World Bank RFP: Institutional Strengthening for Results-Based Management and M&E in Health and Education Sectors in West Africa

The World Bank's Request for Proposals (RFP) for Institutional Strengthening for Results-Based Management and M&E in Health and Education Sectors in West Africa is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the capacity of public institutions to plan, monitor, and evaluate their programs effectively. This RFP is part of the World Bank's broader commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), by improving data-driven decision-making in sectors that directly affect human capital development. The project targets countries in West Africa, a region characterized by linguistic diversity (primarily French and English), varying levels of political stability, and significant infrastructural gaps. The RFP invites proposals from qualified organizations—including NGOs, consulting firms, academic consortia, and public-private partnerships—to design and implement a multi-year capacity-building program. The program's core components include: (1) conducting institutional assessments to identify M&E gaps; (2) developing standardized M&E frameworks and tools; (3) training government staff and civil society actors in data collection, analysis, and reporting; (4) establishing digital platforms for data management and visualization; (5) fostering a culture of evidence-based policy-making through workshops and peer learning. The deadline for submission is September 1, 2026, providing sufficient time for bidders to form strong teams, conduct preliminary fieldwork, and prepare detailed proposals. Successful applicants will demonstrate a thorough understanding of both the technical and political dimensions of institutional strengthening, as well as a track record of delivering results in similar contexts. GSLI's short courses in M&E and Project Management for Development can significantly enhance a bidder's ability to present a compelling, well-structured proposal. The strategic importance of this RFP cannot be overstated. West Africa has seen mixed progress in health and education outcomes. For instance, the region has the highest maternal mortality ratio globally, with 542 deaths per 100,000 live births, and low secondary school enrollment rates (below 50% in many countries). Weak M&E systems have been identified as a key bottleneck, preventing governments from knowing what works and where to allocate resources efficiently. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these weaknesses, as many countries struggled to track cases and vaccine coverage. This RFP is a direct response to these challenges, aiming to build resilient systems that can adapt to crises. By strengthening institutional capacity for RBM and M&E, the World Bank expects to improve accountability, transparency, and service delivery. The project also aligns with the Bank's Human Capital Project, which seeks to invest in people's health and education to drive economic growth. Bidders should consider proposing innovative approaches, such as using mobile technology for real-time data collection, incorporating community-based monitoring, and linking M&E results to performance-based financing. The scale of this initiative is substantial, with a potential budget of $10-15 million over 4-5 years, covering multiple countries. This makes it an excellent opportunity for organizations with multi-country operations and expertise in institutional development. GSLI's courses on Financial Management for NGOs and Procurement & Supply Chain are also vital for handling project finances and equipment, ensuring compliance with World Bank regulations.

