (ii) providing the relevant performance information to the Project and other relevant Stakeholders.
1.0 Scope of the Assignment
1.1 Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for the planning and implementation of all M&E requirements and processes under the project and provide secretariat services. Specifically, he/she will undertake but not limited to the following
1.2 Specific Tasks
- Review the existing M&E system, processes, and procedures, forms and formats for project activities and subsequently develop and implement a robust electronic monitoring and reporting system to effectively track and assess the progress of implementation, performance and impact of the ASCENT Project Components;
- Develop and maintain a monitoring and evaluation database for the Project;
- Working with other PIU members, coordinate and promote information sharing on various platforms covering aspects related to project activities among stakeholders;
- Establish baseline information for all project sites, and disseminate results to relevant stakeholders;
- Update and compile relevant data to be used by the Independent Verification Agent for the Performance Based Conditions of the project
- Mentor and train Project team and Implementing Agencies’ staff to build capacity and knowledge in project M&E;
- Organize implementation support missions in collaboration with the project financiers (World Bank):
- Prepare and submit monitoring project progress reports through quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports.
- Document and collect information on lessons leamed, including case studies and special research;
- Prepare and monitor implementation of the Annual Work Plan and Budgets of the project;
- Carry out periodical field checks and triangulate with received information to monitor the project’s implementation progress;
- Undertake mid-term and end-line impact surveys as well as economic and financial analysis of the Project;
- In liaison with the Deputy Project Manager, take minutes of meetings and technical discussions and prepare minutes and records accordingly.
1. Reporting Arrangements
The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will report to the Project Manager and will also be responsible for supervision of the other M&E officers as may be engaged by the project
2. Qualifications and Experience for the assignment
The ideal candidate should meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, Project Management or other relevant engineering fields with requisite M&E
Experience - A minimum of 3 years of experience in designing, implementing, and overseeing M&E related tasks
- Experience working in donor funded projects. Specific experience in energy projects will be an added advantage. Experience in working on a World Bank-financed project will also be an added advantage
- Experience of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis
- The M&E specialist should be computer literate in spreadsheet programs, especially Microsoft Excel and Word Essentials; and should posses demonstrable hands on experience of managing database software
- Ability to work with staff in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment will be required.
3. Required Competences
- Understanding of the assignment objectives, effective planning of activities and ability to adjust to changing circumstances.
- Ability to build capacity and train various stakeholders;
- Should have demonstrated leadership skills in working effectively with Clients, contractors and consultants in implementing World Bank related procurement activities.
- Ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working
- relations with various stakeholders;
- Full and fluent command of English, including the ability to set out a coherent argument in English report writing, presentations and group interactions.
- Strong interpersonal and communications skills, resourcefulness, initiative, tact and ability to cope with any situation;
- Good working knowledge of Windows-based computing programs, and electronic communication with a specific focus on World Bank STEP environment
- Strong attention to detail and thoroughness in work product.
- Ability to multi-task.
- Ability to work in a team and independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work with tight deadlines and deliver exceptional results.
- Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
4. Expected Deliverables
The M& E Specialist shall be responsible for the following deliverables: –
- Monthly project updates compiled and presented to the PC and submitted to the bank
- Quarterly M&E Progress Reports
- Annual and Quarterly Updated M and E tools
- Quarterly Updated Results Framework
- Biannual performance reviews conducted
- Annual M&E performance reports presented to PIC and submitted to the Bank
5. Performance Criteria
The following performance criteria will be used to assess the performance of the M&E Specialist annually, and based upon these assessments, the contract with the Project may be continued or terminated:
- Functional M&E system
- Updated M&E plan
- Updated M&E tools
- Updated Results Framework
- Monthly project updates compiled and presented to the PC and submitted to the bank
- Quarterly progress reports presented to PIC and submitted to the Bank
- Annual performance reports presented to PIC and submitted to the Bank
- Biannual performance reviews conducted
- Final evaluation report presented to PIC and submitted to the Bank
6. Location of Employment
The M&E Specialist will be based at the PIU Office in Blantyre but will be required to travel regularly to project sites as necessary.
7. Duration of Assignment
The assignment is for a period of Five (5) vears subject to annual renewal based on satisfactory performance.
8. Selection Methods
The attention of interested consultants is drawn to Section Ill, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s *Procurement regulations for IPF borrowers” of November 2020 (*Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
A consultant will be selected in accordance with individual Consultant (INDV) selection methods set out in the Procurement Regulations
9. Facilities to be provided by the Client
The following shall be provided by the cient:
- Office space,
- Furniture and office equipment,
- Communication and internet facilities, and
- For all field related assignments, the Project shall provide PPE, transport and other expenses (per diers etc.) related to the field work.
10. METHOD OF APPLICATION
Expression of interest with detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of supporting qualification documents, including names of three traceable referees must be delivered in written form to the address below (in person, or by email, or by mail) NOT later than 16th May, 2025
Address for submission by email is info@escom.mw
The Chairperson-Internal Procurement and Disposal of Assets Committee
Attn: The IPDC Chairperson
ESCOM House, Annex Building, 1st Floor,
Haile Selassie
P.O Box 2047
Blantyre
MALAWI.