HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS’ LOANS AND GRANTS BOARD (HESLGB)

REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSALS

CONSULTING SERVICES FOR AN INTEGRATED INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION AND TURNAROUND STRATEGY

(Institution or Consortium)

1. BACKGROUND

The Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) has made provision in its 2026/2027 Annual Budget for the procurement of consulting services to support the development of an integrated institutional transformation and turnaround strategy. HESLGB is mandated to administer student loans and grants and to support access to higher education through the effective, equitable and sustainable provision of student financing.

HESLGB intends to engage a suitably qualified and experienced consulting institution or consortium with the requisite sub-sector knowledge, multidisciplinary technical capacity, analytical methodologies and practical tools to undertake a comprehensive institutional assessment and develop a costed, prioritised and implementable transformation and turnaround roadmap. The assignment is expected to examine the interrelationships between the Board’s core business processes, loan portfolio, financial sustainability, organisational capacity, governance arrangements and ICT environment.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The overall objective is to assess HESLGB’s institutional, operational, financial, organisational, governance and technological capacity and develop an integrated transformation and turnaround strategy that offers HESLGB’s future operating model which strengthens institutional effectiveness, improves the delivery of its mandate, enhances loan portfolio performance and supports long-term financial and operational sustainability.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The selected consultant will undertake an integrated assessment, ensuring that the various workstreams are analyzed individually and collectively and that institutional interdependencies, root causes and cross-functional implications are clearly identified. The scope shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

3.1 Loans and Grants Disbursement

Review the end-to-end loans and grants disbursement process, from application and beneficiary selection to approval and actual disbursement.
Assess the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and timeliness of the disbursement process and identify bottlenecks, delays, control weaknesses and operational risks.
Examine beneficiary eligibility assessment, verification, targeting and selection arrangements, including relevant data sources and validation processes.
Identify opportunities for process re-engineering, automation, systems integration and digitalisation to improve the integrity, efficiency and accountability of disbursements.

3.2 Loans Recovery and Portfolio Management

Review the end-to-end loan recovery process, including borrower records, repayment arrangements, monitoring, collection, reconciliation and enforcement mechanisms.
Assess the loan portfolio, including outstanding balances, portfolio segmentation, ageing, repayment performance, arrears, defaults and recovery trends.
Evaluate the adequacy of borrower data, loan records, portfolio management arrangements and controls.
Identify opportunities for improved borrower tracing, automated borrower tracking, digital repayment channels, collection strategies and portfolio analytics.
Recommend practical measures to improve recovery performance, manage credit risk and strengthen the long-term quality of the loan portfolio.

3.3 Financial Sustainability and Funding Model

Assess HESLGB’s current funding model, financial position and long-term financial sustainability.
Analyse existing sources of funding, including Government subvention, internally generated resources, loan recoveries, grants, development partner support and other financing mechanisms.
Assess the relationship between disbursement commitments, loan portfolio performance, recovery levels, funding requirements and institutional expenditure.
Identify and evaluate potential new or diversified sources of financing, strategic partnerships and other innovative financing mechanisms, taking account of the Board’s statutory mandate and operating environment.
Develop appropriate financial projections, scenarios and recommendations to strengthen funding predictability, resource utilisation and financial sustainability.

3.4 Governance, Risk Management and Internal Controls

Review HESLGB’s governance, decision-making and accountability arrangements, including delegated authorities and reporting lines.
Assess the enterprise risk management framework and identify key strategic, financial, operational, compliance, technology and reputational risks.
Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, policies, procedures and standard operating procedures.
Identify governance and control improvements required to strengthen oversight, accountability, compliance and institutional performance.

3.5 Organisational and Human Capital Assessment

Undertake an institutional functional review to assess the appropriateness of the current organisational structure, functions, roles and reporting arrangements.
Assess staffing levels, skills, competencies, capacity gaps, deployment and succession requirements in relation to HESLGB’s mandate and strategic priorities.
Review performance management, accountability and organisational effectiveness arrangements.
Recommend an appropriate organisational structure, operating model and human capital interventions to support the proposed transformation.

3.6 ICT and Digital Transformation

Assess the adequacy of existing ICT infrastructure, applications, systems, data quality, integrity, accessibility, security and governance.
Review the extent to which existing systems support the end-to-end student financing lifecycle, including applications, selection, disbursement, loan administration, recovery and reporting.
Assess systems integration, interoperability, data architecture, automation opportunities and information management arrangements.
Develop an appropriate ICT and digital transformation roadmap aligned to the recommended institutional operating model and business process improvements.