Strategic Overview

The World Bank's Request for Proposals (RFP) for Institutional Strengthening for Results-Based Management and M&E in Health and Education Sectors in West Africa is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the capacity of public institutions to plan, monitor, and evaluate their programs effectively. This RFP is part of the World Bank's broader commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), by improving data-driven decision-making in sectors that directly affect human capital development. The project targets countries in West Africa, a region characterized by linguistic diversity (primarily French and English), varying levels of political stability, and significant infrastructural gaps. The RFP invites proposals from qualified organizations—including NGOs, consulting firms, academic consortia, and public-private partnerships—to design and implement a multi-year capacity-building program. The program's core components include: (1) conducting institutional assessments to identify M&E gaps; (2) developing standardized M&E frameworks and tools; (3) training government staff and civil society actors in data collection, analysis, and reporting; (4) establishing digital platforms for data management and visualization; (5) fostering a culture of evidence-based policy-making through workshops and peer learning. The deadline for submission is September 1, 2026, providing sufficient time for bidders to form strong teams, conduct preliminary fieldwork, and prepare detailed proposals. Successful applicants will demonstrate a thorough understanding of both the technical and political dimensions of institutional strengthening, as well as a track record of delivering results in similar contexts. GSLI's short courses in M&E and Project Management for Development can significantly enhance a bidder's ability to present a compelling, well-structured proposal. The strategic importance of this RFP cannot be overstated. West Africa has seen mixed progress in health and education outcomes. For instance, the region has the highest maternal mortality ratio globally, with 542 deaths per 100,000 live births, and low secondary school enrollment rates (below 50% in many countries). Weak M&E systems have been identified as a key bottleneck, preventing governments from knowing what works and where to allocate resources efficiently. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these weaknesses, as many countries struggled to track cases and vaccine coverage. This RFP is a direct response to these challenges, aiming to build resilient systems that can adapt to crises. By strengthening institutional capacity for RBM and M&E, the World Bank expects to improve accountability, transparency, and service delivery. The project also aligns with the Bank's Human Capital Project, which seeks to invest in people's health and education to drive economic growth. Bidders should consider proposing innovative approaches, such as using mobile technology for real-time data collection, incorporating community-based monitoring, and linking M&E results to performance-based financing. The scale of this initiative is substantial, with a potential budget of $10-15 million over 4-5 years, covering multiple countries. This makes it an excellent opportunity for organizations with multi-country operations and expertise in institutional development. GSLI's courses on Financial Management for NGOs and Procurement & Supply Chain are also vital for handling project finances and equipment, ensuring compliance with World Bank regulations.

Who is it For?

This RFP is designed for a diverse range of organizations with demonstrated expertise in institutional capacity building, results-based management, and M&E systems in low-resource settings. Eligible entities include international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), consulting firms, think tanks, research institutes, academic consortia, and public-private partnerships. Local organizations in West Africa are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly those with existing relationships with ministries of health and education. The ideal applicant will have: (1) a minimum of 10 years of experience in designing and implementing M&E systems for health and/or education programs in developing countries, preferably in West Africa; (2) proven track record in conducting institutional assessments and developing capacity-strengthening plans; (3) expertise in data quality assurance, statistical analysis, and evaluation methodologies such as randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, and qualitative methods; (4) ability to work in multiple languages (French and English) given the linguistic diversity in West Africa; (5) experience navigating World Bank operational policies, including safeguards, fiduciary management, and procurement; (6) strong partnership with local governmental agencies, civil society, and communities. The World Bank also encourages consortia that bring together technical M&E specialists, training experts, and change management advisors. Organizations must be legally registered in at least one of the target countries or have a local presence. Additionally, they must have audited financial statements for the past three years and demonstrate capacity to manage grants of over $5 million. Preference will be given to entities that have previously implemented World Bank-financed projects and those that incorporate innovative technologies, such as mobile data collection, GIS mapping, and dashboards for real-time decision-making.

Priorities

The World Bank's global priorities for this RFP center on enhancing the effectiveness of development investments through robust, evidence-based decision-making. Specific investment KPIs include: (1) establishment of functional RBM systems in at least 80% of targeted ministries and departments, evidenced by annual results reports; (2) improvement in data quality scores (completeness, timeliness, accuracy) from baseline to end-of-project by at least 30%; (3) increased use of M&E data for programmatic adjustments, as measured by ministerial desk reviews; (4) strengthening of national M&E protocols and their adoption by subnational entities; (5) development of M&E capacities of at least 500 government staff and 200 civil society actors, with post-training evaluations showing 70% knowledge gain; (6) gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis integrated into all M&E frameworks; (7) alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), specifically targets 3.8 (universal health coverage) and 4.1 (quality primary and secondary education). The donor also prioritizes sustainability: project designs must include strategies for fiscal sustainability (e.g., integration of M&E costs into national budgets) and institutional sustainability (e.g., creation of M&E units with dedicated staff). Cross-cutting priorities include climate resilience, conflict sensitivity, and social inclusion. The World Bank expects bidders to propose innovative digital solutions, such as interoperable data systems, artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, and feedback loops for citizen engagement. Furthermore, the donor requires a clear theory of change linking capacity-building inputs to improved service delivery outcomes, with measurable indicators at each level. These priorities reflect a shift from vertical, donor-driven projects to systemic, country-owned transformations.

