Consultancy Service to Develop Inclusive Shire River Basin Management Plans
Summary
Description
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)
Country: Malawi
Name of Project: Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern
Africa 2 (RCRP2)
Project ID.: P181308
Assignment Title: Consultancy to Develop Inclusive Shire River Basin Management Plan
Reference No. MW-EP&D-505789-CS-QCBS.
Date of Issue: 20th April 2026
The Government of Malawi, through the Department of Economic Planning and Development has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 Malawi (RCRP2 - MW) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services include Consultancy to Develop Inclusive Shire River Basin Management Plan. The assignment is explicitly designed to leverage the extensive body of knowledge, spatial analysis, and institutional frameworks developed under the 2016 Shire River Basin Management Plan and other studies and projects. The assignment will undertake a critical review of the 2016 Plan, other existing plans, documents and studies to determine which elements remain valid, which require significant revision, and where critical gaps exist. Emphasis will be placed on integrating updated hydrological, climatic, and land use data including remote sensing, earth science derived information, as well as aligning the strategic framework with current institutional mandates, development priorities, and climate resilience objectives under the RCRP. The assignment is expected to be implemented within 16 Calendar months with an estimated staff month of 2,320.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) for the assignment can be found at the following website; https://rcrp.gov.mw/bid-documents-page/ or can be obtained upon request at the address given below.
The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization through the Department of Economic Planning and Development 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:
- Core business of the firm(s) and years in business
- Relevant similar experience, which should specifically include the below:
- Experience in developing integrated catchment plans and programs or any related catchment work in countries within the Sub-Saharan region,
- Experience in water, soil, land and forest management
- Experience in developing Basin Plans
- Experience in natural resources management and assessment
- Work experience in similar climate condition like Malawi
- Technical and managerial capability of the firm (Provide only the structure of the organization, general qualifications, and number of key staff. Do not provide CV of the staff). Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
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” dated September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the 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; 13:30 to 16:30 hours local time (Monday to Friday, except national public holidays).
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by by e-mail) by 1st May 2026.
Postal Address
The Chairperson,
Internal Procurement and Disposal of Assets Committee,
Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization
Department of Economic Planning and Development
Regional Climate Resilience Programme for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 (RCRP-2)
P.O. Box 30136,
Capital Hill,
Lilongwe 3
Malawi.
Alternatively, applications may be emailed to: procurement@rcrp.gov.mw
About This Opportunity
This is a consulting contract in the environment and climate, water and sanitation and governance and public administration sectors, with a focus on Decentralization and Water Resources. Located in Malawi, Africa, this opportunity is open to firms and consortiums. Proposals must be submitted before May 1, 2026.
Published through WB - World Bank, a multilateral development bank that follows standardized international procurement guidelines. Projects funded by multilateral institutions are generally open to international bidders from eligible member countries for consulting in the environment and climate sector. Consulting assignments are typically evaluated with a strong emphasis on the technical proposal, including the methodology and qualifications of key experts. Shortlisted firms may be invited to submit financial proposals in a second stage. Interested parties should review the full documentation on the original source before submitting their proposal.