REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Four (4) Experts in Digital technology in education - Individual Consultants to support in preparation of Subproject Proposals under „Education Quality Improvement” Project (EQIP)

 

Republic of Moldova

Education Quality Improvement Project

Credit No. IBRD-95360

Reference No.: MD-MOED-490336-CS-INDV

Assignment Title: Four (4) Experts in Digital technology in education - Individual Consultants to support in preparation of Subproject Proposals under „Education Quality Improvement” Project (EQIP)

 

The Ministry of Education and Research (MoER) has received financing from the World Bank Group toward the cost of the Education Quality Improvement Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for individual consulting services.

The primary objective of this assignment is to provide assistance to School In-Kind Grant (SIG) Applicants in identifying, developing, and finalizing Proposals that aim to enhance the quality of education through digital technologies. The Consultants will deliver a mixt of targeted training sessions, tailored technical assistance, and comprehensive consultation services to ensure that Proposals align with Program’s requirements and meet established quality standards.

 

For more information, please see the Terms of References.

 

The MoER now invites eligible Individual Consultants (“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.

 

To achieve the main objectives, each Consultant shall perform the following tasks:

Task 1. Analysis of project concepts (SIG Applications) 

Consultants will analyse project concepts developed by Applicants with a focus on the integration of digital technologies in education and identifying opportunities for their improvement. This will be carried out in two stages:

Stage 1: Initial Review

Consultants will assess each project concept with a focus on the following aspects/questions:

• The extent to which proposed activities contribute to the development of students' digital skills and the improvement of learning outcomes;
• The effectiveness of the proposed equipment and technologies;
• The accessibility of proposed technologies for students from disadvantaged backgrounds which include the following categories per the project appraisal document (students from poor families, from rural areas, girls, Roma students, refugees from Ukraine, at-risk students falling behind academically, and children with disabilities).

Stage 2: Identification of Areas for Personalized Support

Based on the initial review, the Consultants will identify specific areas where Applicants would benefit from tailored consultations.

Task 2. Providing personalized consultations for Applicants:

Consultants will provide support to the Applicants in the following areas:

• Identifying options for innovative and effective digital equipment and technologies.
• Providing support to Applicants in clearly describing, within the Subproject Proposals, the planned activities, tools, and associated costs for developing digital competencies within the project.
• Providing support in describing specific activities for the use of equipment and technologies in the educational process that ensure the involvement of as many students as possible, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and estimating the costs of these activities.
• Providing support in describing activities that will ensure the sustainability of the investments made under the Program.
• Providing expert opinions, consultations, and recommendations on Proposal quality, as necessary or upon request by the PMT.
• Providing support to the Applicants to enhance Proposals’ quality.
• Providing expert opinions, consultations, guidance, advices and/or recommendations to support Applicant schools in improving non-performing Subproject Proposals in the priority sector for resubmission and evaluation.

Task 3. Support to the School Subproject Selection Committee

Consultants will assist the School Subprojects Selection Committee in reviewing Proposals, focusing on identifying strengths and areas of improvement to ensure alignment with quality standards. Recommendations by each expert will be provided on schools which were not supported as part of the capacity building support by this expert. The final evaluation and selection of Proposals will be at the sole discretion of the Committee, in collaboration with the EQIP Project Coordinator.

Task 4. Support to the PMT in the Procurement and Evaluation Process

Following the selection of 120 approved Proposals, Consultants will provide support to the PMT and Procurement Specialist(s) in particular in the procurement processes by undertaken the following tasks:

1. a) Review and group procurement needs:

• Analyse procurement needs related to Proposal and, where feasible, group them into similar or homogeneous goods, services, and training to be procured under a single procurement line.

1. b) Development of Technical Specifications and ToRs:

• Provide support in the development of technical specifications for goods (including grouped items) and ToRs for services and training activities to be procured under the Program including estimation of their cost and best local and international practices.

1. c) Participation in the evaluation of offers:

• Participate in the evaluation of offers to ensure alignment with the technical specifications, requirements and quality standards established by the Program and in line with the applicable World Bank Procurement Regulations as well as the World Bank Anti-Corruption Guidelines .

 

The Consultant should meet the following minimum qualifications requirements:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in education, ICT, or sciences is required. Alternatively, relevant professional experience, as outlined in this ToR, may substitute for a Master’s degree if it demonstrates a comparable level of expertise.
• Proven experience in applying digital technologies in education.
• In-depth knowledge of Moldovan education sector, particularly in digital transformations.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering of trainings aimed at enhancing teachers’ digital competencies. Proven experience in implemented science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) educational projects.
• Work experience with World Bank-supported or other international projects will be an advantage.
• Experience in procurement according to the rules and procedures of International Financial Institutions or donor organizations will provide an additional advantage.
• Fluent in Romanian and Russian. English would be an advantage.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, ability to work in teams, communicating with all team members..

 

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers – Procurement in Investment Project Financing. Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated November 2020 (hereinafter referred to as “Procurement Regulations”) setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and with the latest Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits.

 

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the „Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants” method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09 00 to 17 00 hours.

This is a part-time assignment and is (tentatively) expected to be performed in the following timeframe: June – July 2025. Contracts will be signed for a period of two (2) months with the possibility of extension up to one (1) month.

 

The applications should include letter of Expression of Interest, CV, and related recommendation letters, if any.

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 May 30, 2025, 16:00 o’clock, Moldova local time.

Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova,

Stefan cel Mare 180, 13th floor, room no. 1305,

mun. Chisinau, Republic of Moldova MD-2004

Tel/fax: 022 23-25-02

E-mail: eqip@mec.gov.md