Payment Specialist at Ministry of Education

Job Description

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.

PAYMENT SPECIALIST x 01

Job Summary

The Payment Specialist will be responsible for ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of SWL and nutrition top-up funds to beneficiaries either directly or via payment service providers given that funds are made available, adhering to banking industry financial and procuring regulations and guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of available SWL bi- monthly payment. nutrition top-ups to beneficiaries either directly or via payment service providers adhering to banking industry, financial and procuring regulations and guidelines,
Preparing regular reports on payment activities, funds disbursements, and related financial transactions to provide accountability and transparency.
Ensuring that all financial activities comply with organizational policies, local laws related to payments and anti-fraud measures and the World Bank project requirements
Collaborating with the programme management team to monitor the budget, track expenses, and forecast future financial needs relating to beneficiary payments,
Maintaining accurate financial records of beneficiaries’ payments and transactions for auditing purposes;
Coordination within the PIU, other Ministry personnel and with beneficiaries where appropriate, payment service providers and other stakeholders to promote smooth payment processing and resolve any payment-related issues in a timeous manner,
Training staff and beneficiaries where appropriate on digital payments, or cash management as needed to support the programme implementation.
Facilitating the engagement of Payment Service Providers through training activities;
Identifying and mitigating risks related to payment fraud, funds mismanagement, or other payment errors
Utilizing and (to the extent possible) design the digital payment systems or platforms to promote secure and efficient payment processing

Qualification, Experience and Key Attributes

Full Grade 12 Certificate or Equivalent.
Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Finance, Economics, Computing or a related field. A Master’s degree in a related field is desirable.
At least 7 years of experience in banking, electronic money, mobile money and /or electronic payments.
Experience working with Donor funded project or Public Sector Programme is desirable
Knowledge in Public and Donor Financial management guidelines is desirable.
Proven track record in budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, and fund disbursements.
Experience working in social protection programs is desirable. Knowledge working with digital payment platforms.
Strong organizational, communication and leadership skills.
Ability to manage teams and work in multidisciplinary teams.

Duration

The assignment is expected to last for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and programme needs.

Reporting

The Payment Specialist will report directly to the Assistant SWL Manager

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