RECRUITMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AGENT (IVA) FOR The GAMBIA RISE Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – FIRM CONSULTANCY

Assignment Title: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AGENT (IVA) FOR The GAMBIA RISE Project

Reference GM-CPCU - MOFEA-477014-CS-CQS

Project Background information

The Gambia, with its vibrant youth population and commitment to development, is poised for a promising future, yet faces several challenges. In the realm of basic education, the focus is on improving learning outcomes, particularly in the early grades, to ensure every child acquires necessary foundational skills. Especially for the youth, technical and vocational education, and training (TVET) must be of higher quality and relevance to meet labor market demands, a challenge recognized and prioritized by the Government of The Gambia. For the large population living in poverty, the goal is to provide a second chance through access to social protection measures, skills training, and income-generating opportunities. These challenges, while significant, are being addressed with determination and a vision for a resilient, inclusive, skilled, and equitable Gambia.

To address these challenges, The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (The Gambia RISE Project – P197233) is a multi-sectoral, five-year initiative of The Government of The Gambia, funded by the World Bank. The project aims to increase the foundational skills of students in early grades (Component 1), provide job-relevant training to youth (Component 2), and boost income-generating opportunities, including for the poor and vulnerable (Component 3), in The Gambia. The planned activities are closely aligned with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2016-2030 and The Gambia National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) 2015-2025. The project will be implemented by multiple Implementing Entities (IEs): the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), and the National Nutrition Agency/National Social Protection Secretariat (NaNA/NSPS). Each of these IEs will lead technical activities within their respective domains. The RISE Project is coordinated and managed by a Central Project Coordination Unit (CPCU) within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

To address these challenges, the Government is implementing The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (The Gambia RISE Project) with funding from the World Bank. Among other things, the project aims to increase the foundational skills of children in early grades in The Gambia. The planned activities are closely aligned with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2016-2030. The Gambia’s National Development Plan 2023-27 prioritizes Human Capital Development (Pillar IV) and Empowerment, Social Inclusion and Leaving No One Behind (Pillar VI).

CONTEXT AND Objectives

A. Sectorial Context and Objectives

The RISE project’s fundings includes an Investment Project Financing (IPF) with Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs), RISE prioritizes results across multiple social sectors to support early-grade learning, TVET, and social safety mechanisms. The RISE project’s Performance-Based Conditions include:

• PBC 1: Educational Materials Distribution: Achieving a 90% distribution of updated student textbooks and teacher guides aligned with the revised curriculum across public lower basic schools.

• PBC 2: Literacy Assessments: Implementation of formative literacy assessments to improve student outcomes, with disbursements based on verifiable performance gains.

• PBC 3: TVET Centers of Excellence: Establishment of two fully equipped TVET Centers of Excellence with curricula and trained staff aligned with accreditation standards.

• PBC 4: Private Sector Engagement in TVET: Creation of advisory boards within CoEs to align programs with market needs and enhance graduate employability.

• PBC 5: Social Data System Interoperability: Operational integration of key social protection databases (e.g., Social Registry, EMIS, health insurance) to streamline services for vulnerable groups.

B. Objectives of the Assignment

The RISE project incorporates Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs) to enhance focus on results. It is intended to motivate all project stakeholders to achieve set objectives and foster a culture of accountability. This approach has been adopted in response to challenges encountered in experiences and lessons from other World Bank funded projects in The Gambia.

Disbursements against PBCs will be triggered by the documentation of eligible expenditures having been incurred and evidence of achievement of PBCs. The eligible expenditures which may be reimbursed include works, goods, non-consulting services, and consulting services that are needed to achieve the identified results and consistent with the project scope.

The overall objective of the Independent Verification Agent (IVA) is to conduct independent verification of reported achievements for PBCs, providing a reliable basis for disbursements. This verification will assure the World Bank and CPCU of the accuracy and compliance of project-reported outcomes.

• Scope of Work

The independent verification of the PBCs should be conducted in accordance with the International Standards on Assurance Engagement (ISAE) 3000 (Revised), Assurance Engagements Other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information thus by extension requiring the independent verification agent to plan and perform this engagement to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the PBC and related expenditures are free from material noncompliance with the Project’s Financing Agreement.

The IVA will specifically do the following:

• Verification of PBCs for RISE Project

• Educational Materials (PBC 1): Confirm that at least 90% of targeted schools have received the specified updated textbooks and guides aligned with the national curriculum.

• Formative Literacy Assessments (PBC 2): Verify implementation of formative literacy assessments, documenting evidence of improved foundational learning outcomes.

• TVET Centers of Excellence (PBC 3): Confirm establishment and operational status of the two TVET Centers, including curriculum alignment, staff qualifications, and equipment setup.

• Private Sector Engagement (PBC 4): Validate the establishment and operational effectiveness of advisory boards within the TVET CoEs, ensuring active industry participation.

• Teacher Competency (PBC 5): Confirm the percentage increase in graduating primary school teachers who score at or above minimum proficiency on the Gambia College Teacher Competency Exam

• Social Data Systems (PBC 6): Verify interoperability of the social data systems to ensure cohesive and efficient support mechanisms for vulnerable groups.

• Expenditure Eligibility and Compliance

• Ensure expenses claimed under PBCs meet project eligibility criteria, are properly documented, and align with financial standards.

• Data Quality and Reporting Standards

• Evaluate data reliability and consistency, confirming that information provided by the implementing agencies adheres to World Bank standards.

• Capacity-Building Recommendations

• Offer recommendations to strengthen data collection and reporting within the CPCU and across implementing agencies.

A detailed scope of work is available on the TOR, which will be made available upon request.

• Duration and Location

As the verification requirements and schedules for RISE PBCs, the IVA will be expected to adapt the verification timing to each project’s specific indicators and results framework. The assignment will span the projects' duration, with an estimated and tailored 60-day verification effort per year to accommodate staggered indicator achievements. Later years of implementation may require more time than the initial year.

• Firm Qualifications – Minimum Qualification:

a. Qualifications of the Independent Verification Agent

The IVA should have extensive experience with results-based financing in World Bank-financed projects. Key personnel should include:

• Lead Auditor: At least 10 years in public sector audits with PBC or Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLI) verification expertise.

• Sector Specialists: Experience preferred in education, social protection, and public administration, with a focus on data validation and monitoring.

• M&E Specialist: Minimum of five-year experience in M&E, especially in data verification and standards adherence.

• FM Expert: Minimum of five years’ experience in review of public sector Financial Statements and eligible expenditure verification.

Submission of Expressions of Interest:

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) through the Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity Project, now invites eligible consulting firm to express 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 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 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

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A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Firm Based Selection (CQS) Method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 to 12h30 on Friday.

Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by electronic mail) on or before 24th March 2025 at 12h30 GMT

Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity Project, RISE

Royal Insurance Building

2nd Floor, Kotu Bertil Harding Highway

The Gambia

Email: [email protected],