Consultancy Service for Gender Audit

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MALAWI FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING PROGRAM FOR RESULTS (MFLP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRM SELECTION)

The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), is developing the Malawi Foundational Learning Program for Results (MFLP) with support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the World Bank. The Program seeks to improve foundational learning outcomes by increasing access to pre-primary education and improving learning environments and teaching skills in lower primary education.

As part of the Program's commitment to promoting gender equality and inclusive education, the Ministry intends to engage a qualified consulting firm to undertake a comprehensive sector-wide Gender Audit and develop a practical, evidence-based Gender Action Plan for the education sector.

The consulting services (“the Services”) will involve assessing systemic gender disparities across policy, institutional frameworks, service delivery, financing, governance, and accountability systems within Malawi’s education sector. The findings will inform strategic actions to strengthen gender-responsive planning, programming, and implementation across all levels of education.

The assignment will include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Reviewing relevant policies, strategies, sector plans, legislation, reports, and program documents to establish the status of gender equality within the education sector;
2. Conducting a comprehensive analysis of gender disparities in access, participation, retention, transition, completion, learning outcomes, progression patterns, and inclusion of vulnerable groups, including learners with disabilities and marginalized communities;
3. Assessing the status of girls’ education throughout the education cycle and identifying barriers affecting educational attainment and progression;
4. Evaluating the adequacy of gender-responsive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) provisions, disability-inclusive infrastructure, and school safety standards;
5. Examining education sector activities, indicators, systems, and institutional arrangements through a gender lens to assess compliance with national gender policies and legislation, including the Gender Equality Act;
6. Assessing the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV), including reporting mechanisms, safeguarding policies, and prevention measures;
7. Reviewing teacher recruitment, deployment, promotion, professional development practices, and teaching methodologies from a gender perspective;
8. Assessing the gender responsiveness of curriculum content, instructional materials, and classroom practices;
9. Conducting stakeholder consultations at national, district, community, and school levels to gather evidence and perspectives on gender-related challenges and opportunities;
10. Developing a measurable and evidence-based Gender Action Plan with clear strategies, indicators, targets, implementation timelines, responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms aligned to the Education Sector Investment Plan (ESIP) and Malawi Partnership Compact;
11. Presenting findings and recommendations to MoEST, Development Partners, the World Bank, and other stakeholders; and
12. Preparing all required reports and deliverables in accordance with the Terms of Reference.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained from the address given below.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

Shortlisting Criteria

The consulting firm should demonstrate:

• At least seven (7) years of proven experience in conducting gender audits, gender assessments, institutional reviews, education sector analyses, or related assignments;
• Demonstrated experience in developing gender action plans, gender-responsive strategies, policy frameworks, or institutional strengthening plans;
• Experience working with government institutions, international development partners, and multilateral agencies such as the World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, GPE, or similar organizations;
• Demonstrated expertise in education sector policy analysis, gender mainstreaming, inclusive education, social inclusion, and safeguarding;
• Strong experience in conducting mixed-methods research, including quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, and stakeholder consultations;
• Proven experience facilitating national and sub-national stakeholder consultations, workshops, and validation meetings;
• Availability of a multidisciplinary team with expertise in gender analysis, education policy, research, and institutional development;
• Demonstrated understanding of Malawi's education sector and gender equality context;
• Proven capacity to produce high-quality analytical reports and policy recommendations within agreed timelines; and
• A satisfactory and proven quality assurance and project management system within the firm.

Key Experts

The consulting firm is expected to field a multidisciplinary team that shall include, at a minimum:

i. Lead Consultant (Team Leader)

• Master's Degree in Gender Studies, Education, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Development Studies, or related field;
• Minimum seven (7) years of professional experience in gender analysis, education policy, program evaluation, or related fields;
• Demonstrated experience leading complex gender audits, sector reviews, or large-scale assessments;
• Experience working with governments and development partners;
• Strong analytical, facilitation, coordination, and report-writing skills.

ii. Gender Specialist

• Master's Degree in Gender Studies, Gender and Development, or related field;
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, or gender-responsive programming;
• Demonstrated experience conducting gender assessments, audits, or research;
• Experience in developing gender action plans, policies, or strategies;
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research and analytical skills.

Additional experts may be proposed where necessary to strengthen the quality of the assignment.

Contract Duration

This is a one-time assignment expected to be completed within seven (7) months from contract signing.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank 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.

A formal letter of Expression of Interest (EoI) for the assignment supported with updated detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of professional certificates of the key experts should be submitted in written form to the address below (in person or by email) no later than 7th July, at 16:00 Hours Malawi Time. Detailed Terms of Reference are available on request.

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: enossbanda@gmail.com

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