Foreign economic-aid-related services

Tender description

This is a Prior Information Notice (PIN) only: publication and call for competition will be conducted once scope of work is fully defined and approved Programme information DFID Malawi is planning a five-year (2018-2023) Transparency and Accountability programme. The programme is in an advanced stage of design and likely to be submitted for approval in early autumn. The programme will include three components: An issues-based accountability component (Commercial tender) An elections component (MoU with bilateral/ multilateral development partner) Possibly a component of support through an accountable grant for funding to civil society organisations. This procurement only applies to the issues-based component. The issues based programme will support improved policy and regulation of markets for more inclusive growth, more efficient / effective allocation of budgets and more politicians seeking legitimacy based on performance and policies rather than personal networks. It will bring together reformers in government, civil society, private sector, politicians and others who have an interest in positive change. The core of the new approach presented in the current design entails selecting topical and material issues around which it is easier to build positive collective groups, presenting positive messages and helping to tip the balance of power in favour of change. The programme will have a strong focus on transparency and use different tools to track use of budgets in these areas at local levels. The programme will deliver short-term results in terms of better services or increased incomes, but ultimately it will seek to use these issues to bring about policy or institutional changes in the way of doing business. Possible examples of issues the programme could tackle include addressing blockages in maize (and other agricultural) markets; improving water supply in peri-urban areas; improving drug procurement; and tackling deforestation. Significant institutional changes in the specific sectors (e.g. removal of political capture of water supply) will lead to better access to services and improved lives for poor people. A combination of small grants, technical expertise, facilitation, and media and advocacy work will be used to drive change on chosen issues. It is expected that between six and eight issues will be targeted over the lifetime of the programme. These issues will be identified through research to be done in the first years of the programme. During the first year, the programme will also, using social accountability tools (e.g. score cards and public expenditure tracking) and engagement of local councillors to track use of local funds / resources (e.g. Local Development Fund, Constituency Development Fund, medical drugs), increase focus on the expectation of performance of local politicians in the lead up to the 2019 election. Post the election, social accountability efforts will be directed to support and build on results delivered by the issues based projects.