REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

(SECOND CALLING)

Services of a Consultant for the Augmentation of Curriculum for Environmental Management Diploma/Degree Program of the Maldives National University

SAAFU RAAJJE - MALDIVES CLEAN ENVIRONMENT PROJECT

Grant No.: D199-MV

Number:          (IUL)438/438/2018/240

Invitation No:             MV-MEE-48441-CS-INDV                               

Date:               September 10, 2018

The Government of the Republic of Maldives has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Saafu Raajje - Maldives Clean Environment Project for Zone IV and V, and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this project for consulting services to undertake the augmentation of existing curriculum for Environmental Management Diploma/Degree Program of Maldives National University, in order to align the curriculum with national development policies as well as to ensure that it caters to prepare students to address the current regional and global environmental management issues. The scope of work as follows:

1. Restructure current Bachelor of Environment Management degree to fit current Maldivian context utilizing international benchmarking where possible to ensure international equivalency and fulfill requirements of the Maldives Qualification Authority.
2. Update subject outlines of Bachelor of Environmental Management Degree to produce comprehensive documents with the following information: learning objectives; topic covered with weekly allocations for lecture, tutorials and field work; assessment breakdown and details; and an indicative list of references
3. Consideration should be given to align course content with the overall objective of the course, integrate extensive field based learning components and incorporate more local examples and case studies
4. Develop teaching materials for the subject “Integrated Waste Management”, to include lectures, tutorials and details of field work for both in class and online learning,
5. Develop an indicative list of books, resources, materials for the subject “Integrated Waste Management”
6. Submit a report on the major findings and outcomes of the consultancy.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy now invites eligible individual consultants (local / foreign) to submit their “Expression of Interest” (EOI) for providing the services. Interested individual consultants (local / foreign) should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services along with the following documents:

• Updated CV
• Details of relevant experience with regard to the assignment (with supporting docs)
• ID card / Passport copy

The TOR for the consulting services is attached with this REOI and will also be available on the Ministry website www.environment.gov.mv.

The attention of interested consulting individual is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, 3.17 and 3.18 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for Borrowers under Investment Project Financing, dated July 1, 2016, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the Procurement Regulations for Borrowers under Investment Project Financing, dated July 1, 2016.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 1300 hrs Maldivian time on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Services of a Consultant for the Augmentation of Curriculum for Environmental Management Diploma/Degree Program of the Maldives National University

1. 1.      INTRODUCTION

The Government of the Republic of Maldives through the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE) is implementing Saafu Raajje - Maldives Clean Environment Project (MCEP) financed through grant aid from the International Development Association (IDA), World Bank. The project is implemented in accordance with the World Bank’s guidelines and procedures on procurement and financial management.

The project development objective of MCEP is to improve solid waste management in selected zones of the Maldives, namely Zone 2 (Noonu, Raa, Baa and Lhaviyani Atoll), Zone 4 (Meemu, Faafu and Dhaalu Atoll) and Zone 5 (Thaa and Laamu Atoll).

The Government of Maldives intends to apply part of the proceeds of this project for consulting services to undertake the augmentation of existing curriculum for Environmental Management Diploma/Degree Program of Maldives National University, in order to align the curriculum with national development policies as well as to ensure that it caters to prepare students to address the current regional and global environmental management issues. 

1. 2.      BACKGROUND

The Bachelor of Environmental Management (BEM) is a three-year degree programme offered by the Faculty of Engineering Science & Technology of the Maldives National University (MNU). The programme commenced in 2009 largely funded and initiated by the World Bank funded Maldives Environmental Management Program (MEMP) of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE). MEE continues to review and monitor the degree program with the overall objective of promoting environmental education and creating environmental professionals for the government and the private sectors. The BEM programme at MNU has produced 36 graduates many of whom are now working in government, nongovernmental and private environmental sectors in the Maldives. In order to attract more students to the field and also upgrade and align the course with policy developments from relevant environmental management sectors within the government and the private sectors, it is essential to identify avenues to improve BEM program and make it more effective. The purpose of this consultancy is to restructure the contents of the BEM degree course offered by the MNU to align it with national development policies as well as to ensure that it caters to prepare students to address the current regional and global environmental management issues. 

1. 3.      OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of this consultancy is to restructure the contents of the BEM degree/diploma course in a way that would attract more students to the field and also upgrade and align the course with policy developments from environmental management sectors within the government and private sector.

1. 4.      SCOPE OF WORK

The tasks to be undertaken by the consultant should be carried out in close collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology, MNU and the Waste Management and Pollution Control Department of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE) and together with other department of the MEE and relevant stakeholders as necessary, and include but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

1. Restructure current Bachelor of Environment Management degree to fit current Maldivian context utilizing international benchmarking where possible to ensure international equivalency and fulfill requirements of the Maldives Qualification Authority.
2. Update subject outlines of Bachelor of Environmental Management Degree to produce comprehensive documents with the following information: learning objectives; topic covered with weekly allocations for lecture, tutorials and field work; assessment breakdown and details; and an indicative list of references
3. Consideration should be given to align course content with the overall objective of the course, integrate extensive field based learning components and incorporate more local examples and case studies
4. Develop teaching materials for the subject “Integrated Waste Management”, to include lectures, tutorials and details of field work for both in class and online learning,
5. Develop an indicative list of books, resources, materials for the subject “Integrated Waste Management”
6. Submit a report on the major findings and outcomes of the consultancy.
   1. 5.      DURATION OF CONSULTANCY

This assignment is expected to be carried out between October 2018 – January 2019. The expected duration of the consultancy is 4 months.

1. 6.      DELIVERABLES

The following are key deliverables for the assignment:

• Detailed revised and restructured course structure and course approval document for the BEM degree as in the TOR
• Detailed updated subject outlines as in the TOR
• Teaching materials for the subject “Integrated Waste Management” as in the TOR
• Report on the major findings and outcome of the assignment

1. 7.      REPORTING MODALITIES

The Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Science & Technology of MNU and the Project Manager of Maldives Clean Environment Project of MEE.

1. 8.      QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

The applicant should possess the following educational background and experience:

• Hold a Postgraduate degree in Environmental Management or a related discipline
• Have minimum 05 years of experience working in environmental research and management with special reference to tropical coastal and marine environment.
• Pedagogical experience will be an added advantage
• Excellent writing and communication skills

1. 9.      EVALUATION CRITERIA

The EOI’s submitted by the consultants will be evaluated based on the criteria below.

1. 10.  REMUNERATION

• Consultancy fees will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Payment will be done against a disbursement schedule as outlined in the contract and based on receipt of clearly defined deliverables within the timeline.
• Transport for any field work (if required) will be provided by the Client.

1. 11.  APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications which should include the following:

1. Letter of Expression of Interest

2. National ID card / Passport copy of the Consultant

3. Detailed Curriculum Vitae

4. Supporting documents/ reference letters of previous/relevant assignments carried out by the Consultant.

Qualified candidates are requested to email their applications to [email protected] to reach us not later than 13:00 hrs on Thursday, 27^th September 2018.

Mr. Ahmed Nizam,

Project Manager

Maldives Clean Environment Project

Ministry of Environment and Energy

Handhuvaree Hingun, Male’, Maldives

Email:  [email protected]