Download the Jobs App
Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Education
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 Credit No: P181391
Assignment Title: Selection of Individual Consultants
Reference No.: MCDSS/SWL/C/2024
The Government of the Republic of Zambia has prioritized social protection as a mechanism to address poverty and vulnerability in the country. This prioritization is demonstrated through increased budgetary allocations, particularly to unconditional social assistance delivered through the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program. The support for social assistance was furthered through the promotion of human capital initiatives using a “cash plus” approach primarily through the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) project by providing secondary school girls opportunities to complete their schooling. This was done through the Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL) component of the GEWEL project.
The Project Development Objective (PDO) of GEWEL 2 is “to promote human capital development and productivity among poor and vulnerable girls and women, while strengthening adaptive social protection delivery systems”.
The human capital development aspect of the PDO will be measured through results in three interrelated areas: (a) the SCT as the foundational national social assistance program as an enabler for human capital development, with complementary activities aimed at (b) enhanced educational attainment at the upper primary and secondary school level by vulnerable adolescent girls and (c) improved nutrition outcomes among poor children and women in selected districts. Productivity will be measured through activities aimed at increasing earnings and economic inclusion of adult women to build climate adaptation and shock resilience, while strengthened adaptive SP systems. GEWEL 2 is comprised of four components to achieve the PDO, to be implemented over a four- year period from 2025 to 2028. These are: (a) Foundational Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and Nutrition; (b) Supporting Women’s Livelihoods and Beyond (SWL), (c) Supporting Women’s Livelihoods for Climate-Smart Productive Inclusion (SWL); and (d) Institutional Strengthening and Systems Building for Cash ‘Plus’ Delivery (ISSB).
The SWL component will target poor and vulnerable girls from SCT households to access upper primary (4-6) and secondary schools (7-12) in a cash ‘plus’ approach and provide the girls with financial support to school related costs and fees, while also scaling other support services, to increase access to school, improve retention, progression, and transition to tertiary and/or work.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia has therefore, received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Project under Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project – Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL) and Beyond, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services as below.
GRM/GBV/ E&S SPECIALIST (01)
Job Summary:
The GRM/GBV/E&S Specialist is responsible for implementing Environmental and Social (E&S) measures for the SWL component under the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan for the GEWEL 2. He/she ensures safety and well-being of the stakeholders particularly the girls. He/she will help the project to prevent and respond to safeguarding concerns and ensure the safety and wellbeing of girls and other stakeholders in the SWL operational areas.
Duties and Responsibilities
-
Act as National focal point person for gender, Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and safeguards for the SWL Initiative,
-
Lead in the establishment and implementation of SWL safeguards guidelines;
-
Ensure that all SWL PIU members, district and provincial officers are adhering to SWL safeguards guidelines;
-
Ensure that all SWL schools and boarding facilities are adhering to SWL safeguards guidelines;
-
Ensure timely GBV Incident reporting to the World Bank;
-
Lead and undertake inclusive and meaningful stakeholder engagement activities, and ensuring awareness of project GRM among all project stakeholders;
-
Lead in the implementation of a comprehensive Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) system to receive and address grievances related to the project;
-
Ensure complaints lodged by citizens and beneficiaries on any aspect of the project are received and addressed within the prescribed time line and stored in the database (SWL-MIS) for easy reporting,
-
Establish and maintain records of all complaints received and redress/resolution of grievances, including resolution time;
-
Coordinate the system of collecting and addressing grievances at the community and district levels and monitor the functioning of the processes of the GRM system, identify shortfalls and propose solutions;
-
Create awareness of the GBV and GRM among all stakeholders through public awareness campaigns/sensitization in close coordination with the Communications Officer and Officers from Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare;
-
Ensure dissemination of the GBV, GRM and safeguards messages in the districts where the project is implemented;
-
Provide impartial consultation, conflict resolution, and problem solving in response to complaints and inquiries received from members of the community and affiliates, including beneficiaries, staff and the public;
-
Analyze information and work with the appropriate offices during the course of investigations: and maintain accurate and thorough investigatory files and reports;
-
Provide inputs into the development of the GRM module of the Integrated Management Information System (SWL-MIS) and utilize the module once developed;
-
Propose recommendations and seek decisions as it relates to all grievances and appeals through internal and external communications;
-
Contribute to the drafting and updating, as needed, of the Project GRM handbook to guide GRM activities under the project;
-
Assist in the formulation of Complaints and Grievance Committees at District and community levels as well lead the formulation of complaints and grievance reporting framework and dissemination process;
-
Train local structures and all project staff in the use of the Grievance Redress System and ensure that all stakeholders responsible for handling grievances are aware of their roles and responsibilities and act accordingly.
