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:

3.0 PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST x 01

Job Summary

The Procurement Specialist will oversee the procurement of Goods, Works, consultancy and non- consultancy services necessary for the successful implementation of the Programme. The Procurement Specialist will also provide expert advice on procurement issues and build the capacity of project staff in procurement management.

KEY TASKS/RESPONSIBILITY

• Develop procurement plan for Works, Goods and Services under the project, and update the Plan as and when needed (at least quarterly) through the Bank’s Systematic Tracking of Procurement Exchanges system (STEP).
• Upload and update the procurement transactions using STEP, Prepare drafts to Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI), Invitation for Bids (IFB).
• Invitation for Prequalification (IFP). Bidding Document, Prequalification Document (PQD).
• Request for Proposals (RFP) and Pre-Bid Meeting Minutes as per World Bank Procurement Regulations;
• Guide and conduct procurement in accordance with World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (September 2023) (“Procurement Regulations”) the Bank’s Systematic Tracking and Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) system will be used to prepare, clear and update Procurement Plans and conduct all procurement transactions for the Project.
• Take part, as a member of evaluation committees;
• Provide timely advice to PIU in making submissions for Letter of No Objection at World Bank. help PIU on necessary documentation and revision of the submissions as advised by the Bank officials;
• Help PIU to address the procurement related complaints, which will include (a) review of the complaints vis-à-vis the respective procurement processes and documents, and (b) participation in discussions that PIU members may have with complainants.
• Provide advice and training to PIU members on World Bank New Procurement Framework (NPF) and procurement related matters, on need basis as a part of the institutional capacity building of departments of Planning and Information at MCDSS and Gender Division;
• Closely monitor procurement activities in reference to the Procurement Plan timeline and the procurement approval process of the Government and bring any slippage of activities immediately to the attention of the Project Coordinator.
• Prepare quarterly report on procurement status and procurement risk mitigation framework and arrange submission of the same to IDA for review;
• Assist in preparing TORS and associated documents for other consultants, as appropriate, Conduct diagnostic analyses on delays, inefficiency, etc. in the system, and provide recommendations to improve the same, if required;
• Conduct site visits and verify supervision consultant’s (if any) periodic reports on physical progress;
• Prepare contract management checklist and suggest improvement on contract administration by different contractors at different sites;
• Report on implementation of sustainability factors in procurement and contract management. including economic, social and environmental considerations.
• Report any possibility of contract variation;
• Conduct procurement activities under the project using e-GP portal as applicable;
• Any other task assigned by the SCT Coordinator as and when required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduate Qualification (at least Graduate in Engineering Procurement Supply Chain Management/Commerce/ Finance Business/ Management Law/Environmental Science or suitable equivalency);
• At least 5 years of general experience out of which three years of experience as Procurement Specialist or have had responsibilities with a substantial content of his/her position in the procurement area (use of internationally accepted contract documents for works, goods and services.
• Specialized knowledge of procurement of goods; various forms of construction contracts; selection/ contracting of consultant services; preparation of bidding/ contract documents for the international procurement of goods, works, services; public procurement policies; sustainable procurement; advanced contract management;
• Basic knowledge and understanding of e-Government Procurement (e-GP).
• Knowledge and experience in Technical, Commercial and legal aspects of procurement of the World Bank-financed project will be an added advantage.
• Strong communication skills in presenting, discussing and resolving difficult issues.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Duration and Location

The assignment will be for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension based on performance. The position will be based in Lusaka at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Headquarters.

Institutional Arrangement

The Specialist will work under direct control of the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Coordinator with close collaboration with other officials of the PIU. The Specialist shall be accountable to the SCT Coordinator for his day-to-day activities

Reporting
(1) Monthly Activity Report
(2) Quarterly Summarized report
(3) Final Report

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.