REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Republic of Maldives

Sustainable and Integrated Labor Service (SAILS) Project

(P177240)  

Assignment Title: Consultancy Services to Conduct Internal Audit of (SAILS) Project

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): MV-MOED-352546-CS-CQS

The Government of the Maldives has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Maldives: Sustainable and Integrated Labor Market Service (SAILS) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include undertaking an independent and objective internal audit as required by the World Bank for the periodic evaluation of overall efficiency and performance of the SAILS project. This includes providing assurance to the Project Management Unit (PMU) and to the World Bank of the overall effectiveness of the work being carried out and to ensure project implementation in accordance with the requirements of the World Bank

Ministry of Economic Development is planning to hire a consulting firm to conduct the Internal Audit of the project for the duration of the project. The consultant is expected to:

• Examination and evaluation of all internal controls pertaining to all Core project activities, Recruitment, Budgeting, Procurement, Disbursements, Accounting and Reporting. 
• Assessment of compliance of all Project activities to the requirements of the operations manual.
• Identification of risky areas to offer recommendations for mitigation of such risks.
• Assessment of fund movements to ensure accuracy of the recording and the reporting process. 

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached to this request for expression of interest.

The Ministry of Economic Development 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 core requirements are:

1. Must be a Firm (Audit Firm) Registered in the Maldives (Provide copy of the Certificate of Registration)
2. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the Auditing field.
3. A member of a professional body having membership of the International Federation of Accounting (IFAC). The Firm must have a valid “Practicing Certificate” issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Maldives.
4. The interested party responding to this TOR shall demonstrate previous work experience with similar assignments within the government.
5. The key resources of the firm shall be Fluent in spoken and written English. 

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” Fourth Edition November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), 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:

1. 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:
   1. the preparation of the TOR for the assignment;
   2. the selection process for the contract; or
   3. 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 in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, 0800 to 1400 hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail by 22^nd June 2023 (Thursday) 1600 hours (local Time).

Project Management Unit

Ministry of Economic Development

Attn: Mr. Shuhad Ibrahim

Project Director

Sustainable and Integrated Labor Service (SAILS) Project

Velaanaage 11^th Floor,

Male’, Maldives

Tel: +960 332 3668

E-mail: [email protected]