Job Details

Job Description

Republic of Zambia
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES (MCDSS)
SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
CONSULTING SERVICES-Individual Consultant Selection (Open; National).

COUNTRY: ZAMBIA
NAME OF PROJECT: GIRLS’ EDUCATION AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND LIVELIHOODS FOR HUMAN CAPITAL PROJECT-GEWEL 2 CREDIT NO: P181391
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS
REFERENCE NO: MCDSS/SCT/C/2024

The Government of Zambia with support from the World Bank is implementing the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood for Human Capital (GEWEL 2) Project with the main objective of promoting human capital development and productivity among poor and vulnerable girls and women, while strengthening adaptive social protection delivery systems. The project is being implemented across three Government Ministries; The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Gender Division in the Office of the President (GD). The project has four components, the Foundational Social Cash Transfer and Nutrition (SCT) implemented by the department of Social Welfare at MCDSS, Keeping Girls in School and Beyond (KGS) implemented by MOE, Supporting Women’s Livelihoods for Climate-Smart Productive Inclusion (SWL) implemented by the department of Community Development at MCDSS and the Institutional Strengthening and Systems Building for Cash Plus Delivery (ISSB) implemented by the departments of Planning and Information at MCDSS and Gender Division respectively. Additionally, the National Secretariat for the GEWEL 2 Project and the overall coordination across Project Components lies within the Gender Division at Cabinet Office.

To efficiently and effectively execute the implementation of this component, the SCT PIU seeks the services of the following positions:

2.0 ASSISTANT SCT COORDINATOR (1)

Job Summary

The Assistant SCT Coordinator shall support the SCT Coordinator in the management. coordinating and implementation of (i) the SCT Programme; and (ii) nutrition cash top-up to select SCT households.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the SCT coordinator in the Management of day-to-day operations to maintain a high performing team for social cash transfer programme.
• Coordinate the provision of technical and administrative support at all levels of implementation.
• Support the review and development of guidelines for the implementation of Social Cash Transfer Programme.
• Ensure that the SCT operational procedures are followed across all provinces and districts.
• Oversee the timely disbursement of cash transfers to eligible households, ensuring accuracy and adherence to programme criteria.
• Support the SCT Coordination in preparation of the Annual Work Plan and Budget for the SCT component.
• Assist in the strategic engagements and collaboration with other line ministries and agencies and PIUS of the GEWEL 2.
• Interface with other GEWEL components on issues related to the project implementation. • Support in regular communication with the World Bank.
• Liaise with government agencies, NGOs, donors and other stakeholders involved in the social cash transfer Programmes,
• Support the SCT Coordinator in developing mechanisms/networks for resource mobilization.
• Engage in the discussion with the Government, World Bank and other stakeholders to mobilize resources on the sustainability of SCT programme implementation.
• Participate in negotiations with cooperating partners on funding and funding conditionalities;
• Manage the identification and selection of eligible beneficiaries for social cash transfer programme.
• Coordinate with District Social Welfare Officers and other key stakeholders to ensure proper heneficiary identification, registration, and payment processes;
• Facilitate the review and management of the monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact and efficiency of the social cash transfer programme.
• Prepare and submit progress reports, challenges and outcomes to management, the World Bank and donors.
• Coordinate impact assessment and research on the implementation of SCT programme.
• Maintain systems for collecting data on beneficiaries and programme performance.
• Facilitate programme reviews and audits of the SCT programme.
• Monitor and evaluate program activities to measure progress, identify challenges and propose solutions to improve performance,
• Ensure training of staff and stakeholders on the operational procedures of the social cash transfer programme.
• Build capacity among community leaders, programme officers and beneficiaries to enhance understanding of the programme.
• Ensure the development and implementation of appropriate capacity building Programmes for SCT Programme implementation officers.
• Organize training and orientation for staff to strengthen their capacity in managing the SCT programme.
• Provide technical support to programme staff, provincial and District Social Welfare Officers to ensure they are familiar with the program’s guidelines and operational procedures:
• Ensure that the programme adheres to local laws, donor regulations, and organizational policies.
• Facilitate the preparation of situational, quarterly and annual progress reports on the implementation of the SCT Programme to the Ministry and Cooperating/Development Partners
• Ensure compliance to procurement and financial regulations to of government and World Bank
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to the management. World Bank and other stakeholders.
• Maintain a robust internal control system to prevent fraud, misuse, or diversion of program funds
• Identify and document risks related to the implementation of the SCT programme and develop risk mitigation strategies;
• Implement mitigation strategies to minimize risks and ensure the effective delivery of cash transfers;
• Manage complaints and grievances from beneficiaries and the public;
• Oversee the grievance redress mechanism, ensuring that beneficiaries’ concerns are handled promptly and fairly.
• Manage complaints and grievances from beneficiaries and the public.
• Oversee the grievance redress mechanism, ensuring that beneficiaries’ concerns are handled promptly and fairly,
• Facilitate timely procurement and distribution of goods and materials to support the implementation SCT Programme
• Facilitate the provision of logistical support services to ensure smooth operations of the SCT Programme,
• Manage platforms to facilitate knowledge sharing within the Ministry and the general public on SCT programme
• Facilitate the development and implementation of a communication strategy.
• Facilitate engagement with the media to create public awareness,
• Ensure effective communication across all levels of programme implementation;
• Support the SCT coordinator in performance management of staff and resources to ensure successful implementation of the SCT Programme;
• Facilitate the preparation of annual work plans and budgets of SCT Programme.
• Ensure adherence to the Public and World Bank procurement, financial regulations, and disbursement guidelines
• Ensure appropriate documentation and record-keeping for all financial transactions related to the SCT programme;
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of financial and technical reports to the Ministry and cooperating partners;
• Monitor budget allocations and expenditures to maintain programme financial sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with the World Bank procurement and financial management guidelines as well as national regulations;
• Maintain a robust internal control system to prevent fraud, misuse, or diversion of programme funds;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the SCT Coordinator

TASKS AND ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

• Full Grade 12 Certificate or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Development Studies, Economics, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in Project Management or any related Social Sciences is an added advantage.
• At least 5 years working experience with 3 years at Senior Managerial level.
• Prior experience in managing projects with Government, multilateral or bilateral donors, and familiarity with government and donor procedures and requirements is desirable.
• Demonstrable leadership and managerial skills, and ability to work effectively with programme beneficiaries and teams is desirable.
• Must possess good organizational and problem-solving skills including the ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize actions and tasks in meeting tight deadlines.
• Ability to develop training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings.
• Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.
• Proficiency in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages is desirable.

Duration and Location

• The assignment will be for an initial period of Two years, with the potential for renewal based on performance and project requirements.
• The Assistant SCT Coordinator will be based at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Headquarters in Lusaka, but may require travel to districts and regions to oversee the implementation of the SCT program.

Performance Evaluation

• Annual performance evaluation will be conducted at the end of each year using established key performance indicators (KPIs) based on targets as set out in the AWPB, Project document and individual work plans.
• The consultant will be expected to meet the performance standards as agreed. Failure to meet these standards may result in performance improvement plans or disciplinary action.

Reporting

The Assistant SCT Coordinator will report to the SCT Coordinator

Procurement/ Hiring method

The Consultant will be hired and contracted as per the “Individual Consultant (IC)” Selection method of World Bank Procurement Regulation (PR), September 2023

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (i.c. 09:00 to 1700 hours).

The Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services
Private Bag W252
Community House
Lusaka.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form (hard copy) E-mail to the address below by 17:00 hours on 22nd November, 2024.