Engagement of Independent Verification Agent — Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Growth Centers Program

Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Growth Centers Program Zambia: Program for Results

Memo No: NWASCO-523135 Date: 16th December 2025

Request For Expression of Interest

Engagement of Independent Verification Agent (IVA)

Zambia

Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Growth Centers Program Zambia: Program for Results

Assignment Title: Independent Verification Agent

Reference No: ZM-NWASCO-523135-CS-QCBS

The National Water Supply and Sanitation Council, through the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) for the implementation of the Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Growth Centers Program, Zambia: Program for Results, and intends to apply part of the proceeds to acquire the consulting services of an Independent Verification Agent (IVA).

The consulting services ("the Services") include independent verification of results under disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs)] to ensure accurate and credible assessment of the achievement of agreed targets and also activities undertaken under the IPF component. The services will cover the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) and four commercial utilities (CUs) namely Kafubu, North Western, Western and Luapula water and sanitation companies. The independent verification agent will be responsible for:

• Collection, desk-based review and analysis of documentation and records required for the verification of DLIs;

• Physical verification of a sample of units for DLIs taken from official results reported by MWDS containing corresponding lists and records provided by the CUs;

• Review and verification of CU Performance Improvement Action Plan (PIAP) and implementation reports;

• Review of the activities undertaken under the Implementation Project Financing (IPF) component of the program; and

• Preparation of an Annual Verification Report (AVR) to be presented to the World Bank in order to guide the disbursement amount against each DLI.

The Independent Verification Agent (IVA) will be contracted under a framework agreement for a period of five (5) years. Within this period, the IVA will be required to carry out annual verification exercises in accordance with the Verification Protocol and the timelines agreed with the Program Coordination Unit (PCU), NWASCO, and the World Bank.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) for the assignment can be found at the following link: www.nwasco.org.zm

NWASCO 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:

• Proven experience in result-based verification or similar assignments;

• Experience with development funded projects;

• Demonstrated capacity to operate at the national/sub-national level, including field-level data verification. Familiarity with local context and data systems is an advantage

• Availability of qualified staff with relevant sector expertise (e.g., Economics, Finance, Engineering, Gender, Pubic administration, M&E)

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to the Section III, Para 3.14,3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank's” Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, July 2016 and updated in February 2025,” setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.

Consultancy Firm 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 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 Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:00 to 17:00 hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, by mail, or by email) by 19th January 2026 at 16:00 hours.

Address:

Kelvin Chitumbo

Director

National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO)

Plot 164 Mulombwa Close, off Bwinjifumu Road

Lusaka, Zambia

Tel: +260 211 226841/2

Email: [email protected]