-
Conduct regular field visits to the locations where project activities are carried out, to monitor compliance with social mitigation measures, and identify gaps that need to be addressed.
-
Reports from the field visits should be included in the regular project reports;
-
Prepare monthly, Quarterly and annual reports;
-
Perform any other tasks as may be required for the implementation of an effective GRM system.
Qualification, Experience and Key Attributes:
-
Degree in Social Sciences, Anthropology, Development/ Gender studies or equivalent;
-
Master’s degree in Social Sciences, social policy Management or Development Studies will be an added advantage;
-
Experience in implementing social accountability activities in communities,
-
Experience in implementing World Bank GBV/GRM activities in schools and communities: At least 3 years’ experience in Social Protection;
-
Be able to conduct and guide on management of social risks and impacts and implementation of the mitigation measures including stakeholder engagement, grievance redress, GBV/SEA/SH, E&S screening etc.
-
Experience working on World Bank or other donor projects is preferred;
-
Proficiency in computer applications (MS Windows; MS Office), including experience with spreadsheet and database packages (MS Excel, MS Access), are a must;
-
Must be committed to principles of due process, faimess, and respect. Excellent communication skills (verbal and written);
-
Experience in Gender and Community mobilization skills;
-
Solutions-oriented person with excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and demonstrated ability to work in a team;
-
Experience in project implementation on large scale of not less than 50 districts.
REPORTING LINE:
The GRM/GBV/E&S Specialist will be reporting to the Project Manager
Duration
The assignment is expected to last for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and project needs.
Performance Evaluation
Annual performance evaluations 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 workplans. The consultant will be expected to meet the performance standards as agreed. Failure to meet these standards may result in performance improvement plans or other disciplinary action.
Procurement method
The Consultant will be hired and contracted as per the “Individual Consultant (IC)
” Selection method of World Bank Procurement Regulation (PR), September 2023.
Performance Evaluation
Annual performance evaluations 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 other disciplinary action.
Procurement method
The Consultant will be hired and contracted as per the “Individual Consultant (IC)” Selection method of World Bank Procurement Regulation (PR), September 2023.
The Ministry of Education through the GEWEL 2-SWL and Beyond, now invites eligible
“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.
The shortlisting criteria are: Educational qualification. experience (general & specific) and knowledge in project management of World bank projects.
The Consultants will be selected through the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants’ method in accordance with World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations, Revised September, 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”).
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn in particular to:
(i) Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Conflict of Interest, and
(ii) Section III, paragraphs, 3.21-3.24 of the Procurement Regulations setting forth the World
Bank’s policy on Eligibility, including the specific pre-requisite conditions to be met for
the eligibility, on exceptional basis, of Government officials and civil servants of the Borrower’s country under consulting contracts in the Borrower’s country.
Individuals who are currently working as consultants on another World Bank-financed project may also compete in this selection process, but if they are selected they will be required before signing the proposed contract to provide documentary evidence of having satisfactorily complied with their existing contract’s requirements with respect to early termination of the contract by the consultant, including advance notice period, to avoid disruption in implementation of that project.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours [i.e. 08:00 to 17:00 hours].
Expressions of interest must be delivered in hard copy to the address on or before 22 November 2024 17:00 hours to the address below.
The Permanent Secretary- Administration
Ministry of Education
89 Corner of Chimanga & Mogadishu Roads
P.O. Box 50093,
LUSAKA-ZAMBIA