Eligibility

Comprehensive eligibility requires a thorough financial, spatial, and corporate legal audit. Financially, organizations must demonstrate annual revenues exceeding $10 million or a consortium with a lead applicant meeting this threshold. They must provide audited financial statements for the last three fiscal years, with an unqualified opinion. Sufficient liquidity is needed to cover at least three months of operational expenses (approximately $1.5 million for projects of this scale). Acceptable financial controls include dual signatures for transactions, regular internal audits, and compliance with international accounting standards (IFRS or IPSAS). Spatially, the applicant must have a registered office or legal presence in at least one West African country (e.g., Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea). Preference is given to organizations with operational experience in multiple target countries; a minimum of three country operations is recommended. The spatial audit must include evidence of office leases, staff contracts, and project assets in the region. Corporate legal requirements include proof of legal registration (e.g., certificate of incorporation, NGO registration), tax identification number, and no records of debarment or sanctions. The organization must have an anti-fraud and anti-corruption policy in place. For international NGOs, a memorandum of understanding with a host government agency is required. Additionally, the applicant must have experience with World Bank procurement guidelines, including the selection of consultants (using QCBS, QBS, or other methods), disbursement letters, and fiduciary clauses. A team with at least 50% residency in West Africa is valued. Finally, the applicant must submit a self-assessment of organizational capacity using the World Bank’s standard template (available on the procurement portal). Entities failing to meet these criteria will be disqualified at the initial screening stage.

Path to Success

To maximize chances of winning this World Bank RFP, follow this strategic four-phase roadmap that integrates GSLI training for capacity strengthening. **Phase 1: Intelligence Gathering and Needs Clarification (Months 1-3).** Begin by thoroughly analyzing the RFP document, drafting clarifying questions for the World Bank, and reviewing national strategies in health and education (e.g., National Health Sector Plans, Education Sector Plans). Establish a consortium with local partners, including universities, research institutes, and NGOs with M&E expertise. Register for GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) short course to build a common language among team members. Simultaneously, conduct a rapid institutional assessment of potential partner ministries to gauge political will and existing data systems. Secure pre-bid meetings with government counterparts. **Phase 2: Proposal Design and Technical Approach (Months 4-6).** Develop a robust theory of change using a participatory approach. The technical proposal should include a phased implementation plan: (a) baseline institutional assessment using the WHO's institutional capacity framework; (b) co-design of M&E tools with beneficiaries; (c) delivery of training modules on results-based management and data analytics; (d) establishment of digital data platforms; (e) ongoing technical assistance for adaptive management. Ensure the budget is realistic and adheres to World Bank cost norms. Embed gender and climate lenses across all activities. Enroll team members in GSLI's Project Management for Development course to incorporate best practices in logical framework design, risk registers, and Gantt charts for timelines. **Phase 3: Submission and Negotiation (Month 7).** Assemble a responsive team that includes a Project Director with 15+ years of experience, M&E specialists with advanced analytical skills, and local experts. Write a compelling narrative linking each activity to desired outcomes, using evidence from past projects. Include a risk mitigation matrix covering political instability, currency fluctuation, and staff turnover. Submit the proposal on time, ensuring all attachments are complete. After submission, be prepared to participate in oral presentations or negotiations, during which GSLI-certified project management skills will help you respond confidently to queries about work plans and budgets. **Phase 4: Post-Award Team Preparation (Month 8 onwards).** Upon winning the contract, immediately enroll key personnel in GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs and Procurement & Supply Chain courses to ensure compliance with World Bank fiduciary standards. Organize a one-week kick-off workshop with stakeholders, reviewed by your GSLI-trained project manager. Set up internal M&E systems mirroring what you are building for the client. As the project progresses, use GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals and Grants Management courses to prepare for no-cost extensions or follow-on funding. Document lessons learned for future RFP responses.

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Deadline: 2026-09-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal