Request for Expressions of Interest for consulting services to conduct the Project completion Review at Republic of Zambia Ministry of Finance and National Investing in Rural people planning Finance Expansion Programme

IFAD Loan No. 2000000429-ZM

RUFEP/CS/ICB/002/2022:

a) The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) jointly established the Rural Finance Expansion Programme (RUFEP) under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP). The development goal of RUFEP is to improve livelihoods of the rural poor through sustainable economic growth. To achieve this, the programme aims to increase access to, and use of, sustainable financial services by rural men, women and youth in Zambia. RUFEP targeted 500,000 households consisting of men, women and youth in rural areas of the 10 provinces as direct beneficiaries. At least 50% of the target beneficiaries were expected to be women and 25% youth. The Financing Agreement for RUFEP between GRZ, IFAD and the Spanish Food Security Facility Trust Fund (SFSFTF) was signed on 22nd July 2014. The Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP)'s Investment and Debt Management Department is the Lead Programme Agency and has overall responsibility for the implementation of the Programme. With a duration of eight (8) years, RUFEP was due for completion by 30 September, 2022. However, following a request by GRZ to extend the Programme by one (1) year to consolidate the gains achieved by the RUFEP. IFAD granted a No Cost extension of the Programme up to 30 September, 2023.

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b) The Development Goal of the RUFEP is to improve livelihoods of the rural poor through sustainable economic growth. The Programme will contribute to this end by achieving its programme purpose which is to increase access to and use of sustainable financial services to the rural communities. The Programme outcomes are:

(i) Increased outreach of rural financial services offered by Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and other Financial Service Providers (FSPs) to enhance capacity of Financial Service Providers (FSPS) to deliver demand driven services in rural areas and

(ii) Improved performance of MFIs and other FSPS efficiency and sustainability of rural financial services. Activate

(iii) Improved service delivery by Community Based Financial Institutions (CBFIs);

(iv) New financial products, services, models adopted by the target group.

c) MoFNP through the Investment and Debt Management Department is the Lead Programme Agency and has overall responsibility for the implementation of the Programme. The Programme intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultancy services for the purposes of carrying out the Project Completion Review.

d) MoFNP intends to hire a consulting firm for Consulting Services to conduct the Project Completion Review for RUFEP. The programme completion review shall aim to assess and document overall Programme implementation performance and results.

This process calls for an informed reflection on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of project interventions. Specifically, the review will include:

Assessment of the relevance of programme interventions at the time of project design and in today's context.

Assessment of the effectiveness of programme implementation, or the extent to which programme objectives were met, and to document the immediate results and impacts of programme

Interventions.

Reviewing the programme costs and benefits and the efficiency of the overall programme implementation process, including GRZ, IFAD and partners' performance.

Assessment of the prospects of sustainability of programme benefits beyond project completion. Generation and documentation of useful lessons from implementation that might inform IFAD and/or GRZ's future designing and programming.

Identifying potential and opportunities for the replication or scaling up of best programme practices.

e) MoFNP now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications. The short-listing criteria are:

a) Experience in similar conditions;

b) Experience with IFAD funded Projects:

c) Firm's evidence of similar and satisfactory assignments; and

d) Availability of appropriate skills among staff in relation to the assignment i.e. Rural Finance and Programme Design and Evaluation, Financial and Economic Analysis, Fiduciary Analysis, M&E, Gender & Social Inclusion and Digital Financial Services.

f) A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Fixed Budget Selection (FBS) method set out in the Zambia Public Procurement Act, 2020 and in the Zambia Public Procurement Regulation 2022 and in compliance with the IFAD Project Procurement Guidelines, 2019.

The Terms of Reference and submission forms for this assignment will be accessible on the following link: https://www.rufep.org.zm/index.php/calls-for-proposals/, and may also be requested for through the following email: info@rufe.org.zm

h) The potential bidders may obtain further information by contacting the address below during the official hours from 08.00 to 17.00 hours (Monday to Friday).

Submission procedure

Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form using the forms provided for this purpose. EOIs shall be submitted to the address below no later than 10:00 hours local time (Zambia), 28 February. 2023.

Head-Procurement and Supplies Unit

2nd Floor, Room 105

Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Chimanga Road, Ridgeway.

P.O. Box 50062,

Lusaka

Tel: +260 211 252 653.

Fax: +260 211 252 653 E-mail: info@rufe.org.zm

Charles Mayaka (Mr.)

Head - Procurement and Supplies Unit

For The Permanent Secretary

MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING