GOVERNMENT OF MALAWI
MINISTRY OF WATER AND SANITATION
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REoI)
(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)
Country: Malawi
Project: Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP)
Credit/Grant No.: IDA-65790/IDA D5860
Assignment Title: DAM EXPERT as Part of Independent Panel of Experts on Dam Safety to Support Detailed Feasibility Study, Preliminary Engineering Design, and Detailed Engineering Design of Dwangwa Multipurpose Dam and Associated Structures.
Reference No.: MW-MOAIWD-490470-CS-INDV
Date of Issue: 2nd May 2025
1. Background
The Government of Malawi (GoM) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds to cover consulting services for detailed feasibility study, preliminary engineering design, and detailed engineering design of a multipurpose dam on the Dwangwa River at Kwengwale Village in Kasungu District. The proposed Dwangwa Dam is a strategic multipurpose infrastructure designed to supply potable water to Kasungu Municipality and surrounding areas, support irrigation development, enable hydropower generation to supplement Malawi’s renewable energy mix, and enhance climate resilience through improved water storage and flood control. Associated facilities include a freestanding intake tower with an access bridge, gate valves, trash racks, and a hydropower station. The site is accessible through the existing Kasungu road network, with provision for additional access routes to support construction and operational logistics.
Expressions of Interest are now being sought from Individual Consultants with relevant experience to carry out consultancy services (“the Services”) as Dam Expert to provide technical guidance in the review of dam designs and advise on matters relative to dams’ safety and other critical aspects of the dam, such as appurtenant structures, the catchment area, the area surrounding the reservoir, and downstream area as per World Bank policy (OP 4.37 Dams Safety). The detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) for this assignment can be obtained upon request at the e-mail address indicated below.
2. Scope of Work
The Dam Expert shall conduct an independent review of all reports related to the detailed feasibility studies, detailed dam designs, and dam safety plans for Dwangwa Dam and all infrastructure for water supply and hydropower plant. This review shall ensure compliance with both national and international standards.
The Dam Expert shall evaluate technical design documents, assess regulatory compliance, and provide expert opinions and recommendations to the Client. As part of the review process, the Expert shall conduct at least one field inspection of the site for the dam and supporting infrastructure.
The Dam Expert will also lead the Independent Panel of Experts (IPEs) to provide advice for ensuring the overall safety of the dam’s design and construction plan, including potential failure modes analysis, resilience enhancement measures covering structural and non-structural elements, in coordination with other Experts.
3. Implementation Arrangements and Delivery of Services
The assignment will be Time-based, and the Consultant is expected to prepare timesheets as a basis for payment. The Consultant shall regularly interact with technical experts from the Department of Water Resources (DWR). As the Leader of the IPEs, the Dam Expert shall oversee the review process, ensuring that assessments are objective and well-balanced. The IPEs shall operate on an on-call basis, providing technical reviews and guidance as needed
The Ministry of Water and Sanitation, through DWR shall ensure timely travel clearance for IPE members and arrange field visits to project sites; however, the Consultant will be expected to prepare and submit monthly progress reports. The Consultant shall be reporting to the Program Coordinator of the Program Management Unit (PMU) on contractual matters.
4. Qualifications
The Dam Expert must be a licensed and distinguished specialist in dam engineering with extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams. The Expert must have the following qualifications:
(i) A Master’s Degree or above in in Civil Engineering or Water Resources or Hydropower or Hydraulics or Geotechnical Engineering;
(ii) A minimum of 20 years of experience in at least 10 countries including Africa in the feasibility studies, detailed design, and construction supervision of large multipurpose dams;
(iii) Experience in dam safety review, inspection and assessment including monitoring instrumentation and in leading IPEs comprising multiple international Experts;
(iv) Experience in working on projects funded by the World Bank and other international / bilateral institutions for developing countries and strong track record of balancing environmental and social considerations with engineering requirements in large multipurpose water infrastructure projects.
(v) Fluency in English is mandatory (Provide evidence of English language qualifications).
The Consultant should submit the following:
(a) A letter of intent to carry out the assignment;
(b) Updated and signed Curriculum Vitae including certified copies of academic and professional qualifications;
(c) A Technical Proposal to demonstrate the capability to provide technical support in relation to Detailed Feasibility Studies, Detailed Dam Designs, and dam safety plans for Dwangwa Dam and all infrastructure for water supply and hydropower plant;
(d) At least three (3) traceable referees for whom the candidate has worked for in the recent past years including evidence of similar assignments carried out previously.
5. Duration of Assignment
The services shall be delivered in 2 phases:
(i) Phase one: Inception Stage (7 man-days), Feasibility Study (14 man-days), and Preliminary Designs (14 man-days), with a total duration of 35 man-days.
(ii) Phase two: Detailed Designs (20 man-days) and Preparation of Tender Documents (5 man-days), Dam safety plans including CSQAP, IP, O & M manual, EPP (20 man – days) with a total duration of 40 man-days.
The maximum time allocation for each IPE member during the dam design phase shall not exceed 80 man-days.
6. Mode of Application
The Ministry of Water and Sanitation now invites qualified and eligible individuals (“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, 3.15, 3.16, and 3.17 of The World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Fifth Edition, dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
The best qualified Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant (INDV) selection method as set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 Hours Malawi Time (Monday to Friday, except national public holidays).
Interested individuals meeting the stated requirements should submit their Expressions of Interest including updated detailed Curriculum Vitae (CVs) and copies of professional certificates in written form clearly marked: “DAM EXPERT as Part of Independent Panel of Experts on Dam Safety to Support Detailed Feasibility Study, Preliminary Engineering Design, and Detailed Engineering Design of Dwangwa Multipurpose Dam and Associated Structures” and must be delivered to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) on or before 4:30 p.m. (16:30 Hours) Malawi Time on Friday, 16th May 2025.
The Program Coordinator
Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP)
Ministry of Water and Sanitation
Opposite Lilongwe Town Hall, at the Roundabout
Private Bag A192
Lilongwe
MALAWI
Phone: +265 111 759 450
E–mail: Stevie.Kazembe@mwasip.mw / skazembe@gmail.com
