TA to support the review, update and the operationalization of the planning policy

Request for Expressions of Interest for Consulting Service

Country: The Republic of the Gambia

Project Title: The Gambia Public Administration Modernization for Citizen Centric Service Delivery (PAMP) Project

Assignment Title: Technical Assistance to Review and Update the National Development Planning Policy and Develop a Strategy to Operationalize it

Procurement Method: Individual Consultancy Selection Method (IC)

Reference No. GM-CPCU - MOFEA-512832-CS-INDV

• Background:

The Gambia Public Administration Modernization for Citizen Centric Service Delivery Project (PAMP) supports the Government of The Gambia's (GoTG) Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP) 2023-2027. This plan aims to consolidate democratic governance gains, accelerate green economic and social transformation, and build resilience to shocks and crises. The PAMP project focuses on enhancing domestic resource mobilization, financial reporting, human resource management, and citizen engagement within the education sector. It includes an Investment Project Financing (IPF) component to provide technical assistance and capacity building, supporting the effective implementation of the RF-NDP. Key results areas include:

• Enhanced Domestic Resource Mobilization and Financial Reporting: Strengthening tax administration, policy, and government financial statement reporting.

• Enhanced Human Resource Management: Modernizing public administration, focusing on education and health sectors, through improved wage bill control and HRM practices.

• Enhanced Citizen Engagement in Education: Improving public data availability and quality for informed decision-making in the education sector.

The Government of The Gambia is committed to ensuring National Development Planning Policy remains relevant, effective and aligned with overall national legal and regulatory frameworks. Given the absence of a strategy to operationalize the policy, implementation has been stalled. To ensure that the policy addresses current realities, there is a need to review, update and operationalize it. The National Development Planning Policy is expected to explicitly spell out the institutional arrangements, roles and responsibilities at the national, sectoral, as well as at decentralized levels for its effective operationalization.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, through the PAMP, seeks to recruit a consultant who will work closely with the Staff of the Directorate of Development Planning and relevant stakeholders to review and finalize the draft National Planning Policy.

• Objective of The Assignment:

• To provide a policy framework to guide the formulation of national, regional development plans and sector strategic plans/strategic focus/direction for national development.

• To provide various options for institutional framework and structures within the Gambian context for the efficient formulation, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of national development plans, policies, development programs and projects.

• To generally determine the institutional and human resources capabilities for effective planning functions, both at the national and decentralized levels

• To consult relevant stakeholders (internal/external) for their input on the policy update

• Scope of Work:

The assignment will be coordinated by the Permanent Secretary – MoFEA under the direct supervision of the Directorate of Development Planning under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs. The draft document will be subjected to a rigorous review with a focus on grammatical and data accuracy before validation. The Consultant is expected to submit an inception report (outlining methodology and roadmap for the assignment that details stakeholder engagement involving consultations at the national and decentralized levels).

Full TOR Availability Notice

The full Terms of Reference (TOR) will be made available upon request. Please send your request via email to the addresses provided below. Contract duration is Eight (8) weeks.

• Qualification/ Competency

Academic Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree (Master’s or higher) in Development Studies, Public Policy, Economics, Development Planning, or a closely related field from a recognized university.

• Additional certification or professional training in strategic planning, policy analysis, or project management will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive, post-graduate professional experience in development planning, public policy formulation, or strategic policy review within a developing country context.

• Demonstrated expertise in national planning processes, including the design, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of national or sectoral development plans.

• Proven experience in conducting policy reviews, institutional analysis, and strategy development, preferably for government institutions, multilateral agencies, or international development partners.

• Solid track record of stakeholder engagement, including facilitation of consultations at national, sectoral, and decentralized levels.

• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills, with evidence of producing high-quality policy documents or strategic plans.

Desirable Competencies (Added Advantage)

• Familiarity with regional and international development planning frameworks (e.g., Agenda 2063, SDGs).

• Previous consultancy or advisory experience in The Gambia or West African region.

• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken, with the ability to deliver concise and well-structured reports.

Submission of Expressions of Interest:

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) through the Gambia Public Administration Modernization for Citizen Centric Service Delivery Project PAMP, now invites eligible consulting firms to express 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 February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with Individual Consultancy Selection Method (IC) set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Further information and Terms of Reference 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 mail) on or before 15th October 2025 at 12h30 GMT

Central Project Coordination Unit

Royal Insurance Building

2nd Floor, Kotu Bertil Harding Highway

The Gambia

Email: [email protected], [email protected] [email protected] , [email protected] and [email protected]