3.7 Integrated Turnaround and Transformation Roadmap

Consolidate findings from the strategic, functional, organisational, financial, human capital, ICT, governance and operational assessments.
Identify critical institutional challenges affecting HESLGB’s core mandate, establish their root causes and assess their interdependencies.
Determine which issues require immediate stabilisation, medium-term reform or longer-term transformation.
Develop prioritised turnaround and institutional transformation interventions, identifying quick wins and high-impact measures capable of generating measurable improvements.
Sequence interventions according to urgency, expected impact, affordability, institutional capacity, dependencies and implementation readiness.
Prepare an integrated, costed and time-bound institutional transformation and turnaround roadmap.

4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant will be expected to produce, at a minimum, the following deliverables:

An inception report setting out the assignment methodology, analytical frameworks, stakeholder engagement plan, information requirements, work plan and delivery schedule.
A comprehensive institutional diagnostic and assessment report, including findings, evidence, root-cause analysis and prioritised areas requiring intervention.
An integrated institutional transformation strategy addressing the Board’s strategic, operational, financial, organisational, governance and technological requirements.
A Board-ready three year turnaround plan with a clear diagnosis, a financial recovery strategy with governance safeguards and measurable targets.
A financial sustainability and loan portfolio improvement framework, including relevant financial analysis, scenarios and recommendations.
An organisational and functional review report, including recommendations on the institutional operating model, structure, roles and human capital requirements.
An ICT and digital transformation roadmap, including systems, data, integration, automation and governance priorities.
A costed, prioritised and sequenced implementation roadmap covering quick wins (0–6 months), medium-term interventions (6–18 months) and longer-term transformation.
A performance monitoring and evaluation framework, including measurable indicators, baselines where available, targets, responsibilities, milestones and reporting arrangements.
A final report and presentation of findings and recommendations to the Steering Committee and other designated HESLGB stakeholders.

5. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The assignment is expected to be completed within a maximum of six (6) months from the effective date of commencement, subject to the agreed contract and approved work plan.

6. EXPERIENCE, TECHNICAL CAPACITY AND QUALIFICATIONS

The assignment requires a highly competent consulting institution or consortium with demonstrable experience in institutional transformation, organisational turnaround, higher education financing and the management of complex public financing institutions. Interested institutions or consortiums must demonstrate the following minimum qualifications and capabilities:

6.1 Institutional Experience

A minimum of eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in providing institutional consulting, organisational transformation, strategic management or related advisory services.
Demonstrable experience in at least two (2) comparable assignments involving higher education financing, student loans and grants administration, development finance or other specialised public financing institutions. Direct experience in higher education student financing will be considered particularly relevant.
Proven experience in institutional turnaround strategies, organisational and functional reviews, business process re-engineering, institutional capacity assessments and implementation-oriented transformation roadmaps.
Demonstrable experience in financial sustainability assessments, loan portfolio management, credit risk analysis, loan recovery strategies and the development or review of institutional funding models.
Evidence of successfully undertaking complex, multidisciplinary consulting assignments involving institutional governance, financial management, human capital, ICT systems and operational transformation.

6.2 Technical and Methodological Capacity

Applicants must demonstrate access to appropriate technical expertise, analytical methodologies and diagnostic tools to undertake an integrated assessment of HESLGB’s institutional, operational, financial, organisational, governance and technological environment. In particular, applicants must demonstrate competence in:

Institutional diagnostics, functional reviews, organisational design and business process re-engineering.
Student financing models, loans and grants administration, loan portfolio analytics, credit risk assessment and recovery optimisation.
Financial modelling, funding sustainability assessments, resource mobilisation and financial forecasting.
Enterprise risk management, internal controls, corporate governance and institutional performance management.
ICT systems assessment, enterprise architecture, systems integration, data management and digital transformation.
Human capital assessments, organisational capacity development and performance management systems.

Applicants must provide a concise description of the methodologies, analytical frameworks, tools, software or other relevant technologies they propose to deploy. The submission should explain how these tools will support evidence-based diagnosis, cross-functional analysis, scenario assessment and the development of implementable recommendations.

