REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST   

(Consulting Services)

Republic of Maldives

Maldives COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project (COVID-19 ERHSPP)

Grant No: D595-MV

WB Ref No: MV-MOH-275743-CS-LCS

Internal Auditor (Local)

The Government of Maldives (GoM) has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) under the Fast Track COVID-19 Facility (FTCF) towards the cost of the Maldives COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project (COVID-19 ERHSPP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds of these funds towards payments under the contract for an Internal Auditor for this project implemented by the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The objective of the COVID-19 ERHSPP is to respond to and mitigate the threat posed by COVID-19 and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in Maldives. The objective will be achieved through the implementation of activities that support further prevention of COVID-19 transmission combined with activities that strengthen the health system’s capacity for disease management. Both approaches are essential to the immediate response and will serve the dual purpose of simultaneously strengthening the health system beyond the current crisis for the medium term.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at Government Gazette website (https://www.gazette.gov.mv/).

The Ministry of Health, 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:

1. Team Composition & Qualification Requirements of the firm

• The firm should include a minimum of 2 team members with qualification equivalent to MQA Level 9 in Auditing, Accounting and Finance OR related field.
• The firm should have minimum experience of 3 years in the field of Auditing and Accountancy
• Team members auditing experience in World Bank funded projects would be an added advantage
• The firm is expected to provide references for related work undertaken recently as supporting information.
• Team members auditing experience in donor funded projects would be an added advantage.
• Team members auditing experience of government agencies would be an added advantage.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

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” July 2016, Revised August 2018, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment:

3.17 Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Without limitation on the generality of the foregoing, Consultants shall not be hired under the circumstances set forth below:

d. Consultants (including their experts and other personnel, and sub-consultants), that have a close business or family relationship with a professional staff of the Borrower, or of the project implementing agency, or of a recipient of a part of the Bank’s financing, or any other party representing or acting on behalf of the Borrower, that is directly or indirectly involved in any part of:

i. the preparation of the TOR for the assignment;

ii. the selection process for the contract; or

iii. the supervision of the contract, may not be awarded a contract, unless the conflict stemming from this relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptable to the Bank throughout the selection process and the execution of the contract.

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 consultant will be selected based on the qualification and experience, in accordance with the procedures set out in the 'The World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers- Procurement in Investment Project Financing- Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, Revised August 2018 as per the Financing Agreement of the project.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (0800 to 1400 hours)

The expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by regular mail, emails no later than 1300 hours Maldivian time on March 13^th, 2022.

Maldives: COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project

Admin Division

Ministry of Health

Roashanee Building, 7^th Floor

Sosun Magu

Male’,

Republic of Maldives,

Phone: 3014489, 3014451

[email protected]