Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP)
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: GEOTECHNICAL 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-490472-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 Geotechnical 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 Geotechnical Expert shall provide advice on dam safety and other critical aspects of the project.
The Expert shall offer independent assessments and recommendations on technical and environmental issues, ensuring that safety and best practices are prioritized throughout the dam’s design. The Expert’s insights will be integrated into the final design reports. His/her work will be guided by national regulations, international best practices, and World Bank safeguard policies to ensure a safe and sustainable outcome.
The Geotechnical Expert shall provide insights in the type of geological conditions of the foundation of the dam site, associated structures, and reservoir to ensure that the foundation condition and the design of treatment works, such as curtain or consolidation grouting and drainage system are done as required.
The Geotechnical Expert shall be part of an 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 member of the IPEs, the Geotechnical Expert shall provide views and recommendations in geology and geotechnical areas, and contribute to a consolidated panel report at the end of each field work mission and review meeting. 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 IPE Chairperson who shall take the lead in preparing the report of each meeting in English language and the report shall be signed by all IPE members and submitted to the Program Coordinator of the Program Management Unit (PMU).
4. Qualifications
The Geotechnical Expert must be a professionally registered Geotechnical Engineer with demonstrated expertise in geological, geotechnical, and seismic studies relevant to the design and construction of large multipurpose dams, water supply infrastructure, transmission lines, and hydropower plants. The Expert must have the following qualifications:
i) A Master’s Degree or above in Geology or Geotechnical Engineering;
ii) A minimum of 15 years of experience in at least 10 countries including Africa in geology and
geotechnical engineering for large-scale water and energy projects;
iii) Experience in instrumentation planning for monitoring structural integrity and performance of dam
foundations, water supply systems, and hydropower infrastructure;
iv) Experience in working on projects funded by the World Bank and other international / bilateral institutions for developing countries and strong track record in assessing geotechnical risks, reviewing construction methodologies, material specifications, and quality control measures, and integrating geotechnical considerations into environmental and social management plans;
v) Fluency in English is mandatory (Provide evidence of English language qualifications).
The Consultant should submit the following:
- A letter of intent to carry out the assignment;
- Updated and signed Curriculum Vitae including certified copies of academic and professional
qualifications; - A Technical Proposal to demonstrate the capability to provide technical support in relation to geotechnical aspects in Detailed Feasibility Studies, Detailed Dam Designs, and dam safety plans for Dwangwa Dam and all infrastructure for water supply and hydropower plant;
- 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.
Method 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” Fourth Edition, dated November 2020 (“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: “GEOTECHNICAL 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: [email protected] / [email protected]