6.3 Proposed Professional Team

Applicants must demonstrate the availability of a multidisciplinary team with appropriate qualifications and demonstrable professional experience in the following areas:

Institutional transformation and organisational development;
Higher education financing and student loans administration;
Credit risk management and loans recovery;
Financial management and sustainability modelling;
Human resources and organisational development;
ICT and digital transformation; and
Corporate governance, risk management and internal controls.

Applicants must submit the proposed team composition, detailed curricula vitae, professional qualifications, relevant experience and clearly defined roles and responsibilities of key personnel. The required expertise may be provided by a single institution or through a consortium of complementary specialist institutions. Applicants must demonstrate the availability and commitment of the proposed key personnel.

6.4 Demonstrable Track Record

A corporate profile outlining the institution’s capacity, areas of specialisation and relevant experience.
Details of comparable assignments undertaken within the past eight (8) years, indicating the client, assignment scope, duration, role performed and key deliverables.
Copies of relevant contracts, completion certificates or other verifiable evidence of successful assignment delivery, where available.
At least three (3) client references for relevant assignments, including contact details for verification.
Evidence of the availability and commitment of proposed key personnel.

6.5 Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Certificate of incorporation or registration with the Registrar of Companies.
Valid registration with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA), as applicable.
Valid Malawi Revenue Authority tax clearance and other applicable tax registration documentation, including VAT registration and withholding tax exemption documentation where applicable.
For consortiums, evidence of the proposed consortium arrangement, clearly identifying the lead institution, participating members and respective areas of responsibility.

7. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

HESLGB invites technical and financial proposals from reputable consulting institutions or consortiums that meet the requirements set out in this advert and can demonstrate the capacity to undertake the assignment effectively. Interested applicants must submit information demonstrating their institutional experience, sub-sector expertise, technical and methodological capacity, proposed professional team and legal/regulatory compliance.

Only shortlisted applicants shall be invited for further discussions and presentations.

8. REPORTING AND INSTITUTIONAL COORDINATION

The consultant shall work closely with the HESLGB Internal Technical Committee, which will facilitate technical coordination, access to relevant institutional information and engagement with designated officers. The consultant shall report to the Steering Committee, which will provide strategic oversight and review progress and key deliverables. The consultant shall undertake appropriate stakeholder consultations and validation of findings before finalising the assignment outputs.

9. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

11. HESLGB reserves the right to accept or reject any request for proposal in accordance with the applicable procurement framework.

12. HESLGB reserves the right to verify information submitted by any applicant and may reject a proposal where material misrepresentation or non-compliance is established.

13. Submission of request for proposal shall not constitute an undertaking by HESLGB to award a contract to any applicant.

14. HESLGB reserves the right to amend or cancel the procurement process in accordance with applicable laws and procurement procedures.

10. SUBMISSION OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Interested institutions or consortiums must submit their proposals, together with supporting documentation demonstrating compliance with the requirements set out in this advert. The submission must be clearly marked:

“REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR AN INTEGRATED INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION AND TURNAROUND STRATEGY FOR HESLGB”

The request for proposal document must be deposited in the tender box located at the reception area of HESLGB offices at the address indicated below, on or before Friday 4th December 2026 at 10:00hrs, local time.

Please Note: The financial proposals should be sealed in separate envelopes, clearly marked with the Bidder’s name, the name of the Procuring Entity and “Financial Proposal”.

Interested institutions or consortiums may be required to complete and sign the prescribed request for proposal submission form before depositing their submissions in the tender box.

Opening of Proposals: Only the technical proposals will be opened at the time, date and address shown below by the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board. Financial proposals will be kept unopened and the evaluation committee shall have no access to financial information until the detailed evaluation is concluded.

11. ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSION

The Chairperson
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee
Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board
Mbulo Complex, Plot No. A47/1/1184
Off Lilongwe/Mchinji Road, Opposite National AIDS Commission
P/Bag B 417
LILONGWE 3, Malawi

12. ADDRESS FOR CLARIFICATIONS AND FURTHER INFORMATION

The Procurement and Disposal Unit
Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board
Mbulo Complex, Plot No. A47/1/1184
Off Lilongwe/Mchinji Road, Opposite National AIDS Commission
P/Bag B 417
LILONGWE 3, Malawi

Attention: Procurement and Disposal Officer

Email: victor.matoga@heslgb.com

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