REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES)

Country: Pakistan

Project: Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES-B)

Project Number: P507512

Assignment Title: Hiring of Independent Verification Agent (IVA) for Verifying Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs) 

Reference No. PK-PMU-SED GOB-548221-CS-CQS

The Government of Balochistan, through the Government of Pakistan, has secured USD $100 Million funded through IDA capital credit financing from the World Bank to implement the Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES-B) project. The project is designed to increase girls’ and boys’ enrollment in pre-primary and primary grades, and to improve reading and numeracy proficiency in primary grades, all in project-supported schools.

The GRADES-B project aims to address educational disparities in Balochistan by enhancing access, quality, and equity in education. The initiative focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy, increased enrollment, and sustainable systemic reforms. The proposed project is structured around four components to address systemic challenges in the education sector of the province. They focus on improving access to education and enhancing teaching quality, strengthening data-driven accountability, building resilience to climate change, and introducing emergency preparedness mechanisms to minimize disruptions.

Project Management Unit-BESP (here and after as the Client) intends to apply part of the proceeds to cover eligible payments for hiring the services of qualified Consulting Firm as Independent Verification Agent (IVA) for Verifying Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs) (here and after as the Consulting Firm).

The consulting services (“the Services”) include to provide an independent, evidence-based verification to the Government of Balochistan to serve as the basis for authorizing disbursements, ensuring full consistency with the TORs referred to in this REOI.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the primary procurement stage for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://pmused.gob.pk/Tenders or can be obtained at the Office Address, House # 74-A Chaman Housing Scheme, Airport Road Quetta.

The Project Management Unit, Balochistan Education Support Program (PMU-BESP) 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 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” September 2023 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 consulting firm(s)/ Joint Venture(s) will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification based Selection (CQS) method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services” September, 2023.

Shortlisting Criteria

1. 10 years overall experience with five years in monitoring and evaluation, assessing, validation/verification of indicators and evaluating public and/or private sector for social service programs of scale. Experience in verifying and tracking PBCs/DLIs for disbursements based on results achievements as relevant to the TORs will be preferred.

      2. Verifiable statistical and research, monitoring and evaluation expertise, as relevant to the TORs.

      3. Documented experience of preparing quality reports which are concise and succinct to allow policy and technical decisions.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e. 0900 to 1700 hours.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) must be delivered in written form to the address given below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 13th May, 2026. EOI can be transmitted electronically by email to the email address ps.gradesb@gmail.com.

Project Management Unit, Balochistan Education Support Project

House # 74-A Chaman Housing Scheme Quetta

Quetta, Pakistan

Tel: +92812864295-6

Fax: +92812864297